Nehemiah 6:3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease… This narrative illustrates — I. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GREAT WORK. It has — 1. A high purpose. It was — 2. Beset with difficulties. A true work will have generally to surmount — (1) Men's scorn. (2) External hindrances. II. THE TEMPTATIONS THAT BESET A GREAT WORK. 1. Temptations from armed enemies. 2. Temptations from professed friends. III. THE SPIRIT OF A TRUE WORKER. There will be — 1. Prayer for the work. 2. Earnest prosecution of it. 3. Resistance of all temptations to leave it. (Urijah R. Thomas.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? |