Nehemiah 13
Book of Moses showed necessary separation verse 1- 3
On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people
and therein was found written – that the Ammonites and
the Moabites 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
Tobiah was allowed live in Temple area verse 4- 5
And before this – Eliashib the priest – having the oversight of the
chamber of the house of our God was allied to Tobiah
And he had prepared for him a great chamber – where aforetime
they laid the meat offering – frankincense – vessels
tithes of the corn – new wine – oil which was
commanded to be given to the Levites
singers – porters
and the offerings of the priests
Tobiah made to leave Temple area verse 6- 9
BUT in all this time was not I at Jerusalem for in the two and
thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I to
the king – and after certain days
obtained I leave of the king
and I came to Jerusalem – and I 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
Nehemiah confronted leaders verse 10- 12
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 everyone to his field
THEN I contended 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 – new wine – oil
to the treasuries
Nehemiah distributed to Levites verse 13
And I made treasurers over the treasuries – Shelemiah the priest
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 to their brethren
Nehemiah asks LORD to remember his deeds verse 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
Nehemiah confronts Sabbath breakers verse 15- 16
In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the Sabbath
and bringing in sheaves – and lading donkeys
as also wine – grapes –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 – all manner of ware
and sold on the Sabbath to the children of Judah
and in Jerusalem
Sabbath issues of leaders confronted verse 17- 18
THEN I contended with the nobles of Judah – and said to them
What evil thing is this that you do and profane the Sabbath day?
Did not your fathers thus – and did not our God bring all this evil
on us and on this city?
Yet you bring more WRATH upon Israel
by profaning the Sabbath
Nehemiah closed the gates during the Sabbath verse 19- 22
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 to them
Why lodge you about the wall?
IF you 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 YOUR mercy
Nehemiah confronts intermarried verse 23- 25
In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod
Ammon – Moab – and their children spoke 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
You shall not give your daughters to their sons
nor take their daughters unto your sons – or for yourselves
Nehemiah uses Solomon concerning wrong marriages verse 26- 27
Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things?
yet among many nations was there on 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 to you to do all this great evil
to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?
Nehemiah banished High Priest’s son verse 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
Nehemiah asks LORD to deal with priests verse 29
REMEMBER them – O my God
because they have defiled the priesthood
and the covenant of the priesthood
and of the Levites
Temple area cleansed of all foreigners verse 30- 31
Thus cleansed I them from all strangers – and appointed the wards of
the priests and the Levites – everyone in his business
and for the wood offering – at times appointed
and for the firstfruits
REMEMBER me – O my God – for good
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 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. (1293 “blessing” [Barakah] means blessing formula, blessing gift, something bringing prosperity and life, invocation of good, or treaty of peace)
DEVOTION: There are many people who would like to see the people of God cursed rather than blessed. These people are looking for something to blame those who follow the LORD for and hope that this causes them to lose any blessing and instead hope people curse them.
The people of the land where the children of Israel were moving back into was occupied by those who didn’t believe in the true God of the Bible that the children of Israel believed in. They wanted to keep the land and tried to do everything they could to discourage the children of Israel.
This happens today even in our world. There are people who don’t want to see the LORD honored and they will do anything in their power to cause the people of God problems. They will look for sin in their lives that they can use against anyone who is trying to serve the LORD. They sometimes even make up things to cause people to believe that those who are serving the LORD are not worth following.
People don’t realize that everyone is a sinner and in need of forgiveness from the LORD. Some seek that forgiveness but others don’t want anything to do with the LORD.
So we live in a divided world. There are those who are trying to serve the LORD and those who are not. The two seem to never meet in the middle. They are poles apart and this is going to be true in our world.
We need to stay the course and serve the LORD even if we are sinners like the rest of the world. The LORD will forgive anyone who genuinely asks for HIS forgiveness for their sins.
CHALLENGE: We need to pray for those who are struggling and stand up to those who oppose those who are believers. The LORD will bless us for these actions.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 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. (4929 “offices” [mishmar] means work done by one person or group that benefits another, division of service, observance, group of ministers, or guard)
DEVOTION: This is the first quick prayer to the LORD by Nehemiah regarding his dealing with sin in the city of Jerusalem. There would be three more prayers for the LORD to remember him.
