Nehemiah 13: Reforming Compromises and Renewing Covenant
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;
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.
Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:
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.
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:
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.
And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
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.
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.
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.
Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
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.
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.
In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:
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.
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.
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.
Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?
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.
Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;
And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
Nehemiah 13 is a powerful conclusion to the book, showcasing Nehemiah's unwavering commitment to God's law and his relentless pursuit of spiritual purity for the people of Israel. This chapter details his return to Jerusalem after a period of absence and his subsequent discovery of various compromises that had crept into the community. Nehemiah acts decisively to correct these issues, demonstrating the importance of consistent obedience and the consequences of neglecting God's commands. This chapter serves as a potent reminder that spiritual vigilance is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship with God and for preserving the integrity of His people.
Confronting Compromise (Nehemiah 13:1-9)
Nehemiah 13:1-5 recounts a pivotal moment when the people, having heard the Law read aloud, realized that Ammonites and Moabites were to be excluded from the assembly of God. This realization stemmed from their historical opposition to Israel during the Exodus (Deuteronomy 23:3-6). When God’s people cease to compromise, He can turn a curse into a blessing as stated in Nehemiah 13:2. We may wonder why God isn’t blessing us despite our efforts, but perhaps we are compromising in other areas. Attending church on Sunday is important, but compromising on Monday can negate God's blessings.
The specific compromise highlighted here involves Eliashib, the priest, who, being related to Tobiah, an enemy of God, had provided Tobiah with a room in the temple itself! Nehemiah wouldn't even allow Tobiah to assist in building the wall, yet Eliashib granted him residence within the sacred precincts. This was a grave offense, as the room was originally designated for storing tithes of grain, incense, and temple vessels. This situation echoes Malachi 1:6-14, revealing a deep disrespect for God and a misuse of His house for unholy purposes.
Nehemiah’s decisive action in Nehemiah 13:6-9 demonstrates a commitment to spiritual purity that transcends personal relationships. Upon his return, he was appalled by this desecration and immediately took action, throwing Tobiah's belongings out of the room and ordering its purification. This highlights a crucial principle: our love for family should never supersede our obedience to God. Jesus stated in Luke 14:26, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters . . . he cannot be my disciple.” When family members encourage disobedience, a choice must be made. Jesus himself said, “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34).
Nehemiah's swift response serves as a challenge to our own tendency to delay addressing problems or to remain silent in the face of sin and injustice within the church. When individuals rebel against God's principles, it becomes our responsibility, motivated by love, to guide them back to the right path.
Restoring Proper Worship (Nehemiah 13:10-14)
The narrative shifts to another area of compromise: the neglect of the Levites and singers (Nehemiah 13:10-12). The people had stopped providing the required portions for their support, forcing them to return to their fields to earn a living. This neglect of ministry stemmed from misplaced priorities, where personal concerns overshadowed the things of God. This led to a decline in the spiritual atmosphere of the community.
Nehemiah immediately addressed this issue, rebuking the officials and rallying the people to bring their tithes once more. He then appointed trustworthy individuals to oversee the storehouses and ensure the proper distribution of resources (Nehemiah 13:13). This emphasizes the importance of reliability and integrity in leadership. We need leaders who live consistently, both within the church and in their daily lives.
Nehemiah 13:14 concludes this section with Nehemiah's prayer, asking God to remember his faithfulness. This prayer is not rooted in pride, but in a desire for God's help in fulfilling His kingdom agenda within the community.
Upholding the Sabbath (Nehemiah 13:15-22)
Nehemiah 13:15-22 addresses the compromise of materialism and the desecration of the Sabbath. Nehemiah witnessed people treading winepresses, bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with goods to sell in Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. This blatant disregard for God's command to keep the Sabbath holy deeply troubled him. He confronted the merchants and warned them of the consequences of their actions, reminding them of past disasters that had befallen Israel due to such unfaithfulness (Nehemiah 13:18).
Nehemiah took decisive action to prevent further desecration of the Sabbath, ordering the gates of Jerusalem to be shut at the approach of the Sabbath and posting guards to ensure that no merchandise was brought into the city. He even threatened to use force if the merchants persisted in their disobedience.
