This is an interesting perspective of sin that we often would not otherwise consider. We would think of sin as being angry, or cussing at these enemies, seeking to have them killed. Here Nehemiah considers it sin to follow the counsel of a deceitful confidant; to move towards ones own protection at the expense of those who have courageously stood and sacrificed for the cause under your leadership.
More enemies within: several Hebrew leaders and rulers. The odds were certainly stacked against Nehemiah from all directions. Remember back when the king initially granted him this request? Did the king know what Nehemiah was getting into? Most likely. Yet he granted it to him on the basis of some quality that he saw in his cup bearer.
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