Sanballat's conspiracy is a significant event recorded in the Book of Nehemiah, highlighting the opposition faced by the Jewish people during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls after the Babylonian exile. Sanballat, a prominent figure in this narrative, was the governor of Samaria and a persistent adversary of Nehemiah and the Jewish community.

Historical Context

The events surrounding Sanballat's conspiracy occur during the Persian period, specifically in the mid-5th century BC. After the decree of King Artaxerxes I, Nehemiah, a Jewish cupbearer to the king, was granted permission to return to Jerusalem to oversee the reconstruction of the city's walls. This project was crucial for the security and restoration of the Jewish community in their ancestral homeland.

Sanballat's Role

Sanballat is introduced in Nehemiah 2:10 as a Samaritan leader who, along with Tobiah the Ammonite, was displeased with Nehemiah's mission: "When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites" (Nehemiah 2:10). Sanballat's opposition is rooted in political and social concerns, as the rebuilding of Jerusalem threatened the influence and control of surrounding regions, including Samaria.

The Conspiracy Unfolds

Sanballat's conspiracy against Nehemiah and the Jewish people is marked by a series of escalating tactics aimed at thwarting the reconstruction efforts. Initially, Sanballat and his allies resorted to mockery and ridicule, as seen in Nehemiah 4:1-3. Sanballat ridiculed the Jews, questioning their ability to rebuild the walls: "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?" (Nehemiah 4:2).

When mockery failed to deter the work, Sanballat and his confederates plotted to attack Jerusalem and create confusion among the builders (Nehemiah 4:7-8). Nehemiah responded by organizing the people for defense and encouraging them to trust in God: "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 homes" (Nehemiah 4:14).

Attempts at Deception

Sanballat's conspiracy also involved attempts to deceive and intimidate Nehemiah personally. In Nehemiah 6, Sanballat and Geshem sent messages to Nehemiah, inviting him to meet in the plain of Ono, intending to harm him. Nehemiah, discerning their intentions, refused to be distracted from his work: "I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?" (Nehemiah 6:3).

Further, Sanballat hired a false prophet to intimidate Nehemiah into seeking refuge in the temple, hoping to discredit him. Nehemiah, however, recognized the deceit and remained steadfast in his mission (Nehemiah 6:10-13).

Outcome

Despite the persistent opposition and conspiracy led by Sanballat, the wall was completed in just 52 days, a testament to the determination of the Jewish people and the providence of God: "So the wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth of Elul" (Nehemiah 6:15). The successful completion of the wall not only secured Jerusalem but also demonstrated the power of faith and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Sanballat's conspiracy serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by God's people throughout history and the importance of relying on divine strength and wisdom to overcome opposition.