Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem Again - Nehemiah 6:1

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people”, and in chapter six and verse one of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared what happened, “when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall”, where we read,

Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;) 

The verse reads, “Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “now it came to pass” or “at this time the following happened and occurred”, “when Sanballat” which means “at the time and moment Sanballat whose name means strength and was a Moabite of Horonaim and the opponent of Nehemiah and the returned exiles in their goal of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem”, “and Tobiah” whose name means “Jehovah is scared”, “and Geshem the Arabian”whose name means “rain and was an adversary and foe from Arabia”, “and the rest of our enemies” or “and the remainder and remnant belonging to our, Nehemiah's, hating adversaries and foes”, “heard that I had builded the wall”which means “listened to, perceived and discerned that I, Nehemiah, rebuilt, reconstructed and caused to continue the barrier wall”. Nehemiah shared how the following happened at the time “Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem” and the remainder of Nehemiah and the people of Judah's hating adversaries perceived that he rebuilt the barrier wall according to the following. 

The verse goes on to say, “... and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;).” Nehemiah continued with the words, “and that there was no breach” or “and that there existed no gap or breaking forth which was” “left within” which means “remained in the wall” (“though at that time” or “even, indeed and moreover during that moment and period” “I had not set up the doors” which means “I, Nehemiah, in no way or manner stood up or attached the two-leaved gates or swinging doorways” “upon the gates” or “on the entrance, opening and port of the city”). Nehemiah shared how there was not a single gap within the barrier wall even though Nehemiah had not hung the portal doors to the gates or entries at that time. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah that “Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem from Arabia and the remainder of their enemies” perceived that he rebuilt the wall without a single gap within it, and they took the action described for us in our next verse. For now, let us be reminded that Jehovah God knows everything about us, and He is well aware when opposition rises against us particularly when we are performing work in His Kingdom. God loves us, and He proved His love toward us when He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. He raised Jesus from the dead three days later so we can receive forgiveness of our sins and eternal life with Him when we put our faith and trust in Him. Let all who read these words know that God cares for us and He is well aware of anyone who hates and opposes what He is performing through us. 

Next time Nehemiah shares how “Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem” say to him, “Come, let us meet together”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".