SESSION ELEVEN

DAY ONE: [Re]read Nehemiah 13

Notes: Take note of each time Nehemiah says Remember me.

Nehemiah 13

On that day the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people and there it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever be admitted into the assembly of God, 2 because they had not met the Israelites with food and water but had hired Balaam to call a curse down on them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing.) 3 When the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all who were of foreign descent. 4 Before this, Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God. He was closely associated with Tobiah, 5 and he had provided him with a large room formerly used to store the grain offerings and incense and temple articles, and also the tithes of grain, new wine and olive oil prescribed for the Levites, musicians and gatekeepers, as well as the contributions for the priests. 6 But while all this was going on, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Some time later I asked his permission 7 and came back to Jerusalem. Here I learned about the evil thing Eliashib had done in providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God. 8 I was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiahs household goods out of the room. 9 I gave orders to purify the rooms, and then I put back into them the equipment of the house of God, with the grain offerings and the incense. 10 I also learned that the portions assigned to the

106


Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and musicians responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields. 11 So I rebuked the officials and asked them, Why is the house of God neglected? Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts. 12 All Judah brought the tithes of grain, new wine and olive oil into the storerooms. 13 I put Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and a Levite named Pedaiah in charge of the storerooms and made Hanan son of Zakkur, the son of Mattaniah, their assistant, because they were considered trustworthy. They were made responsible for distributing the supplies to their fellow Levites. 14 Remember me for this, my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services. 15 In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, together with wine, grapes, figs and all other kinds of loads. And they were bringing all this into Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Therefore I warned them against selling food on that day. 16 People from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them in Jerusalem on the Sabbath to the people of Judah. 17 I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, What is this wicked thing you are doingdesecrating the Sabbath day? 18 Didnt your ancestors do the same things, so that our God brought all this calamity on us and on this city? Now you are stirring up more wrath against Israel by desecrating the Sabbath. 19 When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 Once or twice the merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside Jerusalem. 21 But I warned them and said, Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will arrest you. From that time on they no longer came on the Sabbath. 22 Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and go and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this also, my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love. 23 Moreover, in those days I saw men of Judah who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab. 24 Half

Notes: Take note of each time Nehemiah says Remember me.

107


of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah. 25 I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in Gods name and said: You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves. 26 Was it not because of marriages like these that Solomon king of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, but even he was led into sin by foreign women. 27 Must we hear now that you too are doing all this terrible wickedness and are being unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women? 28 One of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. And I drove him away from me. 29 Remember them, my God, because they defiled the priestly office and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites. 30 So I purified the priests and the Levites of everything foreign, and assigned them duties, each to his own task. 31 I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me with favor, my God.

Notes: Take note of each time Nehemiah says Remember me.

SESSION ELEVEN

DAY TWO: [Re]read Nehemiah 13:1-14. As the people drew near to God in worship (as seen in Nehemiah 11 and 12), they became aware of Gods purpose for them. In this case, the standard stated in Deuteronomy 23:3-4 said that the Ammonites and Moabites were not to be regarded as part of Israel. Because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and water, the Ammonites and Moabites were singled out because of their schemes against Israel, when Israel came into the Promised Land about a thousand years before Nehemiah. An Israelite became a part of Gods covenant by birth, but an Ammonite or Moabite could not. They had to become a part of the covenant by choice by joining with Gods covenant people and leaving their own people. The principle here is: You must make a choice. You cannot live with a worldview and lifestyle that is contrary to God, and truly join in the spiritual life of Gods people. Unless you leave one and join the other, you will never really be a part of this spiritual life. Thus, all who wanted to associate with the people of God, but did not want to count the cost and make a full commitment were excluded. Even today, there may be people of good will in churches, honorable people, who respect God and His word. Yet they have not received Gods covenant of grace and salvation and the Lordship of Jesus. 108

 What was the problem in Nehemiah in 13:4-5? Why did the problem occur? What was Nehemiahs response when he heard about the problem (13:8-9)? Read Mark 11:12- 26. Do you see any parallels between Nehemiah and Marks account? How could Eliashib, who had been one of the wall builders and in the joyous parade, have turned his back on Gods ordinances? Was Eliashib intentionally trying to undo what had been accomplished for Gods glory? Do lapses in faith into previous undesirable or destructive patterns of behavior happen suddenly and by surprise or gradually? To review the Spiritual Disciplines, refer back to S ession 3 of the Nehemiah study (pg. 27) Why is the strong practice of spiritual disciplines Look back at your n otes. What spiritual necessary for the disciple of Jesus? disciplines do you connect with? How have you been more in tune with God because of the spiritual disciplines throughout this study? Consider this statement: The work of the Lord and His church suffers when it is not supported by the Lords people. How is this statement supported by Nehemiah 13:10-14?

