Tag: Nehemiah

Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt: Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize

Nehemiah faced multiple forms of opposition as he sought to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Sanballat, Tobiah, and others continually tried to disrupt the work through various tactics: intimidation, discouragement, and disinformation. Each of these methods is a classic tactic used to sow fear and confusion, causing people to doubt their mission. But Nehemiah’s focus and reliance on God serve as a powerful example for us today.

First, there was the scare tactic. Sanballat and Tobiah mocked the efforts of the builders. They laughed at them, claiming the wall would crumble if even a fox walked on it (Neh. 4:3). The aim was to undermine their confidence and make them second-guess the importance of their work. It’s not too different from the whispers we might hear today: “What difference will it make?” “Are you sure this is even worth it?” “Maybe you should just stop before you embarrass yourself.” These subtle doubts can erode our resolve if we give them space in our minds.

Second, they tried to incite fear with the threat of violence. Sanballat and Tobiah spread rumors about an imminent attack (Neh. 4:11). In response, half the workers stood guard while the other half built the wall, each holding a weapon at their side (Neh. 4:17-18). The key here is how Nehemiah addressed the threat — he neither ignored it nor let it paralyze the work. He took practical precautions, but the work continued. Sometimes in life, we face real threats — whether it’s fear of failure, personal attacks, or genuine danger. In such moments, wisdom calls for both vigilance and persistence. But we cannot allow fear to derail us from our God-given purpose.

The enemy didn’t stop there. They then resorted to lies and manipulation. Sanballat sent letters accusing Nehemiah of rebelling against the king, a serious claim that could have cost him his life (Neh. 6:5-9). Nehemiah saw through the lies and refused to be intimidated. He didn’t waste time trying to defend himself or prove his innocence — he trusted that God would vindicate him. In our own lives, we can face misinformation and rumors, especially in today’s age of social media. It’s easy to feel like we need to respond to every accusation or defend ourselves against every misunderstanding. But sometimes, the best response is to keep moving forward and trust that the truth will eventually come to light.

Finally, Nehemiah faced attempts at compromise. Sanballat and Tobiah invited him to a meeting, which was a veiled attempt to ambush him (Neh. 6:2-3). Nehemiah saw through their plan and refused, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” He didn’t let himself get distracted. Today, distractions can come in many forms — whether it’s the temptation to engage in fruitless arguments, to take on tasks that aren’t ours, or to settle for less than what God has called us to. Once we have our orders from the King, we must stay the course without compromise or delay.

Nehemiah shows us that opposition, whether through fear, intimidation, lies, or distraction, is inevitable. Yet, his example reminds us that we don’t have to give in. Just as Nehemiah had orders from the king of Persia and stayed focused, we have orders from the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. When we are sure of what God has called us to, we must stay focused on the mission, trusting that He will provide the strength, wisdom, and protection we need to overcome every obstacle.

When God’s Commands Collide: Wrestling with Ezra’s Divorce Edict

The story in Ezra 9-10, where Israel’s leaders command the people to divorce their foreign wives and send away their children, can be deeply unsettling. It seems unthinkable for a people called by God to care for the vulnerable, to suddenly turn their backs on their wives and children. Our initial response may be one of horror: how could this be God’s will? These women and young children, likely no older than toddlers given the timeline, are being abandoned. Should we expect this from the “God-fearing” men of Israel?

As we try to understand this difficult passage, it’s clear that these marriages were in direct violation of God’s command in Deuteronomy 7:3-4, where God forbade intermarrying with foreign nations to prevent the spread of idolatry. Ezra’s grief over this sin shows his deep concern for Israel’s spiritual purity, and his leadership reflects a heartfelt desire to bring the people back to God’s covenant. The consensus view among scholars is that Israel was in danger of repeating the same sins that had led them into exile, and this radical measure was necessary to protect the nation from further disobedience. In this sense, the command was aimed at ensuring the long-term survival of Israel as a people devoted to the Lord.

However, as admirable as Ezra’s zeal for God was, we must also wrestle with the painful fallout of this decision. The law emphasized caring for widows and orphans (Exodus 22:22), but these divorces would have created precisely that: a vulnerable group of women and children left without protection and provision. This raises a critical question: was this the best course of action? The passage offers no direct word from God about this particular command, only the advice of Shecaniah, and nowhere do we see God explicitly endorsing the divorces.

When we look at the broader picture of Scripture, we see that God often blessed people despite their failures. Take King David as a prominent example. His harem of wives and concubines clearly violated Deuteronomy 17:17, which forbade Israel’s kings from acquiring many wives. Yet God’s favor was evident in David’s life, not because of his obedience in this area, but because of his heart for God. It suggests that, while these marriages in Ezra were against the law, God may not have required such drastic measures for the people to return to Him. After all, He had already been blessing them before the command to divorce these women was ever issued.

This brings us to another possible interpretation: while the marriages were undeniably wrong, perhaps maintaining them would have been the lesser of two evils. Keeping the marriages intact would uphold the high view of marriage that permeates Scripture, and it would prevent creating the very widows and orphans that Israel was called to protect. After all, God had blessed Israel’s efforts before the divorces—was such a painful remedy really necessary?

In the end, Christians may come to different conclusions about how to interpret Ezra 9-10. Some will see the divorces as a necessary step toward restoring Israel’s faithfulness to the covenant. Others, like myself, hold that while the marriages were certainly wrong, tearing them apart may have done more harm than good. Either way, this passage challenges us to grapple with the complexity of obeying God in a fallen world. It calls us to acknowledge that even in difficult decisions, God’s mercy, justice, and faithfulness can always be trusted. As believers, we can disagree in good faith, but we must always seek to uphold the integrity of both God’s commands and His compassion.