Nehemiah 13: Filling in the Gap
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For this Sunday, we will land the plane completely. We will be in Chapter 13 of Nehemiah,
Please take time to read , .
As you read, ask yourself this question, "How can I maintain a faithful relationship with Christ? How can I not only own, but put into practice His promises for my life?"
The Text in Context
The Text in Context
Ezra-Nehemiah tracks the restoration of the Judean community from exile.
The people’s return from Babylon, the rebuilding of the temple and the Jerusalem wall, and the commitment of the people to faithful obedience to God’s law are all presented as evidence that God is working to accomplish what the prophets foretold.
In this final section, however, the community fails repeatedly to follow the very commands of God they earlier committed explicitly to follow.
The gap between expectation and their actual performance shows that the new-covenant promise of obedience from the heart has not yet been completely fulfilled.
The time markers in this section can be confusing.
“On that day,” in verse 1, sounds as though it is describing further action occurring at the time of the events in 12:44–47.
The Hebrew phrase, however, often refers to a more general period of time, not necessarily connected to the preceding context.
“Before this,” in , is probably better translated “Despite this,” rather than as a time marker.
“While all this was going on,” in verse 6, is ultimately what provides the key to understanding the temporal order.
The events of 13:1–5 take place after Nehemiah leaves Jerusalem, whereas the events of 12:27–47 take place before he leaves.
Once that is established, the chronological sequence of becomes clearer.
Mine Those Nuggets
Mine Those Nuggets
1 At that time the book of Moses was read publicly to the people. The command was found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God,
2 because they did not meet the Israelites with food and water. Instead, they hired Balaam against them to curse them, but our God turned the curse into a blessing.
3 When they heard the law, they separated all those of mixed descent from Israel.
4 Now before this, the priest Eliashib had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God. He was a relative of Tobiah
5 and had prepared a large room for him where they had previously stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the articles, and the tenths of grain, new wine, and fresh oil prescribed for the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, along with the contributions for the priests.
13:1 no Ammonite or Moabite . . . enter the assembly of God.
13:1 no Ammonite or Moabite . . . enter the assembly of God.
is the passage being read to the people.
3 No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the Lord’s assembly; none of their descendants, even to the tenth generation, may ever enter the Lord’s assembly.
4 This is because they did not meet you with food and water on the journey after you came out of Egypt, and because Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim was hired to curse you.
5 Yet the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam, but he turned the curse into a blessing for you because the Lord your God loves you.
6 Never pursue their welfare or prosperity as long as you live.
The point is not that true converts to Yahweh’s covenant (which were extremely rare in ancient times) could not be allowed to worship with Israel.
The point is not that true converts to Yahweh’s covenant (which were extremely rare in ancient times) could not be allowed to worship with Israel.
Rather, the behavior of Ammon and Moab is used as an example to show that foreign nations ultimately pursued an agenda different from Israel’s, making them willing to even harm Israel.
The rare exceptions were when a person came to identify so thoroughly with the worship of Yahweh that they changed national identity to become an Israelite (as did Ruth; see ).
3 When they heard the law, they separated all those of mixed descent from Israel.
13:3 they excluded from Israel all who were of foreign descent.
13:3 they separated all those of mixed decent from Israel.
13:3 they separated all those of mixed decent from Israel.
The Hebrew noun behind “mixed descent” is closely related to the verb translated “mingled” in , so the focus here is actually on those of mixed Israelite and non-Israelite descent.
Still having a foot outside Israel’s camp, these people are not to be included among the Jerusalem temple worshipers.
Since all the surrounding nations showed themselves hostile to the Judeans in a way similar to Tobiah the Ammonite (; , ), it makes sense to extend the exclusion of the Ammonites and Moabites to all of them.
5 and had prepared a large room for him where they had previously stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the articles, and the tenths of grain, new wine, and fresh oil prescribed for the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, along with the contributions for the priests.
13:5 he had prepared a large room for him.
13:5 he had prepared a large room for him.
Eliashib’s action is wrong in at least two ways.
First, he allows the temple storeroom to be misused, displacing the food and worship materials that were to be stored there, interfering with the community’s commitments recorded in and 10:37–39.
Second, he allows an Ammonite () access to the temple area, the center of worship, conflicting with the action just taken in .
Nehemiah 13:10-
10 I also found out that because the portions for the Levites had not been given, each of the Levites and the singers performing the service had gone back to his own field.
