1 On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people. And in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, 2 for they did not meet the people of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them—yet our God turned the curse into a blessing. 3 As soon as the people heard the law, they separated from Israel all those of foreign descent.
4 Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, and who was related to Tobiah, 5 prepared for Tobiah a large chamber where they had previously put the grain offering, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of grain, wine, and oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests. 6 While this was taking place, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king. And after some time I asked leave of the king 7 and came to Jerusalem, and I then discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, preparing for him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. 8 And I was very angry, and I threw all the household furniture of Tobiah out of the chamber. 9 Then I gave orders, and they cleansed the chambers, and I brought back there the vessels of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.
10 I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them, so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled each to his field. 11 So I confronted the officials and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them together and set them in their stations. 12 Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses. 13 And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouses Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, and as their assistant Hanan the son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah, for they were considered reliable, and their duty was to distribute to their brothers. 14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Nehemiah had returned to the service of King Artaxerxes and then, after some time, he returned to Jerusalem. At the time he returned, they read from the Law of Moses and the people heard that no Ammonite or Moabite should be part of the Jewish community. The reason for this was because when they were entering the land of Canaan, the Ammonites and Moabites hadn’t helped them with safe passage, bread, and water, but instead had hired Balaam to curse them—God had turned that curse into a blessing (Num 22-25). When the people heard God’s word, they separated themselves from all those of foreign descent. Once again we see decisive action when God’s word is heard. Are you reading God’s word with the expectation that it will bring change into your life?
On Nehemiah’s return, he found that things had started to slip quite badly. Despite the covenant that had been signed (Neh 9:38; 10:39) the people had not done all they had promised to do and the leaders who remained had not held the people to uphold God’s law. Tobiah, one of the leaders of the opposition against the rebuilding of the wall, had been given a place to stay in the temple complex. Eliashib the priest was related to Tobiah and had allowed him to take residence in the chambers where they should have been keeping the tithes and offerings for the Levites, singers, gatekeepers and priests. Those things weren’t stored there because the people had neglected to bring in those tithes and offerings. Because of this, those temple servants had to go and work their own fields leaving the temple under-serviced. Nehemiah spoke with the officials and again stationed the temple workers. The people brought in the tithes again. Nehemiah prayed to God, “Remember me, O God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for my God and for his service.” Nehemiah was not praying that what he had done be remembered like we are reading about it today, but a prayer that God help ensure that what he had put in place would not be undone by the people’s neglect. Unfortunately, our sinful nature means we too easily slip into bad habits and sinfulness if we are not constantly reminded of God’s word and what God expects of us. What can you do to make sure you don’t slowly slip outside of God’s will for your life?