The wall was finished—in fifty-and-two days— How long Nehemiah was in finishing the walls of Jerusalem, interpreters are not agreed; because some of them, supposing the space of two-and-fifty days, here mentioned, to be too short for the perfecting of the whole, have begun their computation from the time that Nehemiah returned his answer to Sanballat's first message; and other, from the time that the stone wall was finished; and so allowing the whole fifty-two days for the perfecting of the rest. But if we look into the compass of time, from Nehemiah's being at Shushan, to the day of the month when these walls are said to have been finished, we shall find, that no more than fifty-two days could well be allowed for the perfecting of the whole. For it was in the first month (called Nisan, ch. 50) that Nehemiah was at Shushan, and obtained of the king leave to go to Jerusalem; and though we have no express account what time he spent in his journey, and when he came to Jerusalem; yet, if we may make a conjecture from the time that Ezra expended in the same journey, we can scarcely suppose that he arrived at Jerusalem before the end of the fourth month. Ezra set out on the first day of the first month. He made, indeed, a short stay at the river Ahava; but it was the first day of the fifth month before he reached Jerusalem. Nehemiah could not possibly set out so soon in the year, because his commission from the king, and instructions to the neighbouring governors, must have taken some time in passing through the several offices; and therefore we can hardly suppose that he reached Jerusalem sooner than the time specified; and from thence to the twenty-fifth day of the sixth month, including the three days of rest which he gave himself before he began, the space will be much about fifty-two days, wherein we suppose that the whole work was finished. And if Alexander the Great, as Arrian and Curtius relate, built the walls of Alexandria, which were seven miles in compass, in the space of twenty days, why should it be thought a thing incredible, that a great number, not of hired, but of voluntary men, full of zeal for the work themselves, animated by the example of their rulers, and ranged and distributed in a proper manner for dispatch, should in almost thrice that space of time, be able to finish a work of less compass, when they had long summer days for it, plenty of stones and other materials at hand, the foundation of the wall unrased, some parts of it standing entire, and here and there only breaches to be amended; and when their design in the whole was, not to study nicety but strength, and to provide themselves with such a fortification for the present as would secure them from any sudden invasion of their enemies? See Patrick and Poole.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, The restless enemies of God's people could not bear to see the work so prosperous, without attempts to hinder and obstruct it; and therefore they lay a snare to take off Nehemiah, the great promoter of the work, by inviting him to a friendly conference in one of the villages of Benjamin. But, suspecting some plot, or having received some intelligence of their design, he refused to go, pleading the urgency of his work as his excuse for not meeting them. Four several times this proposal was made, and as often rejected with the same answer. Note; (1.) The proposals of known enemies should be weighed with jealous caution. (2.) When we have business that requires our attention, visits of compliment and civility must be postponed. (3.) Repeated solicitations to do what is evil or imprudent should meet with repeated denials.
2nd, When one design miscarries, Sanballat contrives another: since he cannot seduce Nehemiah from the work, he seeks to terrify him.
1. He sends a letter, intimating the information which Geshem, or Gashmu, had given, and desiring a conference thereupon; pretending friendship, as if, should the report spread, of his intention to rebel, and make himself king, the consequence might be dangerous. Note; (1.) Fair professions of friendship often cloak foul designs. (2.) It is an old trick of the enemies of God's people, to represent them as seditious, and make them noxious to the government.
2. Nehemiah easily saw that the design was to weaken his hands; and therefore, while he denies the accusation, and lays the invention at the door of his enemy, he looks to God to strengthen him, and then his foes may rage in vain. Note; (1.) No lies, or malevolent reports, should weaken our hand from the work of God. (2.) They who have almighty power engaged for them, may look up to God and be comforted; he will uphold them. (3.) The more the enemy rages, the more shall God's strength be perfected in our weakness.
3rdly, Despairing of success by his own contrivances, Sanballat, by bribes, engages some of the Jews to betray Nehemiah. The plot laid was, under pretence of zeal for his safety, to induce him to take refuge in the temple. But Nehemiah with scorn rejected the cowardly step to which he was advised, as highly unbecoming a man of his station and character. Note; (1.) The treachery of pretended friends is more to be feared, than the opposition of professed foes. (2.) Satan's ministers often wear the garb of God's prophets. We must not believe every spirit; but try the spirits, whether they be of God. (3.) When God's cause is at stake, our very life must not be dear to us. (4.) It is better to brave the greatest dangers than commit the least sin. (5.) The devil's design, in tempting us to sin, is, not only to wound our own souls, but to bring reproach upon our holy profession. (6.) The deepest-laid schemes for his people's hurt, God can disappoint, to his enemies' confusion. (7.) Woe to that sinner whose iniquity is marked before God, and whose judgment lingereth not.
4thly, If God bless us, then shall we be blessed in spite of every enemy. We have here,
1. The wall finished, to the great dismay and vexation of their neighbours, in fifty-two days. God's hand evidently appeared in the work, and therefore all opposition was impotent and vain. Note; (1.) When we are hearty in God's service, much may be done in a little time. (2.) The enemies of God's people shall be made to see and own his care over them. (3.) When God will work, none can hinder it.
2. The treacherous correspondence carried on between Tobiah and some of the nobles, with many of the people of Judah; so ungrateful were they to Nehemiah, and so false to the interests of their own country. Note; (1.) Nobility is no proof against baseness and bribery. The greater men of a state are often the betrayers of it. (2.) Intimate familiarity and connection with the ungodly cannot but tend to corrupt our own souls. (3.) Though the enemy threaten never so violently, we need not fear while God is on our side.