Chapter Summary

Opposition by ridicule, anger and discouragement.

Discussion Questions for Nehemiah, Chapter 4

1. Who were Sanballat and Tobiah? Why were they angry that the Jews were rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem? Do you believe they posed a real threat to those working? Why or why not?
2. How did Sanballat and Tobiah taunt the Jews working on the wall? Was there any truth to their taunts? How might their jeers have been misguided, when one considers who they were insulting?
3. How does Nehemiah pray when faced with opposition from Sanballat and Tobiah? Does he come before God with fear? If not, with what emotion does he approach the Lord? Why is this significant?
4. Does Nehemiah pray for mercy for those opposing the work? Does this imply arrogance or hotheadedness on his part? Why or why not?
5. According to verse 5, why should the offenders not be pardoned? Who did they ultimately provoke? Do you believe the severity of a person's sin is dependent upon whom they sinned against? Why or why not?
6. Read verse 6. In the face of opposition, what did the people of Israel do? What attitude does this model for believers following the Lord in the face of opposition today?
7. According to verse 9, prayer for protection was accompanied by strategic watchfulness. Do you think this means the Israelites did not trust in the Lord to protect them? Why or why not? How does the Lord sometimes use his people in order to protect his people?
8. How did Nehemiah motivate those guarding the wall in verse 14? How might remembering who God is serve to encourage believers facing hardship? If doing so does not change the circumstances they are facing, how can it still make a difference?
9. Consider Nehemiah's words in verse 20: "Our God will fight for us" (ESV). Do you believe this is a literal or metaphorical promise, or both? Why? Do you live as if this is true? If you do not, what might be keeping you from doing so?
10. How is the second half of this chapter a model of watchfulness? What does it mean for believers today to be watchful? How is this different from living in fear of man?

Key Words/Phrase

Opposition, v. 1.

Characters

God, Nehemiah, Sanballat, Tobiah.

Strong Verse(s)

6, 9, 20.