Recently I’ve been reading Nehemiah and how God orchestrated the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Last night in chapter 6, I reviewed a small section where Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian stirred up more trouble for the builders. Nehemiah showed grit and wisdom in his handling of these men and their schemes. Their intent was to cause fear in the heart of Nehemiah and the subsequent followers of God. It didn’t work.
A cross reference in my bible took me to Proverbs 26. Feeling like it was the Spirit, I took the bait and checked it out. What I found is an exact description of what Sanballat, Tobiah, and in this case, Geshem the Arabian was doing. Rather, a description of what was happening in their heart as they did what they did. Proverbs 26 begins with assessing the description of “a fool” in verses 1-12. From 13-23 we see descriptions of the: slothful, sluggard, mad man, deceiver, talebearer, and contentious. My cross reference landed me in verses 24 and 25 with ‘The Hater’. Here we see exactly what was happening with our trio of haters in Nehemiah.
First, remember what Hebrews 4.12 says about the word of God; that it “is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”. It is from the word we can see what’s wrong with our heart, and yes by application, the issues of the heart of others. Can we inspect, judge, or else wise know the heart of others? No. But the scripture allows us to know what God sees and thinks about it. Make sure that we remember to judge ourselves so that we won’t be judged. Focus on your own heart as you read, then consider how the world turns around you next.
In Proverbs 26.24-25 Solomon says “He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.”
“Hateth” here is as it is normally used: “hater”. The word “dissembleth” is a verb-denominative act. It is then to treat as foreign, to disguise, or misconstrue facts. They have “deceit within” themselves; which is why they do it. You can never believe (“believe him not”) them when they are being nice (“fair”). “Fair” in it’s literal use is: kind, or kindness. In this case ‘speech’, but could be used in common verb use of: ‘kind actions’. When they speak ugly, or deceitfully, believe every word… this is their truth (“within” and “heart”). The phrase: “seven abominations” that reside in the heart of this person, should be compared to verse 16. It is used for ‘indefinite’. It is also used as ‘completeness’ in most texts also. So, the abominations are ‘indefinitely’ in their heart, and they are ‘completely’ abominable. Evil, as it were, has gone to it’s completion in their heart.
Can you trust a person who’s kind words or gesture prove to be foreign to their own true goals and ambitions? No. Their real heart is betrayed to us by the One who knows. Here He exposes the truth behind the words and actions. They are disguising the reality of their heart; their true motivations for themselves and against you.
Proverbs 26.26-28 carries on with “Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.”
Their hatred for others, maybe even you, is covered by their deceit. They are decievers. Who else is a deceiver? Titus was warned by Paul in 1.10 “…there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers…” It has been a problem since the beginning of time. Satan himself is a deceiver, a liar, and the “father of all lies”. It is a lie to pretend to be something you are not. It is also the biblical definition of hypocrisy. But, if you deceive by way of “fair speech” or kind words and actions, in order to get gain in some way with or over people, this is hate. They hate and cover it with deceitful words and actions. John warned believers 2000 years ago “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” (2 John 1.17). Although this is specific to not confessing Jesus, and gnosticism, the principle holds true. There have always been many deceivers. Verse 28 says “A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it”. That is a truth that should never leave our minds and hearts. If they are lying to you, then they are hating on you. It is that simple. The lying is not a victimless crime either. It clearly says “…afflicted by it.” How do you know this is happening? One key is demonstrated here in our text with “and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.” They do their deed by flattering those whom they want in their net of deceit. Their mind is focused on this life and their own gain. They are fixated on the destruction of anyone in their way. The simple ones believe their lies. Why? They want the flattery, their own insecurities want it to be true. Remember though that Romans 8.7 says— “the carnal mind is enmity against God.” A person who does such a thing is the enemy of God, which is why God is on the scene. He will take care of it as we see in verses 26-27.
They will be exposed (“his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation”). Thank God for that. These people need to be exposed. They can tear up a church, a family, or a person like a wolf shreds a lamb. Solomon explains the way in which God exposes their ways: “Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him”. They will fall by their own devices. And therein we find our 3 lessons today…
One, do not fall for this. See it coming by studying passages like this, and trusting the still small voice of the Spirit within that says ‘no, don’t listen’. Secondly, when God is rolling the stone back on them, and they are falling in their own ditch… let them. I’m reminded of Uzzah who drove the cart on which the ark was placed when David brought it back to Jerusalem. When the oxe tripped, the ark shifted. This is when Uzzah steadied the ark with his hand and immediately died. Why? It was in direct violation of God’s command. He had the best of intention, but was wrong none the less. Don’t get in the way when God is allowing someone to be disciplined, or worse, judged. Third, ask yourself: Who does this sound like? If it’s you… stop, repent, and get some help. This is serious. If it’s someone you know… pray for them, and watch your heart that you don’t steady the ark that God is intending to fall.
Read Nehemiah 6 if you get a chance. Nehemiah followed God, recognized the deceit in Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem’s hearts, and made some wise moves accordingly. We would do well to emulate these actions on the daily.