Four traps against a leader

"When Sanballat, and Tobijah, and Geshem, the Arab, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall ... they sent me to say : Come and meet us in the villages of The Ono Valley. But they thought to hurt me." Nehemiah 6: 1, 2

Nehemiah is the spiritual and operational leader of the project "Reconstruction of the Wall of Jerusalem". His enemies can not attack him openly, for his title of governor protects him. Then they prepare four traps, using four lies as bait.

1. "Come and meet us" (v.2). In fact, they do not seek a constructive discussion, but a pretext for removing Nehemiah from Jerusalem; They will be able to harm him without attracting attention.

The trap : bring Nehemiah out of his protection zone.

Lying : "You must accept any request for dialogue".

2. "They sent me to say the same thing four times" (v. 4). The enemies are not discouraged after the refusal of Nehemiah ; They insist, they put pressure. They hope to bring Nehemiah to fear them, to feel guilty of contempt, to doubt his decision.

The trap : to bring Nehemiah to doubt by harassment and pressure.

Lying : "Your firmness is in fact obstinacy, insensitivity."

3. "Sanballat sent me his servant, a fifth time, in the same way, an open letter in his hand" (v. 5). The enemies spread a rumor: Nehemiah prepares a revolt (= he rebels against the king) and corrupts prophets (= he rebels against God).

The trap : by calumny, frighten Nehemiah and destroy his credibility.

Lying : "You must first protect your safety and your reputation if you want to continue your service."

4. "Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and shut the doors of the temple, for they will come to kill you, and it is by night that they will come and kill you." (v. 10). Stronger and stronger ! The alert launcher presents itself as a prophet, the message is benevolent, the threat seems imminent and unstoppable, protection seems to be the most commendable (God's house). But no, he who is not a priest or a Levite can not enter into the house of God (Num 1: 51). Nehemiah would then be really liable to death !

The trap : pushing Nehemiah to serious misconduct.

Lying : "Given the urgency, you can disobey God."

Let us be on our guard ! The scenario is not anachronistic !

Source (To pleasing the Lord)