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NEHEMIAH

CHAPTER 13

1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; 2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. 3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.

This chapter deals with the changes and improvements which Nehemiah made while he was governor.

When they had gathered to praise God and read from the Bible, they had realized something very important.
They were reminded that God had said the Moabite and the Ammonite should not be allowed to come to the temple. That was because the Moabites and Ammonites had treated Israel despitefully when they came to the promised land under Moses' and Joshua's leadership.
These people had hired a prophet (Baalim) to prophecy against Israel (Numbers 22:5). But God had used Baalim to turn the prophecy into joy (Numbers 24:10).
God had also allowed Ruth to marry Boaz. Ruth was a Moabitess. And from their descendency would come Messiah Jesus.
There is NO ONE whom God cannot save and use, if they will only come and surrender to Him!
Now some of the people who had returned from the captivity had intermarried with some of these.
They realized this was sin against God. There is no one whom God cannot save; but saved people are not to intermarry with unsaved people.
Under Nehemiah's leadership and the realization of this as sin, the people willingly separated themselves from those of other nations.

4 And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah: 5 And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests. 6 But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: 7 And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. 8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. 9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.

Also, when Nehemiah had first come to Jerusalem, the resident priest at that time had allowed Tobiah (an Ammonite government official) to prepare a "chamber" in the place of the house of God. There, the people would bring there "taxes" to him, and store them.
Nehemiah realized this was wrong. He threw out all of Tobiah's stuff, and commanded that the temple be CLEANSED. It had been desecrated! Then, Nehemiah had brought in the vessels and things of God's temple which were appropriate for conducting proper worship to God.
This perhaps explains a little more why Tobiah was so insistent in opposition of Nehemiah's work.

10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. 11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. 12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.

The Levites (and others) were not receiving the support they were due from the tithes and offerings when Nehemiah first came.
He instituted a change by appealing to realization of TRUTH. His question was, "Why is the house of God forsaken?"
When saved people are faced with realization of truth, they will do that which is right.

13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren. 14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.

There is a need for accountability for the things of God in the church. Nehemiah appointed "treasurers" to be accountable.
Note that Nehemiah pleads with God to remember this good thing he has done.
He is not boasting, but he is simply acknowledging to God that no good thing could proceed from himself without the invoking of the Holy Spirit of God in his soul.
Also, he received little thanks and/or recognition from the people, even though they willingly followed his zealous leadership.
But God does NOT FORGET! He is faithful and righteous in all things, even in remembering our labor of love for Him (Hebrews 6:10, Revelation 22:12).

15 In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. 16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. 19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. 20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. 21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

Nehemiah noticed that people were working on the Sabbath. He also noticed that many of the people were purchasing things from those merchants who came into Jerusalem on the Sabbath.
Nehemiah spoke to the "nobles" (leaders) and told them how this had profaned the Sabbath in the past and was one of the reasons God had allowed their captivity.
Faced with their sin, they were obedient to Nehemiah's leadership in correcting the matter.
He closed the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. The merchants still showed up, but Nehemiah told them not to come again, or he would "..lay hands on them.." -- put them in prison.
Then Nehemiah told the Levites to be sure and "cleanse" themselves from this sin of profaning the Sabbath. He demanded that they "sanctify" the Sabbath. This meant to set that day aside as God had commanded in His Word, and do no work.
Again, Nehemiah calls on God to "remember" his zealous work for the things of God. Nehemiah did not ask for REWARD, only for REMEMBRANCE.

23 In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: 24 And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people. 25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. 27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives? 28 And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me. 29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. 30 Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;

Another of Nehemiah's reforms, which was surely very hard to accomplish, was to "cleanse" the family life.
My friends, it is very important that Christian parents realize their responsibility in seeing that children do not intermarry with unsaved people.
Notice some of the things Nehemiah did to change this situation (verse 25).
As governor of the land, in that day, Nehemiah had the authority to do these things. Today, men do not have that authority.
However, it is still true that we have the authority to "contend" with the families of God about this evil. If it is not preached from the pulpit and taught from the Sunday School classroom, chances are it will not be taught in the HOME!
Even Solomon, who was THOROUGHLY blessed of God, and genuinely desirous of God had been caused to stray because of "strange women" (1Kings 11:1-5).
The faith we have in Christ is a GIFT of God. One cannot HAVE it unless one comes humbly in repentance to Jesus and REQUESTS it. And faith is also a heritage. It CAN BE passed on to children when parents conduct themselves properly according to God's Word (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). The Bible is very plain to note that if a man truly gets saved, his WHOLE household will be saved (Acts 16:31). The power of the gospel preached is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). And when a man preaches it in his household, the children will HEAR and be SAVED!
But when parents do not preach ALL the Bible, the children do not follow according to God's law.

31 And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

Nehemiah also made sure that all the people had an opportunity to SERVE in God's house. EVERYONE could at least bring WOOD for the offerings.
Friends, EVERY saved person had SOME place of service in God's house. One does not have to be a "minister" to MINISTER!
The PRESENCE of God's people in His church on Sunday is a place of MINISTRY! The OFFERINGS of God's people in His church on Sunday is a MINISTRY!

At the end of this marvelous book is yet another request for God to "remember" Nehemiah's zealousness for the things of God.
We must see that God granted the request. The book of Nehemiah and his work for the Lord is included in the canon of the Bible! Forever Nehemiah will be remembered for his zealousness for the things of God.
May it be that we, as he, shall be REMEMBERED for our zealousness. For many are our sins and iniquities, and we should pray that God would NOT remember them (as He has promised) but that He WILL remember the work we have done for Him.

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