Sabotage
Nehemiah • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 33:59
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· 13 viewsNehemiah faced obstacles while trying to put the vision of his faith into action; what can we learn from Nehemiah’s example in times when we too face obstacles in our life of faith?
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This is sermon number two in the series on Nehemiah. And those of you joining us in reading through the entire book of Nehemiah should have now finished the first week of readings. Hopefully you weathered your way through that chapter with all the lists of names working on building different sections of the wall around Jerusalem.
Today we focus our attention on the people who seem to just make trouble for Nehemiah. We were introduced to Sanballat and Tobiah all the way back in chapter 2. Later we are introduced to Geshem. These three individuals are regional officials within the Persian empire who we understand hold positions of power and control in the regions surrounding Jerusalem. One of the things that keeps them holding their power and influence is that the territory of Judah—with Jerusalem at its center—remains crumbled in ruins. There is no direct threat to any of these other regional officials. And now it seems clear in the story that they see Nehemiah’s arrival in Jerusalem as a threat to them.
In the beginning chapters, these enemies of Nehemiah attempt to derail the building project in Jerusalem before it even begins. We pick up the story today mid-way through the construction of the Jerusalem wall. And now these enemies of Nehemiah intensify their efforts to stop Nehemiah. It begins to look like Nehemiah’s project is sabotaged. Even those who are on Nehemiah’s side begin to express some doubt that the work can continue forward. What happens, then, when a vision and direction of faith which seemed so clear begins to face obstacles, and doubt starts to creep in?
Nehemiah 4:6–12 (NIV)
6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.
7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”
11 Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.”
12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”
Nehemiah 6:5–9 (NIV)
5 Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter 6 in which was written:
“It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king 7 and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.”
8 I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.”
9 They were all 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.”
we all find ourselves at certain moments in life when we are discouraged
I think it is safe to say that we all find ourselves at certain moments in life when we are discouraged. In the opening chapters of Nehemiah, the vision seems to be developing so clearly for Nehemiah. He commits himself to prayer and begins to see a path forward in his life involving the rebuilding of Jerusalem. He prays for success when he approaches the king of the Persian empire to ask for help. He is given all he asks for and even more by the king. It looks at the beginning as though God is opening all the doors ahead of Nehemiah, and all Nehemiah has to do is simply walk through them.
workers building the wall of Jerusalem need to keep weapons in one hand and building tools in the other
And now we reach these moments in the story where there is pushback. Nehemiah is facing opposition that poses a very real threat. The workers building the wall of Jerusalem need to keep weapons in one hand and building tools in the other hand; that’s how real the threat is. It is not just a threat that the building project might fail. It is a threat to the very lives of the ones doing the building. Already by chapter 4 we see that the people are starting to express some doubt.
Nehemiah 4:10 (NIV)
10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”
Even the people who are on Nehemiah’s side are beginning to say that their energy to carry out this vision cannot move forward any further, that it cannot be done. I cannot help but wonder what all of Nehemiah’s thoughts are that didn’t get written down. I cannot help but wonder if Nehemiah himself faced any moments of questioning the way forward, if he had doubts along the way.
people are expressing some doubt, but they are not revolting against him and completely abandoning the vision
All things being equal, it’s not the worst situation the people of God have ever faced. Nehemiah is dealing with a group of people who are expressing some doubt, but they are not revolting against him and completely abandoning the vision Nehemiah is pursuing. Back in Exodus it only took a few days in the wilderness across from the Red Sea before the people of Israel started to revolt against Moses and begin insisting that they ought to give up and turn around and go back to Egypt. Nehemiah is not facing that kind of revolt among his own people. All Nehemiah is facing is a group of people who are still on his side, but are starting to wonder out loud if this vision and plan can actually happen.
how do we know if God is trying to steer us in a different direction, or if our faith is being sabotaged?
That seems much more likely in our own journey of faith, doesn’t it? It is not very often—if ever—you and I face mass rebellion from the people around us. But it is much more likely that you and I face moments when we, and others around us, question if the way forward is going to work out or not. When some obstacles or trials come along, how do we know if God is trying to steer us in a different direction, or if we are being sabotaged by the devil and our own sinful nature?
