Nehemiah 6:13

Therefore was hee hired, that I should be afraid, and doe so, and sinne, and that they might haue matter for an euill report, that they might reproch mee. Nehemiah 6:13 (KJV)

Therefore

was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and

that they might have

matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me. Nehemiah 6:13 (KJV)

Nehemiah was a prominent figure in the Bible who served as the cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes I. Nehemiah had a deep concern for the welfare of his fellow Israelites who had returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Nehemiah received news about the broken walls and gates of Jerusalem and felt a burden to rebuild them. Despite facing opposition and threats, Nehemiah remained committed to the task God had given him.

In Nehemiah 6:1-4, we learn that Nehemiah faced opposition from his enemies who were plotting to harm him. In verse 2, Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to Nehemiah, inviting him to meet them in the plain of Ono. However, Nehemiah recognized that their intentions were not sincere and understood that they wanted to harm him.

In verse 6, Nehemiah was informed that Tobiah and others were sending letters falsely accusing him of planning to rebel against the king. They wanted to create fear and induce Nehemiah to sin by seeking refuge in the temple, which would have been a violation of the law. They hoped to discredit Nehemiah and bring reproach upon him.

Nehemiah discerned the intentions behind the false accusations and recognized that their goal was to cause fear, compromise his integrity, and hinder the work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Instead of succumbing to fear or being influenced by their plot, Nehemiah remained steadfast in his commitment to God’s calling and the task at hand.

Discernment: Nehemiah’s ability to discern the true motives behind his enemies’ actions is crucial. As believers, we need to rely on God’s wisdom and discernment to recognize when we are being led astray or tempted to compromise our faith.

Integrity in the Face of Opposition: Nehemiah’s unwavering commitment to his mission and his refusal to succumb to fear or compromise his principles are exemplary. We, too, should hold fast to our convictions, even in the face of opposition or pressure.

Trusting God: Nehemiah’s trust in God’s protection and guidance is evident throughout his story. He sought God’s help through prayer, and God enabled him to complete the task despite the obstacles. We should cultivate a deep trust in God’s faithfulness, knowing that He will empower us to overcome challenges.

In Nehemiah’s example, we see the importance of discernment, integrity, and trust in God’s providence. By relying on these principles, we can remain steadfast in our faith and overcome the various challenges and opposition we may encounter in life.