Ezra 6
Nehemiah 6 describes a time when the rebuilding of the walls is nearing completion, and it shows both schemes of interference from the outside and difficulties arising from within. This chapter unfolds mainly around the various threats brought against Nehemiah and his responses.
- Verses 1–9: On four occasions, leaders of neighboring peoples—such as Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem—try to lure Nehemiah to an external meeting place in order to harm him.
- Verses 10–14: Even a person acting as a prophet (Shemaiah) attempts to spread fear and cause Nehemiah to hide in the temple.
- Verses 15–19: Despite all this interference, the wall is completed, and Nehemiah also mentions an internal communication problem between Tobiah’s influence over him and the Jewish nobles.
1verseThen Darius the king made a decree, and the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon, was searched.
2verseA scroll was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, and in it this was written for a record:
3verseIn the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning God’s house at Jerusalem, let the house be built, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let its foundations be strongly laid, with its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits;
4versewith three courses of great stones and a course of new timber. Let the expenses be given out of the king’s house.
5verseAlso let the gold and silver vessels of God’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple which is at Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought again to the temple which is at Jerusalem, everything to its place. You shall put them in God’s house.
6verseNow therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the River, you must stay far from there.
7verseLeave the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in its place.
8verseMoreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses must be given with all diligence to these men, that they not be hindered.
9verseThat which they have need of, including young bulls, rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; also wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests who are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail,
10versethat they may offer sacrifices of pleasant aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and of his sons.
11verseI have also made a decree that whoever alters this message, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened on it; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.
12verseMay the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who stretch out their hand to alter this, to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree. Let it be done with all diligence.
13verseThen Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and their companions did accordingly with all diligence, because Darius the king had sent a decree.
14verseThe elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
15verseThis house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
16verseThe children of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy.
17verseThey offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
18verseThey set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God which is at Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.
19verseThe children of the captivity kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.
20verseBecause the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together, all of them were pure. They killed the Passover for all the children of the captivity, for their brothers the priests, and for themselves.
21verseThe children of Israel who had returned out of the captivity, and all who had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the nations of the land to seek the LORD, the God of Israel, ate,
22verseand kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy; because the LORD had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, to strengthen their hands in the work of God, the God of Israel’s house.
Nehemiah’s Response and Its Meaning
In this chapter, Nehemiah responds to external schemes and temptations, as well as to the promotion of fear from within, with wisdom and a steadfast resolve. He verifies whether the other side is genuine, does not yield to fear, and keeps the community’s mission without losing steadiness. Nehemiah’s example shows the attitude that a community leader must have to deal with the external pressures and internal conflicts they face.
Key Message of Nehemiah Chapter 6
- Despite interference from both outside and inside, the posture of carrying out one’s mission according to God’s will
- Discerning the truth of a situation and not being swayed by emotions
- How a leader’s personal spirituality and trust affect the entire community
- The importance of faith that does not waver even in the face of people’s schemes
Meditation Points
- Let’s reflect on how, in my life or in my community, I face obstacles and temptations in the way I approach my mission like Nehemiah.
- Also, think about what kind of attitude of the heart is needed so that you can judge the situation wisely and not be controlled by fear or misunderstanding.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- When moving toward any goal or mission, there may be temptations from the outside and fear from within. Let’s examine ourselves, making sure we judge the truth correctly without losing our center, like Nehemiah.
- Decide to respond with faith and wisdom to even the small challenges I face today.
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