ply intent upon self-aggrandizement, even at the expense of the
dependent members of the community. A revolutionizing work like that
proposed by Nehemiah was certain to affect their vested interests and to
reveal their cruel selfishness. Certain of their families had also
intermarried with neighboring chieftains; and they were quite content with
the existing conditions. A second obstacle was the opposition of the
hostile peoples who surrounded the little Judean community. On the east
the Ammonites had apparently pressed in and occupied the ancient Hebrew
territory as far as the Jordan. Tobiah, the Ammonite, who figures
prominently in Nehemiah's narrative, was probably one of their local
chiefs. Gashmu, the Arabian, represented the half-civilized Bedouin tribes
that had invaded the territory of Judea from the south and east during the
period of weakness following the destruction of Jerusalem. Possibly he
belonged to the Edomites who then held Hebron and all of the southern part
of Judea. Nehemiah also refers to the descendents of Israel's ancient
foes, the Philistines, living in the city of Ashdod. On the north the
superior resources of Samaria had asserted themselves, and these survivors
of the ancient Israelites who lived among the hills of Ephraim had grown
into a powerful nation that overshadowed the struggling Judean community.
These northerners, however, still worshipped at Jerusalem and were closely
allied with the Jews. At their head was Sanballat, the Horonite, who
probably came from Bethhoron, in southwestern Samaria. Each of these
peoples inherited the feeling of hostility with which their fathers had
regarded the people of Judah, and looked with suspicion upon any movement
to re-establish Jerusalem's former strength and prestige. Furthermore, the
men of the Judean community itself lacked courage and training. With
inefficient helpers and with opponents within and without the community,
Nehemiah's task seemed well-nigh impossible. That he succeeded in the face
of all these obstacles in rebuilding the walls in the incredibly short
period of fifty-two days is only explained by his superlative skill,
devotion, and energy.

IV. Nehemiah's Plan of Work. Fortunately Nehemiah possessed resources as
well as tact. He quickly disarmed the opposition and won at least the
nominal support of the leaders by entertaining one hundred and fifty of
them as his guests. Thus he was able to place them under personal
obligation to h