Do we have to remind the LORD to remember us? Does HE ever leave us alone? No!!! HE is always watching our actions and judging them according to HIS standard and not the standard of the world. Nehemiah knows he is serving a God who is watching over him.
His first concern on his return was the cleansing of the Temple. The Levites were not being paid for their work and had to run away and work in their fields to have support for their ministry.
The place where the tithes or offerings were supposed to go was being occupied by a foreigner that was a friend of the high priest. Nehemiah had to confront the High priest regarding his actions. He kicked the man out and had the Levites cleanse the area to have it used for its original purpose of storage of the tithes the people were to bring to the Temple.
Nehemiah wanted the LORD to remember him for his faithfulness. We should ask the LORD the same thing in our prayers as we try to be faithful in our service to the LORD.
The LORD has given us all a spiritual gift through the ministry of the Holy Spirit for us to serve HIM in the local church. There are to be no pew sitters that are believers. Each believer needs to be active for the LORD. Each believer had to confront sin that his happening in the area where they are gifted. Pastors need to challenge every believer to be action in the ministry of the church.
Can you go to the LORD this week sometime and ask HIM to remember you for an action you have done that is pleasing in HIS sight? What good deeds are you doing for the LORD because you love HIM?
CHALLENGE: Remember we are not doing good works for our salvation but for our service to the LORD out of love.
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: 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 YOUR mercy. (2347 “spare” [chuwc] means pity, regard, look upon with compassion, have compassion, to show kindness or forgiveness toward)
DEVOTION: The Sabbath was a holy day each week when the children of Israel were to worship the LORD alone. Each Saturday they were to not do any work. They were not to even gather sticks on the Sabbath. It was a day of rest that the LORD established when HE created the world. HE rested on the seventh day. HE told Moses all the guidelines for the Sabbath. It was a day of honoring the LORD.
Now Nehemiah had returned from reporting to the king of Persia to find that there were merchants doing business in the streets of Jerusalem on the Sabbath. The gates were not closed and everyone was busy buying and selling.
So he ordered the gates closed before sunset on Friday night and not opened until sunrise on Sunday. There was going to be twenty-four hours of worship in the homes of the children of Israel where they honored the LORD by resting and thinking about HIM.
The merchants returned for a while but he confronted them to the point that they didn’t return again until after the Sabbath was over. It was a holy day for twenty-four hours where none of the people did any work or shopping.
This command is not for today. The LORD wants us to honor each day by serving the LORD and worshiping HIM daily in our walk with HIM. We honor HIM on Sunday as a remembrance of what Christ did on Resurrection Sunday. We honor HIM on the first day of the week instead of the seventh day. We want to show people around the world that the most important day today is the day that Jesus arose from the grave to give victory over sin and Satan forever.
We have victory in Jesus because we serve a risen Savior and not one that is dead. Our service is to honor HIM for what HE has done for us. Our gift from HIM is eternal life in heaven. HE gives this gift to us freely. HE expects us to walk in the freedom or liberty HE gives in a way that honors HIM.
Finally, Nehemiah still wants mercy from the LORD because he knows he is not perfect. He is a willing servant who will always need mercy from the LORD.
CHALLENGE: We are in the same position as him. We need the LORD’S mercy each day to serve HIM properly.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. (1352 “defiled” [go’el] means defilement or profanation)
DEVOTION: What do you do when you have to confront people? What do you do when you see sin in the midst of the people of God? Are you blinded from sin? Can sin enter into your church and you not notice?
Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem after reporting back to the king of Persia who was living in Babylon as he said he would. He had left men in leadership that he thought he could trust to obey the LORD’S commandments.
He found that they were not obeying the commandments of the LORD when he returned. He found the people neglecting their responsibility. He found the leaders had neglected their responsibility. He found the Temple chambers polluted with the presence of Tobiah, one of the enemies of Israel. He found that the high priest’s son had married the daughter of another enemy of Israel.
He questioned the people on what they were thinking. Did they want to return to captivity? Did they not want to keep the Sabbath? Did they not want to pay the servants of the LORD?
