10 And I have entered the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabeel—and he is restrained—and he saith, 'Let us meet at the house of God, at the inside of the temple, and we shut the doors of the temple, for they are coming in to slay thee—yea, by night they are coming in to slay thee.' 11 And I say, 'A man such as I—doth he flee? and who as I, that doth go in unto the temple, and live?—I do not go in.' 12 And I discern, and lo, God hath not sent him, for in the prophecy he hath spoken unto me both Tobiah and Sanballat hired him, 13 so that he 'is' an hireling, that I may fear and do so, and I had sinned, and it had been to them for an evil name that they may reproach me. 14 Be mindful, O my God, of Tobiah, and of Sanballat, according to these his works, and also, of Noadiah the prophetess, and of the rest of the prophets who have been making me afraid.
15 And the wall is completed in the twenty and fifth of Elul, on the fifty and second day;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 6:10-15
Commentary on Nehemiah 6:10-14
(Read Nehemiah 6:10-14)
The greatest mischief our enemies can do us, is, to frighten us from our duty, and to lead us to do what is sinful. Let us never decline a good work, never do a bad one. We ought to try all advice, and to reject what is contrary to the word of God. Every man should study to be consistent. Should I, a professed Christian, called to be a saint, a child of God, a member of Christ, a temple of the Holy Ghost, should I be covetous, sensual, proud, or envious? Should I yield to impatience, discontent, or anger? Should I be slothful, unbelieving, or unmerciful? What effects will such conduct have upon others? All that God has done for us, or by us, or given to us, should lead us to watchfulness, self-denial, and diligence. Next to the sinfulness of sin, we should dread the scandal.
Commentary on Nehemiah 6:15-19
(Read Nehemiah 6:15-19)
The wall was begun and finished in fifty-two days, though they rested on the sabbaths. A great deal of work may be done in a little time, if we set about it in earnest, and keep close to it. See the mischief of marrying with strangers. When men once became akin to Tobiah, they soon became sworn to him. A sinful love leads to a sinful league. The enemy of souls employs many instruments, and forms many projects, to bring reproach on the active servants of God, or to take them from their work. But we should follow the example of Him who laid down his life for the sheep. Those that simply cleave to the Lord and his work will be supported.