Nehemiah, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, is a quintessential example of a leader who avoided fellowship with the wicked, demonstrating a commitment to holiness and the purity of the community of God's people. His account is primarily found in the Book of Nehemiah, which details his efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore the spiritual integrity of the Jewish people after their return from Babylonian exile.

Background and Context

Nehemiah served as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, a position of significant trust and influence. Upon hearing of the desolate condition of Jerusalem, Nehemiah was deeply moved and sought permission from the king to return and oversee the rebuilding of the city's walls. His mission was not only a physical restoration but also a spiritual renewal for the people of Israel.

Avoidance of Fellowship with the Wicked

Throughout his leadership, Nehemiah consistently demonstrated a clear stance against associating with those who opposed God's purposes. One of the most notable instances of this is his interaction with Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, who were adversaries of the Jewish people and sought to hinder the rebuilding efforts. Nehemiah 6:2-3 records, "Sanballat and Geshem sent me a message: 'Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.' But they were planning to harm me. So I sent messengers to them, saying, 'I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?'"

Nehemiah's discernment and refusal to engage with these adversaries highlight his commitment to avoiding fellowship with those who were intent on undermining God's work. His focus remained on the task at hand, and he did not allow himself to be distracted or compromised by the schemes of the wicked.

Reforms and Separation

Nehemiah's dedication to maintaining the purity of the community extended beyond the physical rebuilding of the walls. He implemented significant reforms to ensure that the people of Israel were set apart from the surrounding nations and their ungodly practices. Nehemiah 13:3 states, "As soon as the people heard the law, they separated from Israel all those of foreign descent."

This separation was not an act of prejudice but a necessary measure to preserve the spiritual integrity of the nation. Nehemiah understood that fellowship with those who did not share the covenantal relationship with God could lead to spiritual compromise and idolatry, as had happened in Israel's past.

Confrontation and Correction

Nehemiah's commitment to avoiding fellowship with the wicked is further exemplified in his confrontation with those within the community who had compromised their faith. In Nehemiah 13:28-29 , he dealt decisively with those who had intermarried with foreign women, including the son of Joiada, the high priest, who was son-in-law to Sanballat. Nehemiah drove him away, saying, "Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites."

Nehemiah's actions underscore the importance of maintaining a community that is faithful to God's commands and free from the influence of those who oppose His will. His leadership serves as a model for believers to remain steadfast in their commitment to God, avoiding fellowship with those who would lead them astray.Nehemiah 6:2-4
That Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
Nave's Topical Index

Nehemiah 10:29-31
They joined to their brothers, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;
Nave's Topical Index

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ...
... and violence; but Bunyan wisely avoided a collision ... HAVE COMMUNION, CHURCH COMMUNION,
WITH THOSE THAT ARE ... would you receive them into fellowship with yourselves ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm

Of the Discipline of the Church, and Its Principal Use in Censures ...
... better mind, and recover them to the fellowship and unity ... akin to this, and greatly
to be avoided, is, to ... has no importance except on account of those ends to ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 12 of the discipline.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... and devotion, they ought to be avoided as sinful ... The only thing essential to
church-fellowship, in Mr ... consolation; and he assisted in forming those enlarged and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... It was this, therefore, that Job would have avoided in the ... chapmen, and to get into
the wicked fellowship of their ... 3. This also rebukes those that care not, so ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

Israel's Hope Encouraged;
... nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem' (Nehemiah 2:20 ... God has called me to the
fellowship of his Son ... will exercise itself upon God by those breakings wherewith ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/israels hope encouraged.htm

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Fellowship: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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