Isaiah 25:7, 8

And in this mountain he will certainly swallow up the face of the envelopment that is enveloping over all the peoples, and the woven work that is interwoven upon all the nations. He will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces. And the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for Jehovah himself has spoken it. -- Isaiah 25:7, 8 - New World Translation

In Isaiah 25:7, the "envelopment" and "woven work" refer to sin and death, which plagues all humanity today. God is said to swallow them up. Then in verse 8, he is said to swallow up death forever. What a wonderful and positive outlook we have of the future compared to the view that most people have, a view that is worryingly vague and pessimistic.

In verse 8 God personally wipes away the tears of his people like a parent wiping their child's tears away. He does this not only by removing death, but separately also Satan and his seed and human sin, which apart from death is the cause of so many dreadful tears.

Isaiah 22:4

That is why I have said: “Turn your gaze away from me. I will show bitterness in weeping. Do not you people insist on comforting me over the despoiling of the daughter of my people."  -- Isaiah 22:4, New World Translation

In Isaiah 22:4, the people of Jerusalem were rejoicing, but Isaiah's pain was deep because of the prospect of the disaster coming on the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They are referred to as "the daughter of my people," showing the close bond that Isaiah felt with them. Deep grief seeks to be alone, so while they feast joyously, Isaiah mourns. As the verse shows, Isaiah doesn't want their curiosity or sympathy because he saw the reality of the spiritual situation.

We today may bitterly mourn when seeing close loved ones who are so out of touch with spiritually. Their attempt to comfort us, and say "everything is all right" is in vain, because we don't see and feel the same way they do.

The Tactics of Opposers - Nehemiah 6:5-9

After several attempts at distraction, Sanballat and his colleagues try a new approach - they try and frighten Nehemiah by spreading false rumors about him.

Sanballat sent me this same message a fifth time by his aide, who had an open letter in his hand. In it was written: It is reported among the nations-- and Geshem agrees-- that you and the Jews plan to rebel. This is the reason you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king and have even set up the prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: "There is a king in Judah." These rumors will be heard by the king. So come, let's confer together. - Neh 6:5-7, HCSB

The custom in those times was to seal a letter, which was to be opened only by the recipient. By sending Nehemiah an "open letter," Sanballat wanted Nehemiah to know that anyone between Samaria and Jerusalem who wanted to look at the letter would have been able to. Perhaps his aide was instructed to make sure as many people as possible knew the contents of the letter - including Nehemiah's fellow Jews.

Sanballat accused Nehemiah of rebellion, which would be why Nehemiah is so quick to build the wall. "According to these reports," he was to become king and have prophets publicly proclaim him as king.

Today, opposers of true worship spread rumors by means of "open letters" - Internet websites, books, and even the spoken word. Many false rumors are spread about true worshipers - misconceptions spread to those not familiar with the issues. One particular strategy that matches our account is that rumors are spread about someone taking the lead among Jehovah's people, so as to sow distrust among fellow worshipers. However, these accusations are hear-say, rumors, half-truths (which equal whole lies), a twisting of the facts, special pleading ignoring counter evidence, baseless ad hominen attacks, etc.

How should we react to things like these? How did Nehemiah react?

Then I replied to him, "There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind." For they were all trying to intimidate us, saying, "They will become discouraged in the work, and it will never be finished." But now, my God, strengthen me. - Neh 6:8-9, HCSB

Nehemiah did not let his opposers distract him from his important God given work at hand. He could have gotten caught up in anxiety and fear about the Jewish people and the Persian king believing these rumors. Instead, he only offered a quick reply, saying there was no basis to the rumors, and that the whole thing "is a figment of your own imagination." (Neh 6:8b, NJB)

If someone has an honest question, of course we may provide a response based on the Scriptures. But if someone has a biased agenda like Sanballat and his colleagues, sometimes the best response is no response. We shouldn't let worthless accusations take up our valuable time.

I am reminded of an account in Jeremiah when Hananiah the false prophet took the yoke bar off Jeremiah's neck and broke it. He then uttered a false prophecy which contradicted Jeremiah's true prophetic words. What did Jeremiah do? "And Jeremiah the prophet proceeded to go his way." (Jeremiah 28:10, 11) No need to be argumentative. No need to have a response for every baseless accusation, for "wisdom is proved righteous by its works." (Matthew 11:19)

Likewise today, sometimes the best reaction to vague and incoherent accusations against Jehovah's people is to just deny it and not let it distract us from from our God given work.