Nehemiah 6:16
French (La Sainte Bible par Louis Segond 1910)
What Does This Mean?
This verse from Nehemiah describes how the enemies of the Jews were disheartened when they saw the work of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, realizing that God was behind this work. The enemies and surrounding people were disappointed because they saw the work as divinely inspired.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're building a big fort in your backyard and all your neighbors think it's impossible. But then, they see you finishing the fort, and they realize something magical is happening. They feel sad because they can't stop the magic fort from being built. That's like what happened here, but with a big wall instead of a fort.
Historical Background
Nehemiah, the author, wrote this passage in the 5th century BCE. He was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. The audience was the Jewish people returning to rebuild their homeland. The surrounding nations were often hostile towards the rebuilding efforts.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, this can be applied to situations where you face opposition in your endeavors. For example, if you're working on a project at work and your competitors are trying to stop you, but you see divine help in your progress, your competitors might feel discouraged. This shows that relying on God can help overcome obstacles.