← Back to Nehemiah

Nehemiah 6

19 verses

TL;DR

Nehemiah faces persistent opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem as he rebuilds Jerusalem’s walls, yet the project is completed and the enemies are humbled.

Summary

In Nehemiah 6, the enemy leaders—Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem—attempt to sabotage the wall construction through deceitful meetings and false prophetic warnings. Nehemiah rebuffs their invitations, insisting that the work must continue. He receives a threatening letter from Sanballat’s servant, accusing the Jews of rebellion and planning for him to be slain. Nehemiah confronts a prophet hired by the enemies who warns of danger and urges him to seek refuge in the temple, which Nehemiah rejects, recognizing it as a trap. He prays for strength and calls upon God to expose the conspirators. The wall is finished in 52 days, impressing the surrounding peoples and causing the enemies to be humbled. Letters are exchanged between Judah’s nobles and Tobiah, revealing the political intrigue and the persistent fear tactics used against Nehemiah.

Outline
  1. Enemy schemes and deceptive letters; Nehemiah’s steadfast refusal and prayers
  2. Prophetic warning and rejection of false counsel
  3. Completion of the wall and its impact on enemies
Themes
Faithful perseverance under persecutionThe deceptive nature of political enemiesDivine protection and vindication
Keywords
rebellionprophetenemystrengthfaithwallprayerfear
People
NehemiahSanballatTobiahGeshemShemaiahNoadiahShechaniahArahMeshullamBerechiahJohanan
Places
Plain of OnoHouse of ShemaiahTemple (House of God)JerusalemElul (month)
Things
walldooropen letterprophecystrengthening prayerprophetsprophetess
Key Verses
  • Nehemiah 6:5: Illustrates the enemies’ use of a formal open letter to spread false propaganda and provoke fear.
  • Nehemiah 6:16: Shows the successful completion of the wall and the psychological defeat of the enemies.
  • Nehemiah 6:15: Highlights the miraculous speed (52 days) in completing the wall, underscoring divine support.
Questions
  • What strategies does Nehemiah employ to confront deceitful enemies without compromising his mission?
  • How does the presence of false prophets influence the political climate in Jerusalem?
  • In what ways does the completion of the wall serve as a testimony to the surrounding peoples?
  • What can modern leaders learn from Nehemiah’s balance of vigilance and trust in divine guidance?
  • How does the narrative demonstrate the role of community support in facing external threats?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter records both adversarial conflict and triumphant completion, reflecting a tension between danger and divine vindication.