Nehemiah's Revival

Part 4

We are separated…when you hear the trumpet rush to where we are.  Neh. 4:19

Who decides to sound the trumpet?  Can just anyone amongst the people do it?  That seems a disorganized plan.  After all, Nehemiah was a highly organized leader.  Up to this point he had ordered continual prayer, defensive preparedness – stay clothed, weapons in hand even while working, organized by families, strengthened leadership, with threats against those who did not comply, even the priests.  He was a man of strategy and a man of valiant faith.

THE SHOFAR

The use of the trumpet to rally the people has deep roots to the Jews.  The shofar is a sound to which mystics attribute voice like qualities, even linking it to the human soul, or neshama. 

“Chazal use this same concept to teach us that the sound Adam HaRishon heard on wakening from his creation, was the sound of a shofar, the sound made by his neshama as it entered him. This suggests that the shofar can take us back to the very moment when our neshama entered us.” From The Significance of the Shofar (שופר) By Hillel ben David (Greg Killian) http://www.betemunah.org/shofar.html

Hillel ben David also describes the root meaning of the word shofar as “a sense of incising”.  It is a sound that is able to cut or burn into our consciousness.  It is believed to have the power to stir a heart to repentance.  It is used for the voice of God that went walking in the garden sending out that most piercing question of where Adam was (spiritually).  Isn’t it much like the word of God which has the ability to pierce between soul and spirit? 

The shofar was the sound heard when Moses called the people to Mt. Sinai; they begged Moses to speak, not God, for fear of dying overtook them with the smoking and shaking of the mountain and the sound of the trumpet (Exodus 20: 18, 19).  This is yet another reference connecting the sound of the shofar with the sound of God’s voice.

So what, then? -  the sound of the trumpet is likened to the sound of God’s very voice, carrying on its loud and startling note the call to gather, to repent, to war, to be without hypocrisy.  This seems like the call to revival.  And to answer the question of who will sound the trumpet, clearly only a leader who follows closely after God, with no compromise, no fear of man in his character.  Men such as Gideon, Joshua, Nehemiah, Moses, priests, and upon the return of Jesus, angels are the ones responsible for sounding this heavenly call.  It is the ram’s horn that signified God’s faithfulness to Moses when he was prepared to make the most terrifying sacrifice of all, his son Isaac.

The Role of the Leader

It is undeniable that leadership has an initiating role in summoning revival.  We know that we are all like sheep.  Jesus told us that.  Sheep are not very smart.  They fall over and can’t get up; they eat poison plants, they wander away from safety.  Without the vigilance and the staff of the shepherd they would likely not exist long.  Yet how the corrupt strength of our own souls drives us to compete, covet power, and insert soulish desires into the operation of Christ’s precious Body.  It is not for the strongest, loudest, cleverest, or most talented to lead a congregation.  “For God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.” I Corinthians 12:28

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11, 12

Our leaders are appointed by God.  He chooses them for their ability to sound the alarm even in the midst of opposition and ridicule.  Like Moses and Paul, they may not be eloquent.  “…my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God”. I Corinthians 2: 4.

 

Leaders who rally us to seek revival have one outstanding quality that drives them.  Nehemiah began by grieving the remnant who had escaped the captivity, and the broken wall of Jerusalem.  So intense was his grief that he prayed and fasted night and day seeking to rebuild.  It is the task of the leader to recognize the demonic attacks, warn the other leaders and the people, and command them to rally.

“But Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” Exodus 14:13, 14

If our leaders are so grieved for the state of the church, we ought to listen as intently as if the shofar had been sounded. But just as Nehemiah purposed to rebuild, Sanballat approached with ridicule that was rooted in hatred.  We need to beware of allowing the wicked works of Sanballat to affect our ability to follow those who lead us.  He will say things like “you are rebelling against the king” (corporate church authorities?), “What are these feeble Jews (Christians) doing?”  The accuser will say that the congregation is too small. He will send for secret meetings with the leader intending to do harm.  He will plant suspicion and disrespect amongst the flock, saying that this leader is not well-spoken enough, not in tune with the people, convincing them that he could not possibly lead them to do such a momentous task. He will use, as did Sanballat, personal or family connections to important people to intimidate the congregation. All along he serves as a distraction to what the Most High God is calling for – a repentance that leads to rebuilding, to revival.

