Nehemiah 4 (résumé): Opposition to the rebuilding

The opponents of the Jews, Sanballat and Tobiah, ridiculed the Jews' building endeavors saying that the walls were so fragile that just a fox could break them down! Nehemiah didn't argue with them. He prayed asking God to turn their insults back on their own heads, and the building continued with the walls now reaching the half-way stage. In the light of this the opponents of God's people plotted to attack them so Nehemiah prayed and posted guards day and night. In the light of possible imminent attacks half the men worked and half the men guarded. Then too men worked with one hand but had a weapon in the other hand, but nothing could stop the Jews progressing with their building work for the glory of God.