Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
De sendte meg det samme budskapet fire ganger, og jeg svarte dem på samme måten. Da sendte Sanballat tjeneren sin til meg med det samme budskapet for femte gang, sammen med et åpent brev i hånden der det sto skrevet: «Det går rykte blant folkeslagene, og Gesjem sier det samme, at du og jødene planlegger å gjøre opprør. Det er derfor du bygger muren opp igjen, så du kan være kongen deres. Ryktet går også om at du har utpekt profeter til å utrope deg til konge i Jerusalem. Kongen skal nå få høre alt dette. Så kom derfor, så vi kan snakke sammen!
What Does This Mean?
This verse describes Nehemiah's response to repeated attempts by his enemies to communicate with him. He received messages four times and responded in a consistent manner each time, showing his determination and resilience.
Explained for Children
Imagine if your friend kept asking you to play a game you didn't like. You told them no once, but they kept asking. Nehemiah is like that. His enemies kept trying to talk to him, but he said no every time, just like you might keep saying no to your friend.
Historical Background
The book of Nehemiah was written by Nehemiah himself around 445-433 BCE. It details his efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. The cultural setting is one of rebuilding and facing opposition from neighboring communities.
Living It Out Today
In today's context, think of a situation where someone repeatedly asks you for something you don't want to give or do. Like a coworker who keeps asking you to take on extra work. Just like Nehemiah, you can consistently set boundaries without escalating the situation.
Why did Nehemiah's enemies keep trying to talk to him?
Nehemiah's enemies likely wanted to disrupt his work of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, so they tried to lure him into a trap by repeatedly inviting him to meet them.
How did Nehemiah respond to his enemies?
Nehemiah refused to meet them, maintaining his focus on rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and not letting his enemies distract him from his mission.
What can we learn from Nehemiah's response?
We can learn the importance of setting boundaries and staying focused on our goals, especially in the face of repeated opposition.
Does Nehemiah's response suggest a lack of communication?
No, Nehemiah's consistent response shows a form of communication that sets clear boundaries, indicating a strategic approach to dealing with persistent challenges.