3. In verses 9 and 15, what did Nehemiah model as the motive behind consid- ering others first?
DAY 4
Conspiracy Against Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:1–9)
1. How did Nehemiah overcome the attempts to bully, intimidate, and accuse him in verses 1–7?
2. What do you learn from Nehemiah about dealing with rumors and false ac- cusations? (See vv. 8–9.)
FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH
FEAR OF GOD “Nehemiah often talks about fear–of enemies (Neh. 4:14; 6:9, 14, 16, 19) and of God (1:11; 5:9, 15). He knows the ‘great and awesome’ Lord (1:5), the only one worthy of fear–and the one who fights for His people and delivers them from fear of their enemies. Nehemiah understands David’s words: ‘The L ord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?’ (Ps. 27:1). But he also understands Proverbs’ words describing the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10). Nehemiah is a great example of Proverbs’ wisdom, applying the fear of God to all of life and showing the kind of prudence and understanding celebrated in the Wisdom Literature. This includes the realm of social respon- sibility: addressing their injustice toward the needy, Nehemiah calls the people to ‘walk in the fear of our God’ (Neh. 5:9). Jesus comes calling people to fear only the God in heaven, the one ‘who can destroy both soul and body in hell’ (Matt. 10:28). He offers in himself the authoritative word on fear: ‘Do not fear, only believe’ (Mark 5:36).” 56
56 E zra and Nehemiah. Knowing the Bible series. pg. 63.
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