Nehemiah 4:1-9
Prayer and a Watch
Read the passage
1Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews
2before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?”
3Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”
4Hear us, O God, for we are despised. Turn their scorn back upon their own heads, and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity.
5Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders.
6So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
7When Sanballat and Tobiah, together with the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious,
8and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance.
9So we prayed to our God and posted a guard against them day and night.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Sanballat ridicules the Jews before his associates and the army of Samaria. He calls them feeble and mocks their use of burned stones from the rubble. Tobiah adds that even a fox could knock their wall down.
Nehemiah turns to God. His prayer asks that the enemies' scorn return on their own heads, that they be taken captive, and that their sin not be blotted out. These are severe requests for God to judge those opposing the builders. Nehemiah brings the wrong to God rather than describing a private act of revenge.
The people keep working until the wall is joined together at half its height. Sanballat, Tobiah, and the surrounding groups are furious when they hear that the gaps are closing. They conspire to attack Jerusalem and disrupt the work.
The response is brief: the people pray to their God and post a guard day and night. They do not dismiss the threat, and they do not let the threat end their dependence on Him.
Questions
1 How did Sanballat and Tobiah try to weaken the builders?
AnswerSanballat and Tobiah ridiculed the builders and questioned whether feeble Jews could finish the wall. Their mockery aimed to make the work look foolish before it was complete.
2 How far had the wall been rebuilt?
AnswerThe wall had reached half its height because the people had a mind to work. The rebuilding was well underway, even though the rubble and opposition made the work difficult.
3 What did the enemies plan?
AnswerSanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites conspired to attack Jerusalem and hinder the work. Their opposition was aimed at stopping the rebuilding before the wall could be completed.
4 How did Nehemiah respond?
AnswerNehemiah prayed to God and set a guard day and night because of the enemies. The people continued rebuilding with a watch in place, joining prayer to practical protection.
What This Means for Us
Nehemiah names hostility before God and takes precautions to protect the builders. His prayer does not treat their enemies' actions as harmless.
When people mistreat us, we can tell God plainly what has happened and ask Him to judge rightly. Jesus also tells His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). Ask for protection and for their hearts to change. Taking sensible precautions does not require nurturing hatred.
Prayer
God, strengthen people who are being mocked for doing good. Give us wisdom to pray, courage to continue, and care to guard what you have entrusted to us. Amen.