The Ruthless Nature of the Enemy
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Opening Illustration
Opening Illustration
Main Idea: The Enemy is Always Seeking to Destroy God’s Work!
Main Idea: The Enemy is Always Seeking to Destroy God’s Work!
1. The Enemy Destroys Through Distraction (vs. 1-4)
1. The Enemy Destroys Through Distraction (vs. 1-4)
Lead in...
Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates),
Explain - Here come the ones opposed to the rebuilding of the wall, the ones who are the enemies of God. How do I know they are enemies of God? Well, Jesus makes that clear in the New Testament...
Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner.
Explain - Here come the ones opposed to the rebuilding of the wall, the ones who are the enemies of God. How do I know they are enemies of God? Well, Jesus makes that clear in the New Testament...
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
It’s pretty clear with God. His ways are the ways we are to follow and when we choose not to follow, we are functional enemies of God.
Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies found out that the wall was entirely enclosed except for the doors and the gates. And they knew that their way of life was about to change dramatically and so they wanted to do whatever they could to stop the work!
An all out assault against the Jews was not a wise approach. It would have made too much of a ruckus and the King of Persia would hear about it, learn what theses guys were up to (going against his command to ensure the wall was built) and squash them immediately. No, they needed a much more subtle approach!
So instead of a direct assault to destroy them and their plans, they decided that distraction will be a better way!
What did they do to distract?
Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm.
Nehemiah 6
Nehemiah was no slouch! He was quite astute in the ways of human behavior. He was a wise leader and he knew what they were up to! He was not about to honor their request! He knew their heart was to harm him!
Principle - Be wise when it comes to dealing with the enemy. Our enemy wants to distract us from God’s task for us and get us involved in other things...
Look at Nehemiah’s response...
Nehemiah 6
And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”
Wow! What a bold and God honoring response!
“My work is too great for me to climb down from this wall!” “I will not leave this WORK FOR GOD to talk with you, for I know what you are up to!?
Principle - There are times when it is good for you to spend time with the enemies of God. Especially for the purposes of evangelism. But, you must be discerning.
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
Nehemiah knew that they were up to know good and all they wanted to do is harm him and God’s work. So, he had the boldness to say, “NO!”
Sometimes when we are about the Lord’s business, we must learn to say “NO” to all the distractions to accomplish the task at hand.
By the way, just because you say “NO” to someone, doesn’t mean they will listen! Look at verse 4...
And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner.
When the enemy wants to destroy you, he will distract you and he will be ruthlessly relentless about it!
Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem did not want the wall completed because they new their power and influence would be severely hampered. So they were bent on destroying by distraction. They would not give up easily.
Illustrate - Like these enemies, our enemy, Satan is all about distraction. I think he is brilliant at keeping us busy with things that are “harmless” and “good” instead of focusing on that which is great!
or politics...
It’s good to walk a little old lady across the street! It’s great to do so and share the life giving Gospel message with her.
It’s good to feed a hungry person. It’s great to also give them the bread of life, Jesus.
It’s good to...
Argue - Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem were bent on destroying Nehemiah and his work by distracting him and getting him focused on something else. Nehemiah knew this and knew that they were focused on his harm. So, he refused to take the bait! He kept working on God’s work!
Apply - Learn from Nehemiah!
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Understand that your enemy wants to destroy you and he will use any tool at his disposal. Distraction from God’s work is easy for us to fall into. Don’t do it! Instead stick with doing the will of God at all cost! If you do, you’ll defeat him.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James
Review - The Enemy is Always Seeking to Destroy God’s Work
The Enemy Destroys Through Distraction
2. The Enemy Destroys Through Deception (vs. 5-9)
2. The Enemy Destroys Through Deception (vs. 5-9)
Opening Illustration
Opening Illustration
Main Idea: The Enemy is Always Seeking to Distroy God’s Work!
Main Idea: The Enemy is Always Seeking to Distroy God’s Work!
