The Conflict of Conviction

The Conviction

As we know from last weeks bible study about Nehemiah was that it was his Conviction concerning the things of God and the security and sanctity of the walls and the gates of his home back in Jerusalem being rebuilt that pushed him to Pray then Move. what happened next is a life lesson.

The Setup

Let’s set this up.

M. A. S.

Concern should push you to pray

Conviction should push you to Move

The move predicates the Conflct.

See its fine to feel a thing. It’s fine to think on a thing. It’s fine to pray on a thing. It’s different to make a MOVE towards that thing!

It is wise to expect conflict after a conviction led move. Doing anything for God sends a signal to the Enemy to come up with a strategy to materialize the antithesis before you even get to fully plan out the move!

The Goal is this. If I can get you to stop before you fully even start then it makes my job easier. If i can undermine your zeal before you break ground then I won! Procrastination is the biggest tool in Satan’s toolbox and that is because time is the greatest commodity that God has given us.

So in Nehemiah’s case before he even arrived on the scene the very word of his conviction led move caught the ears of 2 individuals who seemingly out of the blue became enemies of the man who they served the King with.

Nehemiah 2:10 CSB

When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard that someone had come to pursue the prosperity of the Israelites, they were greatly displeased.

Sanballat and Tobiah

Now these 2 gentleman are key players in the story of Nehemiah’s Journey to rebuilding Jerusalem. But who are these two men??

Sanballat was the Horonite Governor of Samaria (FOOTNOTE) Who strongly opposed the rebuilding of the wall in Jerusalem.

Tobiah was the Ammonite Governor, who had strong Judean connections.

Its amazing when studying this that these 2 men, who aren’t Persian at ALL and hold no allegiance to the King of Persia outside of the postions given to them, Would be opposed to the rebuilding of the Walls and Gates of a Capital City of a Nation that they have intrinsic ties to......

Was it jealousy? Who knows...

All i know is that Biblically it gets tricky!

WHy?

Samaria, before the Assyrian Siege around 720 BC was THE CAPITAL city of Israel.

Tobiah had extensive connections in Judah. Which is the the Souther Kingdom of Israel....

This leads me to this point

Conflict is rooted in Commonality.

The attack and the pressure