The Responsibility of the People

The first thing that Nehemiah conveyed to the people after he received approval of God and of King Artaxerxes was that the hand of God had been favorable to him, and that the king had also.  Their response was immediate “Then they said, ’Let us arise and build.’  So they put their hands to the good work.”  Clearly these people recognized the hand of God in a seemingly impossible situation.  Did they ask about resources?  Did they meet amongst themselves to see if Nehemiah was bringing a true word, or to maybe find him insane?  Did they ignore him, wishing to keep things as they always had been?  No.  The high priest and other priests rose up first, helping lead the way.  Chapter 3 outlines the specific areas of repair led by specific workers, a long list of priests, officials, skilled workers, servants and all manner social strata working tirelessly and in unity. 

Even during the work of revival, Nehemiah addressed a great sin which had been infecting the people for some time.  Chapter 5 tells of the usury that was being practiced by brethren against brethren, bringing great financial hardship to many.  Nehemiah rebuked the nobles and rulers for this, and they were speechless.  In fact they said “we will do exactly as you say.”

The work of the people is to respond to the sound of the shofar.  Simply that.  Not to question, not to agree with opposition and discouragement.  This is not to say that leadership should always be blindly followed.  We have been warned about false teachers; we have been equipped with gifts of discernment.  But the sound of the shofar is unmistakable.  When we hear the final trumpet sound will we question whether it is real, or whether it is being sounded by a fallen angel?  No!

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (TNIV)

Building Involves Battling

Part 3

Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

In setting our faces toward giving out of need, we ought not to think that we will avoid encounters with discouragement, fear, and ridicule. If we desire the admiration of the world we might as well just go ahead and serve the world with all we have. There is no in between. There is no both. Jesus already told us that to follow him means to put our hand to the plow and not look back.

The focus of ALABASTER FLASK is the blessing of sacrificial service. We are continuing to follow Nehemiah and his encounters with his vicious enemy Sanballat. What does this story have to do with us, with giving unreservedly?

•  Following Jesus demands being sold out, setting our face like a flint, shunning the world system and its enticements

•  Following Jesus is first about him, second about others, and lastly about our selves. 

•  The more we give, the more persistently and intensly Satan attacks

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” 1 Peter 4:1

Arm Yourselves 

Today we look at how Nehemiah and the people of God fought against the attacks of Sanballat (which we looked at yesterday).

Satan’s Anger

Over and over Sanballat and his cohorts were angered.

· Neh. 2:10 is the first account that Sanballat was greatly angered. The word angered (grieved KJV) is translated from the Hebrew yara, “to tremble”. It is the same word used to describe Abraham’s reaction to Sarah’s plea to cast out his son Ishmael. It is used to describe Hannah grieving for the want of a son.

· Neh. 2:19 says that Sanballat despised Israel. This word in Hebrew is basah “to hold in contempt” or “to trample with the feet”. It is the feeling that Goliath had for David; Esau despised his birthright.

· Nehemiah 4:1, 4:7 Sanballat was wroth. Heb: charah, “ to be hot, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled “And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of Hazael” 2 Kings 13:3

The anger of Sanballat against any attempt to help God’s people was a

Trembling, Foot-Trampling, Blazing Hot Anger.

As a type of Satan, he reveals to us what we are up against. Last time we summarized the expressions of his anger, the tactics he uses to defeat, as

Accusation, Mockery, Demoralization, Assault, Threats, Harm, Discouragement, Entrapment, and Discrediting

Pretty intense enemy isn’t he? How do we deal with him?

Nehemiah’s Response

I. NEVER LET DOWN YOUR GUARD

Here’s how Nehemiah did it. The enemy never let up, but Nehemiah and the people did not let down their guard, even during the times that it appeared the enemy had backed off. They didn’t even take time to change clothes or lay down their weapons

Neh. 4:23 “So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.” ESV

II. PRAY ALL THE TIME

After every threat Nehemiah prayed intensely.

Neh. 4:4 "Hear, O our God, how we are despised!  Return their reproach on their own heads and give them up for plunder in a land of captivity.  Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before You, for they have demoralized the builders.” NASB

Neh. 4:9 “And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.” ESV

Neh. 6:9 “For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.’ But now, O God, strengthen my hands.” ESV

Neh. 6:14 “Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.” ESV



III. STRENGTHEN FAMILIES

Neh. 4:13 “So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.” ESV


IV. STRENGTHEN LEADERSHIP

Neh. 4:14 “And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, ‘Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.’ " ESV

All of chapter 5 recounts the anger of Nehemiah against the leaders of the people of God, and his demands that they stop their unfair practices against them.

