Bible Study - Nehemiah (5) - Prioritize - Nehemiah 6:1-3, 15-16; 8:1-3, 5-8 August 19, 2018

Bible Study – Nehemiah (5) – Prioritize – August 19, 2018

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “Nehemiah: Building a Life of Service.”

Our focus scripture is Nehemiah 6:1-3, 15-16; 8:1-3, 5-8.

GOD’S Word must be central to our lives to truly serve HIM.

Stay Focused on the Task until GOD’S Work is Completed.

When GOD calls HIS servant to a task, Satan will do all he can to prevent it from being accomplished. As we read this scripture we see how the enemy that surrounded Jerusalem tried repeatedly to lure Nehemiah away from the task GOD had assigned him to distract him and ultimately to kill him. An effective leader is always the target of Satan. Satan knows that if the leader is compromised or killed then there is a good chance that GOD’S plan is either delayed or prevented.

Let’s read Nehemiah 6:1-3:

Attempts to Discourage the Builders

1 When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that no gap was left in it-though at that time I had not installed the doors in the gates- 

Success - the wall had been restored, which was a huge accomplishment. The gates where yet to be restored but the potential entry points to the city had been greatly reduced and could be guarded until the gates were completed. Those who opposed the restoration were not pleased with this success. How do we know that?

2 Sanballat and Geshem sent me a message: "Come, let's meet together in the villages of the Ono Valley." But they were planning to harm me. 

GOD equips those who are called by HIM with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Discernment is one of the gifts. When GOD gives HIS called the gift of discernment, it must be applied.

3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?" 

The enemy attempts to distract those who are called from GOD’S assignment. Those who are called must stay focused. The enemy is relentless as we read on ------

Nehemiah 6:4-14:

4 Four times they sent me the same proposal, and I gave them the same reply. 

5 Sanballat sent me this same message a fifth time by his aide, who had an open letter in his hand. 

6 In it was written: It is reported among the nations-and Geshem agrees-that you and the Jews plan to rebel. This is the reason you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king 

7 and have even set up the prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: "There is a king in Judah." These rumors will be heard by the king. So come, let's confer together. 

Fake news along with intimidation. Sanballat sent the message five times. Satan never gives up when he desires to destroy us. Many saints of GOD are lured into sin, when they are deceived into believing that something or someone has been sent into their lives by GOD. We must keep in mind that Satan is a deceiver and a liar seeking to destroy.

8 Then I replied to him, "There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind." (Fake News) 

9 For they were all trying to intimidate us, saying, "They will become discouraged in the work, and it will never be finished." But now, [my God,] strengthen me.

Notice when Nehemiah refused to be enticed by the enemy and he focused upon his calling, GOD strengthened him.

The same is true today. GOD calls all of HIS children to obediently serve HIM. Satan will do all he can to discourage and prevent us from accomplishing what HE has called us to do. Do NOT be misled. GOD is your strength and the indwelling Holy Spirit is your power to resist. Scripture tells us in James 4:7:

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Step one turn to GOD and acknowledge HIM. Resist the devil and the devil will flee from you. Will he try again? Oh yes! What are you to do? Keep on resisting but always turn to GOD and bathe your mind in scripture.

Attempts to Intimidate Nehemiah

10 I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was restricted [to his house]. He said: Let us meet at the house of God inside the temple. Let us shut the temple doors because they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you tonight! 

11 But I said, "Should a man like me run away? How can I enter the temple and live? I will not go." 

Avoiding the problems never solves them. We must know that GOD is our refuge and strength as reflected in Psalm 46:1:

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

The enemy uses scripture to lure HIS chosen away from truth. That is why we must know the scripture and build the right relationship with GOD so that we will discern truth from error. How do we do that? Knowing the scripture is ground zero as we read in Hebrews 4:12:

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Return to Nehemiah 6:12-14:

12 I realized that God had not sent him, because of the prophecy he spoke against me. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 

13 He was hired, so that I would be intimidated, do as he suggested, sin, and get a bad reputation, in order that they could discredit me. 

14 My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat for what they have done, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the other prophets who wanted to intimidate me.

Notice that those who represent GOD can be used by the enemy to prevent us from completing the assignment for which GOD has called us.

Nehemiah 6:15-16:

The Wall Completed

15 The wall was completed in 52 days, on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul. 

Success! In 52 days.

Elul is the sixth Jewish month which corresponds to our August-September time period. In fifty-two days the walls had been restored. WOW! After the Jews had been working to restore the walls for over a 100 years, Nehemiah with GOD’S help accomplished what others had failed to accomplish. Certainly, Nehemiah could have set back on his laurels but did he?

16 When all our enemies heard this, all the surrounding nations were intimidated and lost their confidence, for they realized that this task had been accomplished by our God. 

What GOD has ordained goes to completion! Why? It is GOD’S will, plan and purpose. This is true when we, as HIS Children, journey through life.

