Nehemiah 6:1-9
A Work Too Important to Leave
Read the passage
1When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates—
2Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me.
3So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?”
4Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.
5The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter
6that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king,
7and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.”
8Then I sent him this reply: “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.”
9For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The wall is nearly complete, but the gates still lack doors. Sanballat and Geshem invite Nehemiah to meet on the plain of Ono. Nehemiah understands that the offer is a trap and refuses four times.
I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?
The fifth message contains an unsealed letter accusing Nehemiah of planning a revolt and trying to become king. The letter offers a meeting as if a private conversation could settle rumors, but its purpose is intimidation.
Nehemiah answers that the rumors are invented, then prays for strength. His enemies want fear to weaken the builders' hands; he asks God to strengthen his. He cannot silence every rumor, but he can depend on God to keep working.
Questions
1 What did Nehemiah's enemies invite him to do?
AnswerSanballat and Geshem invited him to meet in a village on the plain of Ono. They were planning to harm him.
2 Why did Nehemiah refuse?
AnswerThe invitation was a trap, and leaving would stop the work. He gave the same refusal to four invitations.
3 What accusation did the unsealed letter make?
AnswerThe unsealed letter accused Nehemiah and the Jews of planning rebellion and claimed that Nehemiah wanted to become king. It warned that these reports would reach the king of Persia.
4 What did Nehemiah ask God to do?
AnswerNehemiah asked God to strengthen his hands. He answered the invitations, accusations, and threats without abandoning the work God had given him.
What This Means for Us
Nehemiah faced a deliberate attempt to harm him, not an ordinary request for help. We should listen to honest concerns. But when someone keeps using a false story to pressure us, we can name the lie, seek help from someone trustworthy, and keep attending to our responsibilities. Ask God for strength when telling the truth has not made the pressure go away.
Prayer
Lord, help us recognize distractions that are meant to weaken good work. Give us wisdom to answer lies without becoming consumed by them, and strengthen our hands for what you have given us. Amen.