Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you.” Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. For this reason he was hired, that I should be afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
Observation: Nehemiah knew God's voice. He followed God's will to go support the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall--and here, God gave him discernment. The same kind of discernment Jesus showed in Mark 2 when He perceived the thoughts of the Pharisees' hearts. That discernment protected Nehemiah because, knowing God, nothing dark could deceive him.
Application: If I know God, I cannot be deceived. Not even by what seems to be an angel. Knowing the goodness and brilliance of God, I will be able to understand and see the difference between true and false prophecy, true and false prompting. This passage couldn't have come at a better time.
Application: If I know God, I cannot be deceived. Not even by what seems to be an angel. Knowing the goodness and brilliance of God, I will be able to understand and see the difference between true and false prophecy, true and false prompting. This passage couldn't have come at a better time.