He had his work cut out for him. What did he do? He prayed at every move he made to correct the problems he encountered. He did not hesitate to correct the problems he saw. He didn’t want the people to fall into such great sin that the LORD would have to judge them again.
He had the book of Moses read to the people so that they would see their sin. The first sin corrected was one of allowing a mixed multitude into the house of God. Only the Jews were allowed to worship in the Temple area. Secondly, he moved a gentile out of the Temple area who was living in a room set aside for the tithes of the people. He set up individuals who were faithful to collect the tithes and place in their proper place. He then confronted those who were working and selling on the Sabbath day. Finally, he confronted those who had intermarried with heathens. One of the ones he confronted was the High Priest’s son.
Remember at each correction he prayed to the LORD for direction and help.
When we are left to ourselves we can drift away from the LORD. We need strong leadership around us to keep us on track. We need to pray for our leadership that they will stay true to the Word of God. We need to have leadership that is praying for the LORD to strengthen them to do what they need to do for HIM. Our nation needs to pray for Biblical leaders to step forward and pray for revival.
What are we praying for today? Revival or Rapture? Can we pray for both?
CHALLENGE: Cleanse yourself from sin on a daily basis. Encourage those you love to do the same. Ask your leaders to encourage prayer for revival. Start a revival in your life and home!!!
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: 31 And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good. (2896 “good” [towb] means goodness, best, benefit, kindness, upright, or pleasing)
DEVOTION: Nehemiah had returned from Persia to find the children of Israel returning to their former sins. He was not happy with their actions and he took action against sin.
He asked the LORD in prayer to remember him four times in this chapter. He wanted to be remembered for his uprightness in the eyes of the LORD. He was against sin wherever he found it. It didn’t matter to him if he had to confront the people or the priests or the foreigners in the land or the merchants who wanted to sell on the Sabbath.
He wanted the nation to serve the LORD faithfully and it was not happening but he came back to start over again. It is not an easy task to lead followers of the LORD to obey the LORD. He had to lead by example. He had to confront everyone who was disobedient. It didn’t make him popular but he was serving the LORD and not himself.
So he prayed regularly for the LORD to remember his actions that were good in HIS eyes. There are times that we have to go to the LORD in prayer and ask HIM to remember us for the good. We are to confront sin in our life and in the lives of those we love. Nehemiah was acting in love for the nation of Israel.
Our motive in confrontation is restoration of those who are not honoring the LORD. Nehemiah wanted the children of Israel to be faithful to the LORD while he was there and when he was gone.
CHALLENGE: Confronting sin is never easy but it must be done with an attitude of restoration of those we are confronting for sin in their life.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Tithe of corn verse 5, 12
Tithe of new wine verse 12
Tithe of oil verse 12
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Prayer of Nehemiah verse 14, 22, 29, 31
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Eliashib – priest verse 4, 7, 28, 29
Allied with Tobiah
Prepared chamber for Tobiah
Evil of Eliashib did for Tobiah
preparing a chamber in house of
God
Defiled the priesthood and covenant of
priesthood
House of our God verse 4
Meat offering verse 5, 9
Frankincense verse 5, 9
Vessels verse 5, 9
Tithes of corn verse 5
New wines verse 5
Oil verse 5
Given to the Levites verse 5
Singers verse 5
Porters verse 5
Offerings of the priests verse 5
Court of the house of God verse 7
Levites verse 10, 29
Not given portions
Singers verse 10
House of God verse 11
Tithe verse 12
Brought to treasures
corn, new wine, oil
Treasurers over treasuries verse 13
Shelimiah the priest
Zadok the scribe
Pedaiah of house of Levities
Hanan the son of Zaccur
Faithful men
Office to distribute to brethren
House of MY God (Nehemiah) verse 14
Sabbath day verse 17- 19
Gates closed
Levites verse 22, 30
Commanded to cleanse themselves
and keep the gates to sanctify
