March 23 2025 // Nehemiah 6
APPLICATION: Read & watch/listen to Nehemiah6
Nehemiah 6
When the Enemy Attacks … Nehemiah 6:1-1
The Strategy of the Enemy Vs. 1-9
The Strength of Nehemiah vs. 10-14
The Supernatural Response vs 15-16
In a beautiful sermon at Pentecost delivered by Peter through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he concluded by urging the people to repent and submit their lives to Jesus, who had been made Messiah and Lord. The acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice was demonstrated by his resurrection from the dead. Then Peter told the crowd, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation” (Acts 2:40 KJV).
Untoward. We don’t use that old English word anymore. But it’s a good one. That little prefix “un-” creates a complete reversal of the word to which it is attached. Untoward describes people who are not going toward anything. This was the appellation Peter attached to an entire generation—wandering aimlessly, chasing one new idea after another, confused.
It could well describe our own generation. So many just wake up, go to work, come home, watch TV, go to bed, wake up, go to work, come home, watch TV: untoward. Others rush around, frantically chasing the next fad, the next pop theology, or the next theory: untoward. For too many people their days either fade away in a haze of sameness or scream for meaning.
If Nehemiah’s life demonstrates anything, it is purpose. He was focused. His heart was gripped by the desire to serve and honor God. His adoration and reverence of God propelled him through the challenges, dangers, and threats that each new day brought. Worship characterized his decisions and his actions. He was not distracted by empty arguments and endless discussions. He was not restrained by intimidation or stopped by fear. He was a man who knew where he was going because he was following God.[1]
Digging Deeper:
Pain and Trouble (6:1–14)
Many people blame Satan for all the pain in their lives. Sometimes he may interfere in our lives, disrupt them, and cause problems. It is well to know his strategies and objectives. But it is equally important to know that the Bible reveals many other sources for pain.
Questions to Consider:
1. Discuss what issues or attitudes within our culture distract Christians from serving Christ.
2. How would you respond to a person who accused you of being intolerant because you didn’t agree with his religious views?
3. When people discredit or misrepresent you, how should you respond? What course of action should you take, if any?
4. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). How should a Christian regard difficulties and danger?[2]
Prayer Time:
[1] Knute Larson and Kathy Dahlen, Holman Old Testament Commentary - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, ed. Max Anders (Broadman & Holman Publishers., 2005), 199.
[2] Knute Larson and Kathy Dahlen, Holman Old Testament Commentary - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, ed. Max Anders (Broadman & Holman Publishers., 2005), 201.
Nehemiah 6
When the Enemy Attacks … Nehemiah 6:1-1
The Strategy of the Enemy Vs. 1-9
a. Distraction
b. Deception
c. Despair
a. Requested in prayer
b. Revealed by his character
c. Reinforced by his discernment
d. Resulted in Prayer
The Supernatural Response vs 15-16
a. Completion of the wall
b. Exaltation of God’s name
Life Application:
In a beautiful sermon at Pentecost delivered by Peter through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he concluded by urging the people to repent and submit their lives to Jesus, who had been made Messiah and Lord. The acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice was demonstrated by his resurrection from the dead. Then Peter told the crowd, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation” (Acts 2:40 KJV).
Untoward. We don’t use that old English word anymore. But it’s a good one. That little prefix “un-” creates a complete reversal of the word to which it is attached. Untoward describes people who are not going toward anything. This was the appellation Peter attached to an entire generation—wandering aimlessly, chasing one new idea after another, confused.
It could well describe our own generation. So many just wake up, go to work, come home, watch TV, go to bed, wake up, go to work, come home, watch TV: untoward. Others rush around, frantically chasing the next fad, the next pop theology, or the next theory: untoward. For too many people their days either fade away in a haze of sameness or scream for meaning.
If Nehemiah’s life demonstrates anything, it is purpose. He was focused. His heart was gripped by the desire to serve and honor God. His adoration and reverence of God propelled him through the challenges, dangers, and threats that each new day brought. Worship characterized his decisions and his actions. He was not distracted by empty arguments and endless discussions. He was not restrained by intimidation or stopped by fear. He was a man who knew where he was going because he was following God.[1]
Digging Deeper:
Pain and Trouble (6:1–14)
Many people blame Satan for all the pain in their lives. Sometimes he may interfere in our lives, disrupt them, and cause problems. It is well to know his strategies and objectives. But it is equally important to know that the Bible reveals many other sources for pain.
- A fallen world.Romans 8 teaches that all creation groans and waits for the day when Christ will redeem the whole world and restore it to its original intent. This includes everything from disease to dandelions to tornados. The world is in a state of disruption and degeneration brought about by the fall of mankind into sin. These shock waves through the physical order affect our lives.
- Evil people. All of us have enough depravity and sinfulness to harm others. It includes caustic words, sarcasm, gossip, murder, abuse, and terror. From within the human heart comes the destructive energy of selfishness.
- God’s discipline. Hebrews 12 illustrates love as a father disciplining a child. God disciplines his children by allowing pain in their lives in order to train or correct them. It hurts, but love cannot neglect the object of its affection; to withhold discipline would be to deny the opportunity for growth and change.
- Self-inflicted wounds. Sometimes we hurt ourselves and bring grief into our life through our own poor choices. Our foolish decisions produce painful results. While we should show sympathy and compassion for the agonies and problems in our world, it should be evident that much trouble comes because we refuse to follow God’s clear commands.
Questions to Consider:
1. Discuss what issues or attitudes within our culture distract Christians from serving Christ.
2. How would you respond to a person who accused you of being intolerant because you didn’t agree with his religious views?
3. When people discredit or misrepresent you, how should you respond? What course of action should you take, if any?
4. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). How should a Christian regard difficulties and danger?[2]
Prayer Time:
[1] Knute Larson and Kathy Dahlen, Holman Old Testament Commentary - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, ed. Max Anders (Broadman & Holman Publishers., 2005), 199.
[2] Knute Larson and Kathy Dahlen, Holman Old Testament Commentary - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, ed. Max Anders (Broadman & Holman Publishers., 2005), 201.