The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Nehemiah 6:10-13,
"One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, 'Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.' But I said, 'Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!' I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me."
"One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, 'Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.' But I said, 'Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!' I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me."
This exchange between Shemaiah and Nehemiah was an attempt to discredit Nehemiah in the eyes of the Jews who worked on the walls and gates of Jerusalem. We find out that Tobiah and Sanballat, enemies of Nehemiah who opposed the restoration of Jerusalem (and, hence, God's agenda) had hired Shemaiah to deceive Nehemiah.
The work of restoring the walls and gates of Jerusalem was an important task to reestablish Jerusalem, and the work was dependent upon Nehemiah's leadership.Those who opposed the restoration of Jerusalem knew if Nehemiah was discredited among the workers, they could bring the project to a halt.
The work of restoring the walls and gates of Jerusalem was an important task to reestablish Jerusalem, and the work was dependent upon Nehemiah's leadership.Those who opposed the restoration of Jerusalem knew if Nehemiah was discredited among the workers, they could bring the project to a halt.
Rather than giving in to fear, Nehemiah demonstrated wisdom and resolve in the work and refused be be deceived. To be successful the work needed Nehemiah at the helm providing leadership, not cowering in the temple afraid of a nonexistent threat. In this Nehemiah displayed his unwavering faith in the Lord and wisdom to not be deterred by deceit.
"Team Cain" is always at work to oppose the plans of God. It seems to me the more important a project is that furthers God's agenda, the greater it will be opposed by them. Nehemiah's example to us should help us prepare and plan for that opposition as we participate in the Lord's efforts to build his kingdom in this age.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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