10 When I entered the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah , son of Mehetabel , who was confined at home, 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, and they are coming to kill you at night ." 11 But I said , " Should a man like me flee ? And could one such as I go into the temple to save his life ? I will not go in." 12 Then I perceived that surely God had not sent him, but he uttered his prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 He was hired for this reason , that I might become frightened and act accordingly and sin , so that they might have an evil report in order that they could reproach me. 14 Remember , O my God , Tobiah and Sanballat according to these works of theirs, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who were trying to frighten me.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 6:10-14
Commentary on Nehemiah 6:10-14
(Read Nehemiah 6:10-14)
The greatest mischief our enemies can do us, is, to frighten us from our duty, and to lead us to do what is sinful. Let us never decline a good work, never do a bad one. We ought to try all advice, and to reject what is contrary to the word of God. Every man should study to be consistent. Should I, a professed Christian, called to be a saint, a child of God, a member of Christ, a temple of the Holy Ghost, should I be covetous, sensual, proud, or envious? Should I yield to impatience, discontent, or anger? Should I be slothful, unbelieving, or unmerciful? What effects will such conduct have upon others? All that God has done for us, or by us, or given to us, should lead us to watchfulness, self-denial, and diligence. Next to the sinfulness of sin, we should dread the scandal.