就像早期在所羅巴伯和以斯拉領導的重建工程一樣，尼希米的「重整部隊」也面臨反對的聲浪，包括外來與內部的。當城牆開始建造之際，首當其衝的反對來自鄰近省分的領袖們。對於每一個問題，尼希米都尋求——而且找到——可以榮耀上帝的解決之道：遇到譏諷，就以禱告抵擋；遇到攻擊，就以武力相待；遇到灰心，就尋求上帝的能力。

        想一想什麼時候你看起來十分滑稽？也許是在化妝晚會裡，也許是在釣魚的時候，也許是在學校的表演活動裡，無論如何，你的穿著打扮讓別人一看就覺得有趣好笑。
        也許你從來沒想到過：嘲弄是一種使人覺得他自己很可笑的行為，所以會令人痛苦！因為別人會用辱罵；戲謔、誤導或嘲諷，使你成為招人恥笑的目標。
        從你處理別人嘲諷的方法，可以測試出你的基督徒性格，你是暴跳如雷呢?還是施展報復？或是你會像尼希米，把問題交給上帝？
        對於那些遵守上帝之道，卻又飽受譏諷、逼迫之苦的人，耶穌特別有些話足以安慰鼓舞他們：「人若因我辱罵你們。逼迫你們，捏造各樣壞話毀謗你們，你們就有福了。應當歡喜快樂，因為你們在天上的賞賜是大的。」（太5：11，12）記住！下次你或你合乎主道的觀點受人訕笑時，就讀這段經文，而你經常面對譏諷已不當一回事時，也許也該檢查一下你的燈是否真的在發亮！

尼希米的惡鄰
        尼希米的對頭中有幾個頗具知名度，但那是在歷史上，而不是聖經裡。比方說，那個令人嫌惡的參巴拉（4：1）就在伊里芬丁蒲紙（一種文獻）裡受命為撒瑪利亞省長，此外，最近在約旦的葉門附近發現一塊石碑，以亞蘭文刻著多比雅的名字（4：3）。

愉悅的笑聲醫治心靈；嘲諷的冷笑危及生命。

English

        Like the earlier reconstruction efforts under Zerubbabel and Ezra, Nehemiah's "rebuilding corps" faces opposition both from without and within. As the walls begin to rise, so does opposition from leaders in surrounding provinces. For each problem, Nehemiah seeks—and finds—a God-honoring solution: Ridicule is handled with prayer; threats of violence are dealt with by adequate preparation; discouragement is met with a personal example of faith in God's power.

        Think of a time when you looked ridiculous. Perhaps it was at a costume party or on a fishing trip or in a school play. In any case, you dressed in such a way that others laughed at the way you looked.
        Did you ever stop to realize that ridicule is the act of making someone feel ridiculous? That's why it's so painful. Through taunts, coarse jesting, misrepresentation, or mocking, someone makes you (or what you believe) an object of derisive laughter.
        One of the tests of your Christian character is the way you handle ridicule. Do you explode in anger and look for a quick way of retaliation? Or do you, like Nehemiah, leave the matter to God. Jesus had some special words of comfort for those suffering ridicule and persecution in their walk with God: "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven" (Matthew 5:11-12). Remember that the next time you or your godly views are laughed at. And if ridicule is not a problem you face often, perhaps you had better check to see if your light is really shining!

Nehemiah's Notorious
        Neighbors Several of Nehemiah's persecutors are noted in historical sources other than the Bible. The pesky Sanballat (4:1) is identified as the governor of Samaria in the Elephantine Papyri. In addition, a rock inscribed with the name Tobiah (4:3) in ancient Aramaic script was discovered near present-day Amman, Jordan.

Few things heal more than the laughter of delight; few things hurt more than the laughter of derision.