What other biblical figures faced similar opposition while serving God? Standing Firm When Mocked: Nehemiah’s Company of the Tested “ ‘When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” ’ ” (Nehemiah 2:19) Others Who Met the Same Resistance • Moses – Pharaoh dismissed his calls for Israel’s freedom and intensified the Israelites’ workload (Exodus 5:1-23). • Joshua & Caleb – the ten fearful spies stirred the nation against them, threatening to stone them (Numbers 14:6-10). • Samuel – the people rejected his leadership by demanding a king, “for they have not rejected you, but Me” (1 Samuel 8:7-8). • David – Saul hunted him relentlessly despite David’s loyalty (1 Samuel 19:9-11; 24:14). • Elijah – Ahab branded him “troubler of Israel,” and Jezebel vowed to kill him (1 Kings 18:17; 19:2). • Jeremiah – beaten, imprisoned, thrown into a cistern for preaching God’s word (Jeremiah 20:1-2; 37:15-16; 38:6). • Daniel – rivals schemed to hurl him into the lions’ den for faithful prayer (Daniel 6:4-17). • Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego – faced the furnace rather than bow to an image (Daniel 3:14-23). • Jesus – religious leaders charged Him with blasphemy and conspired to crucify Him (Mark 3:6; John 11:53). • Peter & John – arrested and warned to stop preaching Christ (Acts 4:1-21). • Stephen – falsely accused and stoned (Acts 6:12-7:60). • Paul – beaten, stoned, imprisoned, yet continued proclaiming the gospel (Acts 14:19-22; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28). Common Threads in Their Trials • Mockery and intimidation often appear first (Nehemiah 2:19; Matthew 27:29). • Accusations of rebellion or blasphemy seek to frame obedience as treason (Daniel 6:13; Acts 24:5). • Faithful servants respond with prayer, proclamation, and perseverance (Nehemiah 4:9; Acts 4:31). • God vindicates in His timing—dreams fulfilled, enemies confounded, eternal fruit produced (Genesis 50:20; 2 Timothy 4:17-18). Encouragement for Today • Opposition is not a sign of divine absence but often evidence of alignment with God’s purpose (2 Timothy 3:12). • The same Lord who strengthened Nehemiah stands ready to strengthen anyone who builds according to His word (Philippians 4:13). |
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