This section underscores the importance of setting aside dedicated time for reflection and worship. Just as the Israelites were to keep the Sabbath day holy, we should use the first day of the week to intentionally reflect on God's grace in our lives. Reflecting on blessings such as provision, shelter and clothing fosters obedience and thankfulness.
Addressing Intermarriage (Nehemiah 13:23-31)
The final section of Nehemiah 13 deals with the issue of intermarriage with foreign women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab (Nehemiah 13:23-27). This was not simply a matter of marrying someone of a different race or nationality, but rather marrying individuals who did not worship the one true God. This compromise had led to a disturbing consequence: the children of these mixed marriages were unable to speak Hebrew, the language in which God's law was written (Nehemiah 13:24). They were instead speaking the language of Ashdod.
Nehemiah reacted strongly to this situation, rebuking the offenders, cursing them, striking some of them, and even pulling out their hair (Nehemiah 13:25). He reminded them of the disastrous consequences of Solomon's intermarriage, which led to his downfall and the division of the kingdom (Nehemiah 13:26).
This serves as a warning against compromising on matters of faith, particularly in the context of marriage. To avoid compromising sexual purity, consider the damage that breaking standards would inflict on the cause of Christ, your children's respect, and your spousal relationship. Satan seeks opportunities to defeat you by studying your weaknesses.
Nehemiah 13:28-31 concludes with Nehemiah's final act of purification, driving out a son of Jehoiada who had married the daughter of Sanballat, one of Israel's enemies. He then prays for God to remember him for his faithfulness in cleansing the priesthood and upholding the covenant. Nehemiah invited God to remember that although one person had compromised, Nehemiah had not. He hopes God will remember him with favor on judgment day.
Nehemiah's life serves as an example of living from God's perspective so that you may hear the words, “Well done” (Matthew 25:21). Nehemiah 13 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant against compromise, prioritizing God's commands, and pursuing spiritual purity in all aspects of our lives.
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;
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.
Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:
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.
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:
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.
And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
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.
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.
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.
Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
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.
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.
In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:
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.
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.
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.
Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?
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.
Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;
And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
Nehemiah 13 is a powerful conclusion to the book, showcasing Nehemiah's unwavering commitment to God's law and his relentless pursuit of spiritual purity for the people of Israel. This chapter details his return to Jerusalem after a period of absence and his subsequent discovery of various compromises that had crept into the community. Nehemiah acts decisively to correct these issues, demonstrating the importance of consistent obedience and the consequences of neglecting God's commands. This chapter serves as a potent reminder that spiritual vigilance is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship with God and for preserving the integrity of His people.
Confronting Compromise (Nehemiah 13:1-9)
Nehemiah 13:1-5 recounts a pivotal moment when the people, having heard the Law read aloud, realized that Ammonites and Moabites were to be excluded from the assembly of God. This realization stemmed from their historical opposition to Israel during the Exodus (Deuteronomy 23:3-6). When God’s people cease to compromise, He can turn a curse into a blessing as stated in Nehemiah 13:2. We may wonder why God isn’t blessing us despite our efforts, but perhaps we are compromising in other areas. Attending church on Sunday is important, but compromising on Monday can negate God's blessings.
The specific compromise highlighted here involves Eliashib, the priest, who, being related to Tobiah, an enemy of God, had provided Tobiah with a room in the temple itself! Nehemiah wouldn't even allow Tobiah to assist in building the wall, yet Eliashib granted him residence within the sacred precincts. This was a grave offense, as the room was originally designated for storing tithes of grain, incense, and temple vessels. This situation echoes Malachi 1:6-14, revealing a deep disrespect for God and a misuse of His house for unholy purposes.
Nehemiah’s decisive action in Nehemiah 13:6-9 demonstrates a commitment to spiritual purity that transcends personal relationships. Upon his return, he was appalled by this desecration and immediately took action, throwing Tobiah's belongings out of the room and ordering its purification. This highlights a crucial principle: our love for family should never supersede our obedience to God. Jesus stated in Luke 14:26, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters . . . he cannot be my disciple.” When family members encourage disobedience, a choice must be made. Jesus himself said, “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34).
