Nehemiah 13 Verses 15 to 22 Remember the Sabbath

Nehemiah 13 Verses 15 to 22 Remember the Sabbath September 21, 2025 Lesson 13 The Relentless Pursuit of Obedience

Class Presentation Notes  AAAA

Background Scriptures:

· Nehemiah 13:1-31

· Exodus 20:8-11

· Mark 2:23–28 (NASB95)

Main Idea:

· The Sabbath is not merely a day off but a divine principle for renewal and worship.

Study Aim:

· To restore the Sabbath is to reclaim our time for God, ensuring that in our pursuit of daily life, we do not forget the joy and necessity of resting in Him, which leads to deeper intimacy and spiritual growth.

Create Interest:

· As we continue our study in the closing chapter of Nehemiah, we continue to deal with the tragedy of decline that occurred in Nehemiah’s absence. He had returned to Persia, fulfilling his obligation to the king, and was dismayed at what he found upon his return to Jerusalem. The sense of spiritual renewal the people experienced had been replaced with apathy and rebellion. The people had made a covenant with the Lord to continue in His Word and seek His ways, but their commitment began to fade with time. It is likely they did well for a while, but eventually they reverted back to the old way of living.[1]

· This passage challenges Christians today to reflect on their own observance of the Sabbath and how resting in Christ is essential for spiritual renewal. It reminds us to prioritize our relationship with God and to guard our time for rest and reflection amidst our busy lives.

Lesson in Historical Context:

· Chapter 13 shows us the need for ongoing reformation and renewal. Hard-won spiritual victories can be rapidly lost. This chapter describes a post-revival situation in desperate need of a fresh touch from God. It has been rightly said that the great truths of God’s Word need to be fought for in each generation. Nehemiah had been governor for twelve years, and during this time all seemed to be well. But now he had returned to Susa, and in his absence, things began to fall apart. We do not know how long he was away before he returned, but on his return, he found that the promises made in the renewing of the covenant in chapter 10 had been seriously and dangerously broken. Nehemiah was angry with what he found.[2]

· The oath Israel made in writing was to keep God’s laws regarding the Sabbath (10:31).Nehemiah found that the people had also violated this promise. They were working on the Sabbath as they did on the other days of the week. They were treadinggrapes in the winepresses, and transporting the wine, along with grain … grapes, figs, and other merchandise, into Jerusalem to sell it. They also were buying fish and other items from people of Tyre who resided in Jerusalem.[3]

· Let’s do a quick review of the Sabbath God established in Genesis and then look at what was going on.    Hopefully we will find application in our lives.

Bible Study:

Exodus 31:12–18 (NASB95)   Sabbath review Ezra would have read to the

 people

12     The Lordspoke to Moses, saying,

13     “But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘You shall surely observe My sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you.

14     ‘Therefore you are to observe the sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people.

15     ‘For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, holy to the Lord; whoever does any work on the sabbath day shall surely be put to death.

16     ‘So the sons of Israel shall observe the sabbath, to celebrate the sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.’

17     “It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed.”

18     When He had finished speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God.

Recognize the Neglect

Nehemiah 13:15–17 (NASB95)

15     In those days I saw in Judah some who were treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sacks of grain and loading them on donkeys, as well as wine, grapes, figs and all kinds of loads, and they brought them into Jerusalem on the sabbath day. So I admonished them on the day they sold food.

16     Also men of Tyre were living there whoimported fish and all kinds of merchandise, and sold them to the sons of Judah on the sabbath, even in Jerusalem.

17     Then I reprimanded the nobles of Judah and said to them, “What is this evil thing you are doing, by profaning the sabbath day?

· The Lord had said to them through Jeremiah, ‘Be careful not to carry a load on the Sabbath day’, but there they were in the following century at it again, packing their wares on to their donkeys. Jeremiah had said they were not to carry their loads ‘through the gates of Jerusalem’, but Nehemiah later found them doing exactly that, persistently and unashamedly, bringing all this into Jerusalem on the Sabbath (15).[4]

· In connection with Nehemiah 10 we noted that the question of buying and selling on the Sabbath is a new one over against the Ten Commandments. The way the fourth commandment is expressed reflects the fact that most Israelites lived in villages and were engaged in farming so that the temptation to treat the Sabbath as ordinary finds expression in a temptation to work on the farm on that day.

o Maybe the crops are ripe and it seems vital to harvest them quickly.

o Milking cows might be a different matter, as it is hardly kind to them to leave them un-milked.

§ Can people really afford to take a day off from work in these circumstances?