Accomplishing what GOD has called us to honors GOD and is a witness to others. So those fighting issues in their lives, do not give up but look to JESUS for their strength and GOD’S Word to defeat the enemy that seeks to destroy. Keep in mind 1 John 4:4:

“Greater is HE that is in you than he that is in the world.” JESUS has won the victory for all Christians, we must claim it and own it. Christians are over-comers as reflected in 1 John 2:14:

14 I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Accomplishment honors GOD and is a powerful witness to those who either do not know GOD or struggling with issues they need to turn over to GOD.

A period of time passed.

Let’s read Nehemiah 8:1-3:

Public Reading of the Law

1 all the people gathered together at the square in front of the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had given Israel. 

The water gate was on the east side of the city near the Gihon Spring. Since the coming of the promised Messiah, we can see a foreshadow of JESUS giving all who place their faith in HIM “living water” and that when HE returns to earth at HIS second coming, HE will come from the east.

It is not clear who called all the people together but many Bible scholars believe it was Nehemiah. But the key point is that all the people assembled at the water gate in honor of GOD and what HE had accomplished through them. All were in unity with each other and with GOD. They had singleness of purpose. When we, as Christians gather to worship that is exactly how we are to gather. The Priest/Scribe Ezra had been asked to read from the scripture. As a Priest, Ezra had the functional role in the temple and as such one who led the people into the presence of GOD. As scribe, Ezra had studied the law and had mastered its meaning and application.

Likely, this was done while Nehemiah was governor. Ezra led the people to renew their covenant with GOD. It seemed to be a rededication of all to GOD, including children who were of the age to understand.

When Christians take The LORD’S Supper, it is a reminder to them of what GOD has done for all who have asked JESUS to forgive them for their sins and asked JESUS to come into their hearts. It is a reminder of the new covenant GOD has made with all who place their faith in JESUS.

2 On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding. 

The first day of the seventh month (Tishri) corresponds to our September-October time period. This month on the Hebrew calendar is a very busy month e.g. the Feast of the Jewish New Year, the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles. In fact, every seventh year the priests were to read the Law to the people at the Feast of Tabernacles.

Copies of Old Testament were not readily available. Generally, the local synagogue would have a copy, as Ezra did. Thus, having the only copy, Ezra brought it.

3 While he was facing the square in front of the Water Gate, he read out of it from daybreak until noon before the men, the women, and those who could understand. All the people listened attentively to the book of the law. 

Imagine being in worship service for six hours. Ezra likely read from 6 AM until 12 noon. When we know the truth, we are eager to hear the truth and to be in the presence of truth. Time fly’s by, especially when you are thirsty for GOD’S Word. They knew what GOD had accomplished. Thus, “all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.” When we know the truth, we are eager to hear the truth. All the people had witnessed and experienced the hand of GOD at work in them, through them and around them.

4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform made for this purpose. Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah stood beside him on his right; to his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 

There were 13 people listed, plus Ezra. This equals 14 people or two perfect numbers 7 + 7. To the Jews the number seven means completeness and perfection. The 13 people were likely officials from Jerusalem. Their presence was likely a display of unity among the officials of Jerusalem for the people to see and know of their support.

As we read on, we see in verse 7, there is another group of 13 plus Ezra. These 14 are equipped to explain to the people what is being read to them. These thirteen are Levites, plus Ezra which again equals 14. They are strategically placed among the people to explain what they heard and to make certain they understood what they heard.

It is vital, when we read GOD’S Word that we understand it and know how to apply it to our lives.

Let’s read Nehemiah 8:5-8:

5 Ezra opened the book in full view of all the people, since he was elevated above everyone. As he opened it, all the people stood up.

Scripture was written on a scroll. Ezra was on an elevated wooden structure, in full view of the people. Then he unrolled the scroll, which was common in worship.

The people stood in reverence in honor of GOD and HIS Word during the reading of GOD’S Word. It was an expression of appreciation and gratitude.

6 Ezra blessed the Lord (Yahweh), the great God (Elohim), and with their hands uplifted all the people said, "Amen, Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 

Again, as an expression of humility, all the people “bowed down and worshiped” and they raised their hands uttering “Amen, Amen!” Ezra blessed or praised the One True GOD which he referred to as Yahweh and Elohim. How we worship is as we are led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

We bless the LORD JESUS and GOD when we obediently live for HIM. Psalm 37:23 - 23 The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;

7 Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah, who were Levites, explained the law to the people as they stood in their places. 

8 They read the book of the law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was read. 

Notice, there was an elevated (wooden) platform upon which Ezra, (the priest/scribe) stood. There were also 13 Levites who were strategically placed among the people to explain what Ezra was reading. They also helped with the reading of the scripture along with interpretation of the scripture.

Some Bible scholars think that some of the interpreters were translating the language being spoken, possibly into Aramaic, as well as helping the hearers understanding it both Spiritually and its application.

As recorded in 2 Timothy 3:16:

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

GOD’S Word transforms, renews, changes our hearts and leads us to change our lifestyle to conform to GOD’S desire for our lives.

Some Christians are called to help others to understand and apply GOD’S Word to their lives. We are all called to apply GOD’S Word to our lives.

Blessings!!!