the Sabbath day
Wood offerings verse 31
Firstfruits verse 31
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Book of Moses verse 1
Law verse 3
Solomon verse 26
Covenant of the priesthood verse 29
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign) verse 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 11,
14, 18, 22, 25,
26, 27
Turned curse into blessing verse 2
House of our God verse 4
Courts of the house of God verse 7
House of God verse 9, 11
House of my God verse 14
Greatness of HIS mercy verse 22
Made Solomon king verse 26
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Ammonites verse 1, 23
Moabite verse 1, 23
Balaam verse 2
Tobiah verse 4, 7, 8
Brought fish and all manner of ware
to sell on Sabbath
Artaxerxes – king of Babylon verse 6
Men of Tyre verse 16
Brought fish
All manner of wares to sell on Sabbath
Merchants and sellers lodged without Jerusalem verse 20
Nehemiah testified against them
Ashdod verse 23, 24
Sanballat the Horonite verse 28
Strangers verse 30
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Ammonite & Moabite in congregation verse 1
Not meeting children of Israel verse 2
Hiring Balaam against children of Israel verse 2
Cursing Israel verse 2
Mixed multitude in Israel verse 3
Evil verse 7, 17, 18, 27
Levites not paid verse 10
House of God forsaken verse 11
Working on Sabbath verse 15
Selling on Sabbath verse 16
Profaning the Sabbath verse 18
Intermarriage verse 23- 26
Not speak Jewish language verse 24
Sin verse 26
Marrying outlandish women verse 26
Transgress verse 27
Marrying strange wives verse 27
High Priest’s son marries non Jew verse 28
Defiled the priesthood verse 29
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Congregation of God verse 1
Blessing verse 2
Separated verse 3
Grieved by sin verse 8
Tithe verse 12
Faithful verse 13
Testify against sin verse 15, 21
Cleanse verse 22, 30
Sanctify verse 22
Mercy verse 22
Swear by God verse 25
Beloved of God verse 26
Do good verse 31
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Audience of the people verse 1
Read the book of Moses
Congregation of God verse 1
Children of Israel verse 2
Jerusalem verse 6, 7, 15, 16
Nehemiah verse 7 – 31
Came to Jerusalem from Artaxerxes
Understood evil of Eliashib
Grieved and cast out Tobiah
Commanded cleansing of chambers
Contended with rulers
Set treasurers over the treasuries
Wanted God to remember him
Contended with nobles
Closed the gates for Sabbath
Contended regarding intermarriage
Cursed people
Closed gates of city of Jerusalem on Sabbath
Set his servants to guard on Sabbath day
Testified against merchants that lodged
outside Jerusalem on Sabbath
Wanted God to remember him for keeping
Sabbath holy
Confronted and cursed those who
Intermarried with other nations
Wanted God to remember them that defiled
Priesthood and covenant of priesthood
Wanted God to remember him for good
All Judah brought tithe verse 12
Judah has some that were
treading wine on Sabbath
bringing in sheaves
lading assess with wine, grapes, figs
and all manner of burdens
sold victual verse 15
Children of Judah verse 16
Buying thing on Sabbath
Nobles of Judah verse 17
Confronted by Nehemiah for evil thing
of selling and buying on Sabbath
Fathers verse 18
Intermarriage with foreign wives verse 23
Confronted because children only spoke
Speech of Ashdod and could not
speak Jews language
Solomon – king of Israel verse 26
sin by marrying women of other nations
beloved of God
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
21 Nehemiah was not a man of idle words. He meant what he said and was not averse to backing up his words by force (v.25). (Yamauchi, E. (1988). Ezra-Nehemiah. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, p. 764). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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So, with his accustomed energy, he commanded the gates to be shut at sundown, as the Sabbath drew on, and not to be opened till it was past, while guards were set to see that no burden of any kind was brought into the city on that day. Once or twice the merchants and hucksters lodged all night and all day outside Jerusalem, vainly pleading for admission, but Nehemiah’s orders were carried out to the letter.
Finally, he threatened them with arrest if they came again with their wares on the Sabbath. Seeing the orders were meant to be carried out, they came no more on the Sabbath. (Ironside, H. A. (1913). Notes on the Book of Nehemiah (pp. 124–125). New York: Loizeaux Bros.)
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13:17–22. Again Nehemiah met the problem with a rebuke and action (cf. vv. 11–13). In rebuking their Sabbath desecration (calling it a wicked thing; cf. v. 7), he referred to a similar sin in Jeremiah’s day (cf. Jer. 17:19–27) which God punished by the Exile (calamity). Nehemiah had the city doors … shut on the Sabbath, beginning on Friday evening, with guards posted to see that merchandise was not brought in. Even so, some merchants stayed all night outside the walls, perhaps hoping people would slip outside in the darkness to purchase their goods. When Nehemiah heard of this, he threatened to use force against them. Then he told the Levites (cf. Neh. 13:30) to help guard the gates (cf. 7:1; 11:19). Again (cf. 13:14) he asked God to help in this problem, showing mercy to him out of His great love (ḥeseḏ, “loyal love“). (Getz, G. A. (1985). Nehemiah. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 696). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Ver. 21. Then I testified against them, &c.] Against their continuance there, and threatened them, and called heaven and earth to witness what he would do to them, if they did not depart: why lodge ye about the wall? of the city, waiting an opportunity to get in, and tempting the Jews to come out and buy their ware: if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you; beat them, or slay them, at least imprison them: from that time forth came they no more on the sabbath; finding there was no likelihood of getting into the city, and that they were liable to be taken up and punished. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, p. 159). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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15–22. Reader! doth it not strike thy mind while reading this account of the profanation of the sabbath, that there is but too great a resemblance between the days of Nehemiah and the present, in this crying sin of our guilty land. Must not every one say that will speak the truth, that there never was a period more alarmingly evil in this particular than the present. Oh! ye masters of families! parents of the rising generation! are ye not seriously concerned what judgments of the Lord may follow! and will ye not attempt a reform to prevent a sin big with the most awful evil, both as it concerns the present life and that which is to come. And oh! ye ministers of the sanctuary and faithful magistrates of the people, may the Lord encourage your hearts and hands to follow the bright example of Nehemiah, and to bring back the hallowed sabbaths of the Lord to their original sanctity. Nehemiah’s prayer at the close of this passage for God’s remembrance of him, sweetly explains the sense in which he looked for that remembrance; namely, in the greatness of divine mercy. And where is the greatness of God’s mercy but in Jesus Christ. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: 1 Kings–Esther (Vol. 3, pp. 689–690). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
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Verses 15–22. Another evidence of the declension which had set in after the spiritual revival was the laxity in observing the Sabbath. Nehemiah saw some on the Sabbath day treading winepresses; others brought all kinds of burdens on the Sabbath to Jerusalem; while still others sold victuals. And men of Tyre sold fish and other wares to the people on the Sabbath. We are sure that during Nehemiah’s absence the Law of God was no longer read, or they could not have fallen into this evil. All declension begins with the neglect of the Word of God. Then Nehemiah contended with the nobles. “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.”
Again he not only rebuked the evil, but acted energetically, and the Sabbath day was sanctified. (Gaebelein, A. C. (2009). The Annotated Bible: Ezra to Psalms (Vol. 3, p. 76). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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In order to have lasting results, reform and revival require constant renewal and constant courage. It takes work to maintain the correct priorities. Kidner says of Nehemiah, “His reforming zeal, partnered by the educative thoroughness of Ezra, gave to postexilic Israel a virility and clarity of faith which it never wholly lost.”
Certainly, Ezra and Nehemiah had a lasting influence on the Jewish community of faith. God did answer Nehemiah’s prayer: “Remember me with favor, O my God.” The Book of Nehemiah begins with prayer and closes with prayer. For lasting results, ministry can never be separated from prayer. (Breneman, M. (1993). Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (electronic ed., Vol. 10, pp. 275–276). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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When Jesus takes over a life, He makes a difference. The worse the life, the greater the change.
When the demoniac from Gadarene rushes at the disciples with evil intent, Jesus exercises divine power, banishing Satan’s minions from their victim’s soul. Later, the man who had run naked among the tombs, howling and cutting himself, is sitting beside Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.
Wherever we are in our spiritual journey, the Lord will continue the work He has begun. He will keep changing us, ever into the image of Christ. (Quiet Walk)
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Is Worship Worth It?