1. The Enemy Destroys Through Distraction (vs. 1-4)
1. The Enemy Destroys Through Distraction (vs. 1-4)
Lead in...
Nehemiah 6:1–4 ESVNow when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner.
Explain - Illustrate - Argue - Apply - Review - The Enemy is Always Seeking to Destroy God’s WorkThe Enemy Destroys Through Distraction
2. The Enemy Destroys Through Deception (vs. 5-9)
2. The Enemy Destroys Through Deception (vs. 5-9)
Lead in...
Nehemiah 6:5–9 ESVIn the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.
Explain - Illustrate - Argue - Apply - Review - The Enemy is Always Seeking to Destroy God’s WorkThe Enemy Destroys Through DistractionThe Enemy Destroys Through Deception
3. The Enemy Discourages Through Dread (vs. 10-14)
3. The Enemy Discourages Through Dread (vs. 10-14)
Lead in...
Nehemiah 6:10–14 ESVNow when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.” But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.” And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to tau
Explain - Illustrate - Argue - Apply - Review - The Enemy is Always Seeking to Destroy God’s WorkThe Enemy Destroys Through DistractionThe Enemy Destroys Through DeceptionThe Enemy Destroys Through Dread
4. The Enemy Discourages Through Determination (vs. 15-19)
4. The Enemy Discourages Through Determination (vs. 15-19)
Lead in...
Nehemiah 6:15–19 ESVSo the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations a Through DistractionThe Enemy Destroys Through DeceptionThe Enemy Destroys Through Dread The Enemy Destroy
Explain - Illustrate - Argue - Apply - Review - The Enemy is Always Seeking to Destroy God’s WorkThe Enemy Destroys Through DistractionThe Enemy Destroys Through DeceptionThe Enemy Destroys Through Dread The Enemy Destroys Through Determination
Conclusion
Conclusion
Land the Plane!
(vs. 5-9)
Lead in…Well, when distraction fails, the enemy goes for another tool in his tool box - lies! After all, Satan is the father of all lies!
In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.”
Explain - These boys are not playing around! They hit Nehemiah right where it hurts. These guys were some of the first to report FAKE NEWS! They are threatening to go to the King, who Nehemiah used to work for, and tell him that Nehemiah is setting himself up as the new King in Judah! The implication is that Nehemiah would be competition for the King of Persia - and that would not be taken well by the king.
In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.
Nehemiah is Not Intimidated -
Explain - These boys are not playing around! They hit Nehemiah right where it hurts. They are threatening to go to the King, who Nehemiah used to work for, and tell him that Nehemiah is setting himself up as the new King in Judah! The implication is that Nehemiah would be competition for the King of Persia - and that would not be taken well by the king.
Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.”
Nehemiah has the Right Perspective and the Right Focus -
For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.
Nehemiah 6
Have you ever had someone lie about you? They take a partial truth and fabricate the rest to make you look bad, or their whole story is just a bald face lie! It’s no fun. I've had this happen to me on different occasions...
Argue - Satan, the father of all lies is constantly churning out more and more lies. They will never stop until he is permentaly in the Lake that burns with fire. Until then, rest assured, He will continue to spread lies - even about you. The question is, will you listen to these lies? Will you become distracted and discouraged? Or, will you not worry so much about your reputation and get back to God’s work?
Argue -
NehemIan was not intimidated by these liars! He didn’t go around defending himself! He simply stated that what they said was not true and got back to work! He simply didn’t care what they though. There was one whom he did care what He thought, God! Back in chapter 5 we see that Nehemiah, about all else, feared God!
The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God.
Nehemiah didn’t fear these fools who were making up things about him! All he was concerned about was doing what His God had commanded him, regardless of the cost to him personally - even his personal reputation. He fully and thouroughly entrusted himself and his reputation to God!
