Rumbling Rumors Nehemiah 6:1-19 Paul J. Bucknell

When good is being done, troubles will often develop. A pattern in life Observe & learn

Empowerin g Nehemiah Ch. 1-2 Disgust with his plans (2:10) Mocked & despised (2:19) Furious & angry (4:1) Conspired to come (4:8) Oppression from within (5:7) Rumors\deceit (6:2,7,14,19) “The good hand of the Lord was upon me” (2:8) } Troubles Multiply

bad good “Now it came about when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, to Geshem the Arab, and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach remained in it, although at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates, 2 that Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me” (Nehemiah 6:1-2). Nehemiah 6:1-2

A) Observe ‘Good’ Troubles Point out ways the evil one attempts to frustrate God’s work among the Lord’s people B) Persist Doing Good Identify seven ways God’s people are to overcome such frustrations Overview of Nehemiah 6:1-14 At - tempts

Pressure (6:2-3) - “They were planning to harm me.” Irritation (6:4) - “Four times in this manner” A) Observe ‘Good’ Troubles Rumor (6:5-19) –A rumor is a slanderous suggestion that entices people to doubt a person’s good intentions.

“So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you? And they sent messages to me four times in this manner, and I answered them in the same way. 5 Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same manner a fifth time with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel; therefore you are rebuilding the wall. And you are to be their king, according to these reports. 7 “And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, ‘A king is in Judah!’ And now it will be reported to the king according to these reports. So come now, let us take counsel together”” (Nehemiah 6:3-7). Nehemiah 6:3-7

“Then I sent a message to him saying, “Such things as you are saying have not been done, but you are inventing them in your own mind. For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. 10 And when I entered the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined at home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you, and they are coming to kill you at night.” (Nehemiah 6:8-10). Nehemiah 6:8-10

“11 But I said, “Should a man like me flee? And could one such as I go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.” 12 Then I perceived that surely God had not sent him, but he uttered his prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 He was hired for this reason, that I might become frightened and act accordingly and sin, so that they might have an evil report in order that they could reproach me. 14 Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these works of theirs, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who were trying to frighten me.”” (Nehemiah 6:11-14). Nehemiah 6:11-14

Rumor’s Destructive Path (6:6-7) Open letter (6:5) Spread false report False report (6:6-7) Create lies (6:10) Induce fear (6:9) Have people believe wrong things Create division in ranks by fear Make wrong decision

Hired Frightened Wron g decisi on Sin Evil report Trap Nehemiah Temptation’s Pathway (Nehemiah 6:13)

Rebuild wall, community & worship Task B) Persist Doing Good Challenge Persist, endure, complete our part 7

“When it was reported to Sanballat Tobiah, to Geshem, the Aram, and to the rest of our enemies” (Neh 6:1). #1) Rumors catch us off guard (1- 2) Clarify goals & values ✦ Enemies hear ✦ They will interrupt God’s good work ✦ Don’t be surprised ✦ Build resolve

“Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me... They were planning to harm me” (Neh 6:2). #2) Rumors come not from friends (2) Identify their purpose ✦ Our true friends are not those that harm us ✦ Might have been in the past ✦ Satan uses them (e.g.Job) - don’t be his pawn ✦ Reduce emotional involvement

“I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” (Nehemiah 6:3). #3) Rumors are distracting (3) Persist in our ‘great’ work ✦ Rumors & threats by nature are distracting ✦ Our goal is twofold ➡ Work equally hard at the goal ➡ Minimize and avoid distraction

“They sent messages to me four times in this manner, and I answered them in the same way” (Neh 6:3). #4) Rumors take up lots of time (4) Refuse to engage in defense ✦ This is similar to previous point ✦ We need to persist as much as the enemy does ✦ Distraction means ensnarement. ➡ “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

“...A fifth time with an open letter..planning to rebel, be their king, appointed prophets... So come now let us take counsel together” (Nehemiah 6:5-7). #5) Rumors often get worse (5-8) God’s grace is sufficient ✦ Just when you think things can’t get worse ✦ A whole slew of lies (rebellion, devious, self-ambition, employed prophets, etc.) ✦ Hard to defend (especially if hired a prophet) ✦ A simple defense is best

“For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” “But now, O God, strengthen my hands.” (6:9). #6) Rumors disillusion others (9) Pray, only God can help ✦ Thinks are extra difficult when others hear ‘us’ ✦ They can doubt one’s integrity ✦ They can add pressure to compromise ✦ Nehemiah prayed

“Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple,... For they are coming to kill you” (6:10). #7) Rumors distort matters (10-14) Carefuly discern the situation ✦ Pressure increases ✦ Others warn, dangers increase, life endangered ✦ Easy to make wrong decisions ✦ Kept praying ✦ Nehemiah kept focused - they were frightened

Summary ✦ God’s works and workers are often attacked ✦ Stay focused on our ‘great’ work ✦ Simple defense is best ✦ Pray when things are desperate ✦ Entrust God with the whole scene “The LORD sat as King at the flood; Yes, the LORD sits as King forever. The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace” (Ps 29:10-11).

Application ✤I✤Is Satan using you through gossiping and making rumors? We must cease! ✤I✤Is there any task God has given you that you feel pressure to compromise or give up? Why? ✤B✤Be people of integrity. Clarify God’s purpose and calling in your life. Follow through. ✤D✤Don’t question doing the right thing. Not ‘What if...?’ but focus on ‘What does God want?’ ✤H✤Hard times become God’s special places where He displays His power and grace to you.

Rumbling Rumors Nehemiah 6:1-19