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Nehemiah Chapter 6:1-9
The Trump Card: Geshem
and Worldly
Compromise.
By I
Gordon
6:1-2 Now it came about when it was reported
to Sanballat, Tobiah, to Geshem the Arab, and to the rest of our enemies that I
had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach remained in it, although at
that time I had not set up the doors in the gates, that Sanballat and Geshem
sent a message to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together at Chephirim
in the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me.
After
a bit of in-house fighting and dummy spitting (Ch5), we see the next attack
come in Nehemiah chapter 6. But by now the scenario is slightly different. Lets
just pause for a moment and look at the stages of the attacks so far. Firstly,
when the work on the wall began, the opposition came mainly through a mind
attack using fear and mockery. This is the Christian beginning his new life.
Its Satan's first up effort to prevent growth. When the wall was half its
height (ch 4:6) the tactics changed. The Christian was older and had better
defences. Mind games may have slowed him a bit, but once the helmet of
salvation went on, that attack didn't have its intended effect anymore. A
physical attack was now called for. Again the armour of God came to his rescue
and work on the walls progressed. Now in chapter 6 we read that Nehemiah had "rebuilt the wall, and no breach
remained in it, although at this time he had not set up the doors in the
gates." (vs1). Here we have it; first no walls, then half its height,
and now the wall fully completed. No more at the mercy of the enemies attacks![1] The picture is of a mature believer
in Christ who has learned to stand strong in the Lord. So what could penetrate
such strong walls? What attack could Satan try now? Actually, Jesus gives us
the answer as to what happens at this stage of a believer’s life.[2] Satan changes tactics and tries to
choke our spiritual life by the "deceitfulness of wealth." Enter Geshem!
On
hearing that the wall itself had been completed, we read "that Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying 'Come, let
us meet together in the plain of Ono.' But they were planning to harm me."
(vs 2) What were the tactics used when the walls of salvation were fully
completed? Get him to come out! Lure him out from behind his secure walls and
set up a meeting with Geshem (the world) in the plain of Ono. The word 'ono'
actually means 'his strength' and is a derivative from the word 'one' meaning
'ability, power or wealth'. To me that's quite a picture! At a time when the
walls are completely rebuilt, Sanballat's (Satan's) tactics is to use Geshem
(the world) to draw the mature believers out of their strong salvation, into
the place of 'his strength'. And his strength is in regard to his 'ability,
power and wealth'[3]. No wonder Jesus warned that even a
grown seed could become choked by the 'worry
of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth.' (Matt 13:22). It doesn’t
happen overnight once a believer has matured to this stage of his walk, but it
is a slow and subtle choking that occurs. Beware the choking from the
deceitfulness of wealth and the cares of this life!
Apart from Geshem, I think if you
actually went to Ono you would probably find the remains of several once-famous
televangelists and a few still alive who just enjoy living there. Ability,
power and wealth seems pretty attractive[4]
but we should always remember that behind it all, 'they were planning to harm me.' (vs2)
Nehemiah’s Response: It’s a great work!
6:3-4 ‘So I sent messengers to them,
saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work
stop while I leave it and come down to you?” And they sent messages to
me four times in this manner, and I answered them in the same way.’
Verse 3 of chapter 6, gives I believe,
the answer to combating the temptations and pull of the world. I will leave
this at the moment, as it is also our defence from the next attack of Geshem.
It only needs to be added that Geshem's attempts, with Sanballat of course
lurking in the background, were quite constant and carried on even after
Nehemiah's initial declaration that he would not go down to Ono. In fact in
verse 4 we read that "they sent
messages to me four times in this manner, and I answered them in the same
way." Geshem doesn't give up easily and I'm sure Sanballat will keep
using him as he has been so successful in the past.[5]
The Return of Geshem: Be
afraid, be very afraid! (Ch 6:5-9)
6:5-8 Then Sanballat sent his servant to me
in the same manner a fifth time with an open letter in his hand. In it was
written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the
Jews are planning to rebel; therefore you are rebuilding the wall. And you are
to be their king, according to these reports. “And you have also appointed
prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, ‘A king is in Judah!’ And now
it will be reported to the king according to these reports. So come now, let us
take counsel together.”
With Sanballat and Geshem's plans for lunch at
Ono looking less and less likely, a new plot was now hatched between the
dynamic duo. If you can't get the Christian interested in wealth, prosperity
and worldly power, how about a bit of slander among the nations to keep him
unproductive in the work of God. We read "then
Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same manner a fifth time with an open
letter in his hand. In it was written, 'It is reported among the nations, and
Geshem says, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel; therefore you are
rebuilding the wall. And you are to be their King...Come now let us take
counsel together.' (vs5-7) Geshem seems to only have two useful tricks; if
he can't get you to compromise with the world he will at least get you scared
of what they are thinking and saying about you. In other words, Geshem's second
attack is the fear of man![6]
The picture and types stand true again. Sanballat's servant brings the report
of Geshem spreading rumours among the nations. This is Satan using his power
over the people in the world to paralyse the Christian’s life and witness[7].
In fact, while the fear of man is a huge ploy of the enemy, slander to this
extent seems quite an elite group to break into.[8] Nehemiah was however, able to
recognise these tactics and in verse 9 we read, "For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, 'they will
become discouraged with the work and it will not be done'. But now O God,
strengthen my hands. " No wonder the bible says that 'the fear of man
brings a snare, but those who trust in the Lord will be kept safe.' Geshem's
rumours among the nations were designed to frighten Nehemiah's men. The
intended result was to paralyse the workers through fear. Truly the fear of man
is a snare. It can paralyse, making us totally inactive for Gods kingdom. What's sad is that a lot of the time
when we're scared of what people are thinking, they aren't! (Thinking that is.)
But the fear grips us the same none the less. But those that trust in the Lord
will be kept safe.
6:8-9 ‘Then I sent a message to him
saying, “Such things as you are saying have not been done, but you are
inventing them in your own mind.” For all of them were trying to
frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will
not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.’
Nehemiah's response as always was in faith and
determination saying 'But now O God,
strengthen my hands.' In other
words, turn my fear to faith, and my doubt to determination! He would not let
slander or the fear of man stand in his way. Nor would he buckle to worldly
compromise but in lifting all things to the throne of God, found strength and
determination to run the race to the very end.
