Opposition to the Work Workers and Warriors

Chap 1 – Nehemiah, a man of God in prayer Listened, Wept, Prayed, Planned Chap 2 – Faith in Action Decision point – stepping out in faith … at any cost Chap 3 – Teamwork They were Motivated, Dedicated, Cooperative They volunteered No one was above picking up a tool

Ridicule 4:1-6 Fear 4:11–23 Violence 4:7-9 Selfishness 5:1-19 Compromise 6:1-4 Intrigue 6:17-19 Threats 6:10-14 Slander 6:5-9 Discouragement 4:10

Nehemiah 4:1-3 – The Initial Assault Describe the reaction of Sanballat? What tactics did Sandballat and Tobiah use in ridiculing the Israelites? When have you been ridiculed? …. For doing what you believed God was calling you to do?  How did you respond?

Nehemiah 4:4-6 – The Response How did Nehemiah handle the ridicule? Describe the way he prayed. Thought Questions: Do you think Nehemiah was praying in God’s will when he asked God to “turn their insults back on their own heads?” What are the advantages of pouring our hearts out to God in situations like this? What principle(s) do we learn from these first 6 verses and how might we apply them to our lives.

Nehemiah 4:7–9 – The Second Assault, Threat of Violence How did the ridicule affect the work on the wall? Why was that? When ridicule didn’t work, the opposition tried threats. How did the people respond to the threat? What specific steps did Nehemiah take to keep working on the wall? …. be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Eph 6:10-12

Sandballat Sandballat – Governor of Samaria, which is Palestine, today called the West Bank Tobiah Tobiah - the Ammonite – Ammon is Jordan Men of Ashod Men of Ashod – Ashod is part of the Gaza strip.

Nehemiah 4:10-15 – Third Assault, Internal Fear Where did the opposition come (v 10,12)? How did Nehemiah respond to his enemies’ threats and his peoples’ grumblings? Thought Question Thought Question :  What kinds of opposition do we as believers face today?

Nehemiah 4:16-23, The Response How did Nehemiah plan not to be surprised by the enemy?  What principle do you learn from Nehemiah’s strategy? Thought Question: Nehemiah tells the people, “Our God will fight for us!” What do you think he means by this statement? What do you learn about perseverance in verses 21-23?

Personal questions: How do you typically respond to opposition to the work of God? How do you think God would like you to respond? What steps can we take to continue God’s work when we’re ridiculed or discouraged?