Nehemiah 6:1-19

Nehemiah Outsmarts His Adversaries Until The Walls Are Completed (Nehemiah 6:1-19 )

Work on the walls had meanwhile being going on apace with the result that it was finally completed apart from the setting up of the huge doors in the gateways. It was a crucial time, for once the gates were completed and closed Jerusalem would be totally protected. As a consequence his adversaries now attempt new methods of discrediting him. Their focus has now turned from trying to discourage the people of Judah in general, to seeking to dispose of Nehemiah himself in one way or the other. They have clearly recognised that it is he alone who has maintained Judah’s morale, and is the obstacle to their achieving their ends of a continually weak and vulnerable Judah.

The chapter divides into three parts:

· Attempts by Sanaballat and Geshem to dispose of or discredit Nehemiah generally (Nehemiah 6:1-9)

· An attempt by Sanballat and Tobiah to make him act in such a way as to reveal himself as a coward, fearful of his adversaries (Nehemiah 6:10-14).

· The final completion of the wall and an indication of Tobiah’s influence among the Jews and his attempts to undermine Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:15-19).