Up to this point, Nehemiah faced tremendous opposition from spiritual enemies outside of Judah, but now he faces his greatest challenge from within. Now it was not issues with Sanballat, Tobiah, or Geshem but his own people. Internal strife and greed gave way to food shortages, lands being confiscated, and the people of God once again being forced into slavery. What was Nehemiah to do. It is here perhaps that a spiritual leader faces his greatest test of knowing what to do to mediate over the people he has come to serve.