• The Explore the Bible lesson for Jan. 25 focuses on Nehemiah 6:1-19.
Only a few weeks into 2015, the news already is replete with stories of the 2016 presidential race. Will the Bush or Clinton dynasties be perpetuated further? Which candidate can move the country forward on issues like race, immigration, debt and economics? Who can get the parties to find a way to work together to accomplish something significant in the upcoming term?
As an independent voter, I watch the news closely to learn what I can about each candidate. But sometimes it can be difficult to discern the truth during a campaign. Each candidate’s campaign engages staff to dig up dirt on the opposition. And each works hard to present the opposing candidate negatively, often seemingly without regard to truth or relevance.
Religion can look like politics
Unfortunately, sometimes religion can look a bit like politics. In the United States, church and state have an intertwined relationship, whether we like it or not. But even church diplomacy itself can become embroiled in politics.
People still create factions—like Euodia and Syntyche of Philippians 4:2—or vie for their own way.Churches may become divided by following too closely the charisma of effective leaders —like the church in Corinth did with Paul, Apollos and Peter in 1 Corinthians 1:12. And sometimes the road to following God’s call can be lined with naysayers, as in the case of Nehemiah.
Nehemiah demonstrates God gives wisdom and endurance to complete the tasks to which God calls us. God doesn’t promise the task will be easy, or we will face no obstacles. In fact, Jesus told his disciples, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20). As we obey God’s call, we can expect opposition. But God is faithful to work both in us and through us. And like Paul, we can be “confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
Nehemiah remained faithful to God’s call when falsely accused (vv. 1-9). Sanballat and Geshem began to spread rumors about Nehemiah to distract him from the work. The first four times they summoned him to a meeting, he made his priority clear—he would stay and complete the important work to which God had called him. The suggested meeting site—the plains of Ono—was a remote location far from the rebuilding effort, and it is likely Nehemiah suspected an attempt on his life.
Sanballat tries to discredit Nehemiah
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After four unsuccessful attempts, Sanballat published an open letter to discredit Nehemiah, accusing him of treason against King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah’s reply was curt and to the point. The accusations were untrue, and Nehemiah didn’t give them a second thought. He remained focused on obeying God’s call, and he sent up another arrow prayer (v. 9; as in 2:4-5) to ask God to renew his strength for the task at hand. Despite false accusations, Nehemiah persisted in the task by focusing on the value of the work to which God had called him.
Nehemiah also remained faithful to God’s call when promised false security (vv. 10-14). He went to the house of Shemaiah, presumably having been summoned there also. Shemaiah must have been a person of some respect or influence, since Nehemiah went to his house to see him. But when Shemaiah suggested they lock themselves inside the temple to avoid being assassinated, Nehemiah leaned on his identity from God for security.
On the one hand, Nehemiah knew a leader must have courage, and so he was not going to put God’s work at risk to protect his own life. On the other hand, Nehemiah showed humility and wisdom in not thinking more of himself than he ought. Entering the temple would have been grounds for Nehemiah to be put to death, and even someone as important as Nehemiah did not see the threat of death as a cause to sin.
Leaving vengeance to God
It is interesting that after Nehemiah responded faithfully, he then realized the prophecy was a ruse to discredit him. But rather than wasting time in retaliation, he left vengeance in God’s hands and completed the work with remarkable speed. Despite the promise of false security, Nehemiah persisted by focusing on the faithful reputation needed by a leader to complete the task.
Finally, Nehemiah remained faithful to God’s call when factions arose (6:15-19). This last section of chapter 6 reads almost like a “he said, she said” saga, reminiscent of middle school cliques. Tobiah, who married into an influential family, began to stir up trouble among the nobles of Judah, including those who worked under Nehemiah’s leadership on the rebuilding project.
This opposition continued even after the walls were completed. But regardless of the factions, Nehemiah’s confidence remained steady, knowing God was the one directing the work. In fact, it was the enemies of Jerusalem who lost confidence and became intimidated as they saw God’s involvement in the rebuilding. Despite factions that arose, Nehemiah persisted by focusing on his calling and bringing honor to God.
My church currently is in a sermon series about living on “the edge,” and we closed one worship service by reminding the congregation God is calling everyone to something. It may be something bold that requires great risk, or it may be something that calls us just one or two steps out of our comfort zones.
God calls us to work obediently
Perhaps we are supposed to use our influence to work for justice and equality. Perhaps we are to use our Monday-to-Friday skills to bring help to those who are facing hardships. Perhaps we are being called to stand up for what is right, even when it’s not popular or profitable. Perhaps we are being called to share our faith with our neighbors or classmates or coworkers.
Like Nehemiah, we can trust God will give us wisdom and endurance to complete the tasks to which God is calling us—despite false accusations, despite false security, and despite factions or opposition. God is calling us to work obediently and with persistence so others might realize “that this work had been done with the help of our God” (v. 16).
Today, as you discern and obey God’s calling on your life, pray as the Apostle Paul prayed for the believers at Thessalonica: “That our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12).
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