Whenever there is a recovery of the truth and separation from that which is contrary to the Word of God, there will also be strong opposition.
Sanballat’s mocking takes on a darker hue and he is filled with wrath and great indignation (Neh. 4:1). At the first he was grieved, and then he mocked; now he gathers his militia to oppose the work. It is interesting to note that he objected not only to the fact that “these feeble Jews” would fortify themselves, but that they would sacrifice (Neh. 4:2). A return to true worship was obnoxious to this pretender, just as those that seek to worship God in Spirit and in truth today are called exclusive and bigoted. To Sanballat, this was nothing more than reviving stones out of heaps of rubbish. Likewise, a return to the foundation stones of the church, as laid by the Apostle Paul (1 Cor. 3:10), is seen today in the same light.
Tobiah’s belittling of the project (Neh. 4:8) seems to belie a fear that the wall might actually be completed! Many today will mock the things that we hold dear; the inspired Word of God is called a fairy tale. Beneath the surface, however, their conscience is with us. Rather than reacting to the offence, Nehemiah casts all upon God in prayer, “Hear, O our God; for we are despised” (Neh. 4:4). One walking boldly in the path of faith need never falter nor fear; if we are doing God’s work, then who can stop it? If we are despised, is it not the Lord who is really despised? Can He not take it? This is the shield of faith in action; it is good to make it as large as possible and to hide beneath its protecting shadow.
A point of contrast is to be noted. In this present dispensation of grace it is not our place to say “let not their sin be blotted out from before Thee” (Neh. 4:5). Rather, we are to “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not” (Rom. 12:14). Grace, however, does not result in injustice; unjudged sin will ultimately be addressed. “Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Rom. 12:19).