Conspiracy Theories

Nehemiah 6:6-In it was written: “It is reported among the nations, and ^[c]Gashmu says, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; for that reason you are rebuilding the wall. And you are to be their king, according to these reports.  NASB

Conspiracy theories have been running wild since biblical times. And today, the theories get juicier and juicer, and some are pretty dangerous. In 1998, a conspiracy theory movie entitled, Enemy of the State was released. The movie depicted a lawyer who was inadvertently passed information while out shopping. He then becomes the target of a government official who uses the nation’s technology to destroy the lawyer’s life to cover up his crime of murder.

It’s not the government that is the enemy, this movie argues, so much as bureaucrats and demagogues who use the power of the government to gain their own ends and cover their own tracks.

Roger Ebert, Movie Critic, 1998.

This line resonated with me, as I was flipping through old movies based on conspiracy theories because it brings to mind what is at the heart of a conspiracy theory. People who use their power in government to attain whatever their heart’s desire is. Merriam-Webster defines a conspiracy theory as:

A theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

This is the situation that Nehemiah finds himself addressing in the sixth chapter. A conspiracy theory. Sanballat and his cronies received word that the wall was built. Unbeknownst to Nehemiah, Tobiah, a close ally of Sanballat, had spies in the camp who reported everything to him (verses 17-19). So when Sanballat heard about the finished work of the wall, Sanballat conspired against Nehemiah.

Four times, Sanballat tried to convince Nehemiah to attend a meeting with him designed to harm Nehemiah, but Nehemiah refused to go. On the fifth time, Sanballat sent a messenger with an open letter. This was significant because it was unusual. Messages were usually sent sealed to keep the contents private, but not this letter. This letter was intentionally left unsealed so that everyone could discover what was written on the inside:

“It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; for that reason you are rebuilding the wall. And you are to be their king, according to these reports.

Nehemiah 6:6 NASB

Sanballat accused Nehemiah of rebuilding the wall to rebel against the king to make himself king of the Jews. He stated that the Jewish people were part of this plot to rebel, also accusing Nehemiah of having prophets to validate him:

You have also appointed prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, ‘A king is in Judah!’ And now it will be reported to the king according to these reports. So come now, let’s consult together.”

Nehemiah 6:7 NASB

Sanballat’s conspiracy theory was basically saying that Nehemiah had ulterior motives for wanting the walls rebuilt. Those motives did not include the welfare of the people, but the arrogance of Nehemiah who felt this was an opportunity to make himself king. In sharing this theory with the people, Sanballat was inciting fear in their hearts also challenging their motives for working with Nehemiah to rebuild the walls. They understood that if a message like this reached the king’s hearing, they would experience the wrath of the king. And if that wasn’t enough, Sanballat claimed that Nehemiah had somehow convinced prophets to get on board with the lie that he was king.

Here’s something we need to realize about conspiracy theories. Just because someone has a conspiracy theory, doesn’t mean the theory is truth. Sanballat shared his conspiracy theory in such a way that it was believable. That’s the way these theories work. They could be believable in the right circumstances. Usually. But in this circumstance, it was a conspiracy theory based on lies, and Sanballat knew it as he wrote it.

For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, God, strengthen my hands.

Nehemiah 6:9 NASB

In the movie, Enemy of the State, the official named Reynolds was the bad guy. Reynolds wanted to hide the fact that he had murdered the senator who was against what he was doing. The evidence had been passed on to the lawyer (played by Will Smith) and so Reynolds began using everything at his disposal to destroy the lawyer while discrediting him as a viable witness. The lie was that the lawyer was responsible for everything, when in actuality, the one calling him a liar and a murderer was, in fact, both of those things.

As Jesus cast out demons, the conspiracy theorists (the Pharisees and Sadducees) declared that He was being used by Beelzebub and not God (Matthew 12:24). As Jesus proclaimed the kingdom, conspiracy theorists declared that He was blasphemous and they plotted to kill Him (John 5:18). They had their networks in place and were prospering. Then Jesus comes along and upsets everything. His good became evil in the eyes of the conspiracists, and they ended up calling for his crucifixion! And many of the people joined in with the conspiracy.

Conspiracy theorists did not stop at the cross. I wish they had! They are alive and well! And with the technology that we have today, their message is proclaimed to the masses. Their objective is to support their agenda while wanting us to believe that they are looking out for our interests. And they are oftentimes very successful! (I will not point you to particular individuals, but will allow God to speak to you in that regard; although it took me years to understand that some of my information about Dr. Martin L. King was a result of conspirators).

We, as Christians, should realize that the only agenda that matters is God’s agenda. Last week’s post dealt with the problem of injustice, but this week, I’m looking primarily at the ones who act like Sanballat, talk like Sanballat, and carry themselves like Sanballat-the conspiracy theorists. They try to cause fear to rise up in the hearts of God’s people. They want us to be afraid of the people who they are against. They try to make believers feel ashamed when they won’t fall in with their agenda. And if you don’t get on board with them, they will attempt to see you destroyed!

So how did Nehemiah handle Sanballat?

For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, God, strengthen my hands.

Nehemiah 6:9 NASB

Nehemiah said that Sanballat was trying to frighten them and cause them to become so discouraged that the work would not be completed. Although the walls were finished, there was still work to be done. And Sanballat saw that they were getting things done, and doing so rapidly. Therefore, he devised this conspiracy against Nehemiah to destroy him before the people. But Nehemiah prayed that God would strengthen his hands. Nehemiah did what he always seemed to do when trouble came his way. He prayed. Nehemiah knew what Sanballat was up to, but he also understood that he needed help from God to remain strong against the attacks coming at him and to help the people stay focused on truth!

In the movie, the lawyer, played by Will Smith, needed the help of Brill, a spy, to navigate through the webs the conspiracist had created around him. Together, they got things done! Like the lawyer, we need the help of the Holy Spirit to navigate the lies that permeate our society and are designed to weaken us, distract us, and pump fear in our hearts. Prayer will open us up to His leading. But we have to want to know the truth!

Conspiracy theorists decided that Taylor Swift’s relationship with NFL Kelce is a conspiracy. Conspiracy theorists deny the reality of the Holocaust. And some of them say that mass shootings are fake. Despite the facts they know exist, these theories are being presented as truth! And there are always people who believe them. Even still, that doesn’t make them true!

As we approach the season of voting in America, we need to be prayerful. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us navigate through the political conspiracies that are designed to create fear in our hearts, distract us from the kingdom’s agenda, and lose sight of Calvary. We need to call truth truth and lies lies. We need His help to figure out what is a conspiracy touted for personal gain and what is truth! God doesn’t want us to be ignorant!

Again, I am not trying to be political. When I chose the book of Nehemiah, I had no forethought about the topics that I would write about. But I believe that God set this up for such a time as this! Wonderful Jesus!