Wise Master Builder 16 | Fifty-Two Days

Introduction 

This chapter is remarkable for two reason. First, the threats and schemes against Nehemiah and the work of rebuilding the walls are manifold. Second, none of them work, and Nehemiah succeeds in rebuilding Zion’s walls in fifty-two days.

The Text

Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;) That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
Nehemiah 6:1ff

Summary of the Text

As the breaches in walls were closed, and their height was restored, word spread to the enemies that the rebuilding was nearing its completion, with only the gates still needing doors (v1). Sanballat invited Nehemiah to Ono with a pretext of making peace, but Nehemiah discerned that an assassination plot was behind these repeated invites (vv2-4). Nehemiah declined these flattering but devious invites, keeping the great work central (v3).

A fifth message from Sanballat arrived in the form of an open letter full of slander, misrepresentations, and false testimony (vv5-7). The aim was clearly to stir rumors and thus trouble Nehemiah in the work, and make everyone around Nehemiah “lean away”. Nehemiah denied these rumors which are clearly the result of Sanballat’s overactive imagination (v8). These attacks found some vulnerabilities, and at least some of the saints grew afraid, and so Nehemiah calls on the Lord to strengthen his hands (v9).

Next a prophet (Shemaiah), feigning sickness, suggests to Nehemiah that due to the danger they should flee to the temple (v10); King Uzziah had once trespassed into the temple, and was struck with leprosy for his impudence (2 Chr. 26:16). Shemaiah’s counsel reveals to Nehemiah that he was a prophet “on the take”, and not from God (vv12-13). His reply to this plot intended to compromise him should sink into each of our hearts: Should such a man as I flee (v11)? Or to put it in terms our Mexican brethren would understand, “No way, Jose!” This, too, leads Nehemiah to prayer, asking God to bring the schemes of these wicked men and women (the prophetess Noadiah by name) to nothing, since they attempted to quail the courage of God’s people (v14)

Nevertheless, the wall was completed in fifty-two days, causing great dismay amongst the Jews’ enemies (vv15-16). Though the wall was completed, there was another danger to be dealt with within the walls. Tobiah, the High Priest’s son-in-law, fostered the fellowship of the grumpy muffins (vv17-19). This discontent was principally amongst the elite. Nehemiah had shaken things up, and the elite preferred the status quo that Tobiah offered them, and thus they willingly joined in attempting to intimidate Nehemiah (v19).

A Great Work

It should never catch you off guard that both in our corporate efforts of advancing the Kingdom of God, and in our individual lives, opposition always arises. For instance, when you try to overcome a sinful habit, you should not be surprised that almost immediately there is a strong temptation to that sin. Say a scrawny fellow, the sort that has to run around the shower to get wet,  gets it in his mind to finally work out. If he goes to the gym and a trainer begins handing him weights, he shouldn’t be surprised. Rather, strength is built through such opposition. Faith is strengthened by trusting God despite what our eyes see or our ears hear or our heart feels. Temptation is overcome by resisting it, and replacing it with righteous desires.

We all have been called, in various capacities, to a great work. Christians are called to work towards the fulfillment of the Great Commission. This local body is called to see to it that we fulfill all the “one another” imperatives. Each family is full of various duties of provision, nurture, forgiveness, and so on. Every one of us is duty bound, as individuals, to “follow hard after God” while His right hand upholds us (Ps. 63:8). All this together is a great work undertaken for the glory of God. It should not surprise you to find that there is opposition to these godly duties.

The opposition that Nehemiah encounters can be divided into two sets of two. One set is external threats, the other is internal. Let’s consider all four in turn.

Negotiating with Terrorists

First, notice that Sanballat and Tobiah apparently had a good thing going and Nehemiah’s work was messing that all up. The slave trade, the usury, the marriages between saints and sinners were all threatened by this new arrangement. So, Sanballat invites Nehemiah four times to come to Ono for a consultation. The project was moving forward rapidly and Nehemiah is tempted to seek the favor and blessing of those who hated him while also abandoning his post. These threats had once worked (Ezra 4:24), and Sanballat clearly hoped it would work again.

