Nehemiah 6:17-19 – Wrong Priorities
One of the most difficult things for spiritual leaders to face is half-heartedness and compromise from within. There is a staggering example of this in verses 17 to 19. The very nobles of Judah who had committed themselves to the work of building were, at the same time, in communication with one of the men who was seeking to stop the work v. 17.
In chapter 3:4, 30 Meshullam, son of Berechiah v. 18, is mentioned as helping with the work of rebuilding, indeed, he appears to have been willing to do more than many others, and yet he was maintaining contact with Tobiah, no doubt passing on information to him about how the work was progressing. It is hard to reconcile how he could be dedicating himself to work on the wall whilst corresponding regularly with a man who was attempting to destroy the work!
It seems that the reasons for this treacherous behaviour was that there were family ties between Meshullam and Tobiah, and that many of the nobles had binding financial and commercial relations with Tobiah which meant they were ‘bound by oath’ to him. It is a stark reminder of how easily the work of God can be undermined when family and financial concerns take priority over commitment to the work of the Lord.
James Philip makes a very pertinent and helpful comment when he writes, ‘The lessons of this chapter are very relevant for the spiritual life. Perhaps the chief is that we should note just how deeply penetrated the work of God can be with the influence of the evil one, and how very necessary it is for those who would do the Lord’s work effectually to be able to discern and ‘smell out’ the devil’s wiles, and expose them, and roundly challenge them in the Lord’s name’.
Questions
- What was Meshullam doing?
- Why were the nobles compromising in this way?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would not put finances or family before God.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.