Don't Listen Sanballat and Tobiah!

DON'T LISTEN TO SANBALLAT AND TOBIAH!

About 446 B.C. Artaxerxes Longimanus allowed Nehemiah and others to go to Jerusalem and to rebuild the city. In 52 days they restored the city walls. This was not accomplished without opposition and much criticism. Sanballat and Tobiah poured a torrent of abuse and contempt upon all engaged in the work. "But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the walls, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? with they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which was burned? Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they built, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall" (Neh. 4:1-3). This criticism was designed to weaken their resolve and to destroy their morale.

Did Nehemiah panic at their opposition? Did he lose sleep over it? Did he debate with them? Did he retaliate? What did he do? "So built we the wall..." (Neh. 4:6). Nehemiah just kept on building the wall and ignored them, for "the people had a mind to work" (Neh. 4:6). He was not smitten with self-pity, nor was he discouraged at such difficulties. He merely concentrated on doing the work God had assigned him to do.

Young Christians and young preachers, learn an important lesson here. Do not let opposition and criticism from friends or foes hinder you in the work of our Lord. Do not let Sanballat and Tobiah get you down in the dumps. Do not waste a lot of time answering your critics (I Pet. 2:23; Isa. 53:7), lest you spend valuable time butting heads with fanatics which would better be spent in building the wall. Do not be always trying to defend yourself. God and your friends do not need any explanation, and your enemies will not believe whatever you say.

You do not have time to answer all your critics, nor to debate all your opponents. If you are going to accomplish much for our Lord, then don't listen to Sanaballat and Tobiah. Like Nehemiah, just be content to build the walls as God instructed you. The important thing is doing what God called you to do.

If I had spent the time that many thought I should have spend answering all my critics and debating all who disagree with me, I would have no time to preach and teach God's Word. I would have no time to write articles or books. I would have no time to spend with my family and friends. I could not pastor my church or do anything which is really important. As I get older and see that my time is short, the less time I care to spend listening to Sanballat and Tobiah.

When Nehemiah's enemies failed to discourage him by harsh criticism, then they tried to get him to compromise. "Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;) That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief" (Neh. 6:1-2).

They wanted Nehemiah to come down to their level. They, in a manner of speaking, said: "Don't be so radical and hard-nosed! Don't be so narrow-minded!" When a man leaves off the work of God to negotiate with his enemies, from that moment of compromise Satan has got him where he wants him. That person has become useless as a channel of blessing in the work of God. When you negotiate with your enemies, you lose! Be assured that if you do not compromise, your enemies will lie on you and misrepresent your motives. A man cannot allow himself to be governed by what other people say or think.

Consider the conduct of Nehemiah and be wise: "And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?" (Neh. 6:3).