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Nehemiah
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson

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Studies in Nehemiah                                                                                                                                          Lesson 12

EIGHT MAJOR STRATEGIES TO STOP THE GOOD WORK OF GOD

(Part 2)

Nehemiah 6:2-19

Intro.

            We have already considered four of the strategies used by the enemies of truth and righteousness to stop the good work of God, which Nehemiah and his people were doing. They used (1) laughter and scorn, (2) mockery and ridicule, (3) terrorism and warfare and (4) infiltration of the ranks. Nehemiah's response to the fourth attack is amodel in how to deal with discouragement.

            There is no middle ground for leaders. They are either up or down; on the top or on the bottom. They are constantly under the gun. Everybody has an opinion and leaders are always on the yo-yo of public opinion.

            Very often, a major attack comes just when a big victory has been won. (Elijah. 1 Kings 18-19) Attackes also often come when victory is just in sight as here in Nehemiah's case. "I had builded the wall, and...there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates.)" It is at these points when Satan often launches his greatest attacks against you personally. He majors on making everything a personal matter with the leader.

Study notes:

            Discuss how often it is that when someone becomes unhappy in a church and determines to leave, he/she contends that it is a "personal matter with the pastor."

            Be aware that it is not merely the person who has already fallen who is vulnerable. The one who thinks he won't is at a very high risk. 1 Cor. 10:12. Satan capitalizes on pride. Prov. 16:18.

I.          EFFORTS TO DESTROY THE LEADERS Neh. 6:2 "They thought to do me mischief." Opposition #5.

            A.        The enemies sent private letters.

                        1.         Their's was a personal request for togetherness. "Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono."

                                    a.         This seemed innocent enough, like it should be done. Who could be against togetherness, unity?

                                    b.         The fact is this was an ecumenical spirit. There is always someone who wants to compromise you and bring you down by joining you and by fitting you into a bigger scheme.

                                                Study notes:

                                                            Discuss the ecumenical pressure in today's world. Multitudes of vehicles abound to bring all religious people together under one big umbrella. In light of this, discuss the Charismatic movement, city and area wide religious services and the political climate against evangelism.

                        2.          Nehemiah was wise enough to recognize the danger for what it was and refuse the entanglement.

                                    a.         Their track record proved that they were not for what he was doing and that they meant only harm. He was not deceived by their sudden desire for togetherness. "But they thought to do me mischief."

                                                            Some have paid a high price for being fooled by the false face of an enemy. William Tyndale (English) was invited to lunch by a "friend" where he was arrested, strangled and burned.

                                    b.         Nehemiah refused to participate. Note his steadfastness in verse 4. "They sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner."

                                                            They were persistent, but Nehemiah never weakened.

                                                Study notes:

                                                            Give instances of Satan's persistence in your life.

            B.          The enemies sent public letters. Neh. 6:5

                        1.         An "open letter is intimidating.

                        2.         An open letter suggests someone is hiding something and that exposure will turn people away from the culprit. An open letter had potential for serious harm. Such a letter can slant and misrepresent. It has been said that "A lie need not be true to be believed. It merely needs to be repeated enough." So many believe and respond to such tactics. The open letter places the one under attack on the defensive.

                                    Study notes:

                                                Have you ever felt the pressure of an open accusation? Share.

            C.         In spite of the attack, Nehemiah kept his priorities straight. "I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?"

                        1.         He wouldn't leave his job in favor of less important involvements.

                        2.         He new that superfluous activity would only reduce his effectiveness.

                                    Study notes:

                                                Discuss the danger of letting those who are against you dictate your game plan and establish your agenda.

II.         FALSE ACCUSATIONS OF REBELLION. Neh. 6:6 "It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel." Opposition #6

            A.        The "open letter" was full of harmful falsehoods.

                        1.         It said Nehemiah's motive was evil. Neh. 6:6

                                    a.         That he wanted to be king.

                                    b.         That he was planning a rebellion.

                        2.          It said Nehemiah was promoting himself as the coming king. Neh. 6:7

                        3.         It threatened to report the false accusations to King Artaxerxes. Neh. 6:7

            B.          They were attacking him with rumors and falsehoods.

                        1.         There was no proof or source that it was true other than Gashmu said so.

                        2.         They made no effort to prove the charges.

                        3.         Like so many unfounded charges that occur in churches, in homes, on jobs and in relationships of all sorts, they were designed to hurt and not edify.

                                    Study notes:

                                                Why do you suppose so many people accept and believe such unfounded accusations while hardly bothering to check their validity?

                        4.         The tongue and its gossip is a great enemy to the work of God.

                                    a.         It divides, angers and misleads. Its power is enormous. James 3:2-13.

