The fifth time—same messenger, same message—Sanballat sent an unsealed letter with this message: “The word is out among the nations—and Geshem says it’s true— that you and the Jews are planning to rebel. That’s why you are rebuilding the wall. The word is that you want to be king and that you have appointed prophets to announce in Jerusalem, ‘There’s a king in Judah!’ The king is going to be told all this—don’t you think we should sit down and have a talk?” I sent him back this: “There’s nothing to what you’re saying. You’ve made it all up.” Then I met secretly with Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, at his house. He said: Let’s meet at the house of God, inside The Temple; Let’s find safety behind locked doors because they’re coming to kill you, Yes, coming by night to kill you. I said, “Why would a man like me run for cover? And why would a man like me use The Temple as a hideout? I won’t do it.” Nehemiah 6: 5-8, 10, 11, MSG.
Gracious Heavenly Father, as we continue our study today, we invite Your Holy Spirit to come and teach us. In the precious name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Yesterday I said that there were two main concepts that we would consider in our study of rule number two. I believe the word premise might be a more appropriate term to use instead of concept (I changed the term in yesterday’s devotional). So today we will begin our study with the second premise: “The Repairers of Broken Walls” ought to be people of integrity. Notice that one of the ploys used by Shemaiah, to distract Nehemiah from his job of repairing the wall was with the intention of undermining his integrity. He invented the story that “they” were coming to kill Nehemiah, and that he was to seek refuge in the temple. In other words find “sanctuary” in the house of God. The use of sanctuary is available to innocent or guilty persons alike. Fugitives who were evading arrest could seek sanctuary around the altar in a temple. This action was intended to cast doubt on Nehemiah’s character.
Remember that Sanballat had invented the lie that Nehemiah was planning to declare himself king of Judah, and that the king would get word of this and therefore, it was in Nehemiah’s best interest to have a talk with him (I wonder why? What could he have done in defense of Nehemiah?). Of course Nehemiah informed him, in no uncertain terms, that he was on to his tricks, and refused to talk to him. Because Nehemiah knew that he had no such plans (he was completely transparent), he could do this without fear of reprisal. Now Shemaiah is talking about a murder plot against Nehemiah, but fails to reveal who are the ones behind the plot. “They” are not identified. If Nehemiah had agreed to this plan, it would have been a tacit form of admitting guilt. Therefore, once again, Nehemiah declines this suggestio; this time with the words: “Why would a man like me run for cover? And why would a man like me use The Temple as a hideout? I won’t do it.” In other words, “Why would I want to do something like this? I am not a fugitive of justice. I have nothing to hide, and I want no part of this plan.”
“Repairers of Broken Walls” ought not only to be pure, but also to appear pure. This appearance is not for fanfare. It is their way of life. “By their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7: 20). There was much to be lost by seeking refuge in the Temple. First of all, he would be leaving the people without a leader. This would have been one of the most damaging blows to the cause. In times of emergency, people need to see the leader of the cause, at the head. The last thing a good leader wants to do is give the impression that he is vacillating in his stance. It would most certainly have weakened the people, and given the enemy an opportunity to come in and undo, all that they had accomplished. No good shepherd would leave his or her sheep unattended, and certainly not when he or she knows that there are wolves around! So Nehemiah, as a man of integrity, did not abandon his post.