courage

NEHEMIAH“Courage in the face of

threat”

CourageIn the face of threat

3

Nehemiah 6: 11

And I said, "Should such a man as I flee? And who is

there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go

in!"

Background• The book of Nehemiah is named after its hero and author, Nehemiah.

• The man Nehemiah was the governor of the Persian province of Judah (1:1—2:20; 13:4-31).

• His name means "Yahweh has comforted" or "Yahweh comforts."

• The book records events that took place after the Jewish captives were freed (1:1ff)

The outline of the BookThe book is

structured in two major sections:1.The fortification of Jerusalem (1-7)

2.The Restoration of the Jews (8-13)

The Fortification (1-7)1. The return under Nehemiah (chs.

1—2)• The news concerning Jerusalem

(1:1-3)• The response of Nehemiah (1:4-

11)• The request of Nehemiah (2:1-

8)• The return to Jerusalem (2:9-

20)2. The rebuilding of the walls (3:1

—7:4)• The workers and their work

(ch. 3)• The opposition to the workers

(ch. 4)• The strife among the workers

(ch. 5)• The attacks against Nehemiah

(6:1-14)• The completion of the work

(6:15—7:4 )3. The record of those who returned

(7:5-72)

The Restoration (8-13)1. The renewal of the Mosaic Covenant

(chs. 8-10)• The gathering of the people (ch.

8)• The prayer of the people (ch. 9)• The renewed commitment of the

people (ch. 10)2. The residents of the land (11:1—

12:26)• The residents of Jerusalem (11:1-

24)• The residents of the outlying

towns (11:25-36)• The priests and Levites (12:1-26)

3. The dedication of the wall (12:27-47)• Preparations for the dedication

(12:27-30)• The dedication ceremonies (12:31-

47)

Restoration (Chapter 13)

4.The reforms instituted by Nehemiah (ch. 13)• The exclusion of foreigners

(13:1-3)• The expulsion of Tobiah (13:4-

9)• The revival of tithing (13:10-

14)• The observance of the Sabbath

(13:15-22)• The rebuke of mixed marriages

(13:23-29)• The summary of Nehemiah's

reforms (13:30-31)

The Fortification (1-7)1. The return under Nehemiah (chs.

1—2)• The news concerning Jerusalem

(1:1-3)• The response of Nehemiah (1:4-

11)• The request of Nehemiah (2:1-

8)• The return to Jerusalem (2:9-

20)2. The rebuilding of the walls (3:1

—7:4)• The workers and their work

(ch. 3)• The opposition to the workers

(ch. 4)• The strife among the workers

(ch. 5)• The attacks against Nehemiah

(6:1-14)• The completion of the work

(6:15—7:4 )3. The record of those who returned

(7:5-72)

Nehemiah 6:1-14

Nehemiah recorded three separate plots in which the Jews' enemies instigated to frustrate his effectiveleadership.

Three Plots• The plot to DISTRACT

• The plot to DISCREDIT

• The plot to DETER

Nehemiah was FOCUSED on

FINISHING the work

In Nehemiah’s response to the plot to deter, we learn to be courageous in the face of

threat

CourageIn the face of threat Nehemiah 6:10-13

17

10 Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of

Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, "Let

us meet together in the house of God, within the

temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for

they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will

come to kill you."

Nehemiah 6:10-13

18

11 And I said, "Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go

in!"

Nehemiah 6:10-13

19

12 Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired

him.

Nehemiah 6:10-13

20

13 For this reason he was hired, that I

should be afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might

have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me.

Nehemiah 6:10-13

21

The plan was to make him afraid but he expressed courage

22

Note #1: The threat came from a trusted source

10 Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, "Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you."

23

Note #2: The threat came with a religious flavor


24

Note #3: The threat came with an assurance of safety10 Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, "Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you."

25

Note #4: The threat came with a note of concern


26

Note #5: The threat came with a point of certainty10 Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, "Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you."

27

Note #6: The threat came with a subtle suggestion to

sin10 Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, "Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you."

Should such a man as I

flee?

Satan employs same tactics today

idealness

31

We need the SPIRIT and MIND of Nehemiah

The Mind and Spirit of Nehemiah#1. He believed in Himself11 And I said, "Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!"

The Mind and Spirit of Nehemiah#2. He revered the sacred11 And I said, "Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!"

The Mind and Spirit of Nehemiah#3. He determined never to

sin11 And I said, "Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!"

The Mind and Spirit of Nehemiah#4. He had the spirit of

discernment12 Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but

that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had

hired him.

The Mind and Spirit of Nehemiah#5. He knew God’s will12 Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but


hired him.

The Mind and Spirit of Nehemiah#6. He knew the capabilities of his enemies12 Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but


hired him.

The Mind and Spirit of Nehemiah#7. He knew the Scriptures13 For this reason he was hired, that I should be

afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might have cause for an evil report,

that they might reproach me.

stands in contrast

withFaith

Fear

You can never

experience FAITH

until you make that FIRST

UNCERTAIN STEP

Courage is the

exercise of FAITH when there

is a visible threat

The lazy man says, "There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!"

Proverbs 22:13

Step out with

CourageCourage is faith in action

We need The Spirit of Nehemiah

Jesus invites you to

cultivate the

spirit of Nehemiah

courage

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