Neh 6:1-4 | KingComments | STEP | Nehemiah 5 is a kind of interlude. In it we see Nehemiah busy with the turmoil among the people. At that time we hear nothing from the enemy. If there is unrest among God’s people, the enemy does not have to make an effort. But Nehemiah has taken away the unrest and is now continuing with the building. Then the enemy will be heard from again. Nehemiah himself is now the target of their enmity. They know: if he is eliminated, the work will stop. The open resistance has been overcome (Nehemiah 4). Also the internal riots have been overcome (Nehemiah 5). Now the devil tries trickery. The resistance increases as the wall nears its completion. The enemy combines all his strength and trickery to prevent the completion. The same goes for us. We live in the end time. The battle is almost over. Satan knows that too. That’s why he’s doing everything he can to overturn us and thwart God’s plan. Several attempts are being made to stop the rebuilding of the wall. The enemy is using various tricks to do so. But the builders are wise to all the tricks because they simply attach themselves to the Word of God. The building of the wall is completed ( ). There is no breach left, there is no hidden way to sneak into the city. The first trick is to arrange a conference, call it a peace conference. The discussion with each other must result in a compromise. But Nehemiah doesn’t walk into that trap. Wouldn’t it at least have been polite of Nehemiah to listen to what they have to say? No, it wouldn’t. He has nothing to do with the enemies. What they have to say can never be a contribution to the work. The enemy understands nothing of the motives by which a man of faith is led, and is himself led by completely opposite motives. After ridiculing the work at first, the enemy changes his tactics and tries to make Nehemiah descend into the valley. It’s what we can hear today when people say: “Don’t be so fanatical; join us.” The enemy pretends there is a common interest. If Nehemiah were to accept the proposal, he would show that he agrees with the enemy. If Satan fails to tempt us into a moral trap, he sometimes succeeds in having us open up to his advice. Then we look at things with his eyes. When he gets us to that point, we will see God’s work as a useless work, at least not as an exclusive work. There are so many other interesting things. Above all, he urges us, don’t say goodbye to your worldly friends. Go with them to the cinema and the pub. Do not exaggerate the work of God, otherwise you will go mad and end up in religious madness. The trap is to measure our lives against the world. By friendship with the world, we walk into that trap.

‏ Nehemiah 6:1-4

Introduction

Nehemiah 5 is a kind of interlude. In it we see Nehemiah busy with the turmoil among the people. At that time we hear nothing from the enemy. If there is unrest among God’s people, the enemy does not have to make an effort. But Nehemiah has taken away the unrest and is now continuing with the building. Then the enemy will be heard from again. Nehemiah himself is now the target of their enmity. They know: if he is eliminated, the work will stop.

A New Trick

The open resistance has been overcome (Nehemiah 4). Also the internal riots have been overcome (Nehemiah 5). Now the devil tries trickery. The resistance increases as the wall nears its completion. The enemy combines all his strength and trickery to prevent the completion. The same goes for us. We live in the end time. The battle is almost over. Satan knows that too. That’s why he’s doing everything he can to overturn us and thwart God’s plan.

Several attempts are being made to stop the rebuilding of the wall. The enemy is using various tricks to do so. But the builders are wise to all the tricks because they simply attach themselves to the Word of God. The building of the wall is completed (Neh 6:15). There is no breach left, there is no hidden way to sneak into the city.

The first trick is to arrange a conference, call it a peace conference. The discussion with each other must result in a compromise. But Nehemiah doesn’t walk into that trap. Wouldn’t it at least have been polite of Nehemiah to listen to what they have to say? No, it wouldn’t. He has nothing to do with the enemies. What they have to say can never be a contribution to the work. The enemy understands nothing of the motives by which a man of faith is led, and is himself led by completely opposite motives.

After ridiculing the work at first, the enemy changes his tactics and tries to make Nehemiah descend into the valley. It’s what we can hear today when people say: “Don’t be so fanatical; join us.” The enemy pretends there is a common interest. If Nehemiah were to accept the proposal, he would show that he agrees with the enemy.

If Satan fails to tempt us into a moral trap, he sometimes succeeds in having us open up to his advice. Then we look at things with his eyes. When he gets us to that point, we will see God’s work as a useless work, at least not as an exclusive work. There are so many other interesting things. Above all, he urges us, don’t say goodbye to your worldly friends. Go with them to the cinema and the pub. Do not exaggerate the work of God, otherwise you will go mad and end up in religious madness. The trap is to measure our lives against the world. By friendship with the world, we walk into that trap.

The Answer of Nehemiah

Nehemiah’s answer is clear. He let it be known that he “cannot come down”. Therein lies the meaning that by going to them, he would go down a path. This is not a picture of self-abasement here, but of leaving the way the Lord wants us to go (cf. Jona 1:3; Lk 10:30).

The plain of Ono is also called “the valley of craftsmen” (Neh 11:35). The place where God dwells and where He wants to be worshipped cannot be exchanged without harm for any kind of crafty works of man. God wants us to serve Him at His level and not at the level of a man-made religion.

Nehemiah does not say that he is rebuilding the wall, but that he is “doing a great work”. In doing so, he indicates that it is an important work. Those who have been given a great work by God should not allow themselves to be pulled down to the level of worldly thinking and acting. Focusing on what unbelievers have to say about what we are doing for the Lord would mean delay and damage to God’s work.

The enemy sees in the service of God, an enormous threat to his self-formed religion that gives him prosperity. Introducing true service to God poses a threat to that prosperity. Spiritually, the Pharisees see that threat in the Lord Jesus. They see how their authority over the people is crumbling (Jn 11:48 ; Jn 12:19). Materially, the creators of idols in Ephesus see that threat in the preaching of the apostle Paul (Acts 19:23-41).

Those who are aware of the importance of God’s commission should not allow themselves to be delayed (cf. Lk 10:3-4). Even the Lord Jesus did not allow Himself to be delayed by false claims of His family (Mk 3:31-35).

Any work that has to do with defending the truth of God’s Word and testifying for Him is a great work. Under no circumstances should we allow ourselves to be distracted from the defense of that truth. The enemy has countless means and makes countless attempts to keep us away from the work the Lord has entrusted to us. We must be careful to do that work (cf. Col 4:17).

The Enemy Perseveres, Nehemiah Also

The enemy shows intrusiveness. He does not give up this tactic either. The pressure to consult is increased. Convinced as he is of his approach, he keeps inviting Nehemiah to an interview. This should make it clear to Nehemiah, due to the pressure, that this is the only opportunity to complete the work. They know that repetition of the message can erode Nehemiah’s resistance, that he will give in to the pressure, and that he will accept their proposal for consultation.

Many have succumbed as a result of incessant pressure. Children who are constantly nagging, can put so much pressure on their parents that they eventually give in. In faith communities, changes are made after constantly putting the same topics on the agenda. It is the tactics that govern diplomacy in the world, lobbying to achieve a certain result or to get a certain order or job.

Pressuring is a tried and tested method of Satan. He has been successful before. Thus Samson has succumbed to the pressure exerted on him to reveal the secret of his power (Jdg 16:15-21). But what has proved successful in the world and with the unfaithful believer has been tried in vain with the man of faith. Nehemiah is consistent in his answer. He sticks to his point of view. Without losing his patience, he always reacts in the same way.