Nehemiah - Chapter Eight

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Nehemiah
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson

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Studies in Nehemiah Lesson 8

EIGHT MAJOR STRATEGIES TO STOP THE GOOD WORK OF GOD
(Part 1)

Nehemiah 2:19 - 6:14

Introduction.

There is always opposition and efforts to stop those who seek the welfare of the work of God. Nehemiah records eight separate means employed by the enemies of God and truth to stop the work he was doing.

I. LAUGHTER AND SCORN. (2:19) "They laughed us to scorn." Opposition #1

A. Having already considered this attack, we will not linger here except to repeat the fact that those who would do the work of God will face opposition.

1. Belittling is a very effective means of scudding a good effort.

2. No one likes to be mocked, ridiculed and belittled.

B. Nehemiah responded to this attack by focusing his attention on God who gave him the job and who provided the strength; not on those who opposed or their negative statements or arguments. See Nehemiah 2:20.

Study notes:

Where should your focus be when those around you are criticizing and opposing what God had you doing? Hebrews 12:1-3.

II. MOCKERY AND RIDICULE. (4:1-3) "It came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews and he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall." Opposition #2

A. Here, the opposition went far beyond laughter and scorn; it became hard-core mockery, criticism and ridicule. The opposition was mad and hostile.

1. Leaders will always bear habitual criticism, especially those leading to success and progress.

Study notes:

Have you ever taken criticism for your leadership in a matter? Explain.

2. Especially those who are entrenched in power and position will resist change and new people.

Study notes:

Discuss the threat of new leadership to the power and prestige of those already entrenched in a position.

3. Anger and a hostile stance often scares away and stops others. (Many Christians in churches would rather back down, give up or switch than fight.)

Study notes:

In a church setting, have you observed people give in to someone in power or position, even when that person(s) was wrong, rather than stand up to him/her and risk a fight? Have you seen people quietly leave a church rather than "cause trouble?" Explain.

B. Never quit when your work is of God.

1. The answer to all five questions (vs. 2) was "YES"!

Study notes:

Be careful to point out clearly each of the five questions of verse 2. Challenge your students to locate each question.

2. Jesus was mocked, but He didn't stop. (Matthew 27:27-31)

Study notes:

Jesus is our greatest example in all things. We should follow His example. 1 Peter 2:21.

3. "Their wall." These, like most critics, had a strictly humanistic view. This was not Nehemiah's wall; it was God's. The critics were condemning God's wall and His workers.

4. This world cannot fathom God doing a thing of near impossible size with an insignificant group of people. Yes! We are "feeble" that the power and credit might be of God. 1 Corinthians 1:25-29.

Study notes:

Discuss how Christians are so often worldly in their attitudes and how they too cannot imagine God doing something of impossible size with an insignificant group of people who face insurmountable odds.

5. Nehemiah's work was of God. (2:20) God knows how to sustain His own who trust Him. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10.

C. Nehemiah's response. (4:4-6)

1. He prayed.

a. When in trouble, pray. Appeal to a higher authority. It has been said that no saint is ever more successful than on his knees in prayer.

b. Nehemiah had no personal vendetta against these people. He didn't make it a personal matter. Instead, he turned to God. 1 Samuel 17:47.

c. Nehemiah asked God to deal with these enemies.

Study notes:

What do you need to learn from this example by Nehemiah?

2. He persisted.

a. Persistence was the key to such rapid success. "Unto the half thereof" marked 26 days. (See 6:15)

b. God can use very little to great success, if the people work.

c. Good, consistent hard work solves many problems.

Study notes:

Can you cite specific examples where you have seen this happen?

III. TERRORISM & INTIMIDATION. (4:7-10).

"And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it." Opposition #3

A. Nehemiah and his people were surrounded on every side.

1. North - Samaria.

2. East - Ammon.

3. South - Arabia.

4. West - Ashdod.

Study notes:

Locate these places on a map.

B. Open war was illegal; this was terrorism, intimidation.

Study notes:

Have you seen covert activity, intimidation and a subtle form of terrorism in a church? Was this behind the scene activity usually carried out by some respected member who posed as a great Christian who deeply loved God, the church and the pastor? Explain. What was its effect?

1. For Nehemiah, everything just kept getting worse.

2. These are times when you cannot see. You must simply trust God. 2 Timothy 4:6-8. Romans 8:31-39.

C. Three leadership facts.

1. It is impossible to lead without opposition.

2. It is essential to face opposition in prayer.

3. Prayer must be combined with actions.

D. Nehemiah balanced faith with works. (4:9)

1. He prayed . . . again.

2. He watched (a planned defense).

3. Both are essential to success.

E. Discouragement. (4:10)

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"