Nehemiah 2:9-20

Our gracious God and loving Father, as we continue in Thy presence, we pray that You will bless us now and that You will set us before You. That You will give help as we turn to the Word of God.

We pray for a great sense of Thy nearness. We pray for that quickening influence of the Holy Spirit. Come and breathe on us we pray, we ask for help now, we pray in Jesus name and for His sake! Amen.

— 9 Then I went to the governors in the region beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. 10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel. 11 So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem; nor was there any animal with me, except the one on which I rode. 13 And I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire. 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal under me to pass. 15 So I went up in the night by the valley, and viewed the wall; then I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. 16 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or the others who did the work. 17 Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?” 20 So I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.”

So from the palace in Susa, Nehemiah comes to Jerusalem and immediately the work of God is met with opposition.

We are introduced to three special enemies named

• Sanballat, from Beth Horan, about twelve miles from Jerusalem;

We are introduced to three special enemies named

• Tobiah, an Ammonite; and

Sanballat, from Beth Horan, about twelve miles from Jerusalem;

Tobiah, an Ammonite; and

Geshem, an Arabian ().

We’ll learn more about these sinister people next week.

• Geshem, an Arabian ().

Being an Ammonite, Tobiah was an avowed enemy of the Jews ().

We’ll learn more about these sinister people next week.

But, Nehemiah would soon discover that his biggest problem was not the enemy on the outside

He was related by marriage to some of Nehemiah’s co-laborers and had many friends among the Jews ().

but the compromisers on the inside, a problem the church still faces today.

Then in v11-16 after a three day rest, Nehemiah takes some time to get the lay of the land.

In fact, he was “near of kin” (“allied”) to Eliashib the priest (13:4–7).

So we can glean what good leaders do: they don’t rush into the work, but patiently gathers the facts firsthand and then plans his strategy

— He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.

If Sanballat was in charge of the army, then Tobiah was director of the intelligence division of their operation.

But Nehemiah goes on an inspection tour to investigate the extent of the damage.

He wants no one to interfere or ask questions at this point and goes out on his own to become more clear about the necessary repairs.

It was he who gathered “inside information” from his Jewish friends and passed it along to Sanballat and Geshem.

Twice he states the lack of knowledge of his activities on the part of the community (vv. 12 and 16), and, finally, he is ready to reveal his plan.

So here’s a man (Nehemiah) who has a personal burden for the work of God and how God had been at work already in his life.

But, Nehemiah would soon discover that his biggest problem was not the enemy on the outside

For others this morning. I know you have a burden for God and His work and…

others it’s like trying to relight wood that’s been burned already…

but the compromisers on the inside, a problem the church still faces today.

but for those who have a burden in your heart for the cause of God,

we want to focus on vv17-20 this morning as we look at Motivation for Performing the Great Commission.

Then in v11-16 after a three day rest, Nehemiah takes some time to get the lay of the land.

Here is how grace and works go together. The sovereign “God of heaven” graciously directs events for His redemptive purposes.

As he did for Joseph, Daniel, and Ester, He brings favor with these different kings.

So we can glean what good leaders do: they don’t rush into the work, but patiently gathers the facts firsthand and then plans his strategy

So Nehemiah now knows God’s grace personally, he responds with wholehearted service:

• praying continually,

— He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.

• preparing carefully,

• rousing himself for his nighttime inspection, and

But Nehemiah goes on an inspection tour to investigate the extent of the damage.

We must be wise, because our

• wisely articulating his plan of action

—even when surrounded by the threats and jeers of hostile enemies (, ).

He wants no one to interfere or ask questions at this point and goes out on his own to become more clear about the necessary repairs.

Nehemiah’s summary: God makes us prosper, and we His servants arise and build (v. 20).

This is the pattern of the gospel: God delivers us from our sin; we gratefully respond.

Twice he states the lack of knowledge of his activities on the part of the community (vv. 12 and 16), and, finally, he is ready to reveal his plan.

God acts in marvelous mercy, and we respond accordingly out of hearts transformed by grace.

So here’s a man (Nehemiah) who has a personal burden for the work of God and how God had been at work already in his life.

And his experience with the Lord. Him beseeching the God of heaven, night and day and then God working in the heart of the king in answer to Nehemiah’s cry!

Let’s look first of all at: Obtaining for the Commission. — Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.”

Those two things, his personal burden for the work of God and how God had been at work already in his life.

and that this is how God has been dealing with me!

Or perhaps you don’t have a burden for the work of God! Coldness and apathy has set in your heart.

Now you’re lukewarm towards God and His ways

or pragmatism has set itself up in your heart and you’ve discovered that the culture doesn’t approve of God’s ways so you don’t pay much attention to the ways of God either.

Well for some of you, it’s like trying to relight burnt wood. It’s just not going to happen, in which you should fear God and cry out to God to help you.

For others this morning. I know you have a burden for God and His work and…

others it’s like trying to relight wood that’s been burned already…

but for those who have a burden in your heart for the cause of God,

we want to focus on vv17-20 this morning as we look at Motivation for Performing the Great Commission.

