A progression of ploys

“Here I learned about the evil thing Eliashib had done in providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God.  I was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiah’s household goods out of the room.  I gave orders to purify the rooms, and then I put back into them the equipment of the house of God, with the grain offerings and the incense.”  Nehemiah 13:7b-9

How do we recognize spiritual warfare?  And how do we stand tall in the face of it?  Ever the clear-minded leader, Nehemiah teaches us another lesson by example ...

The Jerusalem Wall restoration project had two chief antagonists – Sanballat and his sidekick, Tobiah.  By the world’s standards, they were shrewd and intimidating.  Exposed in the light of one standing in discernment and faith, however, they looked ... well, downright silly.  Let’s look at the progression of their ploys …

Persecution Lite.  The opposition started mildly enough with simple ridicule [Nehemiah 4:1-3], Sanballat and Tobiah taunting the workers with insults seemingly scripted by a Kindergartener (“...if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall ...”).  Public embarrassment alone is enough to silence the conviction in some of us, but these builders prayed and kept on building.

Let’s get physical.  Unsuccessful with words, the dynamic duo plotted an attack [Nehemiah 4:7-9].  Many of us would cower under the threat of physical harm, but practical Nehemiah prayed first, then posted guards and armed his builders.

Can’t we just talk it over?  What do you do when intimidation doesn't work?  Feign detente!  So, Sanballat sent a message, offering to “meet together” at a neutral site [Nehemiah 6:1-4].  Some of us, while brave in the face of danger, can be awfully naive to “friendly” overtures and persuasion.  We need to be wise and alert to deception, as Nehemiah was.  By the way, his calendar was full; he declined.  Strike three.  Next batter.

Let's leverage!  We can now hear the whirring in Sanballat’s mind...  Hmm.  Clearly, Nehemiah is not afraid of us, but surely there must be someone he fears.  I’ve got it!  We’ll threaten to accuse him of conspiracy against the king [Nehemiah 6:5-9]!  That’ll scare him off!  Though schemes become more diabolical, we, like Nehemiah, must recognize them for what they are ... and turn to prayer.

Dial “M” for “mercenary”.  When you can’t destroy from the outside, what do you do?  Attack from the inside!  So Sanballat and Tobiah hired Delaiah, who tried to lure Nehemiah into the temple under the pretext of protection against an alleged assassination attempt [Nehemiah 6:10-14].  Realizing the ploy to discredit him, Nehemiah declined the offer ... and prayed.  Good advice for us when the plot thickens and the opposition grows.

It’s time to play “The Weakest Link”!  Which brings us to today’s text.  After navigating through all of these lies, tricks and schemes, imagine Nehemiah's absolute incredulity upon returning to Jerusalem after being away and finding that Eliashib had actually given Tobiah prime apartment space in the temple!  Despite constant vigilance on the part of Nehemiah and the builders, all it took for the enemy to penetrate into the heart of Jerusalem was one person lacking one time in courage, wisdom or faith ... just one person thinking that good should, for whatever reason, give space to evil!  How foolish!  And how tragic.

Admit it or not – like it or not – we battle every day against a predatory, crafty and relentless enemy.  And when good cries “Uncle!” in fear, weak-mindedness or fatigue, evil seizes the opportunity to infiltrate.

But we need not fear!  Christ has defeated our enemy and this conquering Christ lives in us.  Like Nehemiah, we, too, can walk in wisdom and stand in faith.  And always, always pray.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you.”  James 4:7-8a

[Read today’s text, Nehemiah 13:1-9, in the NIV, or in The Message.]