SIDE NOTE:

109

 Consider this statement: Spiritual leaders must take corrective steps to prevent repeated failures. How does this statement relate to you in light of Nehemiah 13:1-14? The focal point of commitment (or lack of commitment) became the focal points of failure in Nehemiahs day. Does this sound like present day verb [ with obj. ] churches or Christians? 1 make changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it. bring about a change in (someone) so that they no longer behave in an immoral, criminal, or self-destructive manner: At the heart of it all, the Israelites needed reformed. Nehemiahs original vision no doubt led the people to a [re]discovery of Gods vision and plan for them and to reformed hearts and minds. But in time, the people had wandered away from their Godly purpose. Question to ponder: What needs [re]formed in our own lives and community? DAY THREE: The Israelites were having trouble being (as Jesus would later put it) In the world, but not of it. Read John 17:14-19. Jesus prayer was that his followers would not be a part of the world. What does that look like in practical terms? Jesus is not asking the Father for his disciples to be taken out of the world, but he is praying for them as they are sent into the world. He begins with them being not of the world and prays for them as they are sent into the world. In light of John 17 perhaps we need to revise the popular phrase in. . . but not of. Itd be better stated not of. . . but sent into. The beginning place is being not of the world, and the movement is 110

[re]form

SESSION ELEVEN

 toward being sent into the world. Its all too easy for Christians to use in the world but not of the world as an excuse to disengage from culture. That is not what Christ is saying. The accent falls on being sent, with a mission to the world - not being mainly on a mission to disassociate from this world. Matthew 5:13-16 is a good example of this. Jesus says that we are the salt of the earth. Think of the properties of salt: it adds flavor or seasoning and also acts as a preservative. A disciple is one who can and should add the flavor of Jesus to the world, modeling the preserving power of eternal life to all they come in contact with. This cannot be done, however, if we retreat inward and neglect our calling as sent out people. After all, how can a disciple make other disciples if he/she only hangs around with other disciples? Take a closer look at Matthew 5:13-16. Salt is worthless if it is no longer distinctive. Light is worthless if it is not seen. What does this mean to you as a disciple of Jesus?

We really must understand that the lust for affluence in contemporary society is psychotic. It is psychotic because it has completely lost touch with reality. We crave things we neither need nor enjoy. 'We buy things we do not want to impress people we do not like.' ...It is time to awaken to the fact that conformity to a sick society is to be sick. Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth If we hold too tightly to the things of this world, we run the risk of displacing Christ. If we truly live like Jesus we will face persecution and opposition. Jesus referenced this in John 15:18-25. If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you We dont belong in this world. 1 Peter 2:9-12 says that we are aliens and strangers in this land. We have been chosen though, to be different to live a life that is counter-culture, yet sent into the culture. Nehemiah understood this and did all that he could to help But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen the Israelites [re]claim such a life. God needs his followers for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, Gods instruments to do to get serious about living for him. You cant fake it. his work and speak out for him, to tell others Nehemiah encountered this (with the Israelites) and so of the night-and-day difference he made for did Jesus (with the Pharisees). youfrom nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. Its time to get serious and to make a difference! Friends, this world is not your home, so dont make yourselves cozy in it. Dont indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then theyll be won over to Gods
side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives. ~ 1 Peter 2:9-12 (MSG)

[For more insight on getting serious - go to www.biblegateway.com and look up James 4:1-12 from the Message translation]

