Nehemiah : WK 6 - THU
Compromise
Nehemiah 6:10-13
Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.”
But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won’t do it!” I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin. Then they would be able to accuse and discredit me.
One of the most intense challenges of leadership is resisting the temptation to take shortcuts when opportunities arise. What do you do when the success you’ve prayed for becomes available, but through the wrong means?
As the work on the wall nears completion, Nehemiah visits Shemaiah, whom he has no reason to distrust. Unbeknownst to him, Shemaiah has been hired to propose a compromise. It is well-known that enemies wish to eliminate the Jewish leader and halt the Jerusalem project. However, Sanballat’s group has encountered such little success that they decide to change their tactics. If they can persuade Nehemiah to make a selfish choice, they can undermine his leadership and put an end to the progress that way.
Shemaiah suggests they meet in a safer place than his home. No one would notice if they met in the temple in a section where only priests were expected. Yes, technically, they weren’t allowed to go into those areas. But who would see? Nehemiah is too important to risk capture or murder. Perhaps God has established the temple for just such an occasion as this.
Integrity acts as a safeguard against compromise. When you combine integrity with faith in God’s promises, a significant problem is averted. Nehemiah stands firm, and the plot is revealed.
In this story, we hear echoes of the serpent in the Garden of Eden suggesting compromise to Eve, David’s men in a cave urging him to murder Saul, and the devil in the wilderness offering Jesus the kingdom if He will bow down. The pages of scripture are filled with opportunities for compromise. However, the followers of God take the long way around and trust in Yahweh.
Once again, Nehemiah shows wisdom and strength, enabling the work to continue without hindrance. We, too, must resist the compromises so readily offered.
Nehemiah 6:10-13
Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.”
But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won’t do it!” I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin. Then they would be able to accuse and discredit me.
One of the most intense challenges of leadership is resisting the temptation to take shortcuts when opportunities arise. What do you do when the success you’ve prayed for becomes available, but through the wrong means?
As the work on the wall nears completion, Nehemiah visits Shemaiah, whom he has no reason to distrust. Unbeknownst to him, Shemaiah has been hired to propose a compromise. It is well-known that enemies wish to eliminate the Jewish leader and halt the Jerusalem project. However, Sanballat’s group has encountered such little success that they decide to change their tactics. If they can persuade Nehemiah to make a selfish choice, they can undermine his leadership and put an end to the progress that way.
Shemaiah suggests they meet in a safer place than his home. No one would notice if they met in the temple in a section where only priests were expected. Yes, technically, they weren’t allowed to go into those areas. But who would see? Nehemiah is too important to risk capture or murder. Perhaps God has established the temple for just such an occasion as this.
Integrity acts as a safeguard against compromise. When you combine integrity with faith in God’s promises, a significant problem is averted. Nehemiah stands firm, and the plot is revealed.
In this story, we hear echoes of the serpent in the Garden of Eden suggesting compromise to Eve, David’s men in a cave urging him to murder Saul, and the devil in the wilderness offering Jesus the kingdom if He will bow down. The pages of scripture are filled with opportunities for compromise. However, the followers of God take the long way around and trust in Yahweh.
Once again, Nehemiah shows wisdom and strength, enabling the work to continue without hindrance. We, too, must resist the compromises so readily offered.
- Have you ever played a game with someone who attempted to cheat? How did you feel about that? What did you do?
- Were you ever offered “help” in school with a paper, project or test that you knew was inappropriate? What did you do?
- What area of your integrity could use some forgiveness and restoration? What would you like to say to Jesus about that?
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