Who do you think you are to rebuild this?
A reflection on Nehemiah 4-6
Nehemiah wasn’t a priest. He wasn’t a prophet.
He was a cupbearer — a government worker in exile who got word that his people were still living among ruins.
The temple in Jerusalem had already been rebuilt under Ezra. But the walls — the physical protection and symbol of the city’s strength — were still broken down.
When Nehemiah heard this, he was devastated. He fasted. He prayed. And then he asked the king of Persia for permission to go home and rebuild. He didn’t just cry about the ruins. He made a plan. He asked for resources. He showed up.
But as soon as the work began, so did the opposition.
Enemies like Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem mocked the Jews. They plotted to attack. They tried to distract Nehemiah, discredit his work, and instill fear.
Their message was loud and clear:
“Who do you think you are to rebuild this?”
And yet — Nehemiah didn’t flinch.
He didn’t debate them.
He didn’t explain himself.
He didn’t even slow down.
Instead, Nehemiah gives us a blueprint for rebuilding under pressure — one that still holds today.
Prayer first.
Nehemiah brought every threat, every insult, every moment of discouragement straight to God.
“Hear us, our God, for we are despised…” — Nehemiah 4:4
Strategy second.
He adjusted. He stationed guards. He gave workers tools in one hand and weapons in the other. He made sure everyone knew what to do if an attack came.
“With one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.” — Nehemiah 4:17
No distractions.
When his enemies tried to pull him away with rumors and false meetings, he didn’t take the bait.
“I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” — Nehemiah 6:3
That’s the posture.
That’s the energy.
That’s how we rebuild.
Because here’s the truth:
Whether you’re rebuilding your confidence, your business, your boundaries, your identity — the resistance will come.
Sometimes it’s people who don’t understand.
Sometimes it’s systems that weren’t built for your healing.
Sometimes it’s your own voice, questioning:
“Who do you think you are to start again?”
And that’s when you remember this story.
You remember that rebuilding isn’t just about brick and mortar — it’s about faithfulness in the face of fear, obedience in the face of opposition, and focus in the face of distraction.
And you answer the question with truth:
You are called – Isaiah 43:1
You are being restored – 1 Peter 5:10
You are God’s workmanship, created for good work – Ephesians 2:10
You are an heir to a Kingdom that cannot be shaken – Hebrews 12:28
You don’t have to prove it.
You just have to keep building.
Because God rebuilds with you.
And what’s torn down isn’t where the story ends.