Nehemiah's swift response serves as a challenge to our own tendency to delay addressing problems or to remain silent in the face of sin and injustice within the church. When individuals rebel against God's principles, it becomes our responsibility, motivated by love, to guide them back to the right path.
Restoring Proper Worship (Nehemiah 13:10-14)
The narrative shifts to another area of compromise: the neglect of the Levites and singers (Nehemiah 13:10-12). The people had stopped providing the required portions for their support, forcing them to return to their fields to earn a living. This neglect of ministry stemmed from misplaced priorities, where personal concerns overshadowed the things of God. This led to a decline in the spiritual atmosphere of the community.
Nehemiah immediately addressed this issue, rebuking the officials and rallying the people to bring their tithes once more. He then appointed trustworthy individuals to oversee the storehouses and ensure the proper distribution of resources (Nehemiah 13:13). This emphasizes the importance of reliability and integrity in leadership. We need leaders who live consistently, both within the church and in their daily lives.
Nehemiah 13:14 concludes this section with Nehemiah's prayer, asking God to remember his faithfulness. This prayer is not rooted in pride, but in a desire for God's help in fulfilling His kingdom agenda within the community.
Upholding the Sabbath (Nehemiah 13:15-22)
Nehemiah 13:15-22 addresses the compromise of materialism and the desecration of the Sabbath. Nehemiah witnessed people treading winepresses, bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with goods to sell in Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. This blatant disregard for God's command to keep the Sabbath holy deeply troubled him. He confronted the merchants and warned them of the consequences of their actions, reminding them of past disasters that had befallen Israel due to such unfaithfulness (Nehemiah 13:18).
Nehemiah took decisive action to prevent further desecration of the Sabbath, ordering the gates of Jerusalem to be shut at the approach of the Sabbath and posting guards to ensure that no merchandise was brought into the city. He even threatened to use force if the merchants persisted in their disobedience.
This section underscores the importance of setting aside dedicated time for reflection and worship. Just as the Israelites were to keep the Sabbath day holy, we should use the first day of the week to intentionally reflect on God's grace in our lives. Reflecting on blessings such as provision, shelter and clothing fosters obedience and thankfulness.
Addressing Intermarriage (Nehemiah 13:23-31)
The final section of Nehemiah 13 deals with the issue of intermarriage with foreign women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab (Nehemiah 13:23-27). This was not simply a matter of marrying someone of a different race or nationality, but rather marrying individuals who did not worship the one true God. This compromise had led to a disturbing consequence: the children of these mixed marriages were unable to speak Hebrew, the language in which God's law was written (Nehemiah 13:24). They were instead speaking the language of Ashdod.
Nehemiah reacted strongly to this situation, rebuking the offenders, cursing them, striking some of them, and even pulling out their hair (Nehemiah 13:25). He reminded them of the disastrous consequences of Solomon's intermarriage, which led to his downfall and the division of the kingdom (Nehemiah 13:26).
This serves as a warning against compromising on matters of faith, particularly in the context of marriage. To avoid compromising sexual purity, consider the damage that breaking standards would inflict on the cause of Christ, your children's respect, and your spousal relationship. Satan seeks opportunities to defeat you by studying your weaknesses.
Nehemiah 13:28-31 concludes with Nehemiah's final act of purification, driving out a son of Jehoiada who had married the daughter of Sanballat, one of Israel's enemies. He then prays for God to remember him for his faithfulness in cleansing the priesthood and upholding the covenant. Nehemiah invited God to remember that although one person had compromised, Nehemiah had not. He hopes God will remember him with favor on judgment day.
Nehemiah's life serves as an example of living from God's perspective so that you may hear the words, “Well done” (Matthew 25:21). Nehemiah 13 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant against compromise, prioritizing God's commands, and pursuing spiritual purity in all aspects of our lives.