EGW WritingsNehemiah 6

Conflict and Courage

“I Cannot Come Down,” September 19

CC 268.1

I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? Nehemiah 6:3.

CC 268.2

Nehemiah was chosen by God because he was willing to cooperate with the Lord as a restorer.... When he saw wrong principles being acted upon, he did not stand by as an onlooker, and by his silence give consent. He did not leave the people to conclude that he was standing on the wrong side. He took a firm, unyielding stand for the right.29The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 3:1135.

CC 268.3

Every device that the prince of darkness can suggest will be employed to induce God’s servants to form a confederacy with the agents of Satan.... Like Nehemiah, they should steadfastly reply, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.” God’s workers may safely keep on with their work, letting their efforts refute the falsehoods that malice may coin for their injury. Like the builders on the walls of Jerusalem they must refuse to be diverted from their work by threats or mockery....

CC 268.4

As the time of the end draws near, Satan’s temptations will be brought to bear with greater power upon God’s workers. He will employ human agents to mock and revile those who “build the wall.” But should the builders come down to meet the attacks of their foes, this would but retard the work. They should endeavor to defeat the purposes of their adversaries, but they should not allow anything to call them from their work. Truth is stronger than error, and right will prevail over wrong.... In Nehemiah’s firm devotion to the work of God, and his equally firm reliance on God, lay the reason of the failure of his enemies to draw him into their power. The soul that is indolent falls an easy prey to temptation; but in the life that has a noble aim, an absorbing purpose, evil finds little foothold....

CC 268.5

God has provided divine assistance for all the emergencies to which our human resources are unequal. He gives the Holy Spirit to help in every strait, to strengthen our hope and assurance, to illuminate our minds and purify our hearts. He provides opportunities and opens channels of working. If His people are watching the indications of His providence, and are ready to co-operate with Him, they will see mighty results.30Prophets and Kings, 659, 660.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Ms 41, 1895

10LtMs, Ms 41, 1895, par. 2

The hearts of those who advocate this cause must be filled with the spirit of Jesus. The Great Physician alone can apply the balm of Gilead. Let these men read the book of Nehemiah with humble hearts touched by the Holy Spirit, and their false ideas will be modified, and correct principles will be seen, and the present order of things will be changed. Nehemiah prayed to God for help, and God heard his prayer. The Lord moved upon heathen kings to come to his help. When his enemies zealously worked against him, the Lord worked through kings to carry out His purpose, and to answer the many prayers which were ascending to Him for the help which they so much needed.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 11, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 11, 1895, par. 30

The hearts of those who advocate this cause must be filled by the Spirit of Jesus. The Great Physician alone can apply the balm of Gilead. Let these men read the book of Nehemiah with humble hearts touched by the Holy Spirit, and their false ideas will be modified, and correct principles will be seen, and the present order of things will be changed. Nehemiah prayed to God for help, and God heard his prayer. The Lord moved upon heathen kings to come to his help. When his enemies zealously worked against him, the Lord worked through kings to carry out His purpose and to answer the many prayers that were ascending to Him for the help which they so much needed.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 243, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 243, 1904, par. 12

Let those who are asked to leave their work to engage in a council at Battle Creek read the sixth chapter of Nehemiah:

19LtMs, Lt 243, 1904, par. 15

“Then sent I unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.” [Verses 1-8.]

19LtMs, Lt 243, 1904, par. 17

Nehemiah continues: “For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. Afterward I came into the house of Shemiah, ... who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple, for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night they will come to slay thee. And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in. And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me; for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.” [Verses 9-13.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 223, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 223, 1904, par. 12

Let those who are asked to leave their work to engage in a council at Battle Creek read the sixth chapter of Nehemiah:

19LtMs, Lt 223, 1904, par. 15

“Then sent I unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.” [Verses 1-8.]

19LtMs, Lt 223, 1904, par. 17

Nehemiah continues: “For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah, ... who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple, for they will come to slay thee, yea, in the night they will come to slay thee. And I said, Should such a man as I flee? And who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in. And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me; for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so and sin, that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.” [Verses 9-13.]

