What is the context?
Sanballat ridicules the Jews before his associates and Samaria’s army, questioning their strength, materials and ability to finish. Tobiah adds that even a fox could break down their wall.
Nehemiah turns to God with a severe prayer. He asks that the scorn return upon the opponents and that their wrongdoing not be covered or erased from God’s sight. The prayer does not soften the hostility the builders are facing.
The account then returns to the work: the whole wall is joined to half its height because the people are willing to work. The ridicule has not brought construction to an end.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Henry understands the severity of the prayer in light of hardened opposition. Gill reads it as concern for God’s justice rather than a private grudge, and additionally takes it as a prophetic judgment. These are explanations of the harsh petition the narrative records; the words are presented as an appeal to God.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
The New Testament joins concern for justice with a call to bless persecutors. Romans 12:14–21 forbids personal revenge, leaves judgment to God and calls believers to meet an enemy’s need.
1 Peter 2:21–25 gives Christ’s response to abuse as the example: He entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly and bore sins so that people might live in righteousness. These teachings develop the question raised by Nehemiah’s prayer: how God’s people can bring wrongdoing before Him while following Christ’s way toward those who oppose them.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.