Nehemiah 4: Opposition from the Outside
"STICKS AND STONES may break my bones, but names will never hurt me!" We usually hear children say this. But when we want to oppose something because it is getting in our way, we adults have a slightly more sophisticated way of doing the same thing.
The enemies of Israel started out at the "sticks and stones" level, but they were soon into slander, intimidation and threatening with weapons. Our enemy the devil is always going to oppose the work of God. We need to expect and be able to fight opposition, if we will do God's work.
Warming Up to God
How have your plans for good and faithful service to the Lord been frustrated lately? Express your feelings to the Lord and give them over to him completely, trusting he will continue to do his will on earth.
Read Nehemiah 4. »
Discovering the Word
- Describe the progression of seriousness in how Sanballat and Tobiah threaten the Jews and the building of the wall in verses 1-3.
- List the ways Nehemiah responds to these forms of opposition (vv. 4-6).
- Why do you think Nehemiah is so uncharitable in his prayer in verses 4-5?
- Note that Sanballat has inside help in his intimidation of the Jews and Nehemiah. What is it (vv. 10 and 12)?
- In verses 13-20, how does Nehemiah handle these threats?
- What was Nehemiah trusting in to get the work done (vv. 9, 14 and 20)?
Applying the Word
- In what situation have you seen a creative solution keep the work moving forward?
- Does opposition make you want to quit a job, or does it challenge you to work harder to complete it? Explain.
Responding in Prayer
Pray verses 4 and 5 to the Lord, boldly asking for sinful oppression to be lifted from Christians today.
For Further Study
Excellence in Leadership by John White