Nehemiah 6:1-14

Revelation

Nehemiah 6:1–14 CSB

1 When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that no gap was left in it—though at that time I had not installed the doors in the city gates—2 Sanballat and Geshem sent me a message: “Come, let’s meet together in the villages of the Ono Valley.” They were planning to harm me. 3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing important work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” 4 Four times they sent me the same proposal, and I gave them the same reply. 5 Sanballat sent me this same message a fifth time by his aide, who had an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written: It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews plan to rebel. This is the reason you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king 7 and have even set up the prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf, “There is a king in Judah.” These rumors will be heard by the king. So come, let’s confer together. 8 Then I replied to him, “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.” 9 For they were all trying to intimidate us, saying, “They will drop their hands from the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands. 10 I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was restricted to his house. He said: Let’s meet at the house of God, inside the temple. Let’s shut the temple doors because they’re coming to kill you. They’re coming to kill you tonight! 11 But I said, “Should a man like me run away? How can someone like me enter the temple and live? I will not go.” 12 I realized that God had not sent him, because of the prophecy he spoke against me. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 He was hired, so that I would be intimidated, do as he suggested, sin, and get a bad reputation, in order that they could discredit me. 14 My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat for what they have done, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the other prophets who wanted to intimidate me.

V. 1 - God’s Faithfulness is not seen in the lack of opposition, but rather the perseverance through it

So much opposition and yet the wall was finished

Despite:

Mocking

Belittlement

Physical Harm

It is finished

V. 2-9 - Beware Carefully devised Distractions

Don’t expect of enemies the words of co-laborers

1 John 2:15-17

Don’t waste time on distractions - v. 9 “they will drop their hands”

But now, strengthen my hands

V. 10-14 - Rest firm in the hands of a wise & Loving God

In times of current confusion, don’t act upon the confusion, trust the previous clarity

Think about this yourself, doesn’t it SEEM logical to run and hide?

Those who stand against Christ, don’t always look like enemies --- They have their “prophets”

Jesus - It is finished, Distractions, Jewish Leaders