Nehemia 4
At the End of Nehemiah 2, we see that the Remnant in Israel bought into Nehemiah's vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and how, they faced opposition. Chapter 3 describes the who and where of the building. I'm not really going to look deep at chapter 3 because, well, even though it's important to see the carrying out of the vision and who was responsible for their parts, I don't think it's very compelling a story. Let's jump ahead to Nehemiah 4 because that's when the story gets interesting. There's elements of bullying in this story that is important to understand and learn how a true leader responds to those that feel the need to control others through bullying.
[a]When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, 2 and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?”
3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!”
Bullying usually/typically begins with gossip and slander. We see the two biggest agitators to the vision begin their campaign by vocal and public slander of Jews. They are laying the groundwork for future escalation. Slander and gossip are always the first step when bullies begin their work. When someone of vision steps up to take action, the ones that oppose them will use public ridicule to either cause public opposition or to bully outsiders into not getting involved. It's a sound tactic to be honest. If you can get those with no particular stake to not take action either out of fear for their own safety or the belief that it doesn't involve them, then you have the green light to intimidate whoever you want to. So how does a leader respond to this? How does an individual respond to intimidation? When someone else has the power and resources to do harm to you, how do we respond to it?
4 Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of[b] the builders.
6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.
How does a leader respond? By prayer first. He releases the problem to God. Then he rallies his people and and continues the work. He doesn't respond to the public ridicule, he doesn't ignore it, but he doesn't respond. He actually acknowledges the problem by taking it to GOD. Now, if you're not a Christian and your read this, this may seem pointless, but the idea is the same. You may skip the part about going to God, but don't skip the part about not responding to criticism, but also acknowledge it's out there. If you're leading others, let them know it's out there, but you're not going to let it stop you. If you're just being bullied, well, understand that it's out there, that you're being talked about, but don't allow them to bring you to their level. If there is a higher authority (teacher, principle, boss, etc) let them know what's going on, and leave it there. IF you are Christian, then by releasing it to GOD, then you're allowing THE FATHER who loves you like no other to work on your behalf, and stand back and see what happens.
7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
