v 9 They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.
Bullying, intimidation, fake news, – there’s nothing new under the sun in the world of murky politics! Nehemiah is made of stronger stuff than any of that however – he was the kind of man who got to the bottom of things and just got on with the job in hand. His reply in v 8 is about as direct as you can get it ‘I replied, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.” ‘ These days the whole conversation would have appeared on social media for all to see (hence the idea in v 5 – The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand. It was there for anyone to read) and where it is so easy to be misled. So, well discerned Nehemiah! Please give our generation the same wisdom and discernment!
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