Isn’t that the real question that carries significance and meaning for our lives of faith? we face opposition and hardship at certain points along the journey of life and we must ask the question. Is this coming from God or not? Is God trying to move me in some other direction, or is the enemy trying to sabotage my efforts to keep following God in the right direction? How can we know the difference? Well, let’s take on that problem by looking at the way Nehemiah responds when he begins facing opposition and doubt.
we see the result that happens after Nehemiah prays
Nehemiah tells the people that there is no reason for them to be afraid
Once again, we see examples in Nehemiah that he prays at every turn. We don’t always get the words to know exactly what Nehemiah is praying. But we do see the result; we see what happens after Nehemiah prays. And here is what I want to highlight for us to see. Nehemiah and those working with him to rebuild Jerusalem are not afraid. The people may be expressing doubt. They may be wondering if this vision of Nehemiah will succeed. But we never get a sense in the way Nehemiah tells the story that the people ever give in to fear. A little further in chapter 4 Nehemiah tells the people that there is no reason for them to be afraid.
response of Nehemiah and the people is one of steadfast obedience to God
At the same time, Nehemiah’s response is one of action. When the threat of attack against the people in Jerusalem becomes high, Nehemiah responds by placing guards at points along the city wall and telling the people to arm themselves. The people do not ignore the threat. They do something about it in response to the opposition against them. Yet at the same time, their response to the threat is not evoked by fear or dread. The response of Nehemiah and the people is one of steadfast obedience to God.
Nehemiah’s enemies are angry, incensed, and afraid of the threat
But what about the enemies? What about Sanballat and Tobiah and all the rest? The Bible tells us that they are angry and that they are incensed. They are afraid; they are very much afraid of Nehemiah and the people of God in Jerusalem. Let’s take it back to the question. When you and I begin to face moments of opposition in our lives of faith, how do we know if it is God trying to correct us or if it is the enemy trying to sabotage us? How about we begin by asking ourselves if it is coming from a place of fear and anger, or is it is coming from a place of faithful obedience.
God does not use fear and anger as a means to guide and direct his people
It is not in the nature of God or in the ways of God to use fear and anger as a means to guide and direct his people. One of the most often repeated commands from God in all of scripture is the command to fear not (or don’t be afraid). God directs his people through a sense of peace. Faithful obedience to God’s will becomes cloudy and distorted when our thoughts and feelings are overwhelmed by fear and anger—we rarely can be faithfully obedient to God when our actions are motivated by fear and anger.
we rarely can be faithfully obedient to God when our actions are motivated by fear and anger
This may be an especially good thing for us to remember right now as we are entering an election year in this country. I am not advocating for any political side because you see this equally on all political sides. Politicians know that the greatest emotion they can use to motivate people to passionately line up on their side is fear and anger. It comes equally from both sides of our political spectrum. They want you to vote on their side because they unendingly try to make you afraid of the other side, and angry at what the other side does. I’ll say it again; we rarely can be faithfully obedient to God when our actions are motivated by fear and anger.
the enemies of God use fear and anger to sabotage the obedience of my faith
Nehemiah and the people respond in action. They take the necessary precautions to keep the progress on their vision to rebuild the city moving forward. But their actions are not motivated by fear or anger. In moments within your own life of faith when opposition gets in the way and you wonder if it is God’s direction or sabotage from the enemy, ask yourself if fear or anger are becoming the predominant motivating factors. Pray to God about it. Pray to God for a sense of peace. And if you find that sense of peace, and then still see a clear turn in direction, perhaps it is coming from God. If you pray to God for a sense of peace, but remain overwhelmed by fear, worry, anxiety, or anger, then it is likely not a change in direction coming from God but an attempt of the enemy to sabotage the obedience of your faith.
Nehemiah remains grounded in the truth
There is something else we see here in the example of Nehemiah when opposition strikes. Nehemiah remains grounded in the truth. Consider again what takes place in chapter 6. Nehemiah’s enemies try to use lies to stop Nehemiah. They try to lure him in with lies and they try to spread lies about him. I love Nehemiah’s response to them in verse 8.
Nehemiah 6:8 (NIV)
8 I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.”
Because Nehemiah is not consumed by fear and anger, he is able to stay grounded in the truth. You and I can learn from that example. Maybe there are moments when you think to yourself, “God could never love a person like me or forgive a person like me.” That’s a lie. God has given us his truth when he says in John 3.
John 3:16 (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus tells us that WHOEVER believes in him is accepted by God
God loves you so much that Jesus gave his life for you so that can be forgiven. Jesus tells us that WHOEVER believes in him is accepted by God. Whoever. Not just the right kind of people or the special people. Anyone who comes to God in faith is received by him. That is the truth God has declared by his word in scripture for all eternity. That is the truth that is sealed for all eternity in the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. That is the truth embedded into your mind, heart, soul, and strength by the Holy Spirit.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
God uses his truth revealed to us in the Bible to direct the action of my faith
Nehemiah was able to face sabotage and obstacles because he stayed grounded in the truth. You and I have been given everything we need by God to remain grounded in that same truth. Scripture is our guide to God’s truth. God has made his mission for the church known in scripture. Whenever you and I find ourselves facing opposition and obstacles in our life of faith, look to scripture as a guide. God reveals himself and his truth in the Bible.
Jesus never promises that the Christian life will always be easy or free from troubles; but Nehemiah shows us that God provides all we need for a life of faith put into action, even in times doubt
Jesus never promises that the Christian life will always be easy or free from troubles. But Nehemiah shows us that God provides all we need for a life of faith put into action, even in times doubt.