11 Therefore, I rebuked the officials, asking, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts.
12 Then all Judah brought a tenth of the grain, new wine, and fresh oil into the storehouses.
13 I appointed as treasurers over the storehouses the priest Shelemiah, the scribe Zadok, and Pedaiah of the Levites, with Hanan son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah to assist them, because they were considered trustworthy. They were responsible for the distribution to their colleagues.
14 Remember me for this, my God, and don’t erase the deeds of faithful love I have done for the house of my God and for its services.
all the Levites . . . had gone back to their own fields.
13:10 each of the Levites . . . had gone back to his own fields.
13:10 each of the Levites . . . had gone back to his own fields.
Levites were not supposed to own land. Since they were to serve in the temple worship, they were supposed to receive their living from the offerings brought by the Israelites (; ).
But with the Judeans no longer bringing their contributions, reversing the practice of , , the Levites are forced to find other ways of supporting themselves, with the result that personnel are unavailable for temple service.
11 Therefore, I rebuked the officials, asking, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts.
13:11 I rebuked the officials.
13:11 I rebuked the officials.
The Hebrew verb translated “rebuked” is a key word in several complaints or disputes God raises with disobedient Israel in pre-exile prophetic texts (e.g., ; ; ; ).
Nehemiah is taking the role of the prophets in speaking for God as he confronts the leaders about the community’s lack of obedience.
He uses the same verb in verses 17 and 25.
Why has the house of God been neglected?
Why has the house of God been neglected?
Nehemiah’s question directly recalls the commitment made by the community years earlier ().
They have done the very thing they said they would not.
13 I appointed as treasurers over the storehouses the priest Shelemiah, the scribe Zadok, and Pedaiah of the Levites, with Hanan son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah to assist them, because they were considered trustworthy. They were responsible for the distribution to their colleagues.
13:13 they were considered trustworthy.
13:13 they were considered trustworthy.
The Hebrew word rendered “trustworthy” is closely related to the term used in to describe the “binding agreement” the community made, which included provision for the Levites.
In one sense it would be obvious to appoint trustworthy people to oversee the distribution of food.
But there is also a contrast here with the rest of the community, which had not been trustworthy in keeping its promise to provide the tithes for the Levites.
14 Remember me for this, my God, and don’t erase the deeds of faithful love I have done for the house of my God and for its services.
13:14 faithful love I have done.
13:14 faithful love I have done.
The Hebrew word behind “faithful” refers to deeds done out of devoted loyalty in a relationship.
Ancient Near Eastern covenants created expectations that the parties involved would show loyalty to one another even beyond the strict terms of their agreement, somewhat like family members.
By caring for God’s house and its personnel, Nehemiah demonstrates his deep commitment to God.
It is the faithful and loving attitude behind his deeds that is the basis of his relationship with God, and which he wants God to be sure to remember.
The same word is used for God’s “love” in verse 22 and is connected there with God’s mercy to Nehemiah.
This sheds light on the dynamics of the relationship, in which Nehemiah acts out of faithful loyalty to God, and because of God’s loyalty to Nehemiah, God is merciful to him.
13:18 Didn’t your ancestors do . . . and on this city?
18 Didn’t your ancestors do the same, so that our God brought all this disaster on us and on this city? And now you are rekindling his anger against Israel by profaning the Sabbath!”
13:18 Didn’t your ancestors do . . . and on this city?
13:18 Didn’t your ancestors do . . . and on this city?
Nehemiah may have in mind , , which threatens destruction for Jerusalem in response to people carrying loads into the city on the Sabbath.
19 This is what the Lord said to me, “Go and stand at the People’s Gate, through which the kings of Judah enter and leave, as well as at all the gates of Jerusalem.
20 Announce to them, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, kings of Judah, all Judah, and all the residents of Jerusalem who enter through these gates.
21 This is what the Lord says: Watch yourselves; do not pick up a load and bring it in through Jerusalem’s gates on the Sabbath day.
22 Do not carry a load out of your houses on the Sabbath day or do any work, but keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your ancestors.
23 They wouldn’t listen or pay attention but became obstinate, not listening or accepting discipline.
27 But if you do not listen to me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying a load while entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, I will set fire to its gates, and it will consume the citadels of Jerusalem and not be extinguished.’ ”
Although the city and its wall have been rebuilt, Nehemiah sees the difficulties of the community as ongoing, since they are still subject to Persian rule.
Although the city and its wall have been rebuilt, Nehemiah sees the difficulties of the community as ongoing, since they are still subject to Persian rule; compare , .
