My Thoughts on Nehemiah's Statement to the Three Scoffers

-

I've been reading Nehemiah for the nth time but I wanted to take a moment to pause as well. I was thinking about how often I get irritated by scoffers. Then I think of Nehemiah's statement that was given saying the following:

Nehemiah 2:19-20 

19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? 

20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.

I was thinking about how am I reacting towards insults and letdowns from other people? Nehemiah was insulted by the three scoffers with how they tried to stop him from rebuilding the wall. Rather than throw a tantrum - Nehemiah chose to remain calm, trust God, and do his work that God assigned to him. Nehemiah chose to rely on God and not to take matters into his own hands against the three mockers. He could've chosen to murder the three mockers (such as use the blocks to do so) but he chose to rely on God for protection while doing his part in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

So, I really find myself ashamed by Nehemiah's example. I tend to find myself throwing a tantrum when people like Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem show up in my life. Yet, God has a purpose in allowing them. Perhaps God allowed the three wicked men to encompass Nehemiah as a test and to keep the latter humble. Remember, God doesn't allow Satan to heckle the believer without His divine permission. Perhaps Nehemiah was remembering Job when he did what he did. Nehemiah would've been fully aware that God is allowing Satan to disturb him for a good reason. Nehemiah was really aware that God had a reason for allowing the scoffers to disturb his important work. I think that if it wasn't for the three scoffers then Nehemiah would've been lifted in pride.

Right now, I even think that God has His good reasons to allow people to do this and that. I tend to get mad at why wickedness is allowed to flourish. Yet, God allowed Satan, for a good reason, to hurt Job. Satan had to get God's permission first. If God permitted Satan to hurt me then who am I to complain? God gave Satan special permission to hurt me so all I can do is to take comfort God has a special reason for doing so. God allowed Satan to hurt Job for the reason to purify Job. God will allow Satan to do so against anyone for the same reason so why do I find myself complaining about the bad times? 

See also: