The following is an imagined conversation between Nehemiah and someone trying to play “peacemaker” and “honor” the high priest.
PTTPP&“H”THP:[1] “How was your trip?”
Nehemiah: “Business as usual.”
PTTPP&“H”THP: “What are you gonna do now that you’re back in town?”
Nehemiah: “I’m going to deal with this Tobiah problem.”
PTTPP&“H”THP: “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Nehemiah: “Why not?”
PTTPP&“H”THP: “Well, Eliashib is the one who set up the apartment for Tobiah, and Eliashib has done a lot of really helpful things for the community. And I honestly think that Eliashib loves the community, and he’s just trying to do what’s best. I can see how your views might differ from his, but I think you need to be charitable toward Eliashib. And I think you need to show him respect and honor, because he is the high priest!”
Nehemiah: “I think you’re wrong.”
PTTPP&“H”THP: “Really!?”
Nehemiah: “Yes. And I think you know that Eliashib is wrong. And I think that you’re too timid to speak the truth in love. I think that you want me to pander and cater to Eliashib because you’re scared. And you’re using the language of “honor” and “respect” in an attempt to manipulate me into joining you on the path of living by fear.”
PTTPP&“H”THP: “Well, I’m going to send you a link to a sermon series by an esteemed, and highly educated, southern theologian about honoring men in positions of spiritual authority! And I really think you should listen to it, and take it to heart! I think you have become drunk on the elixir of secular culture. Perhaps your work as cupbearer to the king of Babylon has corrupted your thinking.”
[1] Person trying to play “peacemaker” and “honor” the high priest.
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