Page 56 - Principles of Leadership - Nehemiah

We come to a new chapter that demonstrates Nehemiah’s refusal to quit in the face of opposition! In chapter
one, Nehemiah continued the vision path that God had placed on his heart. He refused to quit in the face of
discouragement, divisions, and discord. The walls are about to be completed, so the enemy attempts to attack
Nehemiah personally on many fronts to stop the process. But Nehemiah refused to quit. From this chapter, we
will discover three life lessons that kept him on the vision path that God had planted in his heart. Let’s learn
what they are…

The Lesson ...

Nehemiah 6:1-19

1. A plot to kidnap him (6:1-4)
Nehemiah 6:1 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—
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. 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?” 4 Four times they sent
me the same proposal, and I gave them the same reply.

The first life lesson that I see from this passage of Scripture is that Nehemiah kept working despite distractions.
Nehemiah realized that it was vital to keep the main thing the main thing. He was unwilling to allow himself to
become distracted from the main thing. The longer you are in ministry, the more you will find that many things
will try to sidetrack you from the main thing. Perhaps nothing is more distracting than criticism.”

Nehemiah had a discerning spirit and realized the evil intentions of those who were planning to harm me.
Notice how Nehemiah responded to the request of Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our
enemies. He said, “I am doing great work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it
and go down to you?” His response was not well received, and they badgered him yet three more times to try
to get him to respond differently. 4 Four times, they sent me the same proposal, and I gave them the same
reply. Further on in this chapter, we will discover that all these things were done so that Nehemiah would be 13
intimidated, sin, and get a bad reputation so that they could discredit me. God had evidently given Nehemiah
spiritual discernment to realize that it would be just as easy for Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem to come to
Jerusalem to meet with him. Nehemiah did not try to argue with them about their intentions. However, God
had revealed to him that they were planning to harm me. Therefore, he waited for God to reveal their true
intentions.

As we move forward in our explanation of this chapter, remember that the opposition was determined to cause
Nehemiah to sin and get a bad reputation to discredit him. If he did this, ultimately, God’s glory would be
tarnished. Therefore, we as leaders need to diligently pay attention to the lessons found in this chapter so as
not to tarnish the character of God. Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men so that they
may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (HCSB)

2. A plot to malign him (6:5-9)
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. 8 Then I replied to him, “There is nothing to these
rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.” 9 For they were all trying to intimidate
54