Apply - How to handle the lies of the enemy
Fear God rather than fear the enemy
Obey God rather than obey the enemy
Believe God rather than believe the enemy
Review - The Enemy is Always Seeking to Destroy God’s Work
The Enemy Destroys Through Distraction
The Enemy Destroys Through Deception
3. The Enemy Destroys Through Dread (vs. 10-14)
3. The Enemy Destroys Through Dread (vs. 10-14)
Lead in...So, here we go again! Only this time their relentless ruthlessness grows even darker and more sinister. The fear factor is even more intense!
Sanballat, Tobiah and Gesham reached a new low. The letter they sent to intimidate Nehemiah didn’t work so not the resorted to hiring a false prophet to put the fear of God in him. As we’ve already seen, the fear is already there! Take a look at verse 10...
Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.”
Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.” But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.” And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me. Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.
It seemed like a perfect plan! If this prophet says that God sent him to warn him that his life was in danger. Surely Nehemiah will listen. Coupled with the fact that Shemaiah was the son of Delaiah, a good friend of Nehemiah, he would even be more compelled to listen and hide in the temple for his life!
There were two problems with Shemaiah’s request. Take a look at verse 11...
But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.”
Nehemiah
First - It made no sense that the God who called him to the task of rebuilding the wall would now call him to leave the project unfinished. It was almost complete!
Second - a true prophet of God would never ask someone to violate God’s Law!
And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall guard their priesthood. But if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death.”
And you and your sons with you shall guard your priesthood for all that concerns the altar and that is within the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood as a gift, and any outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”
If Nehemiah entered the temple, not being a priest would have broken God’s Law and defiled the Temple!
There is no way that Nehemiah would violate God’s law for his own safety!
These two things convinced Nehemiah that Shemaiah was a false prophet Hired by Sanballat and his crew to deceive him and try to get him to react to the situation instead of acting in a godly manner!
Explain -
When I read through this scene, I am thoroughly impressed with Nehemiah’s discernment and wisdom! He simply was wise and quick witted enough to not get caught up in the hysteria of self preservation and instead filtered the situation through the Word of God. Would to God that all believers would be so wise and cool headed in the time of stress.
Sanballat, Tobiah and Gesham reached a new low. The letter they sent to intimidate Nehemiah didn’t work so not the resorted to hiring a false prophet. His
By the way, this kind of composer doesn’t just happen. It is cultivated in the crucible of time spent alone with God and His holy word.
You will never act the way Nehemiah did if you are not constantly renewing your mind with God’s holy truth - the Bible! But when you do wash your mind regularly with His truth, you will stand in wisdom with boldness and tenacity!
Dread, fear has no hold on a person rooted in the Word of God!
Illustrate - William Tyndale
Argue - Fear of death did not discourage William Tyndale from his God given task of getting the word of God to the common people of the world. You have access to the Bible because of this man.
And fear did not dissuade Nehemiah from his God given task to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Apply - Fear is debilitating. Especially the fear of death. But as believers we have no need to fear death. Death for us is a graduation ceremony! We are absent from the body and present with the Lord! Nehemiah feared God more than he feared death! Tyndale too feared God more than he feared his own demise! Paul made it clear that death holds no sway for those of us who are in Christ.
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Are you living in the fear of death? If you are you will do anything to save your life. But if you are living in the fear of God, death will hold no power over you! How are you living these days?
Review - The Enemy is Always Seeking to Destroy God’s Work
The Enemy Destroys Through Distraction
The Enemy Destroys Through Deception
The Enemy Destroys Through Dread
4. The Enemy Destroys Through Duplicity (vs. 15-19)
4. The Enemy Destroys Through Duplicity (vs. 15-19)
Lead in…Two-faced. Tell you one thing to your face and another thing behind your back. Satan, our enemy, loves to use duplicitous people! But Satan, nor his follower are any match for the God of the Bible! Look at what God accomplished...
So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days.
So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them. For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah: and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as his wife. Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid.
The month of Elul is our middle of August to the middle of September. The year is 445 B.C.. The BIG NEWS? The wall was finished! In 52 relentlessly difficult days, under the leadership and active participation of Nehemiah the Governor, the project was complete!
So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days.
