Neh. 2:9-20a

Our gracious God and loving Father, as we continue in Your 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 Your 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;

• Tobiah, an Ammonite; and

• Geshem, an Arabian ().

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

The Persecutor’s.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Congregation

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 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:

• praying continually,

The Contenders

• 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 us from our sin; 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:

The Obtaining for the Great Commission

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 in the Obtaining people for the work.

Follow this very carefully.

Nehemiah’s call to the inhabitants of Jerusalem was: ‘Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace’ (2:17).

He associates himself fully with them in their distress: ‘You see the trouble we are in … let us rebuild … we will no longer be in disgrace.’

The caring attitude of Nehemiah was in stark contrast to the selfishness of previous governors (5:14–18).

His genuine concern for them inspires confidence in his leadership.

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.

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,

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.

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 making disciples of Christ

faithful in our presentation of Christ in the gospel!

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.

So beloved, the honor of Christ’s church is on the line and the reason that that was a motivator for them was because

1. they had that sense of sacredness of who they were as the people of God

2. They knew that God’s main concern is His own glory! That’s what they were going to live for.

And I don’t think the average American church goer thinks this way.

For many, the church isn’t sacred, it’s a place to have fun! Or a place to share ideas!

We wouldn’t have the title “a bunch of hypocrites” if we understood sacredness.

And we wouldn’t have that title if we all began to live for God’s glory!

So he asks these folks who have a renewed sense of the sacredness and a resolve to live for God’s glory,

he’s going to ask them to sacrifice! The endeavor to grow and multiply God’s people is going to take sacrifice and inconveinence.

Think of their sacrifice:

While they’re working on the walls, they are not able to make a living!

We are going to see that it’s a total family endeavor.

Sacrifice.

Then Nehemiah turns the thoughts of the people away from “trouble” and “disgrace” in v17 to — 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...

It was God’s hand on Nehemiah which led to “what the king had said to him” (v18).

Oh how Nehemiah Reveres God in the Obtaining! Now watch how God motivates us!

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

— 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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.

The proper doctrine of God is the motivator. Knowing God is the motivator.

We can veture forward in our Care Groups knowing that we are disciples who are making disciples because who is with us?

The One whosaid He “has all authority in heaven and earth” is the same One who said “I am with you”

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.

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.

The whole chapter is a testimony, a written and vocal affirmation of confidence in a God who hears (4), guides (5), instructs (12) and sustains (20) his people.

Testify to someone of what God has done in your life and is doing!

Testimonies are powerful!

Then the Response to the Obtaining. It wasn’t the response of, “Well, let’s try it for a while and see if it works!”

Nor was it, “I’m going to go behind Nehemiah’s back that tell other Israelites of how much I disagree with the direction that he’s leading us!”

Nor did they vote on it! What’s the Response in the middle of v18?

— ...So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” There’s an enthusiasm in their response!

Who is excited to obey God? Who’s excited to be wise builders and build on the rock of obedience!

Then v18 says, “Then they set their hands to this good work.” That enthusiastic response was immediately followed by performance.

Then they set their hands to this good work.

Our good resolution must be followed by actual deeds.

The Opposition to the Great Commission

— 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.”

Not everyone was pleased when Nehemiah came on the scene!

Satan, one way or another, always resists God’s work.

In this instance, three named individuals emerge,

two mentioned in and then a third in verse 19:

“Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah, the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab” ().

Concerning the first two, Sanballat and Tobiah, we are told that “it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel” (v. 10).

Together with a third individual named Geshem, Sanballat and Tobiah “jeered” and “despised” Nehemiah

for what he had come to do in the city,

Remember what our Lord said? – “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

But with these three men we see the Alliance in Opposition.

All three of these men were eager to maintain the political upper hand

with their Persian masters, fearful that Jewish intentions might jeopardize

whatever advantages they had carved out for themselves and their hope of dynastic succession.

