“Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.”
Nehemiah 6:14 ESV
Last time we listened in on Nehemiah’s response that he should hide away in the sacred temple without the authority to do so. Today we get an insight into his prayers to Elohim.
Bring to mind (zakar), Elohim, these deeds Sanballat and Tobiah have done (maaseh – deed, wrought). Moreover (gam), the prophetess (nebiah) Noadiah (whose name means “meeting with Yah”) and the other prophets/speakers (nabi) who would have me (hayah) in improper fear (yare).
The first thing our governor did in his prayer is ask Elohim to remember. We’ve seen this before when Nehemiah was asking God to remember him for the beautiful. Here he asks our Remembering God to bring to mind his enemies’ wrong deeds against him.
Before we jump all over Nehemiah for praying something opposite for his enemies than for himself, let us remember all he was experiencing at this point. For weeks, and at every turn, those opposed to what God had sent him to do had tried to thwart the work, discourage him and the people, and threaten his life. Nehemiah had resisted multiple attempts to get him to leave his calling, sin against God, and save his own skin. So what does he do? He tells God exactly how he feels.
At this point our governor does not want to show mercy. He is not interested in removing the plank from his own eye first. He does not care about praying for those who persecute him. He wants justice. He wants God to remember how they’ve hurt him.
What do you think would happen if Nehemiah stayed in this state of mind? What happens when you stay here? Likely not anything good.
But suppose Nehemiah did nothing with all his anger and hurt at injustice. What would happen then? What happens when you leave things unresolved or ignored? Usually nothing good.
So perhaps Nehemiah was dealing with things in the best way. Pouring out his heart to God rather than others or his enemies. There’s likely no other way for him to get to the place of looking at eye planks, offering mercy, or genuinely praying. He would have to start with his heart. We all do.
No matter how right you think you are in any given situation out there, what would it take to get to kind? To forgiveness and personal humility and agape love? Could we start where Nehemiah did? On our knees, dealing with our anger so we become aware of our own shortcomings, ready to hear others out? It has been very clear this week in the news that people are hurting. Life is so hard, friends. Let’s not make it harder on each other.
Nehemiah’s complaints to God focus on more than Sanballat and Tobiah. He specifically points out the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would seek to make him afraid.
What a gut check, Believers. What is our motivation in speaking God’s Word or being his spokespeople? If the illusion of power to make others fall into improper fear is our goal, let’s fall on our faces now. The Sword of the Spirit is a weapon against darkness, not humans made in the image of Elohim.
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.“
Ephesians 6:11, 17-18 NLT
If it’s true that it won’t be by might nor by power but by His Spirit that Kingdom work is accomplished, let’s first be concerned with the issues in our own hearts and petitions before the King in prayer. Only then will we be able to share God’s Word with compassion and emulate His kindness that leads to repentance.
The only yare we ought to desire to inspire in speaking forth His Word is the reverence of such a magnificent, glorious Most High God and His spectacular ways for creation. May we go in that desire and His authority.