A Study in Nehemiah - Week 2

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Chapter 6

Verses 1-4 – The wall was done except for the doors to the gates. Sanballat and his cronies pretended to want to make a deal with Nehemiah, but he knew them well enough to know that they meant him harm. Sanballat persisted, but Nehemiah was persistent, too.

Often Satan uses the “If you can’t beat them, join them” method to do his work. He tries four different approaches to get Nehemiah to compromise. They proposed a meeting in Ono, to which Nehemiah responded, “O, No!”

Verses 5-9 – Sanballat, liar that he was, accused Nehemiah and the Jews of plotting to overthrow the king. He said that was why they had built the wall. Nehemiah refused to be swayed from God’s work. He prayed for strength. Good idea for him and a good idea for us.

Nehemiah is pressured full bore by Sanballat, who circulates the false report about Nehemiah’s supposed intent to commit insurrection through gossip. Nehemiah respond by calling them liars.

Verses 10-12 – Shemaiah, the paid false prophet, had shut himself in his house and would not come out. Nehemiah perceived that Shemaiah had been paid by Sanballat to frighten him. He realized Shemaiah was not on his side.

Verses 13-19 – The building of the wall is completed, but the opposition still persists. Tobiah, who had apparently married one of the nobles’ daughters, sent intimidating letters to Nehemiah, in an apparent effort to bring dishonor to his name.

Here are some things to note about this chapter.

Nehemiah was well organized as is God. God wants His people to be organized. Organization is not evil, nor is it unspiritual. It is a way to get things done. Organization is nothing more than putting your socks on before you put your shoes on.

Nehemiah was not swayed by the naysayers. He knew what he needed to do, he planned it out, he delegated the work, and he reviewed the work. God’s people are to plan, coordinate and evaluate the work of the Kingdom of Christ.

Nehemiah was not afraid to “get his hand dirty.” He joined in the work. He helped those he had delegated. Christian leaders are to be involved wherever they are gifted. That might be teaching, singing, counting money…whatever he asks others to do he must be willing to help with.

Nehemiah was certain of God’s leadership. He did not falter in the face of adversity. He kept on keeping on.

Nehemiah would not want you to focus on him. He would encourage you to focus on God. God used both Nehemiah’s willingness and Nehemiah’s attackers to accomplish His work.

Nehemiah demonstrates the tremendous freedom we have in Christ. We have the freedom to do His work, even in the face of adversity.

Nehemiah showed that the Lord initiates the work and uses human perspiration to accomplish His tasks. A work started with man’s “perspiration” will smell bad. A work started with God’s inspiration will smell sweet.

Nehemiah overcame the temptation to compromise with the world. He was not swayed by false accusations and slander. He recognized the “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Nehemiah would do nothing that interrupted the work of the Lord.

Jesus could have allowed His work to be interrupted, but He did not. When he cried, “It is finished,” He proclaimed that He had seen His mission out to the very end.

Aren't you glad He did?