The work was almost finished but the threat by enemies lingered, indicating that vigilance and faith in God remained vital.
Now when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, to Geshem the Arab and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and that no breach remained in it, although at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates, (Nehemiah 6:1)
In this verse, Nehemiah recounts that his adversaries—Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab—heard word that the wall of Jerusalem had been rebuilt and was almost fully secured, except for the doors which had not yet been put in place. Jerusalem, located in the highlands of Judea roughly 33 miles east of the Mediterranean Sea, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC, and many of the Judeans had been carried off into exile (2 Kings 24-25). After King Cyrus of Persia allowed exiles of various nations, including Judeans, to return to their homelands beginning in 538 BC, Judeans reinhabited Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1). Eventually, under the leadership of Nehemiah in around 445 BC, they managed to rebuild Jerusalem’s battered city wall despite surrounding hostility (Nehemiah 6:15). In Nehemiah’s day, the people faced taunts and threats from nearby opponents—such as Sanballat and Geshem—but they pressed on, trusting God’s provision and protection as they worked to fortify the city so that it no longer would be left defenseless (Nehemiah 2:19-20, 4:1-9, 6:1-9). Their success in completing the wall in a mere fifty-two days amazed their enemies and caused them to realize it was God who was accomplishing the work through this small band of returned exiles.
This verse reveals how the hatred of these foes intensified as the city’s restoration advanced. Their tactics would soon escalate from mocking to even more sinister schemes. The overall situation reminds us that when God’s people undertake a crucial task for Him, there can be spiritual and practical opposition John 15:19). Nehemiah stayed focused on his mission, rooted in faith, demonstrating courage and reliance on the LORD’s protection and guidance. Just as Jesus would later remind His followers about spiritual adversaries, Nehemiah gave an example of alertness and resolve, trusting in the faithful hand of God to accomplish His purposes (Philippians 1:6).
The specifics of the enemies—“Sanballat,”“Tobiah,” and “Geshem the Arab”—reflect the multicultural context of the Persian Empire during the mid-5th century BC. Sanballat and Tobiah were likely regional officials who had their own political aspirations and did not want to see Jerusalem restored to strength under Nehemiah’s governorship (Nehemiah 2:10, 2:19). Geshem could have been part of various Arab tribes settled around Palestine who were economically and politically interested in ensuring that Jerusalem remained vulnerable. Despite all these menaces, Nehemiah stayed the course, set a righteous example for the people, and ultimately saw the city’s vital defenses reestablished.
The walls now stood, and the city was newly protected. It was a testament to both the people’s determination and the providence of God, who worked through an obedient servant for the good of His covenant people. It also anticipated the future blessings Israel hoped to see under God’s faithful covenant promises, ultimately fulfilled in Christ (Luke 1:68-73).
Nehemiah’s faithful perseverance in rebuilding the wall illustrates how God’s covenant people serve Him in unity, each performing their part even in the face of obstacles, until what needs to be accomplished is done (Nehemiah 3). Through this example, believers of every generation can glean encouragement to likewise remain faithful in times of difficulty.
This verse shows that God’s work often faces opposition, and that with trust in the LORD, it can still be completed.
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Nehemiah 6:1 meaning
Now when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, to Geshem the Arab and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and that no breach remained in it, although at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates, (Nehemiah 6:1)
In this verse, Nehemiah recounts that his adversaries—Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab—heard word that the wall of Jerusalem had been rebuilt and was almost fully secured, except for the doors which had not yet been put in place. Jerusalem, located in the highlands of Judea roughly 33 miles east of the Mediterranean Sea, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC, and many of the Judeans had been carried off into exile (2 Kings 24-25). After King Cyrus of Persia allowed exiles of various nations, including Judeans, to return to their homelands beginning in 538 BC, Judeans reinhabited Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1). Eventually, under the leadership of Nehemiah in around 445 BC, they managed to rebuild Jerusalem’s battered city wall despite surrounding hostility (Nehemiah 6:15). In Nehemiah’s day, the people faced taunts and threats from nearby opponents—such as Sanballat and Geshem—but they pressed on, trusting God’s provision and protection as they worked to fortify the city so that it no longer would be left defenseless (Nehemiah 2:19-20, 4:1-9, 6:1-9). Their success in completing the wall in a mere fifty-two days amazed their enemies and caused them to realize it was God who was accomplishing the work through this small band of returned exiles.
This verse reveals how the hatred of these foes intensified as the city’s restoration advanced. Their tactics would soon escalate from mocking to even more sinister schemes. The overall situation reminds us that when God’s people undertake a crucial task for Him, there can be spiritual and practical opposition John 15:19). Nehemiah stayed focused on his mission, rooted in faith, demonstrating courage and reliance on the LORD’s protection and guidance. Just as Jesus would later remind His followers about spiritual adversaries, Nehemiah gave an example of alertness and resolve, trusting in the faithful hand of God to accomplish His purposes (Philippians 1:6).
The specifics of the enemies—“Sanballat,” “Tobiah,” and “Geshem the Arab”—reflect the multicultural context of the Persian Empire during the mid-5th century BC. Sanballat and Tobiah were likely regional officials who had their own political aspirations and did not want to see Jerusalem restored to strength under Nehemiah’s governorship (Nehemiah 2:10, 2:19). Geshem could have been part of various Arab tribes settled around Palestine who were economically and politically interested in ensuring that Jerusalem remained vulnerable. Despite all these menaces, Nehemiah stayed the course, set a righteous example for the people, and ultimately saw the city’s vital defenses reestablished.
The walls now stood, and the city was newly protected. It was a testament to both the people’s determination and the providence of God, who worked through an obedient servant for the good of His covenant people. It also anticipated the future blessings Israel hoped to see under God’s faithful covenant promises, ultimately fulfilled in Christ (Luke 1:68-73).
Nehemiah’s faithful perseverance in rebuilding the wall illustrates how God’s covenant people serve Him in unity, each performing their part even in the face of obstacles, until what needs to be accomplished is done (Nehemiah 3). Through this example, believers of every generation can glean encouragement to likewise remain faithful in times of difficulty.
This verse shows that God’s work often faces opposition, and that with trust in the LORD, it can still be completed.