Hope Is On The Horizon
“Arise,
shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you."
Isaiah 60:1-2
V 1 Now it came to pass when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)
V 2 That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
V 3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
V 4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner. Nehemiah 6:1-4
Exposing The Works Of The Enemy
In verse 1, Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem the Arab they heard about the good work that Nehemiah was doing and in verse 2, operating in falsehood, they tried to lure Nehemiah away from his assignment, in an attempt to stop the work.
The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The LORD shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. Psalm 37:12-15
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. Psalm 37:30-34
Nehemiah's Enemies Conspire Against Him
“I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it
and go down to you?” Nehemiah 6:3
Devil Your Request Has Been Denied!
In Verse 3 Nehemiah said, I am doing a great work, I cannot come down; why should the work cease while I come dow to you? Four times they made their request and verse 4 tells us that all four times, Nehemiah answered them as he did the first time.
What Does Falsehood Mean?
Falsehood plain and simple is the opposite of what is is true; it's to lie, to operate undercover, to hoodwink someone.
Falsehood is the artful skill of deceiving others by the use of evil devices, such as evil speaking, gossiping, spreading rumors, spreading lies and evil influences by way of evil associations.
When a person is practicing falsehood they are purposely displaying fraudulent behavior for the sole purpose of deceive others to cause harm.
What Does Lure Mean?
Lure is to tempt or entice someone:
- to do something or to stop doing something
- to say something or to stop saying something
In this text, Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem tried to stop the work that Nehemiah was doing in rebuilding the walls. Their attempt to stop God's work failed. Stay alert because.....
Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,
but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.
Provers 26:24 -25,
Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem, operating in
"Falsehood"
Tried to "Lure"
Nehemiah away so that they could harm
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life John 3:16
