Constantly Vigilant [Nehemiah 13]

Nehemiah left the city for a short time, and opposing voices emerged in an attempt to change direction. When compromises come among the people of God, we must commit to rerouting back to God’s expectations.

KEY IDEA

We must constantly keep watch over our souls, which can easily (and often) succumb to the temptation to compromise with the world. Instead, we are called to be holy and faithful to our God, who has made all our blessings possible.

Recap: Even an established wall and a protective system could not protect the people from themselves.

Nehemiah’s Example

The chapter opens with the conclusion of the Dedication of the Wall and the consecration of the People to God (chapter 12), reminding them of the need to commit to the Scriptures and separate from other cultures (13:1-3).

After apparently a year away in Persia, Nehemiah returned to find the priest of the Temple had allowed his family to marry their enemies, leading to the temple’s pollution and desecration (13:4-9).

Nehemiah’s absence from the city opened the door to rampant spiritual compromise (13:6-9), including…

The people failed to support their spiritual leaders, which eroded their spiritual condition (13:10-14).

The people’s sinful obsession with prosperity and productivity infringed on the time needed to know God (13:15-22).

Their idolatrous relationships and neglect in understanding the language required to know God’s Word, (13:23-28) was evidence of their unfaithfulness to God Himself.

So, Nehemiah trusted God to do what was fitting for himself and for his enemies, and refocused the people on obedience to God’s Word, (13:29-31) back to where the chapter began.

Our Response

Beware of alluring relationships that can detract from your relationship with God.

Don’t expect to grow spiritually, if you don’t create time to do so.

Your practices are either helping or hindering the health of ouf faith family.

Commit to knowing the Word so well that you are convinced of the right way to live it out obediently.

When the temptation to compromise comes, prioritize the Word and diminish the influence of anything contradictory to it.