In chapter 4 we saw how Nehemiah faced two common forms of opposition: ridicule, the easiest of all forms of opposition, and the threat of violence. The latter is the path often taken when ridicule fails. Nehemiah overcame the first by recognizing ridicule for what it was, namely, a weak attempt to get him to stop the building. He followed up in two ways: he took the matter to God in prayer, looking to him for vindication, and he kept building. Nehemiah overcame the second attack by such practical means as arming his workers, posting guards, keeping the people in the city at night where they would be safe, and establishing procedures for unexpected attacks. These devices were successful. His enemies were frustrated, and the work advanced relentlessly.
Suddenly, to judge from the tone of chapter 5, a new form of opposition erupted and from an unexpected source. The first two forms of opposition had been from without, from Israel’s enemies. This new form was from within. It arose because of wrong conduct by some of the Jewish people themselves.
Isn’t that the way it always is? You are engaged in some important work. You have been opposed by people who are not Christians and do not share the vision. You have overcome that form of opposition and are pressing on, when suddenly there is a problem within the church or Christian community itself. Often this threat is more of a problem than the external threat. It had been true of Israel before this. During the days of the monarchy the Jewish people had been opposed by their pagan neighbors. There had been many wars. But when God sent prophets to recall the people to righteousness, it was not the pagans who killed God’s messengers but the Jews themselves. In the same way, an examination of church history will show that the most successful attacks upon the Church have come, not from unbelievers, but from those within, from people who have professed to know God and Jesus Christ.
Who is responsible for most opposition to Christian work today? Is it the government with its radical “separation of church and state” policies? Is it the American Civil Liberties Union with its strong bias against religion? These can be sources of genuine opposition, and are. But is it not true that the greatest opposition to Christian work today is from those within the Church who want a form of godliness but who reject genuine Christianity?