Neh. 5:7 “I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, ‘You are exacting interest, each from his brother.’ And I held a great assembly against them.”

Neh. 5:12b, 13 “And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised. I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said ‘Amen’ and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.”

V. STAY UNITED

Neh. 4:19-20 “And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, ‘The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.’" ESV

Next time we will look at the role of a leader and the responsibility of the people.

ENEMIES

Part 1


The Reason for Spiritual Warfare

 "Amongst lnjuns, a tribe's greatness is figured on how mighty its enemies be."  Del Gue from the movie Jeremiah Johnson

    What is the measure of greatness in regards to enemies?  David’s enemy was a giant.  Is it comparative size?  Jezebel was a wicked woman with great power – the enemy of Elijah.  Is it the greatness of power of the enemy?  

Enemies can consume our time and energy, rendering us weak and ineffectual in the pursuit of the calling to spread God’s good news and care for the hurting.  Recognize that this is by design.  The more our lives are focused on the antics of the enemy the less we will overcome.  If we let him, our enemy will wear us down and prevent us from building.

SANBALLAT

    After days of mourning, fasting and praying over the desolation of Jerusalem, Nehemiah received approval from God to go and rebuild.  His master, Artaxerxes of Persia (Iran), was moved by Nehemiah’s sorrow, and granted him a journey to Jerusalem

As soon as evil men in the city heard of Nehemiah’s intentions they began to relentlessly oppose him.  Isn’t that how Satan approached Jesus when he was led by the Spirit to fast and pray (and “to be tempted by the devil”) in the desert?  Satan questioned God’s word; he attempted to destroy the eternal mission of Jesus to bring the people of the earth back to relationship with God.

 “But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us…” Nehemiah 2:19 ESV

The Moabites and Ammonites were people who lived east of the Jordan River in what is now the nation of Jordan.  They were descendants of Lot, from incestuous relationships between Lot and his daughters. They worshipped Moloch, a god who required sacrifices of children, and Baal (different name, same religion).  They were fearsome warriors.

“Like some other gods and demons found in the Bible, Moloch appears as part of medieval demonology, as a Prince of Hell. This Moloch finds particular pleasure in making mothers weep; he specializes in stealing their children.” https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Moloch

Ammonites were descendants of Lot and his daughter. 

“On that same day, as the Book of Moses was being read to the people, the passage was found that said no Ammonite or Moabite should ever be permitted to enter the assembly of God.” Nehemiah 13:1 NLT

An enemy is usually perceived as being unfairly hostile and undeserved by us.  And this is probably the case most of the time.  There are, of course, those situations where one actually deserves of the wrath of an enemy.  These earn their enemies.  That is how things operate in this world.  This is why there will always be wars. 

But there are situations where evil just rises up against seemingly innocent humans. The greater the enemy, the greater the tribe.

We (the church) are the tribe of God that has been grafted in. If you were naturally part of a wild olive tree and you were cut off from it, and then, contrary to nature, you were grafted into [Israel] the cultivated olive tree… (Romans 11:24) 

Our mortal enemy, the hater of our souls, is that Snake, Satan.  He is the ultimate enemy.  In comparison to humans he is mighty beyond imagination.  But though our tribe is human, it is more.  We have the Spirit of the living God empowering us.  We belong to the one who ascended after descending.  (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) Ephesians 4:9,10.

    

    Along with Israel the church is the greatest tribe, hunted by the greatest enemy.  What about enemies of the human kind?  Paul acknowledged them and warned of them.  His advice was to live as citizens of heaven.  

“My friends, I want you to follow my example and learn from others who closely follow the example we set for you. I often warned you that many people are living as enemies of the cross of Christ. And now with tears in my eyes, I warn you again that they are headed for hell! They worship their stomachs and brag about the disgusting things they do. All they can think about are the things of this world.

     But we are citizens of heaven and are eagerly waiting for our Savior to come from there. Our Lord Jesus Christ has power over everything, and he will make these poor bodies of ours like his own glorious body.  Phillipians 3:17-21 CEV

Jesus also spoke of human enemies and what to do about them.

“This is what I say to all who will listen to me:

Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you. Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you.  Luke 6:27-28 CEV

            So, what about Satan – the Sanballat who stands and taunts us, defying us to build the Kingdom of God?  How do we deal with him?

Please return for a continuation of these thoughts.

Janet McDonald