4 Strategies Used by the Enemies of Believers (Part 1)
Rubble to Restoration: A Study in Ezra and Nehemiah • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction:
Introduction:
This morning we are going to be looking into the strategies used by the enemies of God’s people:
Example:
We are going to look into the not only the strategies of our enemies but also look at how to biblically overcome each one. My prayer is that you will grasp the enemies tactics and apply the Word of God in counteracting them.
vv. 1-6) Strategy 1—ridicule and mockery
vv. 1-6) Strategy 1—ridicule and mockery
Persecution is a fact of life for the truth follower of Christ. If a person, who believes in Jesus Christ, and is living a righteous and holy life, keeping the commandments of God, will (no doubt) experience spiritual and perhaps even physical or verbal attacks. This is because the worldly men and women, the demonic realm, and the ideology of the world want little to do with the sacred and holy.
There are going be those of you who are complacent in your faith, those of you who might be toeing the line between living rightly before God and living for yourself. That will be persecuted too, guilty by association.
As believers though it is so important how we respond to accusations and persecution.
What will our response be when
others ridicule or mock us for being believers?
if they assault us or attack us?
or (God forbid) murder a loved one? This is what happened to the Apostle Peter according to church tradition.
Do we love only those who love us, or will be love those who are relentlessly trying to destroy us?
Are we going to love like Christ did?
Satan will use every strategy possible to attack believers, more so if you are a threat to his, temporary, kingdom.
In the prior chapters Nehemiah and the Jewish returnees had begun to rebuild the walls of the city. News of rebuilding the wall quickly traveled to their enemies. A strong Jerusalem, a protected Jerusalem was a threat to Sanballat and the officials of the other surrounding nations. If the Jews became strong, Sanballat and his associates would lose power and influence. Losing their positions, recognition, and honor as local leaders of the area.
[1-2] As soon as construction began, Sanballat, the Samaritan governor was bitterly opposed to the thought. Hearing about the rebuilding made him very angry, so much so that he burned with rage against the Jews. Apparently he called a meeting of all his associates who opposed the Jew (powerful likeminded individuals), he would go so far as to mobilize the Samarian army.
After gathering all of these people, he publicly ridiculed the Jews. In a series of rhetorical questions he sought to start a campaign of scorn and insults against Nehemiah and the Jews.
Sanballat ridiculed the workers by asking what the “feeble Jews” thought they were doing? The word feeble (amelal) means frail, miserable, powerless, withered, weak. He had a point, from all outward appearance the Jews were a powerless people. They were poverty-stricken with no economic wealth whatsoever and no military to defend themselves.
Having this appearance of feebleness, the Jews undertaking such an enormous project made them look foolish, laughable. Thus the reason Sanballat aroused his followers to mock, laugh, scorn, and ridicule the workers as they attempted this seeming impossible job.
Sanballat ridiculed the Jew’s hope of protecting themselves by building the wall. Mockingly he asked if they sought to strengthen themselves by hiding behind a restored, fortified wall. How could such a feeble people build a wall strong enough to protect themselves and their city from the attack of any army? In his mind and in the minds of his lackeys, the walls had been so completely ruined that they could never be rebuilt to withstand any significant force.
Sanballat ridiculed the Jew’s religion. He asked if they were going to offer sacrifices to seek their God’s help in rebuilding the walls. He suggested that it would take more than God to rebuilt such a devastated city and wall. No matter how much they prayed and sacrificed, their God was not powerful enough to use such a feeble people to accomplish such an impossible task.
Sanballat even ridiculed the materials they were using to rebuild the wall, that is, the stone taken out of the rubble. Many of the stones were probably cracked and damaged as a result of the intense heat created when the city was burned by the Babylonians decades earlier.
[3] Standing by Sanballat’s side was Tobiah. Tobiah was an Ammonite official and also a fierce opponent of Nehemiah and the Jews. He joined in the ridicule by echoing mockery of the wall. claiming the wall was flimsy, so flimsy it would collapse if a fox climbed up and walked on it.
[4-6] What was Nehemiah’s answer to the ridicule and the threat of this opposing force? He prayed and persevered in the work. When Nehemiah heard about the ridicule, he immediately turned to the Lord in prayer. He shared the insults with the Lord and requested that the enemies reap exactly what they had sown.
He asked the Lord to turn their scorn and mockery back upon their own heads and to give them over as captives in a foreign land. Nehemiah requested that true justice be executed upon them, that their sins and guilt not be ignored by the Lord and that their sins not be forgiven.
You might be asking why Nehemiah would make such a harsh request? It is because these enemies had commited blasphemy against the Lord. After all they were opposing the the work of God. Note how Nehemiah’s prayer is similar to the curse prayers found in the Psalms and Jeremiah: Ps 5, 28, 31, 35, 58, 59, 69, 79, 83, 109, 137, 139, 140; Jer 11, 15, 17, 18.
