Nehemiah 6
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Nehemiah was building a wall. A big, high wall. Stone by stone, day by day. The wall was almost done!
But some men did not like the wall. Sanballat and Tobiah were their names. They sent a note to Nehemiah. "Come out and meet us," they said. But they wanted to hurt him.
Nehemiah said no. "I am doing important work," he said. "I cannot come down."
They asked again. And again. Four times they asked. Four times Nehemiah said no.
Then came a fifth letter. An open letter, for everyone to see. It said bad things, things that were not true. It tried to scare Nehemiah.
What Does This Mean?
Someone even said, "Hide in the temple! They will come to kill you!" That sounds very scary, doesn't it?
But Nehemiah did not hide. He said, "Should a man like me run away?" He knew something was wrong. He knew God had not sent that message. It was just a trick, to make him afraid.
Nehemiah kept building. He did not run. He did not stop.
The Common Thread
Nehemiah prayed. He said, "Remember, my God." He told God everything, all the scary letters, all the tricks. God heard him.
Jesus also had people who wanted to scare him, who said unkind things. Jesus did not run away either. He kept doing what his Father asked. God's people can be brave, because God is with them.
And guess what happened to the wall? It was finished! In just fifty-two days. All the enemies heard about it. They were surprised. Very surprised. They knew God had helped build that wall.
For You
Sometimes someone might say something unkind to you. Something scary, something not true. You can remember Nehemiah. He did not run away. He kept doing his good work. And he prayed. He told God everything.
You can do that too. You can tell God when you feel scared. God listens, just like he listened to Nehemiah.
Talk About It
Have you ever felt scared, like Nehemiah did? What could you say to God when you feel scared?
Praying Together
Dear God, Thank you that you heard Nehemiah. Thank you that you hear me too. When I am scared, help me be brave. Help me remember you are near. Amen.
Questions about Nehemiah 6
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Nehemiah 6 about?
What does Nehemiah 6 say?
What does Nehemiah 6 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Nehemiah 6?
Why is Nehemiah 6 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Notice what the accusation is really for. Sanballat spreads a rumor that Nehemiah wants to be king, then adds, "Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together." The lie exists to get him down off the wall, into a meeting, away from the work.
Some voices don't want to be answered. They want your attention. What has your defense cost you lately?
The wall stood with "no breach left in it," yet the doors were not yet set up. That is exactly when the letters and invitations began. Notice the timing. The pressure sharpened not when Nehemiah was weakest, but when he was nearly finished. Where are you almost done and quietly worn out? Guard that unhung gate.
Nehemiah saw through it. "For this cause was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me." The trap wasn't a knife but a whispered suggestion of fear. Notice how sin was the goal, and shame the weapon. What voice today is dressing panic up as wisdom, urging you to hide when God has called you to build?
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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