Nehemiah 6:13

An evil report. For Nehemiah to enter and secrete himself within the holy place would have been a grave desecration of the house of God. It would have given his enemies occasion to cast suspicion upon him as one who lightly esteemed God’s commands. Thus his standing in the eyes of the people would be undermined (see on verse 11). The least indication of fear on Nehemiah’s part at this critical time would have been fatal to the morale of the people. The influence of Nehemiah depended on his character. One false step, and he would have been lost, his influence would have been gone, and the work on which his heart was set would have come to nought.