Jump Start  # 576

Nehemiah 6:2 “then Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me.”

Nehemiah was given permission by the Persian king to go to Jerusalem and lead the people of Israel in rebuilding the wall around the city. It was a major task and Nehemiah illustrates huge leadership skills in how he rallied the people. He allowed the people to rebuild the walls next to their homes. That was brilliant. First, it allowed them to be near home. Second, they would make sure the wall was strong, solid and sturdy because their homes were right there. They were not just building a wall, they were protecting their families. With all projects, there comes opposition. The people became discouraged. Nehemiah had to build their confidence. Enemies threatened them. They built with a tool in one hand and a sword in the other. Our verse today, identifies another threat that came directly to Nehemiah, the threat of compromise.

Sanballat and Geshem were jealous. They didn’t want to see the walls built. They tried a series of attempts to get Nehemiah to stop. Nehemiah was committed to the job. Finally, they sent word, “Meet us in the plain of Ono.” Ono is pronounced, “Oh-No” and that’s exactly what that meant to Nehemiah—Oh-No. The fake message of compromise was a disguise to hurt Nehemiah and stop the building project.

Compromise is one of Satan’s greatest weapons. He has trouble getting us to quit our walk all together, but if he can get us to meet in the plains of Ono, and sit down at the table of compromise, he’ll get us. Compromise comes in many flavors.

First, there is the compromise to accept error. It is never presented that way. That is too obvious. Instead, the Sanballat’s of today will remind us that we may be too critical, too judging of things that are wrong. We are told, as if we didn’t know, that Jesus loves. Jesus wouldn’t say the things we are saying about error. He gave people a chance. He allowed them to think through things. Compromise has just enough truth to it that it sounds possible. Tolerance is actually the message here. Just tolerate everyone, even those who teach things that are wrong. Oh-No, ought to come to our minds here. Do we sit back and allow some to poison the hearts of others? Is that what Paul did? He didn’t meet the compromisers at Ono, instead he told the faithful to reprove, rebuke and exhort. Wrong can never be right, no matter how patient you are. The loving thing to do is to teach someone what is right. I believe in being patient when people are learning and trying to figure things out. It’s the teachers of this poison that ought to know better. If they don’t, then they shouldn’t be teaching. Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it. That’s not hard to get.

Second, there is the compromise to accept sin, often in our lives. Instead of being pure as God wants us to be, we find ways to work ourselves to the Plains of Ono where we are convinced that what is being done is not so bad and there are others who are doing worse. Instead of coming out and being separate, we find ways to run to and embrace that which is wrong. Moral choices, modesty issues, shady friends, questionable language, sour attitudes, sticking one foot in the world of sin while trying to keep the other foot in Christ—all of these things come from the land of Ono, not the Bible. The song we sing, “Stand up, stand up for Jesus” is not about posture, it’s about faith. It’s about drawing a line in the sand and standing for what is right. It’s realizing that I can’t straddle the fence of the world and Christ. I am to live as if I have one foot in Heaven right now. I am to leave the world of sin. Paul died to sin. He said, “I no longer live…” You don’t get that message from the Plains of Ono.

Compromise is a must when selling a house or negotiating peace treaties with Russians, but it doesn’t work with our faith. Jesus said, “He who is not with Me, is against Me.” No Plains of Ono here. I am with Jesus. I am with Jesus in what He teaches. I am with Jesus in what He wants from me. I am with Jesus in what He hates. Yes, there are things Jesus hates. He hates fake people. He hates false things. He hates little faith. He hates those who hurt others. I am with Jesus in His work in the Kingdom. I am with Jesus.

Nehemiah refused to meet Sanballat. There was no unity meeting on the Plains of Ono. Divided people cannot remain as they are and be united. It doesn’t work. Someone has to move. Marriages that are divided must work things out or a divorce will happen. A nation that is divided, will have major problems. Unity must have a platform or it will not last. Pretending everything is ok is not the answer. Denying the reality is not the solution. United we stand only happens when each party has agreed to stand on a platform that will generate peace and harmony.

The Plains of Ono call you. Satan wants to meet you there. He wants to work things out. He wants you to accept those that teach error. He wants you to tolerate wrong. Just talk. Let’s see what can happen. The Plains of Ono or Oh-No! Which will it be for you? Will you continue to build what you started with God or will you stop the work to meet with the enemy? Those are choices we face, often, every day.

Ono—or “Oh-No,” which will it be?

Roger