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 55—Heathen Plots

PK 653.1

Sanballat and his confederates dared not make open war upon the Jews; but with increasing malice they continued their secret efforts to discourage, perplex, and injure them. The wall about Jerusalem was rapidly approaching completion. When it should be finished and its gates set up, these enemies of Israel could not hope to force an entrance into the city. They were the more eager, therefore, to stop the work without further delay. At last they devised a plan by which they hoped to draw Nehemiah from his station, and while they had him in their power, to kill or imprison him.

PK 653.2

Pretending to desire a compromise of the opposing parties, they sought a conference with Nehemiah, and invited him to meet them in a village on the plain of Ono. But enlightened by the Holy Spirit as to their real purpose, he refused. “I sent messengers unto them,” he writes, “saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?” But the tempters were persistent. Four times they sent a message of similar import, and each time they received the same answer.

PK 654.1

Finding this scheme unsuccessful, they resorted to a more daring stratagem. Sanballat sent Nehemiah a messenger bearing an open letter which said: “It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king.... And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.”

PK 654.2

Had the reports mentioned been actually circulated, there would have been cause for apprehension; for they would soon have been carried to the king, whom a slight suspicion might provoke to the severest measures. But Nehemiah was convinced that the letter was wholly false, written to arouse his fears and draw him into a snare. This conclusion was strengthened by the fact that the letter was sent open, evidently that the people might read the contents, and become alarmed and intimidated.

PK 654.3

He promptly returned the answer. “There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.” Nehemiah was not ignorant of Satan’s devices. He knew that these attempts were made in order to weaken the hands of the builders and thus frustrate their efforts.

PK 655.1

Again and again had Satan been defeated; and now, with deeper malice and cunning, he laid a still more subtle and dangerous snare for the servant of God. Sanballat and his companions hired men who professed to be the friends of Nehemiah, to give him evil counsel as the word of the Lord. The chief one engaged in this iniquitous work was Shemaiah, a man previously held in good repute by Nehemiah. This man shut himself up in a chamber near the sanctuary as if fearing that his life was in danger. The temple was at this time protected by walls and gates, but the gates of the city were not yet set up. Professing great concern for Nehemiah’s safety, Shemaiah advised him to seek shelter in the temple. “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple,” he proposed, “and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.”

PK 655.2

Had Nehemiah followed this treacherous counsel, he would have sacrificed his faith in God, and in the eyes of the people he would have appeared cowardly and contemptible. In view of the important work that he had undertaken, and the confidence that he professed to have in the power of God, it would have been altogether inconsistent for him to hide as if in fear. The alarm would have spread among the people, each would have sought his own safety, and the city would have been left unprotected, to fall a prey to its enemies. That one unwise move on the part of Nehemiah would have been a virtual surrender of all that had been gained.

PK 655.3

Nehemiah was not long in penetrating the true character and object of his counselor. “I perceived that God had not sent him,” he says, “but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.”

PK 656.1

The infamous counsel given by Shemaiah was seconded by more than one man of high reputation, who, while professing to be Nehemiah’s friends, were secretly in league with his enemies. But it was to no avail that they laid their snare. Nehemiah’s fearless answer was: “Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.”

PK 657.1

Notwithstanding the plots of enemies, open and secret, the work of building went steadily forward, and in less than two months from the time of Nehemiah’s arrival in Jerusalem the city was girded with its defenses and the builders could walk upon the walls and look down upon their defeated and astonished foes. “When all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things,” Nehemiah writes, “they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.”

PK 657.2

Yet even this evidence of the Lord’s controlling hand was not sufficient to restrain discontent, rebellion, and treachery among the Israelites. “The nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them. For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son-in-law of Shechaniah.” Here are seen the evil results of intermarriage with idolaters. A family of Judah had become connected with the enemies of God, and the relation had proved a snare. Many others had done the same. These, like the mixed multitude that came up with Israel from Egypt, were a source of constant trouble. They were not wholehearted in His service; and when God’s work demanded a sacrifice, they were ready to violate their solemn oath of co-operation and support.

