Forgetting and Returning
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Forgetting and Returning
Forgetting and Returning
7 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. 8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
neh 13.7-8
For 12 years Nehemiah served as governor of Judah, from Artaxerxes’ 20th year to his 32nd year (5:14; cf. 13:6), that is, from 444 b.c. to 432 b.c.
For 12 years Nehemiah served as governor of Judah, from Artaxerxes’ 20th year to his 32nd year (5:14; cf. 13:6), that is, from 444 b.c. to 432 b.c. Other than his rebuilding and dedicating the wall, getting the people to agree to keep the Law, and organizing the work of the priests and Levites in the temple, little is known about Nehemiah’s 12-year rule. Undoubtedly that was a successful period of time in his life.
When the 12 years were up Nehemiah returned to Persia (perhaps to the city of Susa; cf. 1:1; or to the capital, Persepolis), evidently once again to serve King Artaxerxes (cf. 2:6).
Two year return ....
How long he remained in this position is not known. Perhaps it was two years or so. While he was gone some rather startling changes took place in Judah, changes involving serious violations of the Mosaic Law. When Nehemiah once again returned to Judah (perhaps around 430 or later), he faced a task that in some respects must have been even more difficult than rebuilding the wall.
what did he find
Oh my
Tobias is in the temple living it up
The sacrifices are being abused
The temple priest are not being taken care of and have fled to the countryside.
How son they forget
7 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgat the Lord their God, and served Baalim and the groves.
15 Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;
it did not take long to return to the state they were once in ....
very very discouraging
AS long as Nehemiah was present they would act the part.
In his absence the true heart of man is revealed
That’s why true Christianity is not behavior modification but a hear change
It is dangerous and tempting to change behavior without also changing heart and mind. Behavior modification has to do with “religion,” not with Christianity, and it leads to judgmentalism.
Confession and repentance will not happen in a judgmental community. Gospel community calls people out of their bondage, out of their lies, and out of their mess, but gospel community members are willing to walk with their brothers and sisters through their exodus rather than simply being cheerleaders across the Jordan, hoping they make it to the promised land.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
This means that when someone confesses sin, they are loved. The Bible tells of this being the kind of love God has for us: “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” ().
Here is where our thinking can high-center, and we can get stuck from truly making disciples. We run to the love of God because it creates a safe place for sinners to confess and repent, and God is quick to forgive those who come broken. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (). God is also quick to discipline his children, that we may experience righteousness through its training:
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
The difference between behavior modification and sanctification is one of false and true change. Apart from Holy Spirit-enabled repentance, we can only modify behavior and are unable to reform the heart/worship. The Pharisees were an extreme form of behavior modifiers:
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
I . The Sin Passed over
I . The Sin Passed over
1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; 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. 3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
neh 13.1-3
On that day refers not to 12:44 but to the time after Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to be governor again, as indicated in 13:4–7.
The portion of the Law (the Book of Moses) that was read is .
The Ammonites and Moabites had resisted Israel’s march to Canaan, and the Moabites had hired Balaam to curse Israel but God … turned that attempted curse into a blessing ().
Therefore Ammonites and Moabites were to have no part in Israel’s temple worship.
Being reminded of this the people in Nehemiah’s day eliminated those foreigners (as stated in , ). Interestingly once again the reading of God’s Word had an effect on the people (cf. 8:1–6, 13–17; 9:3).
After hearing the Law read they obeyed again ....
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
it changes
II The Seduction by an Enemy
II The Seduction by an Enemy
4 And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah: 5 And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
13:4, 5 In expelling the foreigners, they were finishing the job they started in 9:2.
Eliashib the priest had made a home for the wicked Tobiah in the forecourt of the house of God, using a storeroom which should have been full of tithes for the Levites and priests.[1]
13:4–5. When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem he was shocked to find that Eliashib, the high priest in Judah (cf. 3:1, 20; 13:28), had prepared a large room in the temple for Tobiah. Eliashib and Tobiah were closely associated, which may mean family ties (cf. Tobiah’s relationships by marriage with several Jews, 6:17–18).
