AM I DISTRACTED?
NEHEMIAH – GOD’S MAN IN TIMES OF CRISIS
LESSON # 7 – Nehemiah 6 – A COMPLETE LESSON
· What distracts you when you are trying to read the Bible or Pray?
· What distracts you when you are trying to pay attention in church or Bible Study?
· What distracts you when you are trying to accomplish something for God, such as witnessing?
After solving the morale problem caused by the oppression by the rich noblemen, progress on the wall went well. According to Nehemiah 6:1 there were no more gaps in the wall. The enemy must have realized that before long the project would be completed unless they did something to distract Nehemiah from completing the project. When we begin to make progress for the Lord, Satan will do what he can to distract us as well.
AM I DISTRACTED BY THE POLITICIANS? Vss. 1-4
Vss. 1-2 – What would have happened if Nehemiah had accepted the invitation to a “summit meeting” at Ono?
How will we be able to tell, as Nehemiah was able to tell, when something is a distraction to be avoided?
Vs. 3 – Nehemiah said “Oh no!” to Ono. Why is Nehemiah’s answer a great answer?
I suggest to you that the greatest work you are to accomplish is intimacy with God. Psalm 27:4, John 15:4-7, Philippians 3:7-14
What “politicians” are in the life of the Christian that would distract us from intimacy with God?
Vs. 4 – How was the behavior of Sanballat and Geshem much like the behavior of children?
Why does Satan repeat temptations?
AM I DISTRACTED BY ACCUSATIONS? – Vss. 5-9
Vss. 5-7 – How did the strategy of the enemy change in these verses?
What was the enemy trying to accomplish with this change of strategy?
How could this strategy have caused Nehemiah to go to Ono?
Why must we be careful when our enemies make public accusations against us? Vs. 9
These accusations, were of course, rumors. Rumors, of course, have hurt many a ministry.
Vss. 8-9 – What was Nehemiah’s twofold response to the false accusations?
We should use the same twofold response as Nehemiah did.
AM I DISTRACTED BY PERSONAL THREATS? – Vss. 10-14
How do Christians sometimes follow the philosophy, “Look out for number 1”?
Vs. 10 – Nehemiah had said “No” to Ono, knowing that the enemy wanted to do him personal harm. Satan then tried to get Nehemiah to hide in the temple to save his own life. How would this have discredited Nehemiah’s ministry?
What unwise or sinful things have you seen pastors and missionaries do to “save their own skins”?
Vs. 11 is a reflection of Nehemiah’s courage, a courage that only comes when we fully trust God. Psalm 27:1-3, Psalm 121
Vs. 12 – Another God-given quality is perception. The Holy Spirit is the source of that perception. 1 John 2:26-27
Vs. 13 – Shemaiah was a “hired gun”, who was used for an ulterior motive.
Vs. 14 – There are “Christian” prophets who intimidate Godly people. It is a comfort to know that they will answer to God. Romans 14:12
AM I DISTRACTED BY PROPAGANDISTS? – Vss. 15-19
Vs. 15 – In spite of great opposition, the walls were completed in 52 days. How does that encourage you? What Scripture verses come to mind?
Why was the completing of the walls such a blow to Israel’s enemies?
How can the victories that God gives be good for our enemies? Think of Rahab.
Vs. 16 – The enemy was disheartened, but did not give up.
Vs. 17-18 – There were wealthy Jews still aligned to Tobiah, probably by trade agreements. All of these people had lost their authority and probably some of their wealth. Also many were related to Tobiah by marriage. They were still providing an “undercurrent” against the new regime.
Vs. 19 – These people tried to influence or lobby Nehemiah in Tobiah’s behalf. I believe that Tobiah was trying to get back into a position of influence.
AM I DISTRACTED BY INTIMIDATION? – Vss. 19
The enemy will not quit. Sometimes our greatest let-downs come after our greatest victories. Remember the depression of Elisha.
Tobiah was still “running off at the mouth”, trying to intimidate Nehemiah, even though Tobiah was a defeated enemy.
Remember that Satan is a defeated enemy. Don’t let him depress or defeat you. Romans 6:1-4, 7, 10-14