· In Jerusalem the dynamics of life were different.Some people would be involved in farming outside the city, but many others are occupied in the affairs of the city such as trade, diplomacy, crafts, administration, and the work of the temple. In the city the temptation to treat the Sabbath as ordinary thus takes the different form of declining to be involved in shopping.

· The Sabbath becomes a marker of Israel’s distinctiveness. Everyone would agree with most of the Ten Commandments.

o But stop working one day a week? That’s weird. So, it becomes a distinctive feature of Israel’s covenant commitment to God.

· If Western Christians don’t feel they need to observe a Sabbath, we need to ask whether the Sabbath principles are embodied in our lives (probable answer—no). Indeed, observing a Sabbath can still be a way we embody and witness to the reality of God.[5]

Thoughts to Soak on: 

· Could we suggest that Nehemiah’s observations of the people working on the Sabbath…parallel today’s Sunday activities?

· Should we reflect on our activities in our lives that prevent us from experiencing sacred rest?

· Would we consider this moment calling us to repent and realign our priorities with God’s purposes?

· Consider the story of the Israelites wandering in the desert. Every sixth day, they were instructed to gather double the amount of manna, enough for two days. On the Sabbath, they rested, trusting that God would provide. This was not just about bread; it was a radical invitation to pause and reflect on God's provision.

o When we reclaim the Sabbath, we step into that rhythm of grace, allowing Him to nourish our souls beyond the physical.

Remember the Consequences

Nehemiah 13:18 (NASB95)

18     “Did not your fathers do the same, so that our God brought on us and on this city all this trouble? Yet you are adding to the wrath on Israel by profaning the sabbath.”

· Before the exile there was a growing impatience with the sabbath law. Amos in the 8th century bc.could see the merchants chafing at the weekly shut-down of business (Amos 8:5); and sure enough, by Jeremiah’s time they had had their way. Load after load of merchandise poured in and out of the city on the sabbath. Jeremiah’s warning of what must follow (Jer. 17:19–27) was clearly in Nehemiah’s mind as he saw the forbidden burdensin transit (15; cf. Jer. 17:21, etc.) and spoke of history repeating itself (18).[6]

· Remember the returned exiles had promised to honor the Sabbath, not to do any business on the day of worship among themselves or with businessmen from other nations.

o No buying or selling whatsoever was to be done on this special day.

o The people had even written their commitment in a legal, binding document before the Lord (9:38; 10:31).

· Nevertheless, when Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem, one of the first things he saw was the violation of God’s Day.

o Jewish farmers and merchants were bringing their produce and products from the countryside into Jerusalem, obviously buying and selling on the Sabbath.

o Nehemiah also observed foreigners conducting business within Jerusalem on the holy day.

o The Sabbath day had become nothing more than any other day to the Jewish people.

· Nehemiah rebuked everyone involved, including the government officials, merchants and businessmen, and all the people who were involved in buying and selling on the Sabbath.

· He charged them with perverting the holy day that had been set aside for rest and worship of the Lord (vv. 17–18).

· He warned them that this was the very sin that had caused their captivity. Now that they were free, they were choosing to commit the very same sin (Je. 17:21–27). The point was clear and forceful: if they failed to observe the Sabbath, they would again bring the hand of God’s judgment upon themselves.[7]

Thoughts to soak on:

· We could all agree that missing the blessings of following God’s directive to focus on Him intentionally will gradually or quickly degrade our relationship with Him and ultimately degrade our health.

· Christ is the ultimate rest-bringer, providing peace and restoration from sin’s weariness.

· This point could encourage the church (that is us and other Christians) to see our need for spiritual renewal through Christ and fellowship with other believers when we gather for communal worship.

· In Mark 2:27, Jesus reminds us that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Imagine a family who, amidst their busy schedules, commits to a day of rest together. They turn off their devices, share stories, and engage with each other deeply. This intentional reset enriches their relationships and reminds them of God’s rhythm for life, where restoration and connection flourish.

o Reclaiming the Sabbath is an act of love towards the Creator and each other.

Restore with Resolve

Nehemiah 13:19–22 (NASB95)

19     It came about that just as it grew dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut and that they should not open them until after the sabbath. Then I stationed some of my servants at the gates so that no load would enter on the sabbath day.

20     Once or twice the traders and merchants of every kind of merchandise spent the night outside Jerusalem.

21     Then I warned them and said to them, “Why do you spend the night in front of the wall? If you do so again, I will use force against you.” From that time on they did not come on the sabbath.

22     And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come as gatekeepers to sanctify the sabbath day. Forthis also remember me, O my God, and have compassion on me according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness.

· Nehemiah ordered the city gates shut on the Sabbath Day. The guards had been willing to open the gates to the Gentile merchants, possibly because they were bribed; so, Nehemiah put some of his own servants on duty. He also ordered the Levites to set a good example on the Sabbath and minister to the people.

· The merchants came, as the custom was, with their merchandise to Jerusalem, but found the gates closed and then camped for the night outside the wall. We may presume that this became a fresh temptation for the inhabitants of the city to go out to them and buy their wares. Nehemiah realized immediately the new danger and warned them to move away or else they would be removed by force. As governor he had the power to remove them. This warning was enough to frighten them away.[8]

· The Lord’s Day, the first day of the week, is not a “Christian Sabbath,” because the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week and belonged especially to the Jews. Therefore, the Old Testament laws governing the Jewish Sabbath don’t apply to the Lord’s Day. But Sunday is a special day to God’s people because it commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead as well as the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

o We ought to use the Lord’s Day to the glory of the Lord.

· Increasingly, especially in our cities, Sunday has become a day for shopping, sports, and chores around the house. The shopping center parking lot is as full on Sunday afternoons as it is on Saturdays. I once interviewed the manager of a shopping mall and asked him how he felt about being open on Sundays. 

o “The employees and I would rather stay home,” he replied, “but it’s a big day for business, especially from people on their way home from church.”[9]  Discuss.

Thoughts to Soak on:

· Jesus invites us in Matthew 11:28 to come to Him for rest. Picture a weary traveler laden with burdens, who finally reaches an oasis. There, amidst the rest and care, they find refreshment and renewal. The Sabbath serves as that oasis in our week—a time set apart to rejuvenate our spirits, remind us of God’s presence, and restore our focus away from the chaos. By reclaiming the Sabbath, we experience profound intimacy and growth with the Lord.

· Imagine a gardener who tirelessly works the soil every day, never allowing for a break. Over time, the land becomes barren. Yet when he pauses to let the earth rest, it rejuvenates, bringing forth a bountiful harvest. Just as nature flourishes with intentional breaks, so do our souls when we honor the Sabbath…………

o It’s a divine principle that invites us to stop, breathe, and cultivate deeper intimacy with God amidst our busy lives.

A closing thought and challenge by Rod Mattoon

· Nehemiah took the bull by the horns again and admonished the nobles of Judah about their behavior on the Sabbath day. He reminded them their choices were the same ones that their father’s made in the past which led to captivity. He warned them that they would bring more judgment upon themselves if they did not cease to profane the Sabbath. The Levites were admonished to clean up themselves.

· He then proceeded to lock the gates of the city at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening which is the beginning of the Sabbath. They were not to be opened until the Sabbath ended 24 hours later.

· Guards were put at the gates to makes sure no one entered on the Sabbath. When the gates were closed, the peddlers camped outside the city walls a couple of times.

· Nehemiah took the bull by the horns again and warned them to “Scram” or else they would be arrested. Problem solved.

o He was firm about this whole issue because it was a conviction that was based on the Word of God.

o Make sure your convictions are truly Bible-based ones and you have the grit to stick with them. The intimidation and pressure of the world or carnal Christians will try to get you to change them.[10]

Questions to ponder:

· When a person confronts you about a sin, do you tend to become angry and defensive, or do you repent out of humility and gratitude for the correction?

o Explain why.

· In verse 22, what did Nehemiah mean when he prayed that God would “remember” him, what he had done, and what others had done?

o What would you like God to remember about your life?

o Charlie Kirk wanted to be remember for his Faith in Jesus.

· What does this story reveal about the attitude we should have toward worshiping God?

· In what ways do you think Christians today tend to neglect worship?

· How do you need to change your actions or attitudes toward church or worship?

· What have you learned from this story about respecting the Sabbath?

[1]Chris Benfield, “Standing for Truth # 31,” in Pulpit Pages: Old Testament Sermons(Mount Airy, NC: Chris Benfield, 2015), 501.

[2]Wallace P. Benn, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther: Restoring the Church, ed. R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021), 133.

[3]Gene A. Getz, “Nehemiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 695–696.

[4]Raymond Brown, The Message of Nehemiah: God’s Servant in a Time of Change, ed. J. A. Motyer and Derek Tidball, The Bible Speaks Today (England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1998), 238.

[5]John Goldingay, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther for Everyone, Old Testament for Everyone (Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press; Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2012), 155–156.

[6]Derek Kidner, Ezra and Nehemiah: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 12, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979), 143.

[7]Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2004), 214.

[8]F. Charles Fensham, The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1982), 264.

[9]Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Determined, “Be” Commentary Series (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 148–149.

[10]Rod Mattoon, Treasures from Nehemiah, Treasures from Scripture Series (Springfield, IL: Rod Mattoon, 2008), 306.