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Defeating Ourselves

February 2, 2014 Series: Nehemiah

Passage: Nehemiah 5:1–19

DEFEATING OURSELVES       NEHEMIAH 5:1-19

Recap

  • Chapters 1-3: Nehemiah returns to initiate the rebuilding of the wall, and seeks to revive the people.
  • Chapter 4: Enemy's attacks via threats, ridicule and discouragement
  • Chapter 5: Enemy's internal attacks

The outcry of the people (v.1-5)

  • The people cried out because they were oppressed.
  • Various hardships emerged because of the focus on building the wall. There was not enough food (v.2), mortaging because they did not have enough money (v.3), too many loans (v.4) and their children were forced to be slaves to pay off their debts (v.5).

The outrage of Nehemiah (v.6-13)

  • Nehemiah was very angry when he heard of the people's plight, yet verse 7 tells us he "took counsel wtih (himself)". Nehemiah made sure he took time to get his emotions in control, to respond instead of reacting rashly.
  • Nehemiah also contended with the nobels and officials (v.7b) and appealed to them. He appealed to the fact that God himself had redeemeed his people, and therefore, they had no right to subject their fellow Jewish brothers to slavery again (v.8).
  • Nehemiah also reminded the people to fear God (v.9), follow his example (v.10), make resitutions (v.11), and make an oath (v.12).

The outlook of Nehemiah (v.14-19)

  • Nehemiah was entitled to food allowances because he was the governor, but he did not live as he could. Instead, he lived as he should.
  • He did not want to burden the people (v.17-18) and ultimately only sought God's pleasure (v.19).

What lessons can we learn? 1. God's people must confront source of internal conflict (v.6-13)

  • Confront in a biblical way, with a "spirit of gentleness" (Gal 6:1)
  • Handle conflicts in the spirit of God, with the Word of God, in the way of God (Jas 1:19, Prov 5:1, 1 Tim 5:1, Eph 4:29).

2. Be committed to pleasing God.

  • Because Nehemiah wanted to please God more than himself, or those around him, there were no sacrifices too big for him. Neither was there a group too powerful for him to tackle.
  • God is the only one worth fearing.

More in Nehemiah

March 16, 2014

Staying Spiritually Strong

March 9, 2014

Real People, Real Revival & Real Results

March 2, 2014

Revive Us, Oh Lord!