Nehemiah 6:1-14
Their previous unsuccessful attempts have not discouraged Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem. They make a hypocritical offer to Nehemiah: "Come, let us meet together . . . ".The plain of Ono (or craftsmen: Nehemiah 11:35) which is fixed as the meeting place, suggests an act of collaboration with the enemies of God’s people. But the offer is rejected in spite of the threats which accompany it the fifth time. Then another trap is set through Shemaiah, a Jew. By means of a false prophecy, this enemy agent tries to lead Nehemiah (who was not a priest) to disobey the LORD by seeking refuge in the temple (see 2 Corinthians 11:13; 1 John 4:1). The Pharisees acted in the same way toward the Lord Jesus. "Get thee out, and depart hence" – they say to him – "for Herod will kill thee" (Luke 13:31). They tried (and Satan was behind them) to frighten and lead away from the path of faith the One who had steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51).
The double attack, which was thwarted by faithful Nehemiah, puts the Christian on his guard against two extreme dangers:
Widening the path by working hand in hand with those who are not subject to the Word.
"Shutting oneself away" within a pretentious, arrogant sectarianism.