PK 657.3

Some who had been foremost in plotting mischief against the Jews, now professed a desire to be on friendly terms with them. The nobles of Judah who had become entangled in idolatrous marriages, and who had held traitorous correspondence with Tobiah and taken oath to serve him, now represented him as a man of ability and foresight, an alliance with whom would be greatly to the advantage of the Jews. At the same time they betrayed to him Nehemiah’s plans and movements. Thus the work of God’s people was laid open to the attacks of their enemies, and opportunity was given to misconstrue Nehemiah’s words and acts, and to hinder his work.

PK 658.1

When the poor and oppressed had appealed to Nehemiah for redress of their wrongs, he had stood boldly in their defense and had caused the wrongdoers to remove the reproach that rested on them. But the authority that he had exercised in behalf of his downtrodden countrymen he did not now exercise in his own behalf. His efforts had been met by some with ingratitude and treachery, but he did not use his power to bring the traitors to punishment. Calmly and unselfishly he went forward in his service for the people, never slackening his efforts or allowing his interest to grow less.

PK 658.2

Satan’s assaults have ever been directed against those who have sought to advance the work and cause of God. Though often baffled, he as often renews his attacks with fresh vigor, using means hitherto untried. But it is his secret working through those who avow themselves the friends of God’s work, that is most to be feared. Open opposition may be fierce and cruel, but it is fraught with far less peril to God’s cause than is the secret enmity of those who, while professing to serve God, are at heart the servants of Satan. These have it in their power to place every advantage in the hands of those who will use their knowledge to hinder the work of God and injure His servants.

PK 659.1

Every device that the prince of darkness can suggest will be employed to induce God’s servants to form a confederacy with the agents of Satan. Repeated solicitations will come to call them from duty; but, like Nehemiah, they should steadfastly reply, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.” God’s workers may safely keep on with their work, letting their efforts refute the falsehoods that malice may coin for their injury. Like the builders on the walls of Jerusalem they must refuse to be diverted from their work by threats or mockery or falsehood. Not for one moment are they to relax their watchfulness or vigilance, for enemies are continually on their track. Ever they must make their prayer to God “and set a watch against them day and night.” Nehemiah 4:9.

PK 659.2

As the time of the end draws near, Satan’s temptations will be brought to bear with greater power upon God’s workers. He will employ human agents to mock and revile those who “build the wall.” But should the builders come down to meet the attacks of their foes, this would but retard the work. They should endeavor to defeat the purposes of their adversaries, but they should not allow anything to call them from their work. Truth is stronger than error, and right will prevail over wrong.

PK 659.3

Neither should they allow their enemies to gain their friendship and sympathy, and thus lure them from their post of duty. He who by any unguarded act exposes the cause of God to reproach, or weakens the hands of his fellow workers, brings upon his own character a stain not easily removed, and places a serious obstacle in the way of his future usefulness.

PK 660.1

“They that forsake the law praise the wicked.” Proverbs 28:4. When those who are uniting with the world, yet claiming great purity, plead for union with those who have ever been the opposers of the cause of truth, we should fear and shun them as decidedly as did Nehemiah. Such counsel is prompted by the enemy of all good. It is the speech of timeservers, and should be resisted as resolutely today as then. Whatever influence would tend to unsettle the faith of God’s people in His guiding power, should be steadfastly withstood.

PK 660.2

In Nehemiah’s firm devotion to the work of God, and his equally firm reliance on God, lay the reason of the failure of his enemies to draw him into their power. The soul that is indolent falls an easy prey to temptation; but in the life that has a noble aim, an absorbing purpose, evil finds little foothold. The faith of him who is constantly advancing does not weaken; for above, beneath, beyond, he recognizes Infinite Love, working out all things to accomplish His good purpose. God’s true servants work with a determination that will not fail because the throne of grace is their constant dependence.

PK 660.3

God has provided divine assistance for all the emergencies to which our human resources are unequal. He gives the Holy Spirit to help in every strait, to strengthen our hope and assurance, to illuminate our minds and purify our hearts. He provides opportunities and opens channels of working. If His people are watching the indications of His providence, and are ready to co-operate with Him, they will see mighty results.

