Sanballat waged psychological warfare upon the Israelites (Nehemiah 4:2). Mockery has a way of draining a person’s resolve, undercutting a person’s morale, and leaving you feeling hopeless and helpless. Using contempt as his weapon, Sanballat sought to prompt desertion among the builders.
Church (re)building work provokes the fury of the prince of darkness, God’s adversary, Satan. Though not mentioned by name, his persistent opposition to God is the catalyst behind Sanballat’s opposition to the Jews’ rebuilding project (Ephesians 6:11–12). Never would he wish Jerusalem’s walls to be rebuilt and so the city of God restored. Since the enemy is Satan (and so the battle is spiritual), Nehemiah’s response is not to refute Sanballat or dig up dirt on his enemies; instead, he goes to him who is superior to Satan, the God who has claimed Israel for himself in his covenant. This is clearly the safe place to go.
Nehemiah’s response of prayer foreshadows Jesus’ abundant prayers to the Father (Luke 3:21; Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12). In the same vein, Paul could write, In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication
(Ephesians 6:16–18).
1 Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews.