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Nehemiah 13 Rebuilding the Wall

1 Nehemiah’s Final Reforms
On that day the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people and there it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever be admitted into the assembly of God,

2 because they had not met the Israelites with food and water but had hired Balaam to call a curse down on them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing.)

3 When the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all who were of foreign descent.

4 Before this, Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God. He was closely associated with Tobiah,

5 and he had provided him with a large room formerly used to store the grain offerings and incense and temple articles, and also the tithes of grain, new wine and oil prescribed for the Levites, singers and gatekeepers, as well as the contributions for the priests.

6 But while all this was going on, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Some time later I asked his permission

7 and came back to Jerusalem. Here I learned about the evil thing Eliashib had done in providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God.

8 I was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiah’s household goods out of the room.

9 I gave orders to purify the rooms, and then I put back into them the equipment of the house of God, with the grain offerings and the incense.

10 I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and singers responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields.

11 So I rebuked the officials and asked them, “Why is the house of God neglected?” Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts.

12 All Judah brought the tithes of grain, new wine and oil into the storerooms.

13 I put Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and a Levite named Pedaiah in charge of the storerooms and made Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, their assistant, because these men were considered trustworthy. They were made responsible for distributing the supplies to their brothers.

14 Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services.

15 In those days I saw men in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, together with wine, grapes, figs and all other kinds of loads. And they were bringing all this into Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Therefore I warned them against selling food on that day.

16 Men from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them in Jerusalem on the Sabbath to the people of Judah.

17 I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, “What is this wicked thing you are doing—desecrating the Sabbath day?

18 Didn’t your forefathers do the same things, so that our God brought all this calamity upon us and upon this city? Now you are stirring up more wrath against Israel by desecrating the Sabbath.”

19 When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day.

20 Once or twice the merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside Jerusalem.

21 But I warned them and said, “Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on they no longer came on the Sabbath.

22 Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and go and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy.
Remember me for this also, O my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love.

23 Moreover, in those days I saw men of Judah who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab.

24 Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah.

25 I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God’s name and said: “You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.

26 Was it not because of marriages like these that Solomon king of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, but even he was led into sin by foreign women.

27 Must we hear now that you too are doing all this terrible wickedness and are being unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women?”

28 One of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. And I drove him away from me.

29 Remember them, O my God, because they defiled the priestly office and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.

30 So I purified the priests and the Levites of everything foreign, and assigned them duties, each to his own task.

31 I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and for the firstfruits.
Remember me with favor, O my God.

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Analysis of Nehemiah Chapter 13

Nehemiah Chapter 13 is a compelling and final chapter that brings the book of Nehemiah to a close, focusing on the return and reforms of Nehemiah in Jerusalem. As Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem after some time away, he finds that many of the reforms he had implemented were being neglected or outright ignored. This chapter highlights Nehemiah’s dedication to the spiritual, social, and physical restoration of Israel, providing key insights into leadership, steadfastness in the faith, and a commitment to righteousness. It serves as both an epilogue and a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle to maintain spiritual integrity in the face of adversity. Let us walk through the chapter verse by verse, providing an insightful analysis.

Verses 1-3: Separation from Foreigners

Nehemiah 13:1-3 begins with the reading of the Book of Moses in the presence of the people. It is discovered that the Ammonites and Moabites should not be admitted to the assembly of God due to their historical opposition to Israel, specifically their refusal to provide bread and water and hiring Balaam to curse Israel.

  • Reading of the Law: The public reading of the Law reveals the importance of scripture in guiding the actions and decisions of the people. When they rediscover the prohibition against Ammonites and Moabites, it underscores the ongoing need for adherence to God’s commands.
  • Historical Context: The historical reasons for excluding the Ammonites and Moabites remind Israel of their unique history and identity, which is rooted in their relationship with God and His acts of deliverance and protection.
  • Spiritual Purity: The removal of all who were of foreign descent emphasizes the need for the community to remain spiritually pure and dedicated to God alone. This separation is not about ethnicity but about maintaining religious and spiritual purity within the community.

Verses 4-9: The Cleansing of the Temple

These verses tell the story of how Nehemiah discovered that Eliashib the priest had provided a large room in the temple courts for Tobiah, an Ammonite official, which was against the Law.

  • Eliashib’s Compromise: Eliashib’s actions, allowing Tobiah access to temple space, demonstrate a significant compromise of religious standards. Tobiah represents foreign influence and opposition to the rebuilding efforts led by Nehemiah.
  • Nehemiah’s Response: Nehemiah’s reaction is swift and decisive as he throws out Tobiah’s household goods and directs the purification of the rooms. This act symbolically cleanses the temple of foreign defilement and reaffirms the sanctity of God’s house.
  • Reestablishment of Worship: The focus on purifying the temple and reinstating the proper use of its rooms signifies a return to correct worship practices and highlights the centrality of the temple in the spiritual life of Israel.

Verses 10-14: Reestablishing the Levites’ Support

In these verses, Nehemiah discovers that the portions due to the Levites had not been given to them, leading the Levites and singers to abandon their posts and return to their fields.

  • Neglect and Consequences: The neglect of the Levites’ support indicates a breakdown in the community’s religious duties. It reflects a broader issue of neglecting God’s commandments and the consequences that follow such neglect.
  • Reform and Restoration: Nehemiah’s intervention, bringing the officials together and ensuring the tithes are collected and distributed correctly, underscores his role as a reformer committed to restoring proper order.
  • Faithful Stewardship: The appointment of trustworthy officials to oversee the distribution of the offerings emphasizes the importance of integrity and faithfulness in handling resources dedicated to God’s work.
  • Nehemiah’s Prayer: His prayer, asking God to remember him favorably for what he has done, reflects a personal plea for divine acknowledgment and blessing for his efforts to restore faithfulness in worship.

Verses 15-22: Observance of the Sabbath

Nehemiah observes that people in Judah were treading winepresses, bringing in grain, and engaging in other commercial activities on the Sabbath, directly violating the Sabbath laws.

  • Sabbath Violations: The violations of the Sabbath, a day set apart for rest and worship, point to a deeper issue of spiritual disobedience and a lack of respect for God’s commandments among the people.
  • Nehemiah’s Confrontation: Nehemiah rebukes the nobles of Judah, who were responsible for allowing such practices. This confrontation highlights the role of leaders in either upholding or neglecting religious laws.
  • Practical Measures: His measures to enforce Sabbath observance, such as shutting the gates of Jerusalem to prevent merchants from entering and posting guards, demonstrate a practical and firm approach to implementing reforms.
  • Moral Responsibility: Nehemiah’s actions symbolize his commitment to moral responsibility and the well-being of the community in adhering to God’s will.

Verses 23-29: Mixed Marriages

These verses describe how Nehemiah discovered that Jews had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab, resulting in their children’s loss of the ability to speak the language of Judah.

  • Intermarriage and Identity: The issue of intermarriage is not merely about ethnic purity but about preserving the cultural and religious identity of the Jewish people. The inability of children to speak Hebrew signified a loss of connection to their heritage and scripture.
  • Nehemiah’s Severe Reaction: Nehemiah’s reaction includes physical reprimand, which while severe, demonstrates his deep concern for the spiritual and cultural integrity of the community.
  • Reference to Solomon: Nehemiah references King Solomon, whose foreign wives led him into idolatry, illustrating the dangers that intermarriage posed to maintaining a committed and pure relationship with God.
  • Purifying the Priesthood: The removal of a priest who had married a foreign woman underlines the need for purity within religious leadership, as they hold significant influence over the spiritual health of the community.

Verses 30-31: Nehemiah’s Conclusion

The chapter concludes with Nehemiah purifying the priests and Levites, organizing the services of the priests and Levites, and making provisions for wood offerings and the offerings of the first fruits.

  • Final Reforms: Nehemiah’s final reforms encompass both spiritual and practical measures, ensuring that the religious practices and support systems for worship are properly restored and maintained.
  • Prayer for Remembrance: The chapter ends with Nehemiah’s plea for God to remember him for the good he has done. This prayer underscores his motivations and faith, seeking divine approval and recognition for his efforts.

Overall Themes and Insights

Nehemiah Chapter 13 addresses several significant themes, each contributing to the overarching message of the book. These themes include the importance of adherence to God’s commandments, the role of leadership in upholding faith and righteousness, and the continual need for spiritual vigilance and reform.

  • Adherence to God’s Commandments: The repeated violations and subsequent reforms underline the necessity of continual adherence to God’s laws. The reinstitution of tithes, proper observance of the Sabbath, and the importance of purity in worship and community relations all point towards a need for unwavering commitment to divine instructions.
  • Leadership and Accountability: Nehemiah’s role as a leader committed to reform and accountability stands out. His actions exemplify the responsibilities of leaders in guiding and correcting their communities. His willingness to confront, correct, and implement changes emphasizes the need for decisive and faithful leadership.
  • Spiritual Vigilance: The reoccurrence of issues initially resolved highlights the ongoing battle against complacency and spiritual decline. This vigilance is imperative to avoid lapses in faith and practice, implying the necessity of constant spiritual awareness and renewal.
  • Purity and Separation: The emphasis on separating from foreign influences and maintaining purity within the community serves as a metaphor for spiritual integrity. It reflects the broader biblical theme of being set apart for God, avoiding assimilation into practices that lead away from divine purposes.
  • The Role of Scripture: The book of Moses’ reading bringing to light areas needing reform reflects the critical role of scripture in guiding and correcting believers. Scripture acts as a mirror, revealing areas of failure and the need for repentance and alignment with God’s will.

Conclusion: Nehemiah’s Final Legacy

Nehemiah Chapter 13 presents a narrative that is as much about struggle and failure as it is about renewal and reform. Nehemiah’s journey and efforts underscore the complexities of leading a community back to faithfulness, illustrating that reforms are not only about immediate changes but about instituting a culture of ongoing adherence to God’s commandments. His prayers throughout the chapter for God to remember his deeds reflect a heart devoted to God and a desire for divine approval, encapsulating Nehemiah’s legacy as a faithful leader dedicated to the restoration and spiritual health of his people.

In essence, this chapter serves as both a warning and an inspiration. It warns of the ease with which God’s people can drift away from their commitments and the perseverance required to maintain faithfulness. It also inspires by showing the power of determined, godly leadership and the potential for renewal even after lapses. Ultimately, Nehemiah Chapter 13 highlights the relentless pursuit of holiness and the crucial need for leaders who are bold, uncompromising, and deeply committed to God’s commands and the well-being of their community.