15 - Bible Commentary | Karuna Sadan

Reaction to the Building of the Walls: Distraction

“Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm. But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner. (Nehemiah 6:3-4)

Don't meet the enemy for negotiations while you are building. They may force you to compromise on your values or your vision.

Ono was a biblical town of Benjamin in the "plain of Ono" (1 Chr. 8:12; Ezra 2:33). Not succeeding in their attempts to deter Nehemiah from rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Sanballat and Tobiah resorted to stratagem, and pretending to have a conference with him, they invited Nehemiah to meet them at Ono. However, the Lord perhaps revealed to Nehemiah that their intentions were not good.

For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.” (Nehemiah 6:9)

Fear will weaken your resolve to work. Fear will weaken your hands. This is the strategy of the enemy. He wants to stop the work.

Prayer: Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. (Nehemiah 6:9)

But I said, Should such a man as I flee? And what man such as I could go into the temple [where only the priests are allowed to go] and yet live? I will not go in. (Nehemiah 6:11)

They wanted him to make a mistake so that his own people would turn against him.

He was hired that I should be made afraid and do as he said and sin, that they might have matter for an evil report with which to taunt and reproach me. (Nehemiah 6:13)

While a great work is going on the enemy wants you to sin that there might be an evil report with which to taunt and reproach

So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. (Nehemiah 6:15)

What could not be done in so many years was done within 52 days. This is what happens when you follow the principles of God’s word. The anointing of speed comes upon you to accomplish things at lightning speed.

Reaction to the Building of the Walls: False Accusations

Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand. In it was written: It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their king. And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, “There is a king in Judah!” Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together. (Nehemiah 6:5-7)

Whenever you attempt something great for God, the spirit of slander will come against you. Let it not deter you from doing great things. Success is the best answer to every critic.

Chapter 6