Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear people.

We’re back home. The two little boys are here again…slated to stay an extra day this week.

I’m planning to sneak off to do a jog after I send this. I say “sneak” because the little boys would want to go if they knew. And if they went, the effort would have no aerobic value.

I hope to complete the fabrication of 5 trusses from sequoia lumber today. I’ll probably need to mill out a few more pieces of 3x6 before the job is done.

Have a blessed day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

This reading offers support to a pair of over-arching principles that are closely related:

1. The work of God is difficult work.
2. The work of God has enemies. Therefore, anyone who chooses to engage in the work of God should prepare themselves to face difficulty and conflict. They are unavoidable in this fallen world.

Nehemiah was benefitted by two foundational facts as he took on this daunting project:

1. He knew God had commissioned him. It is noteworthy to see him constantly praying and calling out to God—the One Who sent him.
2. He knew the acting king had commissioned him. This will not always be an accompanying factor in the work of God—sometimes quite the opposite. But with these two supports, Nehemiah took on the work with focus, diligence, and resolve to not be deterred or intimidated by those that opposed the work.

We are not told exactly what reasons or motives fueled the opposition to the project of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and bringing order and equity to the local government. But this has to be the most difficult kind of trouble—the ideological kind—the subtle devious and deceptive twisting of truth for purposes of some form of ulterior gain. Perhaps power and money were at stake, with these opponents heading up a ring of successful exploitation. Spiritual leadership was in the crazy mix too. Apparently a bunch of phoney prophets joined the opposition and exercised feined spiritual gifts.

So what else is new? Consider the fact that Jesus was commissioned by God the Father. Consider who were the major opponents to His life and ministry—they were the spiritual leaders of the day—those who had corrupted their God-intended leadership role and function and turned it into a ring of intimidation and exploitation. And so it is to this day. As Jesus commissions us to His service, He wants us to count the cost and recognize the dangerous environment in which He calls us to work. “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves” (Matthew 10:16). Naturally speaking, that’s not a very fair arrangement. But His is not a natural work. He wants us to also understand that we will have to live and work among those who hate our love. “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18-19).