People’s tongues were busy 2,000 years ago, just as people’s tongues are busy now, and the gossips of those days, like the gossips of to-day, were not particular about truth.

What was the gossip which Gashmu had started against Nehemiah?  It was this:  Jerusalem is being built, we all see that, says Gashmu.  But now, what is at the bottom of this business?  Hush! says Gashmu, do not tell any one, and I will tell you a secret.  You would never believe it, you would never guess it; but what do you think?  As soon as those walls are built and those gates are finished, you will hear news.  There is going to be a king in Jerusalem, and his name is Nehemiah.  As soon as ever he has a strong city in which to defend himself, he is going to rebel against Persia.  Nay, he has already paid people inside Jerusalem to pretend to be prophets, and to say to the people: 

‘There is a king in Judah.’

That is the gossip, says Sanballat, that is going the round of all the gossips’ tongues in the land.  And now what will be the result?  If the King of Persia hears of it, and it is sure to reach his ears sooner or later, it will go badly with you, Nehemiah.  The best thing you can do is to consent to meet me, and we will talk the matter over and see what can be done to prevent this report reaching Persia.

‘Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.’

Nehemiah has stood firm under ridicule; he has been unmoved by force or deceitful friendships; will he be frightened from his duty by gossip?  No, he cares not what they say, nor who says it.  He simply sends Sanballat word that there is not a vestige of truth in the report, nor does he intend to take any notice of it.

’There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.’

Over the entrance to one of our old English castles these words are carved in the stonework:—­

    THEY SAY. 
    WHAT DO THEY SAY? 
    LET THEM SAY.

These words are well worth our remembering.  It is not pleasant to be talked about, especially if the words spoken about us are untrue, but it will be a wonderful thing if any of us escape the gossip’s tongue.

They say, and they always will say, to the end of time; people will talk, and their talk will chiefly be of their neighbours.

What do they say? Do you answer like the Psalmist, ’They lay to my charge things I knew not?’ They speak unkindly, untruly, unfairly.  Never mind, Let them say. You cannot stop their mouths, but you can hinder yourself from taking notice of their words.  Let them say, for they will have their say out, but they will end it all the sooner if you take no notice of it.

Let us try for the future to be thick-skinned, and when Gashmu’s tongue is whispering, and whenever some busybody like Sanballat repeats Gashmu’s words to us, let us act as Nehemiah did.  Let us take no notice of the repeated tittle-tattle.