Sermon Tone Analysis

In this chapter we meet again with Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem, whom we have already encountered in Nehemiah chapters 2 and 4.

Sanballat, the governor of Samaria, Tobiah, the Ammonite official, and Geshem, the Arab, had underestimated the stamina and resourcefulness of their rival Nehemiah.

The supporters of these wicked men were superior in strength to Nehemiah’s workforce-cum-army, but his reliance was in God, the defender of His people (2:20; 4:20).

Now these enemies whose pride was wounded try different tactics with the aim of destroying the credibility of Nehemiah in the eyes of the Jews.

Spiritual leaders must expect to be the targets of attack from Satan and his human allies.

The combined forces lined up to oppose Nehemiah redoubled their efforts when they heard that the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt.

All that remained to complete the venture was to hang the doors in the spaces reserved for them in the walls.

‘The open gateways (1) were the enemy’s last hope of regaining the upper hand without actually mounting a siege, which would be out of the question against fellow subjects of Persia.’

Many schemes were concocted in an attempt to defeat Nehemiah and his workers.

These schemes are easily frustrated by God’s good providence and His care.

Today I’m going to warn you of traps, terrors, and tricks and then we’ll see that by toughness (that comes from God’s grace) we are delivered.

First is a plot to trap Nehemiah into a snare.

It’s going to be now or never for these enemies of God. in v1 they “heard” about the progress, so they are going to take one bold swing at Nehemiah.

He’s too well guarded to attack him on the spot, so they begin the art of negotiation, seeking to get him to come among them.

We need to note this: with what hellish subtlety they sought to flatter him to meet them.

— that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.”

But they thought to do me harm.

Come, let us meet together.

Not in a city, so as to excite a suspicion, but in a village, in the lot of Benjamin:

Come, let’s meet and discuss our common interest…yeah right!!!

Nehemiah’s reply to the request by Sanballat and Geshem for ‘peace talks’ in the valley of Ono, is found in

So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.

Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” 4 But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner.

The valley of Ono was more than a day’s journey from Jerusalem;

therefore if Nehemiah travelled to this location he would waste valuable time needed

to push the building work on to its completion.

This assignment was too important and too demanding for him to leave;

besides his presence was needed in Jerusalem to prevent the nobles and officials going back on their promises (5:11–13).

Nehemiah’s refusal to desert his work provides us with another example of his single-mindedness (5:16).

There was no strategy employed by his opponents which caused him to sidetrack him from his God-given task of building the walls.

Behind the face of human enemies is our greatest adversary the devil,

who has a box full of tricks to distract us from serving God.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Satan not only instigates opposition,

he also presents us with persuasive reasons for

spending less time in private devotions and for opting out of Christian service.

And he won’t just try once, but in v4 Nehemiah is sent the same proposal four and and each time, he gave the same reply.

For example, do we allow secular employment and legitimate recreations to encroach on our time

so that God’s work is neglected?

Nehemiah’s reply to Sanballat compels us to consider our priorities.

So he is plotted against to be trapped.

Second is plot to terrify him from his work.

Look how Sanballot attempts this:

— 5 Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.

6 In it was written: It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their king.

7 And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, “There is a king in Judah!” Now these matters will be reported to the king.

So come, therefore, and let us consult together.

So rebuilding the walls are seen as divisive and seditious.

It’s going to be perceived by the King that you are a trader.

Notice it’s an open letter (v5).

This is general information and spoken of.

Yeah, Nehemiah is seeking to make himself king!

The charges were downright lies, but Sanballat was working on the principle that ‘There is no smoke without fire.’

It is a sad fact of life that People are always quick to believe the worst about others.

Would Nehemiah be blackmailed, through fear of losing his reputation, into a compromise with Sanballat and his cronies?

Nehemiah’s priority when invited to leave Jerusalem was to carry on working for God;

his priority when his character was maligned was to pray to that same God.

His petition, preceded by an open denial of the accusation,

—Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart.”

Which was simple and to the point: v — For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.”

Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

He brings God into the picture.

This was something which Sanballat had not bargained for!

The feeble drooping hands of Nehemiah and his builders were made strong by the mighty God of heaven.

There is not only a contrast in verse 9 between the weakness of the Jews and the strength of God;

there is also an implied contrast between

the puniness of Sanballat and the power of God.

It is utterly futile for anyone to set himself up against God.

The attempt to defeat God’s people is doomed to failure.

When we are tempted to be afraid then we need to recall the words of the apostle Paul:

‘We are more than conquerors through him who loved us’ ()

Nehemiah’s conscience was free of guilt; therefore he did not hesitate to plead with God for divine assistance to remain firm in this painful trial.

A clear conscience gives us boldness when we supplicate the holy God.

Nehemiah was convinced that the righteous God who sees into the heart would vindicate him.

Let me illustrate this in the life of Christ.

Turn over to .

Many years after Nehemiah’s time the apostle Peter wrote to believers scattered throughout northern Turkey who were struggling with misunderstanding.

He directed their thoughts to the Lord Jesus Christ, who was falsely arraigned: — who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

Peter depicts the patience and endurance of Jesus and suggests that we follow Jesus’ example.

However, the tendency to retaliate when we are insulted is always present

By contrast, Jesus prayed for his enemies: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (; and see ).

In the last part of verse 23 Peter states the reason for Jesus’ meekness.

Writes Peter, “Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”

That is, Jesus did not invoke God’s wrath upon his persecutors and demand retaliation.

Jesus knew that His suffering was divinely ordained.

He had to take upon himself the curse that was resting on the human race in consequence of man’s sin.

Jesus was fully aware of God’s righteous judgment against sin (see ).

For this reason, Jesus entrusted himself and his cause to God, the righteous judge.

The sinless and suffering Savior left his honor in the hands of his heavenly Father.

We must learn to copy His example if we experience the distress of slander.

The attitude of Nehemiah and of Christ will guard us against the snare of resentment and revenge.

Before leaving this thought, we note something else: Christian fortitude (determination) is strengthened by opposition.

So since they cannot get Nehemiah to them, they are going to seek to drive him into the temple “for his own safety”.

Let Nehemiah be anywhere but at his work.

They see the Nehemiah is a very cautious man, now they’ll seek to make their point by making him cowardly.

Watch how tricky the enemies managed this temptation.

In v10 is an attempt to lure him through fear and the thoughtlessness fear induces into committing the sin of sacrilege.

Nehemiah is summoned to the house of a professed prophet name Shemaiah, who presented to him as revelation from God, an oracle that said,