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another. HEBREWS 10:25, NIV
Ever witnessed anything like this at your house before? After falling under deep conviction during the pastor’s sermon entitled “The Family Altar Will Save Your Family,” Dad cranks up his courage and announces, “Tonight after dinner, we will have family devotions.” Later, after finishing his spaghetti, he pushes his plate aside, reaches for the 10-pound family Bible and says, “Everyone please sit up straight and listen carefully. It’s time for family worship.” Casting a pleading glance at Mom, he asks, “Honey, would you start us out with a praise chorus?” After a weak song attempt—during which seven-year-old
Tom blurts out, “This noise is making my head hurt!”—Dad is already sitting upright and is uptight.
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“Okay, now let’s read some Scripture. What better place to start than the first three chapters of Genesis?” He then proceeds to read the lengthy selection. “Does anyone have a comment?” Dad asks. A long silence follows. Tom sticks his face in his water glass and tries to drink through his nose, causing Chrissy, age five, to giggle. “Stop it, you two!” Mom exclaims. “Can’t you see Daddy is being spiritual?” “Dad, I’ve got a lot of homework,” says Chuck, the family teenager. “Can we wrap this up?” “Well, what about Genesis, everybody? Come on. Any comments?” Dad asks, his voice rising. Feeling desperate, he looks at Mom. She quickly averts her eyes. Finally, Chuck lobs in a conversation starter: “What do you think God was doing before the Bible began?” “I have no earthly idea,” Dad says. “Let’s pray.” I’ll share some encouraging ideas for family devotions tomorrow, but for now let me say this: At least this family is trying. I know family devotions can cause a fair share of stress and self-doubt. But don’t let the awkward moments keep you from assembling together.
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“SANCTIFY THEM”
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17
What does our Lord mean when He prays, “Sanctify them through thy truth” or “in thy truth”? We need to be very careful at this point in our definition of the term sanctify, because we must interpret it bearing in mind that the same word is used in John 17:19: “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” In verse 19 our Lord uses exactly the same word about Himself as He uses with regard to His followers here. So we must start by arriving at a true definition of what is meant by “sanctify.”
Now it is generally agreed that there are two main senses in which this word is used throughout the Bible. The first sense of “sanctify” “and we must always put this one first because it is the one most emphasized in Scripture” is to set apart for God and for God’s service. So you will find that this term sanctify is not only used of men, it is used even of a mountain, the holy mount on which the law was given to Moses. Mount Sinai was sanctified, it was set apart for a special function and purpose, in order that God might use it to give His revelation of the law.
The word is used, too, of buildings and of vessels, instruments and utensils, and various things that were used in the Tabernacle and the Temple. Anything that is devoted to or set aside for God and for His service is sanctified. So there is a double aspect to this primary meaning of the word. It means, first, a separation from everything that contaminates and perverts, and the second, positive aspect is that something or someone is devoted wholly to God and to His use.
A Thought to Ponder To sanctify is to set apart for God and for God’s service.
(From Sanctified Through the Truth, pp. 8-9, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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Daily Hope
Today’s Scripture
Acts 18:12-23
When Jeannette and I travel, we begin each trip with prayer for safety and protection. We acknowledge that there are many unseen and unknown situations that can and do occur on trips. Many times, it may not be from a bad tire or engine failure but we recognize it may be the drivers around us! Accidents do happen and we pray regularly for God’s wisdom and direction.
Paul knew that his ministry was filled with unknown and sometimes dangerous situations that only the Lord could protect him. He had traveled extensively and had also been in many cities where the people rejected his message of Jesus being raised from the dead to be the Messiah and Savior for all mankind. The Jewish religious leadership were extremely hostile to Paul’s ministry wherever he went and in Corinth that was also true. The vision the Lord gave Paul to protect him was proven to be true as he ministered in Corinth and traveled east to Antioch (v. 22).
Hundreds of miles traveling by ship, by foot and possibly by donkey over treacherous terrain, Paul and his team were protected in every dangerous circumstance. Paul recognized and gave glory to God for His protection in 2 Corinthians 11:22-28a where he recounts all the situations he had encountered in his travels. The Lord had delivered him and allowed him to continue to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ with all he encountered.
