Pray and Work, the Inspiring Example of NehemiahSample

Words that hurt

“Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads.” (Nehemiah 4:4, NIV)

As soon as the rebuilding of the city walls began to take shape, Sanballat and Tobiah reappeared on the scene. Earlier we read that they were hostile to Nehemiah's plans. Better said, they were hostile to the Jews in general.

Nehemiah had the permission and support of King Artaxerxes. There was nothing Sanballat and Tobiah could do about that quickly. Therefore, they tried a different tactic. They mocked “these feeble Jews” in front of as many people as possible. With condescending remarks, they tried to break the morale of the Jews and ridicule them.

One of the reasons for the rebuilding had been precisely “so that we may no longer suffer derision” (Nehemiah 2:17). Nehemiah, therefore, took the mocking words of Sanballat and Tobiah as a serious attack. He appealed to God for help in this situation.

Being mocked and despised cuts deep. In some cultures this is considered even more serious than in others.

Have you been confronted with this recently? What did it do to you? And how did you respond? How could you follow Nehemiah’s example in this?