The rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall under Nehemiah is one of Scripture’s most vivid narratives of obedience under pressure. As they built, they carried the materials for their work with one hand while holding a weapon in the other. Each man wore a sword at his side as he worked. (Nehemiah 4:16-18)

When something is being built for the Lord, especially something that restores order, worship, or identity, resistance shouldn’t surprise us. Nehemiah’s narrative shows a complex reality: obedience attracts resistance.

Nehemiah echoes the letter that Paul would eventually write to the Ephesians, which states, “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

Nehemiah’s struggle wasn’t against flesh and blood; it was against literal rulers and authorities and the power of the dark world. Scripture frames these conflicts as more than interpersonal disputes. They represent opposition to God’s redemptive purposes.

Two chapters later, Israel’s enemies change their strategy and shift to deception. 

Nehemiah 6:1-4 says, When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates— Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.”

But they were scheming to harm me, so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.

Nehemiah understood that distraction is just as destructive as a direct attack. As many scholars have noted, the enemies’ goal wasn’t just to harm Nehemiah physically, but to interrupt the work. And, what’s interesting about his enemies is that when you combine their names, Sanballat and Geshem, it means heavy rain in Hebrew. And that is precisely what it can feel like when the enemy comes against you.  

Nehemiah’s adversaries used intimidation and fear; they spread lies about Nehemiah, and through it all, Nehemiah stayed strong in the Lord. He turned to God in prayer. In Nehemiah 6:9, he responds to the lies of the enemy. 

It says, “I sent him this reply: ‘Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.”

But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”

Nehemiah responds in two ways. First, he addresses the enemy’s lie. Second, he turns immediately to God for strength. Nehemiah neither internalizes the accusation nor ignores it. Instead, he places it before God.

Everyone was trying to get him to stop. Even prophetic voices were weaponized against him (Nehemiah 6:10–14). Nehemiah discerns that not every spiritual message is spiritually trustworthy. Nehemiah exercises both wisdom and discernment as he builds.

Nehemiah completed his work despite the heavy rain. Despite the threats, lies, and spiritual manipulation, the work was finished (Nehemiah 6:15–16). And a revival followed. The work he did was going to impact an entire generation. The work God assigns shapes families, communities, and futures. That is precisely why opposition is often so intense. 

The book of Nehemiah reminds us that perseverance is active and quick to bring every obstacle and challenge humbly before God. Nehemiah understood his calling and stayed resolute. Despite the opposition, he held on to God’s promises and held on to this reality: “I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down.” (Nehemiah 6:3)