Dei Time

A New Beginning?

Dei Break

Nehemiah 11:1 – 13:31

The last chapters of Nehemiah describe the process of balancing the residential matters of the nation, the ceremony of dedication of the city walls, and a listing of procedures for the use of the temple. One interesting item included is the reappearance of Tobiah, one of those who opposed Nehemiah but was not without influence in Jerusalem, perhaps through his in-law relatives within the city leadership (13:4).

Nehemiah had temporarily returned to Persia some years after most of his narrative had taken place (13:6). Upon returning to Jerusalem, he found that Tobiah had been invited to take possession of some of the rooms in the temple for his own use (vs.7). Nehemiah's anger was probably two-fold. Not only was Tobiah an old enemy, but he was a descendant of the Ammonites. The city leaders knew that no Ammonite was to be allowed in God's house because of their treatment of His people centuries earlier. (See Numbers 22-24).

Upon his return Nehemiah also discovered that the people had already forgotten their written pledge to God to observe His laws, even the specific laws that they had detailed in writing. Many Jews were surrendering to the cultural influences that surrounded them.

Merchants were selling wares on the Sabbath, by sidestepping the law. Foreign wives were returning—and not raising their children as members of the Jewish nation (vs.24). Old Sanballat may have been contributing to the upheaval—one of his sons-in-law was expelled by Nehemiah. People were ignoring God in favor of pursuing their own ways.

We are in a similar situation today. American culture has been shifting away from a primarily Christian outlook on life to one that demands that "tolerance" of all religions and all concepts of morality means that one must affirm and approve their validity. We live in a culture that is convinced that there is neither absolute truth nor absolute evil. Like the Jews of Nehemiah's time, we find ourselves in a continuing struggle to proclaim the truth to a culture that denies the validity of God in our lives.

As Nehemiah's story ends, the Jewish nation is still in turmoil; still rebelling against God; still failing to place Him at the center of their lives.

Next time: Esther

A Day of Repentance

Dei Break

Nehemiah 9:1 - 10:39

These two chapters record the prayer of repentance and the renewed covenant of law that God had given His people. The people knew that their sin was great and that they were still slaves in their own land due to the taxation and foreign rule of Persia. They needed to repent and renew their reliance on God.

In the prayer, the people first establish that they recognize who God is and what He has done for them over the many years of their relationship. They also acknowledge their great sin and disobedience and the justice of God's anger.

Their repentance was more than a statement of sorrow. The covenant that is described in chapter 10 is a pledge that things will change. Repentance is more than saying that we are wrong, or rebellious, or sinful. It also indicates a willingness and determination to change and move away from our sinful actions and attitudes.

When a teenager comes to his or her parents and confesses that they have been involved in alcohol, or drugs, or promiscuity, the parents have a right to expect that the confession and sorrow will be followed by action. The teen is expected to stay away from the situations that led to the problem in the first place; he or she is expected to say "no" when the temptation arises again.

When we confess our sins to God, He as our Parent has the right to expect us to do what we can to correct our actions and attitudes. Of course we cannot do this alone, but God Himself is our support in the effort. Because we have a sinful nature we will never completely succeed in changing our hearts and actions, but Jesus has paid for our failure with His life. He has made us clean in the sight of God. However, He still challenges us to pursue the path of sanctification with the Holy Spirit as our Conscience and Guide. He "calls, gathers, sanctifies, and enlightens" us, helping us to better imitate our Lord Jesus every day.

Next time: A New Beginning

Nehemiah Challenged

Dei Break

Nehemiah 4:1 - 8:18

Chapter 4 begins with Sanballat angrily urging others to join in his effort to stop the restoration of Jerusalem's wall. Verse 4 begins Nehemiah's prayer that God would keep them from success. Nehemiah then tells us the story of the workers' success and Sanballat's continued efforts to destroy the work. But the work continued, and succeeded, with armed workers and God's protection. Through it all Nehemiah continued to lean on God for help.

Chapter 5 cites the unfair loan practices by which some Jews were ruining the lives of others. One could understand Babylon placing such burdens on the people, but not their own brothers. Like children needing a strong parent, the Jews obeyed Nehemiah's command to cease the abuse. As an example of behavior he cited that unlike other governors appointed by the Persians, he never used his position to gain personal wealth.

Political intrigue continues through chapter 6. Nehemiah remains faithful to his calling while Sanballat and his minions plot murder and deceit. When the governor proved too wise to place himself in their hands, Sanballat threatened to go to the Persian king with false reports that the wall was built in preparation for Jerusalem's rebellion, with Nehemiah as their king. Through it all, Nehemiah's confidence never wavered, because his confidence was in the One who had led him to this place.

Unlike David's census centuries before, God led Nehemiah to count the people, for Jerusalem was under-populated—was it now beginning to grow? There were around 50,000 people living in and around the city. (Chapter 7)

In chapter 8 we find Ezra, Nehemiah, and other leaders before the people. For a second time the people have joined to listen to Ezra teach the Law. They had been through a summer of intense stress, rebuilding the city walls while enemies threatened their lives; suffering economically at the hands of their own; and wondering if any of it would work out in the end. It was time to hear the great teacher again. He was concerned for their wellbeing. He knew that without God at the center of their work, the people would fail to rebuild the nation. They feasted, celebrated, and learned for seven full days.

Next time: A Day of Repentance

Nehemiah, Cupbearer to the King

Dei Break

Nehemiah 1:1-3:32

Zerubbabel returned to Jerusalem first. Years later Ezra followed, to begin to restore the Law. About fourteen years later, Nehemiah returned. The temple had long been rebuilt, but the city walls were rubble. The people had stopped working on the city's restoration. When Nehemiah arrived about 444 B.C. he intended to change that.

Nehemiah was probably born in the Persian Empire, and had never seen Jerusalem. As Royal Cupbearer to the Persian king (vs.11), his character and trustworthiness were beyond question.

Though separated from his fellow Jews, Nehemiah's compassion for them was extraordinary. The cupbearer earnestly prayed for his kinsmen, asking God to guide the Persian king's favor.

No matter what the concern, God tells us to pray to Him continually. We don't know how our prayers can affect situations, but God says that they do. He does respond.

Nehemiah was afraid when the king questioned his mood (2:2). He had asked God to grant him an audience with the king, so why be afraid? Perhaps he realized that God was really going to use him, and that can be scary for anyone, or it may be that Nehemiah feared the king. The king's servants were under constant scrutiny and a change in mood could indicate anger with the king, or a mind plotting rebellion.

It appears that Nehemiah had a plan (2:5-6), or it may be that he was so used to dealing with similar situations that knowing how such interviews were conducted, his request came suddenly and naturally. Obviously, God was also inspiring Nehemiah with a plan for Jerusalem's reconstruction.

Just getting the residents of Jerusalem to listen to his message would be challenging, but another roadblock arose before Nehemiah even arrived in the city. Sanballat (2:10, 19-20) is an interesting person. His name is listed in the "Elephantine papyri". There we learn that about 37 years after Nehemiah's arrival, Sanballat was governor of Samaria and five of his descendants also ruled the area. Some think that his sons' names indicate that he was a worshipper of God. If so, he did not recognize God's will for the nation. Over a hundred years later, Alexander the Great knew of his dynasty. Knowing this about Sanballat, we can surmise that his anger at Nehemiah may indicate a ruined hope to rule a weakened Judah himself.

Map of Jerusalem at the time of Nehemiah-- http://www.biblestudy.org/maps/jeruneh.html

Next time: Nehemiah Challenged