Summary of Nehemiah 6:1-14
The opposers of the walls invited Nehemiah to meet with them, but they were plotting him harm. Sanballat tried to coax Nehemiah by lying to him and intimidating him. However, Nehemiah simply prayed.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 24, Day 5: Nehemiah 6:1-14
12a) Nehemiah’s enemies tried to take him out in order to stop the building project.
b) He did not fall for their traps and prayed to God about it. This teaches me that we are to pray to God when we are threatened and not fall for others’ traps if recognized.
13) He realized that the supposed safety offer was a violation of God’s laws and would discredit him.
14a) Nehemiah constantly prayed to God to strengthen him and to remember those who are looking to harm him in order for God to enact retribution.
b) I can pray more for those who are opposing me.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 24, Day 5: Nehemiah 6:1-14
I love, love, LOVE the reliance of Nehemiah on God. What a great example for us!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 24, Day 5: Nehemiah 6:1-14
Nehemiah had discernment to see through the threats against him and recognize them for what they were. We develop discernment as we grow closer to Jesus.
Do not be distracted by the enemy. Stay focused.
We also can’t believe the lies we are told.
Only priests were allowed in the temple, so if Nehemiah went there to hide, he would be disobeying God’s laws.
Nehemiah told God to take care of them, so he could focus on the task at hand.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
Here is a succinct interpretation of Nehemiah 6:1–14:
The Interpretation: Three Traps
As the wall neared completion, Nehemiah’s enemies shifted from physical threats to psychological warfare aimed at ruining his leadership.
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Distraction (vv. 1–4): Sanballat tried to lure Nehemiah away to the plain of Ono for a “meeting.” Nehemiah discerned this was a trap to harm him and halt progress, responding famously: “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.”
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Slander (vv. 5–9): Failing to lure him out, they sent an open letter accusing Nehemiah of planning a rebellion to become king. This was designed to spread fear and force a defensive response. Nehemiah simply denied the lie and prayed to God, “Strengthen my hands.”
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Intimidation & Religious Compromise (vv. 10–14): They hired a false prophet to frighten Nehemiah into hiding within the Temple sanctuary—an act forbidden to non-priests. Had he agreed, he would have lost his reputation for integrity and courage. Nehemiah realized a true message from God would not contradict God’s law, and he refused to hide.
Conclusion
Nehemiah demonstrates that finishing a Godly task often requires as much spiritual discernment as it does hard work. True leadership involves the courage to ignore distractions, the integrity to withstand slander without panic, and the wisdom to recognize when “safety” is actually a trap to compromise one’s character.
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