Nehemiah 2:19, 20 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn… I. That religion is often made the subject of RIDICULE. "They laughed us to scorn." 1. Its doctrines are ridiculed. Men laugh at the supernatural. 2. Its enterprise is ridiculed. Men scorn the idea of a world-wide moral conquest. 3. Its agencies are ridiculed. "Is not this the carpenter's son?" 4. Its experiences are ridiculed. "Much learning doth make thee mad." This ridicule is (1) envious; (2) imbecile; (3) contemptuous; (4) ignorant; (5) libellous. Will ye rebel against the king? Christ was despised and rejected of men. II. The REPLY which religion should make to ridicule. 1. That it is often wise to reply to ridicule. "Then answered I them." 2. That religion must meet ridicule by expressing confidence in God. "The God of heaven, he will prosper us." 3. That religion must meet ridicule by determination which cannot be moved by it. "Therefore we his servants will arise and build." 4. That religion must meet ridicule by denying its right or ability to interfere. "But ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem." 5. That religion must meet ridicule by declaring it alien to the high privileges of the truth. It has no portion in Jerusalem. This is the ideal reply to derision. - E. Parallel Verses KJV: But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? |
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