◄ Nehemiah 6 ►
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Summary Sanballat’s Conspiracy Nehemiah 6 presents a timeless message on perseverance, integrity, and reliance on God in times of adversity. The enemies' craftiness could not deter Nehemiah from the task at hand—rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. His unwavering faith and courage in the face of opposition serve as an inspiration for all believers to trust in God's provision and guidance. Subterfuge and Nehemiah's Stand (Verses 1-4) Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, seeing that Nehemiah had made significant progress in rebuilding the wall, attempt to trick him into leaving his post under the pretext of a meeting. However, Nehemiah perceives their ill-intent and refuses to leave his work, not once but four times. False Accusations (Verses 5-9) Frustrated, Sanballat resorts to slander, sending a letter accusing Nehemiah of plotting rebellion against the king. Nehemiah unequivocally denies the accusation, recognizing it as an attempt to discourage him and his fellow builders. Deception within the Walls (Verses 10-14) Nehemiah faces deception from within when Shemaiah, a supposed ally, tries to manipulate him into hiding in the temple to save his life. Nehemiah, realizing that this was another ploy to discredit him and noting that as a layman he is forbidden from entering the temple's inner areas, rejects the advice. He prays for strength and guidance, mentioning the names of those who sought to intimidate him, including the prophetess Noadiah. The Wall Completed (Verses 15-19) Despite these conspiracies, Nehemiah completes the Jerusalem wall in record time. His enemies lose heart, recognizing this work as a testament to God's favor. Nevertheless, Tobiah, who has familial ties within Jerusalem's nobility, continues to send letters to intimidate Nehemiah. Nehemiah 6 is a compelling chapter in the book of Nehemiah, offering a view into Nehemiah's leadership and steadfastness amid adversity. As Nehemiah persists in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, he faces complex stratagems aimed at his life and his mission. It's a narrative on courage, faith, and an unwavering commitment to God's work. Teaching Points Opposition and Intimidation Nehemiah's enemies, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, attempt to distract and intimidate him through deceitful invitations and false accusations (Nehemiah 6:2-7). This highlights the reality that opposition often comes when we are doing God's work. Discernment and Focus Nehemiah demonstrates discernment by recognizing the intentions of his enemies and refuses to be distracted from his mission (Nehemiah 6:3-4). His response, I am doing a great work and cannot come down, shows his commitment to God's calling. Prayer and Strength In response to threats, Nehemiah turns to God in prayer, asking for strength (Nehemiah 6:9). This underscores the importance of relying on God's power rather than our own. Completion of the Wall Despite the opposition, the wall is completed in just 52 days, which astonishes the surrounding nations and brings glory to God (Nehemiah 6:15-16). This demonstrates that God's purposes will prevail despite human opposition. Practical Applications Stay Focused on God's Work Like Nehemiah, we must remain focused on the tasks God has given us, resisting distractions and staying committed to His purposes. Discernment in Decision-Making Seek God's wisdom to discern the true intentions of those who may oppose or distract us from our mission. Prayer as a Source of Strength Regularly turn to God in prayer, especially when facing challenges, asking for His strength and guidance. Trust in God's Sovereignty Remember that God is in control, and His plans will succeed despite any opposition we may face. People 1. Nehemiah The central figure in the book, Nehemiah is the governor of Judah and the leader of the effort to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. He is characterized by his strong faith, leadership, and determination to complete the work despite opposition. 2. Sanballat An adversary of Nehemiah, Sanballat is a Samaritan leader who opposes the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. His actions are motivated by political and personal interests, as he seeks to undermine Nehemiah's efforts through intimidation and deceit. 3. Tobiah Another opponent of Nehemiah, Tobiah is an Ammonite official who collaborates with Sanballat. He is involved in attempts to disrupt the construction and spread fear among the workers. 4. Geshem the Arab Also known as Gashmu, Geshem is an ally of Sanballat and Tobiah. He participates in the conspiracy against Nehemiah, aiming to halt the progress of the wall's reconstruction. 