Here is how grace and works go together. The sovereign “God of heaven” graciously directs events for His redemptive purposes.

As he did for Joseph, Daniel, and Ester, He brings favor with these different kings.

So Nehemiah now knows God’s grace personally, he responds with wholehearted service:

Nehemiah responds with wholehearted service: praying continually, preparing carefully, rousing himself for his nighttime inspection, and wisely articulating his plan of action—even when surrounded by the threats and jeers of hostile enemies (, ). Nehemiah’s summary: God makes us prosper, and we his servants arise and build (v. 20). This is the pattern of the gospel: God delivers; we gratefully respond. God acts in marvelous mercy, and we respond accordingly out of hearts transformed by grace.

praying continually,

preparing carefully,

rousing himself for his nighttime inspection, and

wisely articulating his plan of action

—even when surrounded by the threats and jeers of hostile enemies (, ).

Nehemiah’s summary: God makes us prosper, and we His servants arise and build (v. 20).

This is the pattern of the gospel: God delivers; we gratefully respond.

God acts in marvelous mercy, and we respond accordingly out of hearts transformed by grace.

Let’s look first of all at: Obtaining for the Commission. — Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.”

Here Nehemiah is recruiting people for the work.

Notice so carefully. I’ve heard many of you speak to or speak about some of your family members who are lost.

There’s a big difference in how we talk to the lost and how we speak to one another.

But when speaking to your lost family the natural thing that we all do. You

And you do what the natural thing that we all do. You tell them how they are wrong.

tell them how they are wrong.

Remind them of their foolish youthful behavior and

Remind them of their

foolish youthful behavior and

how stubborn they are.

And how they just continue to make bad decisions.

This is no motivator beloved.

Notice how Nehemiah does it, even as we think on how to make disciple of God’s people:

He did not play the visiting official from Susa, saying in effect,

“You people are in a mess! I have a wonderful plan for you if only you would listen to me.”

Rather, he completely identified with the Jews as one of them. It is “the trouble we are in.… Let us build …, that we may no longer suffer reproach.”

The motivation was in part one of honor and in the hands of a God-fearing man whose sole ambition was God’s glory,

it was a belief that they—the Jews—were set apart by divine word and covenant.

The urgency of the call to build was eluding to the fact that enough time had already been lost

because of their procrastination and lack of focus.

Some of you do not feel the urgency of God’s call

because your involvement is only at a distance.

You’re not passionately involved, it’s more of a lukewarm...

So Nehemiah identifies with their struggle, making it his own.

Then he presents spiritual perspectives. He’s going to describe the spiritual trouble that they are all are in.

It’s not just the fact that Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire.

Far more serious than the physical desolation is the spiritual disgrace.

— “Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.

The motivation was in part, one of honor. See the distress that we are in...

And in the hands of a God-fearing man whose sole ambition was God’s glory,

it was a belief that they—the Jews—were set apart by divine word and covenant.

The prospect of facing disgrace was the motivator that Nehemiah employed.

The rest of the world, in effect, was laughing at Israel. With all their talk of

being the people of God and the

invincibility of Jerusalem,

the Israelites had spent the past century and a half in servitude to foreign empires,

which had subjected them to much shame and

brought their existence and sense of identity to the brink of extinction.

The sight of the collapsed walls for well over a century has created the impression in the pagan mind

that Israel’s God has abandoned His rebellious people and is no longer on their side.

Oh beloved, how many spurious claims have been made from this podium about people promising to walk with Christ and with us together?

Only to turn away from this church body for any number of reasons.

Reasons that satan takes and twists them and makes them appear to be things that they are not.

Then, not only to God’s people believe them (which just confuses the sheep)

but causes the Church of Jesus Christ right here in this church to become a mockery and a disgrace!

Beloved, this is why it is crucial for us to be diligent in evaluating our purpose, our motives, and our aim. (front and center in the bulletin)

Our purpose to Exalt Christ, Equip the saints, Extent the Kingdom of Christ to those with no hope!

And our motive for doing it; is because our hearts have been transformed by God through Christ in the gospel!

And out aim is FAITHFULNESS! To be faithful in our

worship of Christ,

faithful in making disciples of Christ

faithful in our presentation of Christ in the gospel!

What, on a weekly basis, do you do, to serve Christ’s Kingdom?

Like them, there’s honor at stake. This should motivate you to labor. But since many a people who occupy a pew, are concerned about God’s glory, God has another motivator.

But it’s much less popular but no less biblical.

He says in v17 that we may no longer be a reproach, which means ashamed.

Nehemiah is in no doubt whatsoever, about his objective, and knows exactly why those walls must be rebuilt.

It is not simply to defend the city’s fortifications and improve its economy.

God’s Name is at stake in the enterprise, not simply Jerusalem’s welfare.

He motivates them on the basis of who they are (their identity), as the set apart people of God.

This is the motivator for action and creating in them a sense of duty.

Turn with me to . This principle (that I just laid out for you) of motivating people to behavior that is in line with their identity,

is something that both testaments are at pains to underline for us.

is a series of ethical commands.

