Nehemiah 13:6 says, 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: Nehemiah said that while this was being done that he wasn’t in Jerusalem but had gone to the king of Babylon and after several days, he received permission to return to Jerusalem. Nehemiah was keeping the king of Babylon updated on the work since he was the one who had authorized them to do it. The people of Israel were still under his authority, even if their ultimate authority was God. We need to obey the laws of the land unless they go against God’s word.
Verse seven adds, 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. Nehemiah said when he returned to Jerusalem that he recognized the evil that Eliashib had done in preparing this chamber for Tobiah even if he was the chief priest. We need to be able to recognize when someone is doing something against God’s word in the church today, no matter how powerful they may be. Of course, we shouldn't be away from the church for an extended period if we are going to do this.
Verse eight continues, And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff to Tobiah out of the chamber. Nehemiah said he was greatly grieved and threw all the stuff of Tobiah out of the Temple chamber. If we see something going on in the church that is against God’s word, we need to be grieved and also take action to correct it.
Verse nine states, 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 then restored the chamber to its intended purpose. If something evil is going on in the church, we need to remove whatever it is and return to doing God’s will. It is not enough to just acknowledge that something is wrong, but we need to make sure that we are using the things of God to glorify Him, especially when we gather as a group of believers.
Verse ten adds, 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. Nehemiah said he also perceived that the Levites had not been having their needs met so they had to go to the fields and work instead of doing what God had called them to do. As I have stated before, we need to provide for the needs of preachers to the best of our ability so that they can concentrate on doing what God has called then to do.
Verse eleven continues, 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. Nehemiah then gathered the rulers of Israel and asked them why the house of God had been forsaken and then set them in their place. If something wrong is being done in the church today, we need to step up and ask why and then correct it if we can.
Verse twelve says, Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries. At this time, all of Judah brought their tithe of corn and new wine to the Temple to add to treasury. We need to bring our tithes and offerings to God before we do anything else.
Verse thirteen adds, 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. Nehemiah next put some trustworthy people in charge of the treasury. We need trustworthy people to be in charge of our tithes and offerings today to make sure that they are used for what they were intended to be used for, the bottom line being that they are never used for the good of those in charge or even for the enrichment of the preacher, but for the glory of God under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Verse fourteen continues, 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 then asked God to remember him for the good deeds he had done for the house of his God and its offices. We may have our good works for God remembered by Him, but the main thing we need Him to remember is that we accepted His Son, Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord and that we were obedient to the leadership of the Holy Spirit afterward. Our works will not save us, just as Nehemiah’s did not save him then. It was his obedience to and faith in God and the coming Messiah that did.
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