5. Shemaiah A false prophet who attempts to deceive Nehemiah by luring him into the temple under the pretense of a threat to his life. Shemaiah's actions are part of the broader scheme to discredit and intimidate Nehemiah. 6. Noadiah A prophetess mentioned briefly in Nehemiah 6:14, Noadiah is one of the prophets who sought to intimidate Nehemiah. Her involvement highlights the spiritual dimension of the opposition Nehemiah faced. Places 1. Jerusalem Jerusalem is the central location in the Book of Nehemiah. It is the city where Nehemiah is leading the effort to rebuild the walls. The significance of Jerusalem in the Hebrew Bible is profound, as it is the city chosen by God for His temple and the center of Jewish worship and identity. 2. The Plain of Ono The Plain of Ono is mentioned in Nehemiah 6:2. It is the location where Sanballat and Geshem attempt to lure Nehemiah away from his work in Jerusalem. The plain is situated northwest of Jerusalem and was likely chosen as a neutral meeting place. The Hebrew root for Ono (אוֹנוֹ) suggests a place of strength or vigor, though in this context, it is a place of potential danger for Nehemiah. Events 1. Plot Against Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:1-4) Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab, along with the rest of their enemies, learn that Nehemiah has rebuilt the wall and that no breach remains, though the doors have not yet been set in the gates. They send a message to Nehemiah, asking him to meet them in the plain of Ono. Nehemiah perceives this as a plot to harm him and sends messengers back, refusing to meet them. This exchange happens four times, with Nehemiah consistently refusing. 2. False Accusations (Nehemiah 6:5-9) On the fifth attempt, Sanballat sends an open letter accusing Nehemiah of planning to rebel and become king, suggesting that this rumor will reach the king. Nehemiah responds by denying the accusations, recognizing that they are trying to frighten and discourage the workers. He prays for strength to continue the work. 3. Deception by Shemaiah (Nehemiah 6:10-14) Nehemiah visits Shemaiah, who is confined to his home. Shemaiah suggests that Nehemiah should hide in the temple to save his life from an impending assassination attempt. Nehemiah discerns that Shemaiah has been hired by Tobiah and Sanballat to intimidate him into sinning by entering the temple unlawfully. Nehemiah prays for God to remember the deeds of his enemies, including the prophetess Noadiah and other prophets who tried to intimidate him. 4. Completion of the Wall (Nehemiah 6:15-16) The wall is completed on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. When their enemies and surrounding nations hear of this, they lose their confidence, recognizing that the work has been accomplished with the help of God. 5. Tobiah’s Influence (Nehemiah 6:17-19) During this time, nobles of Judah send many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah sends letters back. Many in Judah are bound to him by oath because of his familial connections. They speak well of Tobiah to Nehemiah and report Nehemiah’s words back to Tobiah, who continues to send letters to intimidate Nehemiah. Connections to Additional Scriptures Ephesians 6:10-18 The Armor of God passage emphasizes the need for spiritual strength and protection against opposition. Philippians 4:6-7 Encourages believers to present their requests to God through prayer, resulting in peace. James 1:5 Promises wisdom to those who ask God, which is essential for discernment. Prayer Points Pray for discernment to recognize and resist distractions and opposition in your life. Ask God for strength and perseverance to continue His work despite challenges. Thank God for His faithfulness and sovereignty, trusting that His purposes will prevail. Pray for courage to stand firm in your faith and commitments, just as Nehemiah did. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Nehemiah 6 teach us about the importance of discernment in leadership? 2. In what ways did Nehemiah display courage in the face of opposition? 3. How does Nehemiah’s response to Sanballat’s letter in verses 5-9 reflect his trust in God? 4. How would you react to false accusations like the ones Nehemiah faced? 5. What does Nehemiah's refusal to enter the temple signify about his understanding of God's law? 6. In what ways can you apply Nehemiah's persistence and faith in your life when facing challenges? 7. What does the quick completion of the wall teach us about the outcomes when God’s work is undertaken faithfully? 8. How can the relationship between Tobiah and some in Jerusalem inform us about conflicts of interest within the church community? 9. How can you maintain your integrity when facing external and internal pressures like Nehemiah did? 10. What strategies did Nehemiah's enemies use to try to stop his work, and how did he counteract them? 11. What can we learn from Nehemiah about prayer in difficult times? 