Think of how many Christian organizations have been hijacked by trying to appease progressive demands and sensibilities. This play is often effective. You are made to think that unless you appease this powerful person and retain their good favor you will not be able to succeed. This is what corporate HR thrives on. This is also what manipulative relatives thrive on as well. They want you to second guess your biblical commitments. Think of the Grandma that objects to you spanking her angelic grandchild; if you give in to her sentimentality you are abdicating your duty and only ensuring that the little angel becomes a fallen one!

Gashmu Saith it

On the fifth attempt, Sanballat writes an open letter, and gets Gashmu to corroborate the accusation that Nehemiah was too high and mighty for his own good. This is a common argument from unbelievers, “You Christians want to tell everyone how to run their life! You think you’re better than everyone.” This is readily apparent in that they accuse us of plotting some Handmaid’s Tale dystopia, when in fact it is gay men that are the ones renting poor women’s wombs. As Nehemiah responds, so should we, “You have a very active imagination!” 

False Prophets On the Take

Next we see the first internal threat. Shemaiah, a so-called prophet, tried to convince Nehemiah to heed to his superficially pious counsel of fleeing for safety into the temple. But he did this in order that he could publicly reproach Nehemiah (Cf. Deu. 32:36). False prophets are willing to say anything for the right price. They might feign righteous counsel but the real question is whether their counsel leads you nearer to the work God has assigned you, or does it distract you from that work? False prophets don’t want you righteous, they want to reproach you, often for their own gain. There is a real blight amongst Christians of chasing summer camp highs, or finding an answer in the latest guru book, or hearing the latest gossip. Come to this conference. Read this book. Don’t miss the next episode.

Don’t Rock the Boat

Tobiah was well-entrenched amongst the elite. Nehemiah’s coming really threatened to interrupt the good thing they had going. Oftentimes, when a couple is having marriage troubles, and one spouse really gets serious about living for God the other spouse resents this. They liked having things to hang over the other. When revival comes it upsets our way of doing things. Thus, those who have something to lose due to such a revival will begin all manner of gossip and slander in order to get you to cave. When you think everyone is talking about you it can be quite frightening, but if you haven’t sinned, and you’re busy doing what God has commanded you in His word, what do you have to dread? 

The Wall

This moment is not reckoned amongst the great miracles of the Bible, but it really is the highpoint of this period of redemptive history. Despite the early discouragement of God’s people (Ezra 4), even though grievous sins of the people were brought to light (Ez 7 and Neh. 5), although all sorts of threats and stratagems had been made against them, we read this understatement: so the wall was finished. It took them fifty-two days.

There are great comforts here. Have you dilly-dallied in your pursuit of the work God has called you to? Have you been intimidated, compromised, or cowed? Have you sinned greatly? Look what God does for sinful men: He raised up man of comfort to raise the surrounding fortifications. God surrounded you on all sides by the towers and buttresses of the precious blood of Christ. You are in Christ. You are within those holy walls. You dwell within those palaces of Zion.

You might have made slow progress thus far in your fight against some sin. You may think your marriage is beyond repair. You may tremble at the threats, slander, and temptation of your enemies. Look what great things God accomplished for His people through the determined faith of Nehemiah, the man of comfort. You have a better Nehemiah, a better Comforter, that dwells in you. So, if you are wallowing in a puddle of despair, be comforted with this word: “The walls were rebuilt in fifty-two days.”

Charge and Benediction

You have a great work ahead of you. Don’t put it off. Don’t listen to Gashmu’s slander. Keep stacking the bricks, and trust in the God who surrounds His people with walls of redeeming grace.

On the Rock of Ages founded,
what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded,
thou may’st smile at all thy foes.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21