4:1–6:14 Review · Opposition to rebuilding the wall:Any effective work for God can expect opposition, from either humans or evil powers, or both. The ability of a leader can be judged by how he or she confronts crises and reacts to opposition. We can learn from Nehemiah’s example as he faces different kinds of opposition. This lengthy section depicts the progress in reconstructing the wall in spite of and in response to opposition, both from without and within the community.

4:1–23 · The first attack is in the form of ridicule (4:1–6). Sanballat is angry when he learns that the Jews are rebuilding the wall. The world’s response to God’s work is often anger, for it makes people uncomfortable by challenging their values and worldviews. In this case Sanballat also sees it as a threat to his…