Nehemiah 2:19-20

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Overcoming Opposition

Who were Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem? Why did they oppose Nehemiah?
How did these men threaten Nehemiah? How did these men threaten Nehemiah?
Separation must be maintained when it comes to the work of the Lord. How did Nehemiah maintain separation? Why should believers maintain separation?
Who was given the biblical right to the Promised Land in the Middle East?
What was Nehemiah’s reaction to ridicule and threat?

Sanballat and Tobiah were leaders of Samaria and Ammon, surrounding provinces, and Geshem was a leader of a large Arab territory. A strong Jewish province could be a threat to their authority, and a threat to trade monopolies under their control.
They threatened to notify the king that the Jews were planning a rebellion and would no longer be subject to the Persian Empire.
He told the enemies that they had no heritage or right in the work (verse 20). There was no compromise, clear lines were drawn, and separation was maintained. Believers must maintain separation or error will be mixed with truth, strings will be attached by the unbeliever, and the gospel will be watered down.
God gave the Jews this right (Genesis 13:15).
He said, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; we will arise and build.” (verse 20). He didn’t run scared or back off from what he knew was God’s will.

What do you do in the face of opposition? What should you do?
Define “covenant.” What is the Abrahamic Covenant? A covenant is a formal agreement between two or more persons. In the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 13:15) God made an unconditional agreement (promise) that Abraham’s seed would be given the Land forever.