Nehemiah 6:19

Moreover, these nobles kept reporting to me Tobiah's good deeds, and they relayed my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.

Study Bible

Moreover, these nobles kept reporting to me Tobiah’s good deeds
The nobles of Judah were influential leaders within the community, often holding positions of power and wealth. Their allegiance to Tobiah, an Ammonite official, highlights the political and social complexities Nehemiah faced. Tobiah's connection to the Jewish nobles was likely strengthened through marriage alliances, as Tobiah was related to Eliashib the high priest (Nehemiah 13:4). This phrase underscores the internal opposition Nehemiah encountered, as these nobles were more loyal to Tobiah than to Nehemiah's mission. The reporting of Tobiah's "good deeds" suggests an attempt to sway Nehemiah's opinion or undermine his authority by presenting Tobiah in a favorable light, despite his opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls.

and they relayed my words to him
This indicates a breach of trust and confidentiality, as the nobles were acting as informants for Tobiah. Nehemiah's words, likely concerning the rebuilding efforts and strategies, were being communicated to an adversary. This betrayal highlights the challenges of leadership and the need for discernment and wisdom in dealing with internal threats. It also reflects the broader theme of spiritual warfare, where opposition can come from unexpected sources within one's own community.

And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me
Tobiah's use of letters to intimidate Nehemiah is a tactic of psychological warfare, aiming to instill fear and discourage the work on the wall. This method of intimidation is consistent with other forms of opposition Nehemiah faced, such as mockery and threats (Nehemiah 4:1-3, 4:7-8). The letters represent a direct challenge to Nehemiah's leadership and the divine mission to restore Jerusalem. This scenario echoes the broader biblical theme of God's people facing opposition when fulfilling His purposes, as seen in the stories of Moses, David, and the early church. Nehemiah's response to such intimidation is a model of steadfast faith and reliance on God, as he continually sought divine guidance and strength in prayer (Nehemiah 6:9).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Nehemiah
The central figure in the book, Nehemiah is a Jewish leader who is instrumental in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He faces opposition from various adversaries, including Tobiah.

2. Tobiah
An Ammonite official who opposes Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. He is known for his attempts to undermine Nehemiah through intimidation and deceit.

3. Jerusalem
The city whose walls Nehemiah is working to rebuild. It is a central place of worship and identity for the Jewish people.

4. Letters of Intimidation
These are the means by which Tobiah attempts to instill fear and disrupt Nehemiah's work. They represent the broader theme of opposition faced by those doing God's work.

5. Jewish Nobles
Some of the Jewish leaders who were in communication with Tobiah, reporting Nehemiah's words to him and praising Tobiah's deeds, thus creating internal conflict and division.

Teaching Points

Perseverance in the Face of Opposition
Nehemiah's experience teaches us the importance of steadfastness and reliance on God when facing opposition in our spiritual and daily lives.

Discernment and Wisdom
Nehemiah demonstrates discernment by recognizing the true intentions behind Tobiah's actions. We are called to seek God's wisdom to discern truth from deception.

The Danger of Divided Loyalties
The Jewish nobles' divided loyalties serve as a warning against compromising our commitment to God for personal or political gain.

The Power of Prayer and Faith
Nehemiah's account encourages us to turn to prayer and faith as our primary resources when confronted with challenges and threats.

Community and Accountability
The importance of a supportive and accountable community is highlighted, as internal division can weaken efforts to fulfill God's purposes.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Nehemiah's response to Tobiah's intimidation reflect his faith and leadership qualities?

2. In what ways can we identify and address divided loyalties in our own lives, similar to the Jewish nobles' situation?

3. How can the example of Nehemiah inspire us to persevere in our personal and communal spiritual endeavors despite opposition?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are discerning truth from deception in our daily interactions?

5. How can we foster a supportive and accountable community that aligns with God's purposes, as seen in Nehemiah's leadership?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Ezra 4
This chapter describes similar opposition faced by the Jews during the rebuilding of the temple, highlighting a recurring theme of external and internal opposition to God's work.

Philippians 1:28
Paul speaks about not being frightened by opponents, which parallels Nehemiah's resolve in the face of intimidation.

Proverbs 29:25
This verse warns about the fear of man being a snare, which is relevant to the intimidation tactics used by Tobiah.