Nehemiah’s Leadership Playbook: Dealing with Spies and Fake Prophets

Dealing with Spies and Fake Prophets

Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you.” And I said, “Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!” Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. For this reason he was hired, that I should be afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me. – Nehemiah 6:10-13

In continuation of our series, another important lesson Nehemiah taught us is dealing with spies and fake clergies. Having tried every trick in the book to discourage and distract him without success, his adversaries resorted to spiritual means by enlisting the service of Shemaiah, a prophet, to entice him to come to the inner chambers of the temple so they might harm him.

Shemaiah told him, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight” (Neh 6:10, NLT). However, Nehemiah was discerning enough to know that Shemaiah was not sincere with his advice, nor was he sent by God as to know who was coming to kill him. He bluntly told him off and refused to do as he advised.

The sociocultural landscape in Nehemiah’s time is the same as today, as we live in a faith-dominated society where clergies wield much influence on both the masses and those in positions of authority and can easily use this influence to manipulate their subjects or use religious sentiments to blackmail them into doing what they (the clergies) want. This thus make Nehemiah’s management of this latest development very remarkable as he did not let religious sentiment overrule his sixth sense. Recall that Nehemiah himself went to visit Shemaiah in his house, so that meant that he must have been a man of means to have warranted such courtesy.

However, after Shemaiah spilled the agenda he was sponsored to sell, Nehemiah was perceptive enough to know that his counsel and prophecy did not come from good intentions. So he tagged him an informer and refused to do as he advised. “No, I won’t do it!” He told him without mincing words.

A leader who would like to deal with distractions effectively must be discerning to identify who is for him or against him. She must also be firm as to stick to her conviction and not allow opinions and sentiments to dissuade her from the right course. These two attributes helped Nehemiah to neutralize the latest attack against him. They can help you too.

You Will Succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

• Nehemiah’s Leadership Playbook: Dealing with Rabble Rousers
• The Many Names of Christ
• Young Son Healed of Horrible Stuttering