The Plot Thickens
A breakdown of Nehemiah 6
Nehemiah- Consolation, Repentance of the Lord | Governor of Jerusalem
Sanballat- enemy in secret
Geshem/Gashmu- Rain Storm
Tobiah- The Lord is Good or goodness of God
Plain of ONO- Grief/Iniquity/ Strength
Historical Backgrounds:
On July 10, 586 B.C. The Babylonian forces of king Nebuchadnezzar broke through the northern wall of Jerusalem and led 100’s of thousands of Jews 700 miles to Babylon, the land of idolatry
The Jewish survivors were hauled across the Syrian Desert to Babylon, many of them perishing along the way. The Babylonians shackled captives on ankles and fish hooked their mouth (do not turn to the R or L). The Southern Kingdom of Judah had ceased to exist, the monarchy had ended and this marked the end of the First Temple Period.
Jerusalem was burned and the walls of the city were torn down. All military, civil and religious leaders were either executed or carried away into captivity. Isn’t it interesting how the devil wants to remove leadership; strike the shepherd and what happens? Only the poorest of the peasants of Judah were allowed to remain in the land which was by now a place of complete desolation. God always leaves a remnant, the meek shall inherit the earth.
Ezra just accomplished the spiritual establishment of the new community from being exiles, whereas Nehemiah gave it physical structure. Also he rebuilt it in record time 52 DAYS!
1st thing you need to understand: The devil wants to kill you, overwhelmed and CONSUMED w/ hate for us!
Enemy’s Attack- Joh 8:44 You are of the Devil as father, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and did not abide in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it.
2Co 2:11 that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
4 Things devil does to us that we see from Nehemiah’s life
Read Neh.6:1-16
Investigate- Search for a flaws/weakness | see if you are a prime candidate
Funny how the devil tries to get you when the work is ALMOST done, just before God releases The Blessing.
Neh 6:1-2 | Sanballat- enemy secret | Sanballat ACTED like he cared- ‘hey let’s meet and work it out’
1Pe 5:8 Be sensible and vigilant, because your adversary the Devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone he may devour; there are some heCAN’T
Untimely Death
Just a few months later (December 1956) Coe was hospitalized after he fell ill while holding a revival at Hot Springs, Arkansas. What Coe felt was just fatigue and exhaustion caused by his demanding schedule, was actually bulbar polio, and he succumbed to this disease in just a few weeks at Dallas Parkland Hospital, on December 16, 1956.
Interrogate- Question your relationship with Jesus and His authority
Meet among the plains of ONO. 6:2 devil wants to bring you to a level place of iniquity
Neh 6:6–Sent a letter accusing Neh of wanting to be a king
Gen 3 devil questioned adam and eve’s standing with God and God’s word and authority to them
Mat 4:3 And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If You are the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Intimidate- Try and knock you off your game through fear and lies
Neh 6:5 Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand, in which was written,
Neh 6:6 It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says it, that you and the Jews are thinking of rebelling, for this reason you build the wall, so that you may be their king, according to these words.
I Kings 19:1-3,9 Elijah
Eliminate- Ultimate goal is to Kill you or at least disqualify you in the race of faith or to break your legs so you can’t finish
Neh 6:10- logical, go into the house of God-same as Ehud King Eglon in Judges 3
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
4 Things Nehemiah did to overcome:
1 When you are being investigated you better be a person of integrity, Nehemiah was known to be a man of integrity especially with God. Nehemiah was commissioned governor of Judah because of his high moral character
2 When you are being interrogated you better know who you are and know you are doing a great work. Neh6:3
3 When you are being intimidated you better be able to stand firm in Faith
5 times sent the SAME answer | Eph 6:13-14
4 When the devil is trying to eliminate you you better be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
Neh 6:10-14
