The theme of continued construction despite threats is prominently illustrated in the biblical narrative of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah's leadership. This account, found in the Book of Nehemiah, serves as a powerful testament to faith, perseverance, and divine protection in the face of opposition.

Historical Context

The events take place during the Persian period, after the Babylonian exile, when the Jewish people were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their city and temple. Nehemiah, a Jewish cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, is granted permission to lead the effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, which had been in ruins since the Babylonian conquest.

Opposition and Threats

As the rebuilding project commenced, Nehemiah and the Jewish people faced significant opposition from surrounding adversaries, including Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab. These opponents were deeply disturbed by the restoration efforts and sought to thwart the work through various means.

Sanballat and his allies initially resorted to mockery and ridicule, questioning the feasibility of the project and the capability of the builders. Nehemiah 4:1-3 records Sanballat's derision: "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore the wall for themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from the heaps of rubble—burned as they are?"

When mockery failed to deter the builders, the opposition escalated to threats of violence. Nehemiah 4:7-8 states, "But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious, and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance."

Response and Perseverance

In response to these threats, Nehemiah demonstrated remarkable leadership and reliance on God. He organized the people to pray and set a guard day and night to protect against potential attacks. Nehemiah 4:9 notes, "So we prayed to our God and posted a guard against them day and night."

Nehemiah also took practical measures to ensure the safety and progress of the work. He stationed people by families with their swords, spears, and bows at the exposed places of the wall. He encouraged the people, saying, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and daughters, your wives and your homes" (Nehemiah 4:14).

Despite the constant threat of attack, the builders continued their work with vigilance and determination. Nehemiah 4:17-18 describes their resolve: "Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens did their work with one hand and held a weapon with the other. And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side."

Divine Protection and Completion

The narrative emphasizes that the success of the rebuilding effort was attributed to divine intervention and protection. Nehemiah 6:15-16 records the completion of the wall: "So the wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth of Elul. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God."

The account of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls serves as an enduring example of steadfast faith and commitment to God's purposes, even in the face of formidable opposition. It underscores the belief that when God's people are aligned with His will, no external threat can ultimately prevail against them.