May 9, 2008...3:40 pm
7.7 Damaging Your Reputation
Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter in which was written:
“It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us confer together.”
I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.”
They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” (Nehemiah 6:5-9)
The fifth time Sanballat invited Nehemiah to leave the safety of the city and join him in the “plain of Ono” (that’s read “Oh, no!” if you’re Nehemiah), he turned up the heat. This time, he sent an aide with an unsealed letter that claimed Nehemiah was building the wall as part of a revolt against the king. It further asserted that Nehemiah had already made declarations that he was the new king of Judah.
Of course, none of this was true. Nehemiah was beyond reproach and completely committed to the Persian king. The significance of the letter being “unsealed” was that it was made public. Nehemiah was the last stop for the aide, who likely took the letter to several influential leaders in the surrounding area to let them read it first.
Lies and slander are a common trick of the Enemy. If he cannot get us to actually compromise our integrity, he can at least give the appearance of it. Remember, he is the Father of Lies. While rumors can definitely hurt you, avoid the temptation to get down in the mud with your accuser. Take the high road.
Nehemiah’s response is helpful. He basically said, “Nice try.” Then he turned to God and asked for strength. No smear campaign for this leader. Nehemiah knew that getting tangled up with Sanballat would only distract him from his work. He also knew that God was the only One who could do anything about the situation, so he put it in the Lord’s hands and got back to the Lord’s work.
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