This is an astounding accomplishment especially considering they didn’t have the modern tools and vehicles and equipment we do today!
Word spread that the task was now complete - even Judah’s enemies were informed. And they had an interesting response. Look at verse 16...
And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.
The result? fear! Their self-confidence diminished significantly because they realized that this great achievement was only possible through the power of God. And when they put two and two together they came up with the conclusion that opposing the Jews means they would be opposing God! Not even Tobiah could thwart the powerful hand of God! What does Tobiah have to do with this? Look at verse 17...
Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them.
The result? fear!
Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them. For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah: and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as his wife.
The Jewish nobles - the one’s that refused to work on the wall...
Nehem
And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.
They were in cahoots with Tobiah! He was not a Jew, he was an Ammonite.
But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”
But he had married into a Jewish family! Look at verse 18...
The sons of Arah, 775.
For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah: and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as his wife.
Shemaiah
He was even related to the High-Priest, Eliashib...
Shemaiiah’s son, Jehohanan was the son-in-law of Meshullam. Meshullam shared in the work of the build
Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, and who was related to Tobiah,
There was some insider incentive going on here! Tobiah was using his family connections to bring down the family of God! We have known from the beginning of this book that Tobiah and Sanballat have done everything thing they can to destroy God’s work. And for Tobiah to use his own family to achieve his evil desires? This is nothing short of wicked.
This is how Satan works, folks. If the outward attacks don’t do the trick, infiltration often can.
There will always be wolves in sheep’s clothing, used by Satan to destroy God’s work and destroy God’s people. He’s still at it today! And we need to be on guard!
The Jewish nobles were not! They were being used. They were promised temporary gain and wealth, but they were forfeiting their soul! They should have never listened to Tobiah!
“Beware of your friends; do not trust your brothers. For every brother is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer.
Now understand how significant this is! Those from Judah, the land from where the Savior will come, would rather side with and believe the enemy than their God.
Dr. Wiersbe asks a very good question...
How could these Jews turn their backs on their own heritage, their own brothers and sisters, and their own God? The bonds of human connection were stronger than the bonds of spiritual affection. Because Tobiah was tied to the tribe of Judah through marriage, the nobles of Judah gave the loyalty to him that they should have given to God (). The men of Judah forgot that they were “married” to Jehovah God and owed Him their love and loyalty.
Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Determined, “Be” Commentary Series (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 79.
“Beware of your friends; do not trust your brothers. For every brother is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer.
Now this is where it gets really bad. This is where the terrible act of duplicity comes in. Look at verse 19
Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid.
Nehemiah
So these noble Jews knew what was going on. They knew what Tobiah was up to and they were covering for him!
As we learned from chapter 5, these Jewish nobles were anything but noble. And while they claimed to repent in chapter 5, a few of them were still living for there own personal gain. And they didn’t care if it caused the demise of their beloved nation! Once Tobiah took over Judah, they surmised, they would be on top because of their allegience to Tobiah and the other enemies.
These two-faced people were a danger and a menace. The good news is Nehemiah knew what was going on. How do I know? Well, he was the one who wrote this account!
And Nehemiah was most certainly not afraid. He knew that God had called him to this task and God was responsible to finish it! Tobiah and his crew were not nearly powerful enough to thwart God’s omnipotent rule!
Illustrate -
Argue - What a shame that these Jewish nobles were one way with Tobiah and another way with Nehemiah.
Apply -
Review - The Enemy is Always Seeking to Destroy God’s Work
The Enemy Destroys Through Distraction
The Enemy Destroys Through Deception
The Enemy Destroys Through Dread
The Enemy Destroys Through Determination
Conclusion
Conclusion
Land the Plane!
Will you be used by God to do His work? Or will you be used by the enemy to do his?
Connection Group Reflection Questions
1. What do these verses teach me about our character?
2. What do these verses teach me about God and his character?
3. Because these words are from God, they are TRUTH! What truth is he asking me to believe?
4. What do I need to do to obey him?
5. With whom can I share these truths?