But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard it, they mocked us and despised us and said, “What is this thing you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” (Nehemiah 2:19)
The hornet’s nest had been stirred, and another foe was added to Nehemiah’s group of detractors, Geshem the Arab, who was most likely concerned about any plans to restore the southern sections of the wall. You could tell by the vitriol (“they mocked and despised us”) that the rebuilding project was an existential threat to this criminal syndicate. Not only could Nehemiah ascertain where they were most vulnerable from his mounted tour of wall, he could also find some direction from the volume of his critics objections! It is also important to note the veiled threat of reporting his activity to the authorities (“Are you rebelling against the king?”) This trick up the sleeve is always in the opposition’s game plan, and that’s why Nehemiah kept the royal clearance to act in his hip pocket.
Then I came to the governors of the provinces beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. (Nehemiah 2:9)
You’d think that the areas of the wall that were impassable, where there was a cascade of stones, would be addressed first. But the logic is this. If Nehemiah’s mount couldn’t deal with the loose rubble, neither could the opposition. The leader had a triage situation on his hands brought about by 130 years of neglect. He’d turn his attention to where the process might be physically “easier,” but more dangerous to pull off, namely the breaches where Israel was historically targeted. You always want to focus on the greatest and most predictable threat, even though for a time it presents the most danger. First things first, in other words. In the very near future, Nehemiah would have to solve the problem of fixing the wall with one hand and fending off the enemy with the other! (Nehemiah 4:16)
So I answered them and said to them, “The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion, right or memorial in Jerusalem.” (Nehemiah 2:20)
It’s obvious that such a project would have to endure some criticism, but relentless mockery and derision would be the norm going forward. They’d have to bow their necks and fixate on fulfilling the will of God, but more importantly, his ability to cause “all things to work together for good.” He always possesses the upper hand.
As for the mocking trio, to them Nehemiah emphatically stated, borrowing from the words of Peter, “You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. (Acts 8:21)
Leave a Reply