When looking at curse prayers such as these, two facts must alway be kept in mind: the prayer is a request that wicked people reap exactly what they sow and the true justice alway be executed.
A personal, emotional vengeance is not the purpose of the prayer but rather to honor God and to deliver God’s people. This justice is achieved when the wicked reap what they have sown.
Nehemiah had a second answer to those who were mocking the work. That being perseverance, of continuing on with the work. Praise God Nehemiah did not allow the insults to stop the work. But once their prayer was finished, they immediately got back to the task at hand.
Application: I believe that there are too many Christians who give up, back off, and get defeated when we are meet with ridicule, mockery, or scorn. When the world makes fun of or insults our testimony for Christ, there are far too many who turn away from the Lord and turn back to the world. This is happening all around us.
Perhaps it is the fear of being scorned or embarrassed that has caused us to keep silent about the salvation that has been given to us in Christ. If we are not willing to choose a side, we are choosing to not side with Christ. Indecision is a choice.
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
There are others of us that are committing sin and wickedness because we have given in to the pressure of friends too. Rather then taking a stand for righteousness we participate in sin.
The answer to this and all other mistreatment is prayer, trusting God for help. If we call upon the Lord, He will strengthen us to stand against every abuse and ill-treatment, against every trial and temptation that confronts us.
Through prayer we can be [conquerors] over all trials and temptations:
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
29 But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
17 “The poor and needy seek water, but there is none,
Their tongues fail for thirst.
I, the Lord, will hear them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
We can conquer whatever the world throws at us by being steadfast and persevering to the end:
22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
[Example:David and Goliath]
[Example:David and Goliath]
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
vv. 7-9) Strategy 2—conspiring and plotting attacks
vv. 7-9) Strategy 2—conspiring and plotting attacks
We should note that the Jews were now completely surrounded by enemies:
In the north were Sanballat and the Samaritans
In the east were Tobiah and the Ammonites
In the south were Geshem and the Arabs
In the west were the Ashdodites, who were the Philistines
This second strategy of the opposition was to conspire against the Jews, plotting to attack them. When the opponents heard that half of the wall had already been built, they knew that their strategy of ridicule and scorn had failed to stop the work. Scripture says that people in the surrounding areas were very angry, about the ongoing project.
It is for this reason, the opponents formed an alliance and laid plans to attack the Jews who were rebuilding Jerusalem. No doubt these enemies could have easily defeated the Jews, killing them and justifying their action by falsely accusing them of revolting against Persia.
Under normal circumstances King Artaxerxes, would have likely have accepted their false accusations since it involved a revolt against his throne. The same kind of situation had already been faced once before. Years earlier some opponents had accused the Jews of threaten to revolt and Artexerxes had forced the Jewish exiles to stop rebuilding.
19 And I gave the command, and a search has been made, and it was found that this city in former times has revolted against kings, and rebellion and sedition have been fostered in it. 20 There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the region beyond the River; and tax, tribute, and custom were paid to them. 21 Now give the command to make these men cease, that this city may not be built until the command is given by me.
22 Take heed now that you do not fail to do this. Why should damage increase to the hurt of the kings?
I believe that Nehemiah’s character and relationship with King Artaxerxes was also used by God and that is why there were no messages sent back to him claiming the Jews were rebelling against him. Everything that was taking place were not normal circumstance because God was for His people. He stood behind them and supported them.
What was Nehemiah’s response when he heard about the plot of a secret attack against him and the Jews?
He took the only action he could. he called the people to prayer and set guards all about the city to watch for the enemy’s attack.
Application:
Having a good reputation:
7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
Loving favor rather than silver and gold.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Standing guard and praying are the first steps to take against the enemy’s attack. We have to be spiritually alert, watching out for the seductive temptations and terrifying trials that Satan launches against us. But if we are watching and praying as we walk throughout the day, we can cast down evil imaginations and reject immoral and violent thoughts.
We can capture every thought and subject it to Christ:
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
By watching and praying we can focus our minds only upon things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report:
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
By controlling our thoughts we will naturally control our behavior, conquering the attacks of the enemy.
Even when unbelievers are aroused to persecute us because of Christ, we can overcome their attacks through watching and praying. God will strengthen us to walk through the attack, strengthen us to endure whatever insults or pain the enemy may have in store for us.
Family, if it is time for us to die and be carried home to heaven, even while the enemy is attacking us, quicker than the eye blink, the Lord will transfer us into His very presence. And we will then be filled with perfect joy and rejoicing beyond human measure.
However, the only way to conquer the attacks of Satan, whether spiritual, mental, or physical, is through a continuous walk of prayer and watching. We must guard ourselves against the evil attacks. Listen to what God’s Word states about watching and praying:
41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
1 I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue;
I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle,
While the wicked are before me.”
Communion:
Communion:
Holy Communion
Colossians 3:1–11 (NKJV)
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
[BREAD]
[CUP]
24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ’