Nehemiah 4:1-5 -- The opposition of Nehemiah's enemies expressed itself in several ways. First, they tried public ridicule. This would be a theatrical display of standing near the wall, discussing loudly in the hearing of the builders. In the process, they ridiculed Jehovah, asking rhetorically if sacrificing to Him was of any use. The wall was being built largely of the limestone rubble of previous walls and buildings torn down repeatedly, starting with Nebuchadnezzar. Part of Sanballat's criticism notes limestone blocks, when exposed to fire, are softened to the point of crumbling easily. Tobiah chimed in how easily the wall could be toppled if so much as a small animal should jump on top of it.
4:6-12 -- At this time, Arab tribes were living south of Jerusalem. The Ammonites held the southern end of Gilead, just over the northern end of the Dead Sea from Jerusalem. Ashdod was then the chief city of Philistia. The Samaritan troops were at Sanballat's call. We see thus the enemies of Judah were active on all sides. When the wall reached half its planned height, these forces counseled together secretly to attack without warning. This was no major military exercise they were planning, but a sizeable raiding party from each group, large enough to threaten but small enough to move quickly and without much notice. It was necessary to avoid official involvement due to Artaxerxes' decree. However, this was not a very well kept secret, for the cities across Judah called for their workmen to return so they might defend against the planned raid. This, on top of the monumental pile of rubble that must be removed from the city, was enough to discourage the wall building.
4:13-23 -- Rather than send defenders to the outlying towns, Nehemiah called the families in to camp in and around Jerusalem. Then guard pickets were set around the whole perimeter. Half of the able-bodied posted guard, fully armed and armored, while the other half built the wall. Further, the workmen wore a sword, and with some of the exterior guards holding extra weapons. Thus, any attack would meet an instant and concerted defense of fully armed troops. Because of the distance involved between work parties, it was planned to reinforce any point of attack with workman from inside the wall, running quickly to face the threat. Professional soldiers (nobles and leaders) were scattered throughout the city. Scouts from the raiding parties saw this and canceled their attack. Nehemiah reports he did not enjoy any special comforts, but joined in the hardships. They slept fully dressed, disrobing only to wash quickly and change clothes. They also slept with weapons beside them.
5 -- A particular problem arose during this tense period, but was not fully addressed until later. Building the wall of Jerusalem was a sacrifice not only of labor, but labor that could not be given over to normal trade and harvest activities. The building took place during part of the summer fruit harvest and the olive harvest, not to mention the Jewish New Year. Food became scarce for those living close to the earth. The peasants and lower households were in a bind, for the habit of those of wealth was to charge high interest rates, contrary to the Law. The situation had gotten so bad many were already serving as bond-slaves. The seventh year release was not being honored (Exodus 21:2-11), or was not offered as an option, and some had been sold off to pagans. As the food situation became tight, Nehemiah was presented with complaints of this bad business. In the mad rush to finish the wall, Nehemiah pondered how to deal with this mess. In the short term, he rebuked the guilty nobles and priests, and the practices were suspended. Later on, he called a solemn assembly, something not possible during the wall building. This made the changes permanent. Further, Nehemiah set the example by refusing to live at the expense of the people. Instead of collecting the governor's tax, he and his bodyguard lived out of Nehemiah's own pockets. He would have also been required to feed any visiting dignitaries, yet did so at his own expense. This provided immense relief during his twelve years as governor. Previous men in that office were likely Persian appointees who weren't Jewish.
6:1-4 -- The wall itself was completed. While the gates had not yet been hung, the city was fairly secure from attack by raiding parties. The prior guard force could be greatly reduced to gate squads and a company or two in reserve inside the city. The only hope of the enemies was to draw Nehemiah out. Northwest of Jerusalem some 20 miles (32km), at the southern end of the Plain of Sharon, was the city of Ono. Sanballat and friends offered to host a conference in that area at the town of Nehemiah's choosing. Nehemiah was no fool. He wasn't lying when he said there was too much work to do; hanging gates was labor intensive and slow compared to stacking rocks already in abundance. The wood had to be brought in, trimmed and cut into posts and planks, then assembled in frames and doors. He rejected that message four times.
6:5-9 -- Failing that ploy, Sanballat made a public accusation. He had read in everyone's hearing a letter accusing Nehemiah of planning to declare himself King of Judah, in rebellion against Persia. Further, while there were surely prophets at this time speaking about the Messiah, the enemies twisted this to mean Nehemiah had hired false prophets to declare him this Anointed One of God. The objective was to compel Nehemiah's appearance before a court of his peers to face these charges. This, too, failed to impress Nehemiah.
6:10-14 -- The final trick was to hire a false prophet of their own. Sanballat commissioned Shemaiah to give Nehemiah "a word from God." The prophecy was that Shemaiah had learned from God Sanballat and friends had sent assassins. They would come that very night, and the only hope was to hide in the Temple. The suggestion itself exposed its falsity. No layman was allowed in the Temple, so it was not a word from God. Besides, such cowardice was the last thing the people needed to see. Nehemiah's notes other prophets who had been used by Sanballat for similar chicanery.
6:15-19 -- The wall was begun 1 August 444 BC, and finished 21 September the same year, 52 days. While we note the walls were not completely gone, but required closing breaches and adding gates, it was great task still. This feat was clearly nothing less than a miracle from Jehovah. As if external enemies weren't enough, Nehemiah reveals Tobiah was allied by marriage to a couple of powerful Jewish noble houses. Further, his name is Hebrew, suggesting he may have descended from one of the few northern Israelis left by the Assyrian deportation two hundred years earlier. Altogether, his influence far outweighed his legitimate power in Judah. There was constant verbal sparring between him and Nehemiah via numerous letters. Nehemiah also received countless letters from Jews supporting Tobiah.
7:1-4 -- Nehemiah passed rule over the city to his brother, Hanani, and security passed to Hananiah, commander of the fortress on the wall north of the Temple. This same building, in one form or another, was still used as a fort by Roman soldiers during Jesus' time. Most Returnees avoided the city, living in outlying towns and cities. Only during feasts, festivals and assemblies was the city fully populated. Thus, keeping it secure was hard work. Nehemiah arranged for in-depth defense of the city. He tasked the Levites to help guard the upper city. Gate policy was to use smaller doorways until the heat of day, when the main gates could be opened. At night, guards were posted atop the wall, as well as sector guards within the city posted before the gate of each major household. The city secured, Nehemiah was free to devote time to actually ruling Judah and instituting reforms.
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Ed Hurst
13 August 2005
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