Sons and Daughters of God

To Stand for Principle Despite Opposition, July 25

SD 213.1

And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? Nehemiah 6:3.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 75, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 75, 1896, par. 3

Our camp meeting at Adelaide, South Australia, was a success. There was a much larger interest than we had at Armadale, a year ago. You know we had an excellent interest in that place. Sabbath and Sunday the crowd was much larger at Adelaide than at Armadale. The opposition was much stronger, chiefly from two persons, one who professed to be a converted Jew, and the other a Disciple minister named Green. These men stormed and fumed and raved like two madmen. They challenged our ministers to enter into controversy with them, but our answer to them was, “We are doing a great work, and we cannot come down.” [Nehemiah 6:3.] The fact that we would not turn aside to enter into controversy with them, made them almost frantic. They showed what manner of spirit they were of, and the people had an opportunity of seeing the contrast between those who keep the commandments of God, and those who disregard them.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 208, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 208, 1902, par. 39

My brethren in Nashville, when any attempt is made to divert your minds from the work that the Lord has appointed you to do, let your voices ring out in accents clear and distinct. With unmistakable determination, say: “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should this work cease, as it would if I were to leave it and come down to you?” [Nehemiah 6:3.] Never, never, although surrounded by those who desire to quench the last spark of life that God is keeping alive, should you consent to any such proposal.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Ms 168, 1904

19LtMs, Ms 168, 1904, par. 11

I feel that I must put our people on their guard. Again and again our ministers have been called to Battle Creek. At such meetings Dr. Kellogg thinks that he is gaining their minds, and he is, because they do not understand the underlying principles. To our brethren in Washington, I write: It is presented to me that we are in the same position that Nehemiah was in, when he was building the walls of Jerusalem. His enemies came to him, trying to persuade him to come down and talk with them. But he said, “I am engaged in a great work, and I cannot come down.” [Nehemiah 6:3.] This is what we are to say in all our conferences. The matter is to stand on a footing different from any on which it has stood before.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 2

Treatment of the Erring

2TT 259.5

If the minister makes his home with some one family, others are sure to be jealous lest he shall receive impressions unfavorable to themselves. If he gives counsel, some will say, “Such a one has been talking with him,” and his words have no weight with them. Thus their souls are armed with distrust and evil surmising, and the minister is left at the mercy of their prejudices and jealousies. Too often he leaves the matter worse than he found it. Had he utterly refused to listen to the colored, one-sided statements of any, had he given words of advice in accordance with the Bible rule and said, like Nehemiah, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down” (Nehemiah 6:3), that church would have been in a far better condition.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 1

“Cannot Come Down”

1TT 429.1

“I am doing a great work,” says Nehemiah, “so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?” Nehemiah 6:3.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 2 (1869 - 1875)

Lt 31, 1872

2LtMs, Lt 31, 1872, par. 10

If you and other men take a position to investigate and show the fallacy and inconsistency of men who dishonestly turn the truth of God into a lie, Satan will stir up men enough to keep your pen and the pens of several others constantly employed, while other branches of the work are left to suffer. We must have more the spirit of those men who were engaged in building the walls of Jerusalem: “We are doing a great work and we cannot come down.” [Nehemiah 6:3.] If Satan sees he can keep men’s voices silenced from the most important work for the present time in answering objections of opponents, his object is accomplished.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)

Ms 1, 1878

3LtMs, Ms 1, 1878, par. 20

Had the minister utterly refused to listen to the colored, one-sided statements of any, had he given words of advice in accordance with the Bible rule, and said, like Nehemiah, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down” [Nehemiah 6:3], that church would have been in a far better condition. This work of withdrawing men from their fields of labor has been repeated again and again in the progress of this cause. It is the device of the great adversary of souls to hinder the work of God. When souls that are upon the point of deciding in favor of the truth are thus left to unfavorable influences, they lose their interest, and it is very rarely that so powerful an impression can again be made upon them. Satan is ever seeking some device to call the minister from his field of labor at this critical point, that the results of his labors may be lost.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)

Ms 1, 1880

3LtMs, Ms 1, 1880, par. 23

Had the minister given words of advice in accordance with the Bible rule and stated like Nehemiah, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down” [Nehemiah 6:3], that church would be in a far better condition. This has been acted over and over again, and many souls have been lost as the result.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 21a, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 21a, 1895, par. 8

