Bible Study

✍️ Just for your thoughts.

The Book of Nehemiah – Lesson 9
Expository Commentary on the Book of Nehemiah

Among the 13 chapters in the Book of Nehemiah, Chapter 6 is especially significant. This chapter teaches how a believer who desires to serve must have courage and spiritual clarity.
In this chapter, we see two bold and powerful statements made by Nehemiah:
Nehemiah 6:3
“I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.”
Nehemiah 6:11
“Should such a man as I flee? And who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.”
Every believer who desires to serve must possess such determination and discernment.
? Background of the First Statement
All 66 books of the Bible are written for all believers—without distinction between full-time and part-time ministry. They are relevant to everyone.
Nehemiah was:
Not a prophet
Not a priest
Not a king
He was a government official, serving as the cupbearer to the king of the Persian Empire—a position of great trust and honor.
When he heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and the city was in disgrace:
He took it to heart
He discerned the will of God
He left his high position
With the king’s permission, he came as governor of Jerusalem
He began rebuilding the walls
⚔️ Opposition and Challenges
As he began this great work:
External enemies (Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem)
Internal Jewish nobles
Together:
Tried to frighten him
Threatened him
Mocked him
Discouraged him
Even after the walls were rebuilt and before the gates were set, his enemies invited him to meet in the plain of Ono.
? Their intention:
To distract and stop the work.
At that moment, Nehemiah said:
“I am doing a great work, so I cannot come down.”
This was not just a refusal—
? It was spiritual discernment.
He:
Understood the hidden trap
Rejected what was against God’s will
? Application for Today
Even today, when a believer walks in God’s will:
Many “plains of Ono” (distractions) will come
They may:
Appear good
But hinder spiritual progress
At such times, we must say:
? “I will not come down.”
⚠️ Second Test – From Within
The first attack came from outside.
The second came from within.
A man named Shemaiah:
Acted like a prophet
Urged Nehemiah to hide inside the temple
Tried to trap and discredit him
? This was a scheme.
Because:
Nehemiah was not a priest
Entering the temple was wrong for him
It would damage his testimony
So he declared:
“Should a man like me flee? I will not go!”
⚡ Key Lesson
In ministry:
We must be alert not only to external enemies
But also to false friendships
Some people:
Appear as friends
But intend to bring down the work
? Summary
Every believer must declare within:
“I will not come down from the work God has given me”
“I will not be trapped in the wrong place”
“My vision is from God”
“I am bought with a price; I will not be sold out”
? Final Reflection
When a believer:
Lives with dedication
Has clear vision
Remains in God’s will
? God’s hand will surely be with them.
When every believer:
Fulfills God-given vision
In the local church
And in the Body of Christ
? The Kingdom of God will grow beyond what we can imagine.