“But I said, ‘Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.’ And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me.”
Nehemiah 6:11-13 ESV
Last time we saw Shemaiah try to get our governor to lock himself inside the temple in an act of self-protection and power. Today we see Nehemiah’s response to such a suggestion.
Nehemiah is using a comparison word here. Should someone whose position – straight from the Persian King – is to govern and rebuild the people and wall of the City of God run away from danger?
“Should someone like me think only of myself and seek protection?”
Ah, comparison. Ah, self-protection. They are fairly connected, yes? When I compare myself with others I inevitably come up short in insecurity or seem to be faring better in superiority. Either way, focus lands on myself and I seek to protect what I have or feel I lack. This is the opposite of servant leadership.
And you? How does comparison sneak in and steal your calling and joy and contentment? When thinking through how to live out your time on this earth, do you try to imitate others or abide in the only Vine Who nourishes? Let’s choose wisely.
Running away wasn’t the answer for our governor, especially running into the sacred temple. “Who (mi – who?) should enter the temple and be saved (chayay – revive – from chayah – make alive, nourish, be whole)?
Remember, the priesthood represented the need for the people to offer sacrifices to a holy, perfect, just Yahweh. The office was set apart for those who would go through regular cleansing rituals He had ordained. Such carefulness was to inspire worship and reverence.
If Nehemiah as acting governor carelessly barged in out of fear, what sort of message would that communicate about his trust in and reverence for Elohim? Or his responsibility to the people and mission? No, the priests were to reverently tend the temple and care for the people. Nehemiah was to trust God to fulfill the mission given him.
How grateful are you our Great High Priest forever offered the perfect sacrifice for all people? Now, in comparison, we can approach the throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. His arms are open wide and our relationship secure because of Jesus’ blood, giving soul nourishment as he makes dead people come alive. Without taking away an ounce of His worth or glory or perfection or just character, He made His temple our very human hearts. Joy!
“I discerned (nakar – distinguished, perceived) and saw (hinneh– lo! behold! demonstrative – now surely see) Elohim had not urgently sent (shalach) Shemaiah, but this prophecy (nebuah) came against me (al – hover over) because Tobiah and Sanballat hired him.”
Oh, please, King Jesus. Discernment for your Bride in our time. May we surely see the forces of evil in the heavenly realms – not so we run in fear but so we know where and how to walk in Your authority. There is such a difference between manipulation and spiritual protection from God. He doesn’t ask us to stress about how to know the difference, but to daily surrender and walk with Him. He won’t ask us to do things that go against His Word, His heart. He won’t leave us alone, floundering to distinguish between good and evil. He will make it known through the Holy Scriptures and His very Spirit in our hearts.
“For this intention (maan) Shemaiah was hired, so that I might be afraid (yare – improper fear), sin (chata – to miss, bear the blame) so they could have (hayah) an evil report in order to defame (charaph– strip, pull off/expose) me.”
That was the goal, you see. To get Nehemiah to fear unnecessarily for his life, run into the off-limits temple, bring sin upon himself and a juicy report for others that would discredit him. May we all understand and see, like Nehemiah, that we have an enemy who seeks to kill, steal, and destroy. He is not our friend. He would desire to expose us as frauds, strip us of our royal covering, defame the Bride of Christ, and have us hopelessly wither under the weight of our blame.
What a waste! Jesus came to destroy the devil’s work. He came to give us the fullest life possible – rarely in material benefits but always in spiritual fruit as we cooperate.
Let’s lean into His plans for us, knowing our worth is secure. There’s no need to run and hide, defend or react in fear. We don’t even need to prove ourselves to anyone.
We can simply abide and follow, learning to see His heart in everything.