None had much in common with the others, but it is a rule they were unified in opposition

that we see repeated with the Sadducees and Pharisees in Jesus’ time

that those who would otherwise be adversaries may unite in opposition against a common enemy.

Jeering and despising, accusing him of plotting against the king (v. 19).

Nehemiah responded by saying (at the end of v20) that they had “no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem”.

And at the end of Holy Scripture we find the same truth confirmed,

those longing desire to be remembered in the book of life,

will be told something of the same nature as the awful doom is made known to you here today:

— And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

There are those who despise and laugh God’s people to scorn;

but the day of decision must come: and an awful decision it will be for some of you.

How do you know that your name’s in the Book of life? That you’ve passed from death unto life?

Sinners Prayer?

Come to church here?

Serve the church here?

Loyal to the church?

How do you know, that you’ve passed from death to life?

— We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren… Do you love those sitting around you?

But these men, particularly Geshem, were powerful figures in their own right,

but allied against Nehemiah, they constituted a force to be reckoned with.

We would do him an injustice if we downplayed the level of hostility that Nehemiah now faced.

Nor should we be hoodwinked into thinking that this level of malevolence was only a human one.

Behind this trinity of evil intent lay the plottings of the evil one.

Satan prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking opportunities to capture and devour his prey.

What we see here is typical of his strategy when his kingdom is threatened.

Insinuation,

innuendo, and

lies

are among the arsenal of weaponry he employs on this occasion, and

since his strategies, though many, are not a lot,

he often repeats them with almost predictable regularity.

We may watch him at work here, and watch Nehemiah’s response, and learn to fight Satan in our own battles.

This leads us to the Answer to the Opposition

The answer to opposition is the promise of divine approval and divine helop in the task before them.

The plan to rebuild the walls was not merely Nehemiah’s or theirs;

it was God who had put it into Nehemiah’s heart ().

Nehemiah reassured the people that this was indeed the case, saying, “I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good” (v. 18).

Of this they could be certain: God was in this project,

no matter how difficult it might be and

no matter what threats might exist against their persons if they were to undertake it.

The sufficiency of God is a powerful motivator.

Nehemiah is a leader whose vision is filled with the greatness of God.

No task is too difficult when the Creator of heaven and earth is the One orchestrating it and in whose hands you are but a tool.

A God who can turn the sea into dry land, and

cause a bush to burn without its being consumed,

is not going to balk at a Sanballat, a Tobiah, or a Geshem.

But why should ‘the God of heaven’ be so concerned about the crumbling walls of a Jewish city?

Nehemiah responded by saying (at the end of v20) that they had “no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem”.

Does he not have more essential things to occupy his mind?

The safety of Jerusalem was bound up with the future of the Jewish race

and the birth of Jesus Christ, ‘the Savior of the world’.

We too, like Nehemiah and the citizens of Jerusalem, are called to build.

And at the end of Holy Scripture we find the same truth confirmed,

those longing desire to be remembered in the book of life,

But we are not erecting a physical city, but the church, ‘the city of God’ (; ).

will be told something of the same nature as the awful doom is made known to you here today:

— And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

We do not build with bricks and cement, but with the tools of

There are those who despise and laugh God’s people to scorn;

but the day of decision must come: and an awful decision it will be for some of you.

fervent prayer,

How do you know that your name’s in the Book of life? That you’ve passed from death unto life?

powerful preaching and

Sinners Prayer?

Come to church here?

Serve the church here?

A zeal to make disciples of those who know the Savior and

Loyal to the church?

those who do not know the Savior.

How do you know, that you’ve passed from death to life?

— We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren… Do you love those sitting around you?

We shall encounter opposition, but the ‘God of heaven’ who gave success to Nehemiah is our God!

If there is one particular lesson that this section of Nehemiah is meant to teach us,

it is that we should trust God more than we do.

In matters in which His will is made clear to us, we are not to look upon the forces of opposition arrayed against us,

however great these may be;

rather, we are to put our confidence resolutely in the Lord.

If we trust God, we have nothing to fear.