                                    b.         The rumors hurt Nehemiah. "They made us afraid."

                                    c.         He didn't give in to them. He kept on in his right direction and he took the matter to God. Neh. 6:9

                                                Study notes:

                                                            How are you going to apply this wisdom to yourself?

            C.         This blackmail and Nehemiah's response. Neh. 6:8-9

                        1.         This was blackmail. They would force him to meet with them. "Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together." Their's was a mentality of If you don't meet with us, we'll tell the king. They put Nehemiah in a dilemma.

                                    a.         If he said No, it appeared that he was afraid for the truth to be known.

                                    b.         If he said Yes, he would neglect his work and play into the hands of his enemies.

                        2.          Nehemiah's response to the gossip and intimidation was two-fold.

                                    a.         He denied the accusations. "There are no such things done as thou sayest."

                                    b.         He placed the blame where it belonged. "Thou feignest them out of thine own heart."

                                                Study notes:

                                                            There comes a time to clear the air and then go on with your business. Discuss the ramifications of lingering long in a fight.

III.        HIRED RESISTANCE. Neh. 6:12 "Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him." Opposition #7

                        The enemies of truth and right are relentless. When one approach fails, they always use another.

            A.        The word of a death plot against Nehemiah. Neh. 6:10

                        1.         Shemaiah sounded so pious and caring, yet so intimidating.

                                    a.         He made it appear that he was on Nehemiah's side and cared for him. Run for your life, friend. His was a let's go to church and pray about it ploy. You'll be safe in the Temple.

                                    b.         He was phony. His only motive was to intimidate and scare Nehemiah and stop him.

                                                            Note well: Not all helpers and friends are helpers and friends.

                        2.          A death threat is scary.

            B.          Nehemiah would not flee to and hide in the temple. Neh. 6:11

                        1.         As governor, he was in the highest position in the state, and he was responsible for the people. "As I am." He was no coward. "Should such a man as I flee?"

                        2.         Nehemiah was no priest. The law allowed only priests into the holy place and thus forbad Nehemiah. Numbers 18:7, Exodus 21:13-14.

                                                Here Nehemiah made a judgement based on the written word of God which is the only true basis for moral judgements and decisions.

                                    Study notes:

                                                Are you careful to make your decisions based on what the Bible says?

            C.         Nehemiah discerned this to be an evil plot against him and not of God. "And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him." Neh. 6:12

                        1.         Shemaiah was nothing more than a hired prophet.

                                                It is usually very hard to tell the difference between a false prophet and a true one, between a pretending friend and a real friend.

                                    Study notes:

                                                How do the multitudes of people who support many of the false and corrupt preachers of our day verify this reality? Report on what you have observed on "Christian" television.

                        2.         Adherence to false counsel can cause "sin." Neh. 6:13 It would have placed Nehemiah in a place clearly forbidden by the law of God.

                                    Study notes:

                                                Who would have suffered had Nehemiah listened to this false counsel?

            D.         Nehemiah's response was a prayer to God that expressed his heart and stance. Neh. 6:14

                        1.         When shaken and in need of wisdom and strength, pray.

                        2.         Never rest in self. Seek truth and direction in God's word.

                        3.         Rest in the Lord. 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 27:1-5.

IV.        GOSSIP DESIGNED TO CAUSE FEAR IN NEHEMIAH. Neh. 6:17-19 "They reported his good deeds to before me, and uttered mywords to him." Opposition #8

            A.        The family connection. Neh. 6:18 "He was the son-in-law of Shechaniah."

                        1.         Tobiah and his son, Johanan, had married many Jewish girls. They had many friends and kinsfold in Nehemiah's ranks.

                        2.         These kinsfold continually tried to convince Nehemiah of Tobiah's sincerity.

                        3.         These also told Tobiah all they could about Nehemiah's plans and progress. Note well. Family connections have a tremendous reputation for blinding people and making respecters of persons of them. James 2:9, 13. This is a real hotline source of subversion and trouble.

                                    Note also the trouble unholy marriages cause.

                                    Study notes:

                                                Why do you suppose Christian people are so bold to profess unwavering allegience to the truth then forget the truth in favor of their family any time there is a showdown?

            B.          Because of Nehemiah's unaltered commitment to his task, the gossip campaign was unsuccessful.

                        1.         The wall was finished. "So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month of Elul, in fifty and two days." Neh. 6:15

                                    "Elul" is September.

                        2.         This is great testimony to the power of God. "This work was wrought of our God." Neh. 6:16. 1 John 4:4, Phil. 2:13, Heb. 13:20-21.

                                    Study notes:

                                                Are you giving God proper credit for the success and victories in your life?

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"