Four times in Nehemiah 6 Nehemiah refers to the same temptation: fear. All three paragraphs (at least as the ESV divides the chapter) end with Nehemiah’s observation that the aim was to make them afraid (verses 9, 14, 19); make the builders afraid, make Nehemiah himself afraid. If they could make Nehemiah afraid then he would discredit himself and the people would have no one to follow. If they could make the people themselves afraid they would drop their hands from the work. To borrow some apostolic language, Nehemiah and the wall builders were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within.

Here is the principle: Most anxiety leads to inactivity rather than overactivity. Panic paralyzes. Fear of man weakens a man.

Three of the main men working against Jerusalem’s rebuilding are listed in the first verse. We find out in the last couple verses of the chapter that there are internal ties to Tobiah that have been adding to the problems all along. The first part of the chapter, verses 1-9, focus on Sanballat and Geshem’s deceptive invites and their threat of disinformation campaign.

Nehemiah sees through the intimidation. And though we only see one quick prayer for strength, we do see his pattern of courage rather than quitting. This morning we’ll take the first half of the chapter, and we see that if he had quit, he’d have done the liars’ work for them.

Private Invitations (verses 1-4)

The last update was that the wall was at half-height because the people had a mind to work (4:6). That stirred up enemies, which stirred up new defense safeguards, which stirred up some internal strife. Now the haters come back as the project is 90% complete. The last 10% is always tough.

Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates) (verse 1)

No breach means that the only open gaps were at the gate locations, as the gate doors weren’t yet installed. Only guarding identified entry points was more feasible.

In chapter 4 representatives from every side surrounding Jerusalem gathered, and there were rumors that they planned to attack. Maybe it was more bark than battle, but now, even if they wanted to strike, it would be a lot more difficult. So they adjust to a different line, more personal, and deceptively diplomatic.

Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. (verse 2)

The location of Hakkephirim is uncertain, but the plain of Ono was 25-30 miles northwest of Jerusalem, on the way to Samaria where Sanballat was from. It’s also uncertain as to who was in control of this area, but Sanballat probably proposed it to appear as a neutral meeting ground.

What did Sanballat and Geshem want? How did Nehemiah know that it wasn’t good? One clue is that if they really wanted peace, why didn’t they come on into town, bring a gift basket? Or, why not at least say something positive in their invitation? It’s a “strike the contractor and the builders will be scattered” sort of strategy.

And I sent messengers to them, saying, “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?” (verse 3)

Nehemiah declines, politely. It probably was a bit extreme to say that all the work would stop if Nehemiah himself wasn’t on site. But it’s also true, he was busy because this was a big project.

And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. (verse 4)

They really wanted to “meet.” The messengers were wearing out the path, but got nowhere with Nehemiah. So Sanballat tries another tactic.

Public Intimidation (verses 5-9)

In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So come and let us take counsel together.” (verses 5-7)

The first thing to note is that this is an open letter. The plan was to put pressure on Nehemiah by his own people. It’s one thing for Nehemiah to resist the invitations, but could he resist the potential internal wave of panic?

It is reported. You know, people are talking, and “They” see what’s going on. Even Gashmu saith it (KJV). This is the only place in Scripture that Gashmu is named, and most scholars argue that it’s a variant spelling of Geshem or just a misspelling by a copyist (which the ESV/NIV “fixes” in their translation). It’s likely the same guy. And Sanballat says, “Geshem says it.” Maybe Geshem was more familiar with Artaxerxes, or had more frequent interaction with Persian authorities. Something about his word would be heard.

Sanballat describes two types of rebellion: national and personal. The first is exactly what the letter from a decade ago accused the Jews of doing (Ezra 4:12-13). To say that Nehemiah was setting himself up to be king would be quite a an affront to Artaxerxes, from cupbearer to crown-bearer.

We should remember that there were prophecies about a king coming to Jerusalem. And, in fact, some of us are still thinking those prophecies are going to be fulfilled. The Lord promised David a son who would rule from Jerusalem on an eternal throne (2 Samuel 7:16). No mention is made of Nehemiah being from the Davidic line, and Nehemiah has made no moves to be more than governor. So there is some truth to the prophetic expectation about a king coming to Judah, just not as Sanballat tried to spin it.

Then I sent to him saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” (verse 8)

Sometimes you can (and should) ignore rumors (for example, Ecclesiastes 7:21). Here, Nehemiah denies them. There’s no basis. “You’re making it all up.” One translation has, “it is a figment of your own imagination.” For that matter, if all this was true and if Nehemiah had gone to visit Sanballat, wouldn’t Artaxerxes think Sanballat was in on the rebellion?

And then Nehemiah summarizes the whole episode.

For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” (verse 9b)

Losing heart leads to stopping work. Anxiety leads to inactivity.

But now, O God, strengthen my hands.

The direct address, O God, is not in the text. Translators add it to match some of the other “arrow prayer” types found in the book of Nehemiah. But Nehemiah was asking for help to double-down.

Conclusion

In verse 6 “reported among the nations” is meant as a threat. Will see that the truth also gets reported in verse 16 and the nations will be the ones who are scared.

Calling God’s people bad things is still a tactic to get God’s people to quit whatever good they’re doing. Unsettle, discourage, derail. Forms of emotional sabotage abound.

As a reminder:

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11–12 ESV)

In this case, Jesus doesn’t say to fight lies with truth, or even to fight lies with courage, He says to fight lies with rejoicing. Liars aren’t stopping you, they’re trying to get you to stop. Don’t do their work for them.

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Charge

Maybe you don’t know what to do. Ask God who gives wisdom to all without disapproval. Maybe criticisms of the good you’re doing are many, or insistent. Ask God who gives strength. Stay out of meetings that are traps, and don’t drop your hands from the work. Delight in the Lord.

Benediction:

[A]ccording to the riches of his glory may he grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. (Ephesians 3:16–17a ESV)