It has taken approximately 100 years, but the unthinkable has been accomplished by the hand of God through a few surrendered individuals that have led the Israelites. The temple foundation was rebuilt, and then the temple; years later the city walls and gates are rebuilt and the temple services is reinstated...it is a glorious day in Jerusalem! Will it last?
Nehemiah’s governorship of Judea lasts 12 years, after which he returns to Susa. While he is gone, the Jews gradually abandon their “binding agreement” to carefully obey God’s Law (10:28–39). When Nehemiah returns for a second term as governor of Judea, he finds that the Jews’ old enemy Tobiah has actually been provided guest quarters in the temple compound itself (13:1–9). He also learns that services at the temple have been abandoned. God’s tithes have not been paid, and the Levites who served at the temple have been forced to go back to their farms in order to survive (vv. 10–14). The people work on the Sabbath, and at Jerusalem the holy day of rest has been transformed into a market day! (vv. 15–22) Once again some men of Judah, including one of the sons of the high priest, have married foreign wives (vv. 23–31). Nehemiah vigorously corrects each abuse, calling on God to “remember” his faithful service … and the priests who defiled their office (vv. 29–30).
Thus the last of the Old Testament’s historical books ends on a note of uncertainty. If the people of God so quickly abandoned His Law in the brief absence of Nehemiah, what will happen to them in the centuries that lie ahead? Will they be ready when God’s Deliverer, from David’s line, comes?Richards, L. O. (1991; Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems, 1996). The Bible readers companion (electronic ed.) (321). Wheaton: Victor Books.
Were they ready? Most of them were not! The huge question for today is will you and I be ready? Will we be ready as the Holy Spirit makes clear the truth of the gospel? Will you and I respond in obedience to the truth of God's word as it falls on our ears? What did Jesus say in Matt 12:50 “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.” WHOEVER DOES THE FATHER'S WILL IS THE ONE WHO IS IN RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM!
Keep this in mind as we look at what Nehemiah did when he returned to Judah...he did not behave in a politically correct manner! He certainly was not tolerant of what other believed and of their lifestyles! What did he do? He confronted them, cursed them, beat them and pulled out their hair and then he made them take an oath in the name of God. That would not go over well today in our churches!
Nehemiah 13:24-31 And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people. 25 And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take oath in the name of God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves. 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin. 27 Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?”
28 And one of the sons of Jehoiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was the son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I chased him from me. 29 Remember them, O my God, because they have desecrated the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.
30 Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign, and I established the duties of the priests and Levites, each in his work; 31 and I provided for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the firstfruits.
Remember me, O my God, for good.
As brothers and sisters in Christ we have a responsibility to one another to confront and challenge when we witness sin. It is sinful for us to look the other way and say that it is not my business. Actually, the easy thing to do is to look the other way...the unpleasant and difficult path is to confront sin in a brother or sister...we have a responsibility for one another.
Love one another!
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