Sanballat: Babylonian () “…the moon god gives life” (CWSB)
Gideon…took the crescents (half-moon [GWT]) that were on their camels’… Judges 8:21 (ASV)
(From and )
Tobiah…the ammonite – Nehemiah 2:10 (CWSB)
(Modern day )
Geshem the Arabian – Nehemiah 2:19 (CWSB)
- Keep working in spite of (vv.1-4)
“I am doing a great work and I cannot come down” – Nehemiah 6:3 (NASB95)
is the enemy of
The thing that I’m distracted is never as important as the thing I’m distracted
Realize that distractions (v.4)
- Keep working in spite of (vv.5-7)
“It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king
– Nehemiah 6:6 (NIV)
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. – Matthew 5:11-12 (NASB)
Nehemiah’s Response:
He their motives (v.9)
…trying to frighten (v.9) (NASB)
He the accusations but doesn’t (v.8)
He (v.9)
But now, O God, strengthen my hands (v.9) (NASB95)
3. Keep working in spite of (vv.10-14)
Opposition from those who to God
They say “God to ”
Shemaiah: Hears and obeys the Lord (OTESD)
Delaiah: The poor of the Lord (HBND)
Mehetebel: How good God is (HBND)
The “Sin” (v.13)
I am giving you the priesthood as a bestowed service, but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”
– Numbers 18:7 (NASB95)
They will appear so and they gather a (v.14)
…the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put — me in fear. (v.14) (CWSB)
Noadiah: Meeting with the Lord (A false prophetess…(who) tried to stir up discontent (EBD)
Four Characteristics of Nehemiah:
So the wall was completed… in fifty-two days. – Nehemiah 6:15 (NASB)
- A (v.3)
“I am doing a great work and I cannot come down” – Nehemiah 6:3 (NASB95)
- A (vv. 2,9,12)
- A (vv.9,14)
- A (v.16)