Nehemiah 6:1-19

1. a well timed attack - 6:1
1. as the wall neared completion, Nehemiah’s enemies made their final attempts to do him in
2. the attack on Nehemiah came at a very critical point in his life
1. it came at a time when he was almost finished with the monumental task of building the wall
2. they were on the brink of a great public celebration
3. those who think they will never fall are extremely vulnerable
4. God warns us to "take heed lest we fall"
3. God permitted these test to strengthen His servant
1. it is not God’s desire to soften us with ease and luxury
2. "Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it’s been found difficult and not tried"
3. many people see the demands of Christianity and say, "you can have it"
2. the plots against Nehemiah - 6:2-14
1. to lure Nehemiah away from Jerusalem - 6:2-4
1. God gives to His faithful servants wisdom and discernment
1. if Nehemiah had left, he would have been at the mercy of his enemies and the city open to attack
2. discernment allows us to read between the lines (we all need discernment)
2. the invitation was gracious and friendly (what could be the harm)
1. it was an invitation to compromise ("together" means unite, to be one, join) - 2
2. the wiles of the devil are many, and we must not be ignorant of his devices
3. those who sent the invitation were the enemy of God, and had no love for the truth
4. he that mixes with deceitful workers will soon lose what they have
3. Nehemiah had priorities, and was not easily diverted from his mission
1. though the invitation was given four time, he still refused to be sidetracked
2. Nehemiah could not be intimidated, he was secure in his faith
2. false accusations - 6:5-9
1. this somewhat gracious letter was designed to poison the minds of the people against Nehemiah
1. they also intended to force Nehemiah into meeting with them - 7
2. the deceit used by our enemies should never be underestimated
2. this letter was nothing but rumor
1. in rumors the source is never stated - "reported among the heathen" - 6
2. rumors are nothing but exaggerations and inaccuracies
1. gullible listeners and gossips feed in this kind of stuff
2. rumors lead to personal hurt and misunderstanding
3. Nehemiah’s response - 8-9
1. he denied it, and in a nice way called his accusers liars
2. the accusations of this letter did not cause Nehemiah to retreat
3. he recognized the intent and acknowledged the hurt
4. he prayed
3. to make Nehemiah act in fear - 6:10-14
1. a prophet warned Nehemiah with pretended sincerity of danger to his life - 10
1. to do so would have spread fear and distrust among the people
2. this was just what the enemy desired
2. God’s faithful servant stood strong in faith - 11
1. Nehemiah was not the kind of man who would run and hide
2. neither would he resort to situation ethics to get himself out of danger
3. his reputation, honor, and obedience to God meant more to him than his life
3. the so called prophet was in sympathy with the enemy - 12-13
4. Nehemiah did not seek revenge, but ask God to take care of the situation - 14
3. the completion of the wall - 6:15-16
1. it was an amazing feat (52 days) -15
1. because Nehemiah and the workers were in the center of God’s will, they were invincible
2. persistence pays rich dividends
3. if you know that you are in His will, never give in
2. Nehemiah’s victory was the enemies defeat - 16
1. when the enemies of God attack His work, they are the one to leave with their heads hung low
2. the enemies of God were discouraged and heart-broken because all their plans had failed
4. another plot against Nehemiah - 6:17-19
1. many told Nehemiah how good the enemy was - 19
2. they also told the enemy everything that Nehemiah said and did - 19
1. Nehemiah undoubtedly felt betrayed
2. by keeping his focus on the all-powerful God, he was able to complete the wall & fulfill his mission