The behavior of the people here stands in stark contrast to their pledge in .
31 When the surrounding peoples bring merchandise or any kind of grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or a holy day. We will also leave the land uncultivated in the seventh year and will cancel every debt.
22 Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the city gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this also, my God, and look on me with compassion according to the abundance of your faithful love.
23 In those days I also saw Jews 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 but could not speak Hebrew.
25 I rebuked them, cursed them, beat some of their men, and pulled out their hair. I forced them to take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or yourselves!
26 Didn’t King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, yet foreign women drew him into sin.
27 Why then should we hear about you doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?”
28 Even one of the sons of Jehoiada, son of the high priest Eliashib, had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. So I drove him away from me.
Nehemiah
13:22 I instructed the Levites to . . . guard the gates.
13:22 I instructed the Levites to . . . guard the gates.
The Levites were typically responsible for guarding the temple gates, not those of the city ().
Enlisting their service to guard the city shows that there is a spiritual purpose in mind (ensuring that the Sabbath is respected) and continues the theme of the city of Jerusalem being viewed as an extension of the temple itself (see discussion of ).
24 Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples but could not speak Hebrew.
13:24 Half of their children . . . did not know . . . the language of Judah.
13:24 Half of their children . . . could not speak Hebrew.
13:24 Half of their children . . . could not speak Hebrew.
If the children do not know Hebrew, they will be unable to understand the Scriptures—since the Scriptures have not been translated into any other language at this time—and will find worship at the Jerusalem temple irrelevant.
They will also feel that they belong with others who speak their language rather than with the Judeans.
Obviously, their participation in the restored covenant with God is threatened.
25 I rebuked them, cursed them, beat some of their men, and pulled out their hair. I forced them to take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or yourselves!
13:25 pulled out their hair.
13:25 pulled out their hair.
This should not be seen as an angry outburst from Nehemiah.
Inflicting bruises and plucking out hair was a culturally recognized way of dishonoring men (; ).
Nehemiah wants to display visually that intermarrying with foreigners is an act with shameful consequences.
I forced them to take an oath before God.
I forced them to take an oath before God.
The oath Nehemiah administers matches the oath the people swore in .
30 We will not give our daughters in marriage to the surrounding peoples and will not take their daughters as wives for our sons.
Again it is obvious that the people have failed to do as they said they would.
Again it is obvious that the people have failed to do as they said they would.
26 Didn’t King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, yet foreign women drew him into sin.
13:26 foreign women drew him into sin.
13:26 foreign women drew him into sin.
Polytheism was taken for granted by most people in the ancient world.
By intermarrying with people who worshiped gods other than Yahweh, the Israelites were inevitably tempted to commit idolatry, and they were seldom able to resist.
The danger of unfaithfulness to God, rather than ethnic or racial prejudice, is the real reason for avoiding intermarriage.
28 Even one of the sons of Jehoiada, son of the high priest Eliashib, had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. So I drove him away from me.
13:28 I drove him away from me.
13:28 I drove him away from me.
13:28 I drove him away from me.
This expression probably means that Joiada’s son is exiled from Judea, the province where Nehemiah is governor.
Since intermarriage and subsequent idolatry were understood to be major contributing factors to Israel’s exile many years earlier, it seems fitting to exile someone embarking on the same path now.
Insights
Throughout this passage Nehemiah is continually focused on the purity of the Judean community and the Jerusalem temple (vv. 9, 22, 29, 30).
Although the community understands the dangers present (vv. 1–3; ), Nehemiah documents how the Judeans repeatedly allow their obedience to God to be compromised as they cross paths with foreigners.
The narrative shows that the people in general seem unable to uphold God’s law in the way envisioned in the new-covenant prophecy; they need God to do a further work in their hearts.
God has promised that he will do this work (; ), but its completion remains in the future, even for New Testament Christians, who have received a further step in the fulfillment of this promise by being given the Holy Spirit.
Although God expresses throughout Scripture his eagerness for his people to obey him, his intent is for them to learn obedience by trusting him in the midst of this world, rather than for him to “zap” them into a perfect state.
Land this Plane
Land this Plane
Christians are often taught that the Old Testament shows that people are unable to keep God’s law.
This is true, and provides a good example.
According to Christ, the new covenant was instituted only at his crucifixion ()
20 In the same way he also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
, and the Holy Spirit was poured out on believers after Christ’s ascension (; ).