[1] MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 491). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
13:4–5. When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem he was shocked to find that Eliashib, the high priest in Judah (cf. 3:1, 20; 13:28), had prepared a large room in the temple for Tobiah. Eliashib and Tobiah were closely associated, which may mean family ties (cf. Tobiah’s relationships by marriage with several Jews, 6:17–18).
Tobiah had been an enemy of Nehemiah, opposing the wall-building (2:10–19; 4:3, 7; 6:1, 12, 17, 19); but now that Nehemiah was gone (13:6) Tobiah the Ammonite (cf. comments on vv. 1–3) moved into the temple!
The room he occupied had been one of the temple storerooms (v. 4; see comments on 12:44), a side room for storing grain offerings (13:4–5). There Tobiah could oppose God’s work while posing to assist it!
read this scripture
6 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: 7 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. 8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. 9 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.
13:6–9. Artaxerxes is called the king of Babylon because his rule over the Persian Empire included Babylon.
13:6–9. Artaxerxes is called the king of Babylon because his rule over the Persian Empire included Babylon.
How did this happen ....
Nehemiah’s return to Artaxerxes (at either Persepolis, the capital, or Susa) was in 432. Some time later (perhaps two years or more) Nehemiah asked to return to Jerusalem. How long he stayed this second time is not stated. Malachi may have ministered about that same time (see the chart “Chronology of the Postexilic Period,” near ).
Hearing what the high priest had done for Tobiah (Nehemiah called it an evil thing; cf. ), Nehemiah was deeply distressed. Eliashib had been involved in restoring the walls (3:1), but now inconsistently he had allowed an opponent to reside inside the temple complex!
Understandably Nehemiah was so angry that he went into the temple room and tossed out all Tobiah’s household goods. He then had the rooms (apparently Tobiah had also occupied some rooms adjacent to the large chamber) purified, either ceremonially or by fumigation or both, and restored the temple articles and offerings that belonged there.
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
III The Scantness of the Offering
III The Scantness of the Offering
10 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. 11 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. 12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries. 13 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. 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.
neh 13.10-13
3. nehemiah’s encounter with the officials in judah (13:10–14)
13:10. Nehemiah’s next task pertains to why Tobiah was able to occupy one of the temple storerooms.
They were empty because the people had failed in their commitment to bring their tithes and offerings to the Levites.
As a result the Levites and others who were to live off these offerings as they performed spiritual services for the people had to work in the fields caring for their livestock (cf. ). This meant they had less time to work in the temple.
13:11–14. Nehemiah reprimanded the Jewish officials for neglecting this aspect of the work of the temple (the house of God; cf. vv. 4, 7, 9, 14).
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
mal
Malachi addressed this problem too (). The officials had failed to make sure the people of Judah obeyed the Lord in these matters.
What made this problem even more distressing for Nehemiah, and difficult to believe, is that these leaders had previously signed a document promising before the Lord and the people that they would never again let this happen (; , , , ).
They had even said specifically, “We will not neglect the house of our God” (10:39b).
39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
Besides rebuking the leaders for their neglect, Nehemiah took action to correct the problem (cf. 13:17–19). He stationed the Levites at their posts in the temple and appointed four men—a priest, a scribe, a Levite, and an assistant, all trustworthy (v. 13)—to oversee the distribution of the peoples’ tithes (grain, new wine, and oil, v. 12; cf. v. 5; 10:39).
Also Nehemiah, as he so often did, prayed for God’s help in the matter (13:14). Remember was a plea for help, not merely a request that God … not forget something (cf. “remember” in vv. 22, 29, 31; 5:19; 6:14 [twice]). Judah’s leader did not want his efforts of reform to be undone by the people’s neglect.[1]
What incremental changes have happened to you and you family that are allowing Tobia to take over?