Nehemiah 13:2 –
For they had not provided the Israelites with food and water in the wilderness. Instead, they hired Balaam to curse them, though our God turned the curse into a blessing.
This chapter wraps up Nehemiah’s governance of Jerusalem. He left back to his “normal” job and returned after some time and found many Laws being ignored. First, a man was allowed to live in the temple, Nehemiah evicted him promptly. He found the Levites and singers were working in the fields and not doing their duties, he restored them back and ensured they were provided for. He found men working on the Sabbath and quickly halted their ability to do so. Finally he confronted men who married outside the faith and quickly ended this practice.
My reading this chapter first got me concerned about the Sabbath and our total lack of respect for it. Also, no one can come to terms with what that day actually is in the week, Saturday, Sunday, Friday or some other day. I have heard it’s a “personal” day of rest and defined by you. Once you come to terms with the Sabbath then what do you do? Do you require others to work the “Sabbath” and serve you? Shopping and eating out is doing just that. Also, “rest” for one may be riding 100miles on their bicycle. Have we muddied up the Sabbath? Has Jesus freed us from the legalism of it?
This section was read during one of the readings of the Book of Moses and made the people realize foreigners should be expelled from their ranks. Once this was read the people “immediately excluded from the assembly.” I have always found it interesting how Judaism appears to be very exclusive where Jesus made Christianity all-inclusive. I wonder if the Israelites remain the “chosen people” or have they lost favor? Based on what is happening in the Middle East, I see them maintaining favor with God. I have heard of people converting to Judaism, but am curious if their “blood line” needs to be proven to become “authentic.” One could argue we all come from Adam, but I often wonder us gentiles existed before and Adam is the “head” of the nation of Israel?
So from this chapter we get a bunch of questions about our relationship with God. The key is keep exploring and learning so you can answer them for yourself. And believe me they will change as your knowledge becomes deeper, unless you got lucky the first time through. You can have fun with this, proving oneself right or wrong. For example, it took me 4 or more years for clarity on the Trinity, which could change again in 5 more years.