Topical Bible: Jerusalem: Calamities of, Mentioned: Threatened by Sanballat

◄ Jerusalem: Calamities of, Mentioned: Threatened by Sanballat ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Jerusalem, the city central to biblical history and the heart of ancient Israel, has faced numerous calamities throughout its storied past. One significant episode of threat and opposition came during the time of Nehemiah, when the city was under the threat of Sanballat, a prominent adversary of the Jewish people during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls.

Historical Context

After the Babylonian exile, the Jewish people began returning to Jerusalem to rebuild their city and restore their community. Nehemiah, a Jewish cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, was granted permission to return to Jerusalem and oversee the reconstruction of its walls, which had been in ruins. This period of rebuilding was fraught with challenges, both from within and outside the community.

Sanballat's Opposition

Sanballat, the governor of Samaria, emerged as a chief antagonist during this time. His opposition to the rebuilding efforts is well-documented in the Book of Nehemiah. Sanballat, along with Tobiah the Ammonite and Geshem the Arab, sought to undermine Nehemiah's efforts through mockery, intimidation, and conspiracy.

In Nehemiah 4:1-3 , it is recorded: "Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, '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 these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?' Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, 'Even if a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!'"

Sanballat's tactics included not only verbal derision but also plots to physically attack Jerusalem and halt the construction. Nehemiah 4:7-8 states: "When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to the walls of Jerusalem were 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."

Nehemiah's Response

Despite the threats, Nehemiah demonstrated steadfast leadership and reliance on God. He organized the people to work with one hand and hold a weapon with the other, ensuring that the work continued while remaining vigilant against potential attacks. Nehemiah 4:9 reflects this dual approach: "So we prayed to our God and posted a guard against them day and night to meet this threat."

Nehemiah's faith and strategic planning ultimately thwarted Sanballat's efforts. The wall was completed in a remarkable fifty-two days, as noted in Nehemiah 6:15-16 : "So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. 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."

Significance

The threat posed by Sanballat and his allies highlights the persistent challenges faced by the people of Jerusalem throughout history. It underscores the theme of opposition to God's people and the resilience required to overcome such adversities. The account of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls serves as a testament to faith, perseverance, and divine assistance in the face of external threats.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 4:7,8
But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,
Torrey's Topical Textbook