Imitate Christ. Do not be dragged into disputes over the opinions and erroneous theories of opponents, but ever feel and confidently say, “We are doing a great work, and we cannot come down.” [See Nehemiah 6:3.] Advance new truth. Let the rich truths that the people have never heard flash into life. Present the Bread of life, the water of salvation. Show all who have ears to hear what they must do to be saved. Just as soon as you begin to leave the lines in which Christ worked, and come down to echo the words of your opponent, you have turned aside from following Christ. Let not one sharp thrust be made. Heed not the dragon’s wrath and uproar, but speak the words of Christ, Thus saith the Scriptures. Do not pour out anathemas; leave that work to those who despise the truth.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 110, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 110, 1895, par. 7

I spoke last Sunday night at Petersham. The power of the Holy Spirit rested upon me, and the people listened with the deepest interest. We drive twelve miles from Granville, then I generally return after evening meetings; but this endangers my taking cold and makes me too weary. There is the most tremendous opposition. Picton, who challenged Corliss for discussion, also jumped up in a chair in the hall after Brother Hare had reviewed Mr. Porter—a minister from Ballarat—and challenged Brother Hare for a discussion. But he would not be drawn away from the work, and told them, as did Nehemiah, “We are engaged in a great work, presenting Bible truth to the people, and we cannot come down.” [See Nehemiah 6:3.] Picton has since been bellowing like a wild beast at the corner of the street near the tent in Petersham, but only the lower class will be seen in the mob.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 110, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 110, 1896, par. 19

Meetings will continue all summer, for the whole region round about is stirred, and there are many important localities about Adelaide that must be worked. The opposition has been treated just as it should be. No notice taken of it. There has been a challenge for discussion made by a man named Green, who has shown himself anything but a saint since the work commenced in Adelaide, but his challenges are unnoticed. We have gone right forward, advancing truth and the righteousness of the law irrespective of the devil’s ragings. This man has been answered. “We are doing a great work and cannot come down!” [See Nehemiah 6:3.]

Testimony Treasures, vol. 1

Opposition to Be Expected

1TT 433.2

“And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner. Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand.” Nehemiah 6:3-5.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 11 [Nos. 851-920]

MR No. 851—Ellen White in New Zealand

11MR 10.3

Make every effort to get your friends to come, not in your place but to accompany, to stand on God’s side, under God’s command. At the very best our numbers will not be large, but if the individual members of the church will come to the Wellington camp meeting, with a mind and will to work to the best of their ability, God will do the rest. We cannot but see the schemes and working of the enemies of our faith. Let the prayers go forth from unfeigned lips, “Hear, O our God; for we are despised.” “Think upon me, my God, for good.” “Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hand.” (Nehemiah 4:4; 5:19; Nehemiah 6:9.)

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 8a, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 8a, 1893, par. 8

Make every effort to get your friends to come, not in your place but to accompany, to stand on God’s side, under God’s command. At the very best our numbers will not be large, but if the individual members of the church will come to the Wellington camp meeting, with a mind and will to work to the best of their ability, God will do the rest. We cannot but see the schemes and workings of the enemies of our faith. Let the prayers go forth from unfeigned lips, “Hear, O our God; for we are despised.” “Think upon me, my God, for good.” “Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.” [Nehemiah 4:4; 5:19; 6:9.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 7, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 7, 1893, par. 5

The Lord has need of you. He does not do His work without the co-operation of the human agent. God’s downtrodden law is to be uplifted, Christ and His righteousness are to be presented to souls that are perishing. The blindness, the spiritual blindness, upon the people today is greater even than it was in the days when Christ was upon earth in person. Let every one rally round the standard, and angels who are commissioned to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation will accompany you. Make every effort to get your friends to come, not in your place, but to come with you, to stand on the Lord’s side, to obey His commands. At the best, our numbers will be but small; but come with a mind and will to work, and God will do great things for us. While we see the schemes that the enemy is devising to shut away the light from the people, let the prayer go forth from unfeigned lips, “Hear, O our God; for we are despised.” “Think upon me my God for good.” “Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.” [Nehemiah 4:4; 5:19; 6:9.]