7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you.
, and the Holy Spirit was poured out on believers after Christ’s ascension (; ).
1 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying.
3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them.
4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.
1 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying.
3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them.
4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts
But even with God’s help to resist sin (), Christians still struggle with temptation and often fail.
In many of his letters Paul takes a role similar to that of Nehemiah in this passage, working with seemingly resistant church members to set them back on the right path (; ; ; ).
Followers of Christ need to understand that God still expects his people to be pure, although it is moral, not ritual, purity that he desires ().
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance.
15 But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct;
16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.
This requires continual vigilance.
While there is no longer a need to keep unbelievers from attending our worship services, and we should actively be seeking to reach them for Christ, we still need to be aware of the danger of compromise that our relationships with them present.
An unbeliever is ultimately a rebellious enemy of God until coming to faith, no matter how friendly they may seem.
Nehemiah’s response to what he found when he returned to Jerusalem illustrates how urgent it is for church leaders to confront and correct sin within the body.
This is a delicate topic in Western culture because of the widespread assumption that no one should interfere with another’s personal choices.
While it is inappropriate to pluck out hair or call down curses, it is appropriate to communicate the seriousness of sin in culturally suitable ways.
The disciplers role also goes beyond this to finding ways to help believers return to and maintain the right path.
Again, cultural differences do not allow imposing the same kinds of restrictions that Nehemiah did.
But with dedication and creativity, disciplers can help believers see where appropriate behavioral lines should be drawn.
Finally, it is important to be clear about how, when dealing with sin in the church, the biblical view of the responsibilities of leaders differs from the expectations of our culture.
Although the principle of maintaining purity before God continues to be valid, none of the examples in this chapter should be applied directly to Christians today.
There is no need to avoid interracial or interethnic marriage, but Christians are to avoid marrying outside the faith.
The specific requirement to donate a tithe is no longer in force, but believers are expected to financially support those who do the work of the ministry for a living, and to support them generously, which in many cases will amount to giving more than a tenth of one’s income.
Observance of the Sabbath is not expected as it was in the Old Testament (), but believers should still recognize that Christ is Lord of our time. 1-4-12
Application
Application
God demands moral and spiritual purity of his people.
Bible:
In and 19:2 (texts quoted by Peter in ; compare also ), God says to his people, “Be holy, because I am holy.”
He requires that we resemble him in his purity and righteousness.
Theological Reference:
Theologians talk about God’s communicable and incommunicable attributes.
These are qualities that we can either “catch” or “not catch” from our relationship with him.
For example, we will never possess aseity (self-existence) or immutability (unchangeableness), as these are characteristics proper only to God.
However, there are many traits of God that we can grow toward by his grace (even if we never fully embody them the way God does):
-we can become more loving, more wise, and more righteous.
As for holiness, there is some debate about whether this is a communicable or incommunicable attribute.
It is sort of a hybrid. In one sense, no one is truly holy as God is holy-holy-holy.
He is the epitome of purity and set-apart-ness in a way we shall never be.
However, he demands that we be holy as he is holy (see Scripture references above), and he certainly wouldn’t demand it without making a way for us to obey.
This means that, by his good pleasure and his indwelling Spirit, somehow he gives us grace to share in his holiness.
What an amazing thing that the holy God of the universe allows us to share in his utter set-apart-ness and purity, washing us and re-creating us to be more like himself!
Finally...Grace frees us from obligation, but then takes us further in love.
In the film The Patriot (2000), a movie about the American Revolution, a slave discovers that if he serves long enough in the colonial militia, he will be set free. Other white soldiers in the militia initially show prejudice and disdain for him, but he perseveres. Late in the film, at the start of a momentous battle, a fellow soldier points out that he no longer needs to fight—he has served his time and is a free man. The former slave refuses to leave and asserts, “I’m here now of my own accord.”
When grace frees us from our need to earn God’s approval, we are liberated to serve him out of love of our own accord. Love and freedom take us further and with more courage than guilt and obligation ever could.
Let’s close by reading and really taking in what it means to be a Child of God.
Remember the question in the email?
"How can I maintain a faithful relationship with Christ? How can I not only own, but put into practice His promises for my life?"
We will find the answers in these 17 verses...
Let’s read and we’ll close in prayer at the end.
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
2 Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.
3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
4 Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.
6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.
8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love.
10 If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
11 “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.
12 “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.
13 No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.
14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
15 I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father.
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.
17 “This is what I command you: Love one another.