Please note that Paul was not exempted from difficult situations but that the Lord sustained him in all the various incidents that came upon them. This is important as we also are not spared from difficulties or accidents. We may have to suffer with brokenness and endure pain in the activities of life yet, like Paul, recognize that the Lord is with us each step of the path we are walking.
Paul’s focus was to communicate the message to both Jew and Gentile, believer and unbeliever. His passion was for the believer to know of God’s works and the unbeliever to know of Christ’s love and forgiveness. The passion to proclaim the message drove him through all dangers from Jerusalem to Corinth and back.
What fuels us each day to travel and accomplish the activities of our daily life? Is our focus so laser like that no matter what situation arises we will continue to trust Jesus and as a result present Him to the world we are involved in this day? Whatever exercise the Lord has you in today, be reminded that He is there with you and will not allow anything to happen that He does not know how to assist you and protect you.
With an Expectant Hope,
Pastor Miller (Board Member of Small Church Ministries.
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GOD’S OMNIPOTENCE
…him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Ephesians 1:11
Another of God’s attributes is His omnipotence. God is all-powerful. The omnipotence of God is that by which He brings to pass everything He wills. The omnipotence is the will of God being put into operation. How often we read in the Bible about the will of God. For example, Paul writes of “him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” What is the will of God? It is the final ground of everything, of all existence. It is the final explanation of everything that has ever happened or everything that will happen. And the Bible teaches that the will of God is sovereign; in other words, it is not determined by anything but by God Himself. It is the expression of His Lordship, His absolute being.
But remember, His will is never arbitrary. It is never exercised except in perfect harmony with all the other attributes of God’s great and glorious being. It is the same God who is glorious and wonderful. It is the same God who is love and compassion and mercy. We must not divide these things, though we distinguish them for the purposes of thought and understanding.
Furthermore, you will find that the will of God expresses itself in two main ways. He declares certain things that He Himself is going to do; that is called the decretive will of God. He also prescribes certain things for us to do; that is the prescriptive will of God. The terms are not of great importance, but constantly in the Bible you see these two aspects of God’s will. God tells us what He Himself is going to do, and He gives commands to us about what we are to do.
A Thought to Ponder: The omnipotence of God is that by which He brings to pass everything He wills.
(From God the Father, God the Son, pp. 66-67, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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The Righteous Judge
“The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” (Psalm 145:17)
When Abraham was interceding with God to spare Sodom if even 10 “righteous” people were there, he asked: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25). The Hebrew word (mishpat) refers to a formal judgment about right and wrong and is more commonly translated “judgment.”
Indeed, the divine Judge will do right and give right judgments in all things, for He “is righteous in all his ways” and “canst not look on iniquity” (Habakkuk 1:13).
Ever since Adam disobeyed the Word of God, however, all his descendants have been unrighteous in their ways. God’s righteous judgment has been that “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10).
Thus, a truly righteous Judge would not only have to consign Sodom to destructive “brimstone and fire from the LORD” (Genesis 19:24) but every one of us as well “into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15) forever.
But God, being not only the righteous Judge but also “a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:19), had a plan whereby He could “declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past” and both “be just, and the justifier” of those who had been lost sinners (Romans 3:25-26). “God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (8:3). Those who believe on the Son of God as their substitute and Savior are now “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (3:24).
So, Christ has been “made unto us…righteousness” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Furthermore, our loving Savior has now Himself become our righteous Judge, for “the Father…hath committed all judgment unto the Son” (John 5:22).
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Kay shares (NY): An atheist was seated next to a dusty old cowboy on an airplane and he turned to him and said, “Do you want to talk? Flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger.”
The old cowboy, who had just started to read his book, replied to the total stranger, “What would you want to talk about?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” said the atheist. “How about why there is no God, or no Heaven or Hell, or no life after death?” as he smiled smugly.
“Okay,” he said. “Those could be interesting topics but let me ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff – grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, but a horse produces clumps. Why do you suppose that is?”
The atheist, visibly surprised by the old cowboy’s intelligence, thinks about it and says, “Hmmm, I have no idea.”
To which the cowboy replies, “Do you really feel qualified to discuss God, Heaven and Hell, or life after death, when you don’t know crap? By Barry Nichols……
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