Paul urges the Colossians to heavenly-mindedness (by setting their minds on things above v1-2)

Mortification v5 (putting to death such sins as fornication (5) anger, foul talk, and lying (8-9) and specific acts of sanctification.

And we are to put on new things such as tender mercy, being kind, patience, being a forgiving people, a loving people (12-14)

All of these things on the basis of what? What’s their identity? The Colossians are already “raised with Christ” ()

And if you find a professing believer that isn’t

progressively putting off their sin and

progressively putting those Christ-like characteristics on,

it’s probably because of the fact that they’ve never been raised with Christ! They just think they have!

And brothers and sisters, may I tell you that God’s design is for us to feel the shame of all these things.

It’s a shame what people profess and then how they go out these doors and live their lives...

You might say, “Hey that’s not very therapeutic! God want’s me to feel good about myself!”

Well, go over to . Paul expands on this dynamic, reminding us of God’s saving grace in Christ.

Union with the crucified, risen Christ gives us a clean new record and a brand new life.

Yet, in the course of this gospel encouragement, he recalls our past sin:

— What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

Why does Paul stir up our memories of past sins? Doesn’t that seem counter productive?

Do not miss the force of his now. While they were the slaves of sin they were not ashamed.…

To be without shame, is a mark of a sin-dominated life.

But when they became Christians they came to see sin for the evil thing it is and

their past deeds for the shameful things they were.

Turn to . Shame is a good fruit: the godly fruit of repentance is response to God’s promised grace in the new covenant.

promises, “When I bring back their captives, the captives of Sodom and her daughters, and the captives of Samaria and her daughters, then I will also bring back the captives of your captivity among them, 54 that you may bear your own shame and be disgraced by all that you did when you comforted them.

Paul remembered that he had persecuted the church (; );

John Newton remembered his slave-trading days.

The value of such memory is that it keeps a man back from pride.

Not even the justified sinner should forget that he has a past of which he is right to be ashamed.

There is no contradiction between a present enjoyment of being saved and a

proper sense of shame about past sin.

Both mark the maturing Christian.

Ezekiel continues: “Nevertheless I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. 61 Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed, when you receive your older and your younger sisters; for I will give them to you for daughters, but not because of My covenant with you. 62 And I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, 63 that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done,” says the Lord God.’ ”

Israel’s reaction will be that she will be shamed by God’s goodness

into a state of repentance and self-loathing and

will therefore acknowledge God in a way that she has failed to in the past.

Same truth over in chapter 20 (look there) — And there you shall remember your ways and all your doings with which you were defiled; and you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight because of all the evils that you have committed.

Or consider chapter 36 the famous new heart/covenant promise.

— 22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. 23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

What’s the results? — 31 Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. 32 Not for your sake do I do this,” says the Lord God, “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!”

Far from being a bad thing, godly shame is affirmed.

Go back to Nehemiah...

What do the apostle Paul and the prophet Ezekiel teach us?

Properly remembering our past sins, with shame and self-loathing,

will deter us from repeating them and

help us better receive and relish God’s saving grace.

By recalling our past sins through the lens of Christ’s mercy, God produces in us

ongoing repentance and

deepening humility.

In v17 you see the word “distressed”? You know that bad situation or trouble we are in...

It’s a word that also means wickedness or depravity.

You see what the church has become, God exhorts us, “Come and let us build” so that we’re no longer a disgrace!

God reminds us both of our identity in Christ as the people of God.

He also reminds us of our sin and shame, designed to produce brokenness and humility.

That’s how God obtains people for the commission.

2. The Opportunity for the Commission

— And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.

Before people can respond they need the assurance that, for all his gifts, someone greater than Nehemiah is behind the venture.

In the press for multiplying disciples, you need assurance that Someone greater than Joel is behind that push:

— 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Now watch how the proper doctrine of God is the motivator. Knowing God is the motivator.

Two enriching attributes of God become the motivation to the work of God.

Notice Nehemiah guards the supremacy of God (He’s transcendent, perfect, preeminent) in v4,20 He’s referred to as the “God of heaven”.

But His God isn’t remote or distant either. In v12 He puts thoughts into this man’s heart and

His gracious hand is upon them in everyday life (8,18).

We can never separate these two attributes of God.

God’s eternal transcendence guards us against irreverence;

His immanence and immediate involvement save us from despair.

The group can be assured that God is with them

but that He must never be taken for granted.

There is an eternal throne

as well as a loving hand.

Encouraged by Nehemiah’s testimony the people were ready for immediate service: in v18 they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’

What areas in the life of this congregation, do you need to say what these folks said, “Let us rise up and build.”

3. The Opposition against the Commission

But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?” 20 So I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.”

Constant focus on the city of Jerusalem highlights this place where God displayed his grace, dwelling with his people and making a way, through the temple sacrifices, for them to worship and live as his people. All this grace and favor prepared the way for God’s greatest gift, his Son, “from [whose] fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” ()—and to whom we respond by rising up and serving.

Nehemiah 2:9-20

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