Nehemiah

Nehemiah was taught by Dr. James Modlish

 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

 

For a period of time following the dedication of the wall, Nehemiah continued to establish a righteous government in Jerusalem. Eventually, we learn in verse six, he left the city and went back to his original assignment as the King's cup bearer.

During his absence things began to deteriorate in Jerusalem. The text does not say how long Nehemiah was gone, but "while the cat's away the mice will play." Nehemiah asks leave to return to Jerusalem and finds a multiplicity of problems on his arrival.

Toleration of sin leads to spiritual laxity, and spiritual laxity paves the way for doctrinal indifference, and when this happens we become ignorant of God's provision for us. Our sensitivity to spiritual realities fades, and we lose the motivation that once kept us actively in the service of God. Moral degeneracy becomes the inevitable result.

 

OUTLINE OF THE CHAPTER:

I. THE LAW AND SEPARATION (1-3)

II. DEFILING OF THE TEMPLE (4-6)
III. NEHEMIAH'S SECOND VISIT (7-9)
IV. THE ORDER OF THE HOUSE OF GOD (10-14)
V. THE VIOLATION OF THE SABBATH (15-22)
VI. INTERMARRIAGES (23-31)

 

I. THE LAW AND SEPARATION - (1-3)

Verses (1-3) set up the remainder of chapter thirteen. "On that day" refers to the day of the dedication of the walls (12; 27-47). We are initially confronted with the good intentions and firm purposes of the people to maintain the purity, nationalistically, that God demanded of them.

Yet, what follows in the chapter shows us two very important human principles:

[1]. You'll never get a true 100% participation from all in anything. (vs. 4.)

[2]. We are reminded of how quickly people forget their commitments.

For background in the historical references of Ammon, Moab, Balaam, (see Gen. 19:37,38; Deut. 23:3-5; Num. 22:5,6).

 

II. DEFILING OF THE TEMPLE - (4-6)

The first problem that arises in the chapter is that of compromising companion . Tobiah is an Ammonite (2:19). Eliashib, the high priest (vs. 28), has set up for Tobiah a nice penthouse apartment in the temple in direct violation of verses (1-3)!

We are admonished in the Scriptures, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers..." (2 Cor. 6:14). "Evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Cor. 15:33). As Solomon's wives turned away his heart from God (1 Kings 11:2), so will bad companions turn your heart away from serving the living God.

 

III. NEHEMIAH'S SECOND VISIT - (7-9)

Nehemiah took the problem "by the throat." Note the emotion and yet balanced decisiveness of the leadership of Nehemiah. The "evil" of (vs. 7) "grieved me sore" (vs. 8). Nehemiah had a broken heart for the sins of the people and was willing to attack the situation head on. Nehemiah enters Tobiah's penthouse apartment and begins to throw all of Tobiah's "trash" out into the street. What kind of a Christian attitude is that? By the way, Nehemiah isn't the only temple "exterminator" in the Scriptures (Jn. 2:14-16). Good job Nehemiah! All of our work demands a little bit of maintenance from time to time. Someone must be willing to act, and act based on biblical, godly principles. Note verse (11), "Then contended I..." (vs. 15), "and I testified against them..."; (vs. 17), "Then I contended with the nobles..." The leader is willing to work and if need be fight for right and accept the personal consequences.

 

IV. THE ORDER OF THE HOUSE OF GOD - (10-14)

The next problem Nehemiah faced was the problem of financial fiasco. The people who served in the temple, the Levites, drew their income from the tithes of the people. Apparently there was (as we say in the 1980's) a "cash flow problem." The Levites and singers were on the bulging unemployment roles (a direct result of people who will not be honest with God). "Why is the house of God forsaken?" (vs. 11) Nehemiah rebukes the rulers and "sets them in their place." When Nehemiah speaks, people listen! Nehemiah restructures the treasury, finding faithful men to fulfill these duties (vs. 13); and prays (vs. 14)

 

V. THE VIOLATION OF THE SABBATH - (15-22)

On to the next problem. Remember, a good leader is a problem solver, not a problem maker. Problem #3, a secularized sabbath. Look at the covenantal promise of (Neh. 10:31). The people were working, trading, buying, selling, etc ... all in violation of the Sabbath. "Then I contended..." (vs. 17); "...I testified against them..." (vs. 15); "...I testified against them..." (vs. 21). "If ye do so again, I will lay hands on you." Look at (vs. 25)! Nehemiah must have looked like a raving maniac. But quickly and convincingly the wrong was set in order.

 

VI. INTERMARRIAGES - (23-31)

Nehemiah's fourth problem was that of a gross domestic disobedience. The men had married women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab. The mixed marriages had produced a generation of children who 11 could not speak the Jew's language" (vs. 24). The Scriptures were written in Hebrew and the children were incapable of reading them on their own. "Did not Solomon...sin by these things?" (1 Kings 11:1-8) Verse (25) reveals the decisive action Nehemiah pursued ... he "cursed them... smote certain of them... plucked off their hair." Quite tactless. Tact is something one uses with reasonable people, action must be taken against those who are not... "Therefore I chased him from me" (vs. 28).

Nehemiah's last prayer (vs. 31) says, "Lord I don't know if I've done everything exactly the way you'd do it, yet, you know where my heart is..."Remember me for good."

THE LEADER:

[1]. ...faces wrong head-on.

[2]. ...deals with wrong severely.

[3]. ... works toward a permanent correction

[4]. ...always follows up wrong with prayer

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