digging deeper notes - pt. 3

8/7/2019 Digging Deeper Notes - Pt. 3

1/3

1 | P a g e

Digging Deeper LIVEVision Attracts Critics PT. 3

Nehemiah 4

Overview:Message Summary: Before Nehemiah even began the building project, he faced opposition

and criticism from people who did not want him to succeed. In this message, PastorStowers shares how to deal with critics and stay focused on the God-given vision.Review Last Week: After fasting and praying for four months, Nehemiah receivedpermission from the king to travel more than 750 miles from Susa to Jerusalem to rebuildthe walls of the city, walls that had been in ruin for more than 140 years. When he arrived,he inspected the damage, inspired the people and got to work on the project. No soonerhad one good thing happen, then the critics enter into the story.

Meet Sanballat and Tobiah

When Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem

10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, theywere very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.

Nehemiah 2:10 (NIV)

After Nehemiahs inspirational speech and the peoples response:

19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab

heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. "What is this you are doing?" they asked. "Are

you rebelling against the king?"

20 I answered them by saying, "The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants willstart rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right

to it." Nehemiah 2:19-20 (NIV)

As the people are working:

1 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly

incensed. He ridiculed the Jews,2 and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, "What are those

feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in aday? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble--burned as they

are?"

3 Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, "What they are building--if even a foxclimbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!" Nehemiah 4:1-3 (NIV)


2/3


3/3

3 | P a g e

8 May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership. Psalm 109:7-8 (NIV)

3.

7

But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard thatthe repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, theywere very angry.

8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.Nehemiah 4:7-8 (NIV)

TURN TO: Nehemiah 4:15-23

Nehemiah works and guards at the same time.

Sleep with your clothes on, so you will be ready to get up and fight at a moments notice.

digging deeper notes - pt. 3

Documents