The Book of nehemiah

Chapter 13

Nehemiah 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.

1) Contending for Commandments Vs 1-3

This is the day of dedication for the walls built around the city of Jerusalem.

On this day, after the singers (12:42), after the offering (12:44), they read the Word of God publicly.

It is my belief that they read from Deut 23:3-6.

Deut 23:3-6

[3] An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:
[4] Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
[5] Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.
[6] Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.

This passage was concerning the happenings of Numbers chapters 22-24.

For the scheming sins of the Ammonites & Moabites they were not allowed in the congregation of God’s people.

GOD made a great promise concerning the Jews in Genesis 12:3

Genesis 12:3

[3] And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

The curse of God abode on the Ammonites and the Moabites.

The Israelite became part of God’s covenant by birth, but the Ammonites and Moabites did not.

They would have to repent and leave their people to be part of God’s covenant people.

Ruth (Ruth 1:4) was a Moabite who left her people and called on God for her salvation.

Upon hearing the Word of God read on the day of dedication, Israel obeyed.

Israel separated from the mixed multitude without making any excuses.

Psalms 119:115

[115] Depart from me all ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

The “mixed multitude” wanted to associate with Israel but would not repent and commit to God.

Today in our churches there are those who will not surrender in salvation to the Lord-ship of Jesus.

The mixed-multitude wants the world and the church and it will not work.

Nehemiah 13:[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.

2) Contending for Cleansing Vs 4-9

In vs 6 we are reminded that Nehemiah had originally come to Jerusalem by permission from the king.

Nehemiah served as the King’s trusted cup-bearer (1:11) and had requested a leave of absence (2:6).

Comparing Neh 2:1 and Neh 13:6 we can figure that Nehemiah had been away 12 years on a leave of absence.

Thus Nehemiah returned 900 miles to Shushan the palace of the King of Persia.

According to vs 4, while Nehemiah was gone, Eliashib the priest a long-allied friend of Tobiah prepared Tobiah a chamber in the house of God.

Tobiah had been a real enemy of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. (Neh 4:7-8).

Tobiah was also an Ammonite (Neh 2:10) and should be considered part of the mixed multitude.

Eliashib allowed the enemy of God’s people to move right into the temple courts.

In verse 7, Nehemiah obtained leave of the king and returned to Jerusalem.

This unannounced return of Nehemiah surprised the people and Nehemiah saw Tobiah’s dwelling place.

Nehemiah was sorely grieved because Eliashib had compromised and the temple housed the enemy.

Nehemiah cast Tobiah’s stuff out of the chambers of the temple.

Nehemiah cleansed the rooms and put the temple chambers back to their proper use.

Nehemiah did not confuse love with being nice.

Nehemiah 13:[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.
[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.

3) Contending for Commitments

A. Support Vs 10-14

Nehemiah also learned that while he was away, the people no longer took care of the singers &Levites.

· Remember, the people had promised in writing to support the House of GOD (Neh 10:32-39).

· With a Temple Tax (32,33), Wood (34), Firstfruits (35), Fristlings (36, 37) and Tithes (38-39)

· Vs 39 …. We will not forsake the house of our God.

The people committed but did not follow through.

The Levites and singers, servants at God’s House had to leave serving for lack of support & go to work.

Nehemiah asked “why is the house of God forsaken?”

Their lack of giving showed their lack of support.

Matthew 6:21

[21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Nehemiah got the servants to recommit, reorganized the collection and accounting of tithes & offerings.

Nehemiah 13: [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.

B. Sabbath Keeping Vs 15-22

Upon Nehemiah’s return, Nehemiah saw the people working on the Sabbath.

The people were treading winepresses, harvesting and loading donkeys.

The people were selling and buying wine, grapes, figs and other victuals.

Men of Tyre were coming into Jerusalem and selling fish and other wares and the Jews bought items.

· Remember, the people has promised in writing to keep the Sabbath (Neh 10:31).

Nehemiah stood and confronted the people and warned them that God will chastise them.

Nehemiah commanded the gates of the city to be shut before the Sabbath & reopened after the Sabbath.

Nehemiah noticed the merchants camped outside the city gates waiting to get in.

Nehemiah said if you tempt the people again “I will lay hands upon you.”

This warning stopped the merchants on the Sabbath day.

Then Nehemiah turned the gatekeeping on the Sabbath over to the Levites he could trust.

Nehemiah 13:[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; [31] And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

C. Separation 23-31

Nehemiah also noticed that while he was away, the Jews had begun to intermarry pagans again.

Their children could not even speak in the Jews language.

· Remember, the people had promised in writing to be a people of separation (Neh 10:30)

For this great sin, Nehemiah rebuked them.

Then Nehemiah warned them of the sin of King Solomon. If a man so blessed was vulnerable so were they.

In verses 28-31, Nehemiah noticed that Eliashib’s grandson had married Sanballat’s daughter.

Remember Sanballat was a rebellious enemy to Nehemiah, the work and the Jews.

Nehemiah chased this young a man, a priest, away for he had defiled the priesthood.

Israel had broken every written promise.

Nehemiah had to stand and contend in order to lead the people constantly.

Nehemiah wanted the people of God to be strong, safe and secure while serving the LORD.

Nehemiah led the people to purity, obedience and worship of the Lord God.

· The laws, rules, covenants and promises of men are powerless to stop sin.

· Only the grace of God through the blood of Jesus can stop sin.

· We are not saved by our commitments, or our promises.

· We are saved by grace of God though the blood of Jesus

Romans 8:3

[3] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: