Nehemiah, Part 7: It Gets Personal
July 9, 2026 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments
Posted in: Pastoral Encouragement
This summer the men are invited to study the book of Nehemiah with one of four groups that will meet twice per month. Nehemiah, however, has valuable truths for the whole church family. I will use this avenue to share some of my findings from studying Nehemiah.
The side quests continue in Nehemiah 6. In chapter 5 we saw Nehemiah “distracted” by a great outcry for food in the city. He addressed that need head on, knowing that God is glorified when his people care for such physical needs of others. But the work on the wall continued. Chapter 6 contains a different distraction. This was a personal attack on Nehemiah. He responds very differently to this issue. Let’s consider what happens.
Nehemiah’s enemies are at it again. 6:1 names three: Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab. These three men held oppressive power over the Jews and Jerusalem. Their position was threatened by Nehemiah’s efforts. They jeered (2:19); they mocked (4:2-3); and they plotted violence (4:8). In chapter 6 they invite Nehemiah to meet with them. On face value, this may seem like a conciliation to Nehemiah and his leadership. But Nehemiah sees right through the offer. He records in 6:2, “But they intended to do me harm.” And he replies to their request, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” (v. 3).
There is a principle here for us to consider. In chapter 5, Nehemiah would have had to step away from the work on the wall to address the food shortage issue. And yet, in chapter 6 he says he cannot leave that work when faced with a personal threat. How does Nehemiah choose what to address and what to pass over? I know I would not let personal threats and provocations idly pass me by. We learn about priorities from Nehemiah. We have seen already that Nehemiah is motivated by a passion for God’s glory. This is why he cares about the state of Jerusalem. This is why he cares for the poor and oppressed. This is why he is generous with the governor’s stipend. Nehemiah makes choices with his time based upon what honors God. This is the command of Jesus in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” We must evaluate our priorities and organize our time around God-honoring priorities.
Sanballat and his associates are persistent. They request Nehemiah to meet with them four times. Then on a five occasion, they sent an open letter, which contained slanderous accusations against Nehemiah (v. 5-7). And they hired a man to try to lure Nehemiah away from the work in fear for his life (v. 10-13). How does Nehemiah respond? He prays. He entrusts himself and the justice due to his enemies into God’s hands. In verse 9, it is the simple statement: “But now, O God, strengthen my hands.” Nehemiah’s ability to stay focused on God-honoring priorities was not from his own strength. He humbly relied upon the Lord. His habits of prayer demonstrated a dependence on the strength of the Lord.
The second prayer comes in verse 14, “Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.” Nehemiah used this word “remember” in a prayer for himself in chapter 5. He prayed, “Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people” (v. 19). It has a similar meaning in both instances. With this word, Nehemiah seeks and submits to God’s justice, whether for blessing or for judgment (ESV Study Bible note on 6:14). Nehemiah does not seek to resolve the matters with his enemies on his own. He entrusts the situation to the Lord. This reveals a heart that has been quieted and satisfied by the Lord.
It is in the midst of adversity that one’s true character is revealed. How Nehemiah handles distractions and threats shows us a man who walks humbly with his God. May we also walk humbly with our Lord, actively prioritizing him in our hearts and depending on him through prayer.
