Lesson 17
background notes
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doctrinal / teaching points
- Compromise is no problem when priorities are in order.
- The enemy is very persistent.
practical applications
- Let’s be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
- Stay busy!
questions
- What was the proposed site of the conference?
- How did the enemies try to get Nehemiah to attend?
- When is a suggestion to compromise not a problem?
- What is it that we must learn to prioritize?
- When you hear several voices suggesting different directions to take,
how should you sort them out?
- Refer to Matthew 10:16. What does it mean?
answers
- At one of the villages in the Plain of Ono (near Tel Aviv, where Ben
Gurion airport is located today). It was not neutral ground – it was
on the border of enemy territory, near Ashdod, a day’s journey
from Jerusalem.
- They said that it was important, a peace treaty. They pushed for what
they called peaceful co-existence, saying that the wall could be finished
later.
- When priorities are in order.
- Things of eternal value must be our top priority.
- Wait, pray, and check the information with the teaching of the word
of God.
- “Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” Beware of
enemy traps; give gentle but truthful answers. Unbelievers will try to
trap you with your own words.
discuss/consider
- Sanballat and Geshem tried to get Nehemiah to meet in the name of peace
(but they planned to harm him). Have you ever fallen into a trap like
the one set for Nehemiah?
- What happens when someone puts pressure on you (they sent a message
to Nehemiah four times)? What do you do? Do you cave in? Compromise?
Or do you stand firm?
challenge
Nehemiah had his priorities straight. His work for the Lord was #1. What
are your priorities? What is #1 in your life?
memorize
- “Why should the work cease while I
leave it?” Nehemiah
6:3