12. Why do you think Nehemiah's enemies were disheartened when the wall was completed? 13. How can Nehemiah's experiences help believers today handle intimidation and coercion? 14. What does Nehemiah's commitment to God's work despite distractions teach about dedication to divine calling? 15. How does Nehemiah's behavior contrast with the behavior of his adversaries? 16. How can this chapter inform us about handling gossip or slander in our lives? 17. In what ways can we discern when advice given to us, as Nehemiah did with Shemaiah, is not from God? 18. How do Nehemiah's actions in this chapter reflect his faith in God's sovereignty and protection? 19. Why was the completion of the Jerusalem wall significant in the context of Nehemiah's story and for the Israelites? 20. How can you identify when someone or something is a distraction from your purpose or calling, as Nehemiah did with Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem? Topics 1. Conspiracy Against Nehemiah Nehemiah 6 begins with a conspiracy against Nehemiah by Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. They attempt to lure Nehemiah into a meeting in the plain of Ono, intending to harm him. Nehemiah's discernment and refusal to be distracted from his work are central themes. The Hebrew root for "conspiracy" (קֶשֶׁר, ^qesher^) implies a treacherous plot, highlighting the malicious intent of his adversaries. 2. Nehemiah's Response to False Accusations In verses 5-9, Sanballat sends an open letter accusing Nehemiah of rebellion and plotting to become king. Nehemiah responds by denying the accusations and praying for strength. The Hebrew word for "strengthen" (חָזַק, ^chazaq^) emphasizes the need for divine fortitude in the face of slander. 3. The Deception of Shemaiah Verses 10-14 describe the deception by Shemaiah, who tries to frighten Nehemiah into hiding in the temple. Nehemiah recognizes this as a trap and refuses to sin by entering the temple unlawfully. The Hebrew term for "sin" (חָטָא, ^chata^) underscores the moral and religious implications of Shemaiah's proposal. 4. Completion of the Wall The wall is completed in fifty-two days, as noted in verse 15. This accomplishment is attributed to God's help, demonstrating the theme of divine providence and protection. The Hebrew word for "completed" (שָׁלַם, ^shalam^) conveys a sense of fulfillment and peace, reflecting the successful conclusion of the work. 5. Impact on the Enemies In verses 16-19, the completion of the wall causes fear among the enemies, as they perceive that the work was accomplished with God's help. The Hebrew root for "fear" (יָרֵא, ^yare^) indicates a reverential awe, acknowledging the power of God working through Nehemiah and the Israelites. Themes 1. Opposition and Intimidation Nehemiah 6 highlights the persistent opposition Nehemiah faced from external enemies. Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem attempted to intimidate Nehemiah through deceit and threats. The Hebrew root for "intimidate" (יָרֵא, yare) suggests causing fear or dread, which is evident in their tactics. Nehemiah 6:9 states, "For they all were trying to frighten us, thinking, 'Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.' But I prayed, 'Now strengthen my hands.'" 2. Discernment and Wisdom Nehemiah demonstrates discernment and wisdom in recognizing the deceitful intentions of his adversaries. He refuses to meet with them, understanding their plot to harm him. Nehemiah 6:2-3 says, "Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: 'Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.' But they were planning to harm me, so I sent messengers to them, saying, 'I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?'" 3. Prayer and Dependence on God Throughout the chapter, Nehemiah's response to opposition is rooted in prayer and reliance on God. He seeks divine strength and guidance, as seen in Nehemiah 6:9, "But I prayed, 'Now strengthen my hands.'" This theme underscores the importance of prayer in overcoming challenges. 4. Integrity and Commitment to God's Work Nehemiah's unwavering commitment to completing the wall despite opposition reflects his integrity and dedication to God's work. He remains focused on his mission, refusing to be distracted or deterred. Nehemiah 6:15-16 records the completion of the wall, "So the wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth of Elul. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God." 5. False Prophecy and Deception The chapter also addresses the theme of false prophecy and deception. Nehemiah encounters a false prophet, Shemaiah, who attempts to lure him into sin by hiding in the temple. Nehemiah discerns the deceit and refuses to act against God's law. Nehemiah 6:12-13 states, "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." Bible Hub Chapter Summaries and Bible Study Questions