1. outside the walls Problems 4. Nehemiah let us rise and build
The Kettering Weekend March 2016

2. Structure OUTSIDE THE WALLS A | Complaints, complaints
B | Nehemiah’s response
C | Outcome
INTERACTION
OUTSIDE THE WALLS
SESSION 4

3. Generalised opposition
A constant problem
Constant complaints by people they were threatening/displacing
Generalised opposition +
Specific opposition
Complaints: Ezra 4:1 (Cyrus)
Ezra 4:6 (Ahasuerus (Xerxes))
Ezra 4:7 (Artaxerxes)
“Samaritans” in general appeared to resent returnees
Specific opposition against Nehemiah
OUTSIDERS
SESSION 4

4. Who was causing the problems?
[1] Sanballat the Horonite
Name (Sin-uballit) suggest Mesopotamian origin
Elephantine papyrus - Samaritan leader
Political rival to Nehemiah (2:10)
NB Sanballat doesn’t occur in Ezra – political not religious
Horon not known
Neh 2:10 – not what Nehemiah did but who he was that threatened S.
OUTSIDERS
NEHEMIAH 6

5. Who was causing the problems?
[2] Tobiah
Ammonite - name (Yah is good) ironic
Sanballat’s sidekick – features later
[3] Geshem
Arab chieftain?
Deut 23:3: An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even toi their tenth generation. (qv Neh 13:1)
Geshem – means “rain” (2:19) (Gashmu 6:6 – Nabatean)
OUTSIDERS
NEHEMIAH 6

6. What problems did they cause?
Scorn (2:19 – qv Ps 44:13)
Mocking/bravado (4:1-3)
Consipiracy to fight (4:7)
Plotting (6:2, 4, 5)
Accusation of rebellion (6:6&7)
Tobiah suborns Israelite prophets (6:10-14)
5th column (6:17-19)
Mal 1:2-5 Edom linked with Tobiah? Or Geshem?
OUTSIDERS
SESSION 4

7. Structure OUTSIDE THE WALLS A | Complaints, complaints
B | Nehemiah’s response
C | Outcome
OUTSIDE THE WALLS
SESSION 4

8. What was Nehemiah’s response?
Faith & steadfastness (2:20; 6:12,19)
Prayer (4:4, 9, 6:9,14)
Action (4:13, 6:3)
OUTSIDERS
SESSION 4

9. Structure OUTSIDE THE WALLS A | Complaints, complaints
B | Nehemiah’s response
C | Outcome
INTERACTION
OUTSIDE THE WALLS
SESSION 4

10. What were the good outcomes from external opposition?
So what was the outcome?
Good
INTERACTION
What were the good outcomes from external opposition?
Wall built
People united
Faithful witness
Enemies cast down
Audience participation – talk to your neighbour for 5 mins. What were good outcomes from external opposition? Illustrate from Nehemiah.
Lessons for us?
OUTSIDERS
SESSION 4

11. So what was the outcome? OUTSIDERS Bad
External influences didn’t go away
Eliashib as an object lesson
3:1 built and sanctified the Sheep Gate
NB. not signatory on covenant
13:4 established Tobiah in the Temple!
13:28 Sanballat’s daughter married Eliashib’s grandson
13: not just bringing in Tobiah (outside-in), but
breached Law in bringing in Ammonite
ceased proper temple practice (v5)
Nehemiah’s response (v8&9)– as Hezekiah & later Christ cleansed Temple
Edom (1:2-5) Tobiah Ammonite (linked to Edom) Geshem Arabian (Edomite?)
2:11 – married the daughter of a strange god – mixed marriages and Eliashib’s grandson marrying Sanballat’s daughter
2:12 – Master (Eliashib – priest whose lips should keep knowledge) & Scholar (Eliashib’s grandson) – him that offereth the offering (Eliashib, Joiada, grandson)
Lessons –
If time participation again – how had Tobiah got in? Eliashib weak and/or corrupt. Nehemiah away... What lessons ?
If not time: external factors can affect us gradually (develop); unequal yoking.... (NB mixed marriages not forbidden per se (Nb 12:1) but QV Deut 7:3. Mal 2:10 ff – fidelity to first wife)
OUTSIDERS
SESSION 4