111

SESSION ELEVEN

DAY FOUR: [Re]read 13:15-22. In verse 17 Nehemiah says What is this wicked thing you are doingdesecrating the Sabbath day? What exactly were the Israelites doing and why was Nehemiah mad about it? Who else joined in this sin (v16)? What did they do? What did Nehemiah say and do regarding this sin (vv 16-18)? Why was the desecration of the Sabbath a big deal? In what ways might emphasis on material prosperity hinder worship to God today? Another error committed by the people then came to Nehemiahs attention. People were violating the Sabbath by working on the seventh day. Such work was forbidden. Look up Exodus 31:12-17. What did God say was the penalty for desecrating the Sabbath? The Jews were treading winepresses on the Sabbath, bringing in sheaves of grain, putting them on their donkeys, and carrying various produce and other burdens into Jerusalem and selling them on the Sabbath. Nehemiah warned them about this violation of the seventh day of the week. Also, some of the men involved were foreign traders from Tyre, who brought in various goods to sell to the people of Jerusalem on the Sabbath. All this violated, not just the Sabbath law, but also the covenant the people had expressly made in Nehemiah 10:31. Once again Nehemiah had to contend with the rulers of the people and call them into account for another sin, this time for violation of the Sabbath. He reminded them that sins like this were what had 112

 caused God to send the people into captivity. The people knew about this. They had just a few years earlier rebuilt the wall that had been destroyed when they went into captivity, yet they were repeating the same kinds of errors (see Jeremiah 17:21-27). [Re]read Nehemiah 13:19-22 and take note of his action to promote Sabbath observance. What measures did Nehemiah take to ensure that the traders did not lead the people to violate the Sabbath?

What is the Sabbath?

We see the first mention of Sabbath in Genesis 2:2-3, when with the completion of creation, God rested and set the tone for mankind. Ancient rabbis teach that on the seventh day, God created menuha, meaning tranquility, serenity, peace and repose rest, in the d eepest possible sense of fertile, h ealing stillness (W. Muller, Sabbath, pg. 37). The term "Sabbath" is in Hebrew (now usually Shabbat), meaning "day of rest"; it derives from the verb shavath defined as "desist from exertion" (often "rest" or "cease"). Sabbath is the forth commandment, found in Exodus 20:8-11: 8 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it h oly. God included a routine pattern of rest for his people. The Hebrews were to set aside an entire day every week as sacred, reserved for honoring and remembering their God. In Mark 2:27, Jesus reminds us The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Matthew Henry explains it this way: The sabbath was made a day of rest, only in order to its being a day of holy work, a day of communion with God, a day of praise and thanksgiving; and the rest from worldly business is therefore necessary, that we may closely apply ourselves to this work, and spend the whole time in it, The Sabbath is more than a day of rest. M odern Christians generally celebrate the Sabbath on Sundays, when typical church services take place. But Sabbath is also more than just a time of worship - it is day set apart and designed for holy interaction with God. To abuse or neglect such a time is nothing short of sin, but its often neglected and overlooked.

What are some practical steps you could take to see to it that you take a Sabbath each week? How might you spend a Sabbath day that would be honoring to God?

113

 [Re]read Nehemiah 13:22-28. What other mistakes were the Israelites making? Why would marrying foreigners be a problem for the Israelites? (vs. 24) What example does Nehemiah share as a reason to not inter-marry? (vs. 26-27) The biggest problem with the people of Judah was the fact that they so easily compromised so much not long after Nehemiah had brought them so far. How can compromising your standards lead you away from Gods plan? What is disheartening about vs. 28?
Lastly, take note of the times when Nehemiah prayed to God Remember me (vs. 14, 22, 29, 31). Nehemiahs life was a living example of one with loving devotion to God. Its interesting that he began this adventure in prayer to God, longing for God to provide him a way to restore the brokenness of the Israelite people, his people. Now at the end of the book, he is praying to God again, asking that all he had done would be remembered so that it would not have been in vein. Nehemiah never lost sight of Gods vision of restoration. Through much prayer and action, he was faithful, even when his people werent.

NEXT STEPS: For modern day protestants, Sabbath should be more than just attending church
every Sunday. Take a Sabbath day this week. Be creative. Think of a new, fresh way to interact with God. Take a hike in the woods. Read the Psalms and pray as you go. Enjoy the silence. Mother Teresa once said God is the friend of silence. Other Sabbath options could be simply taking a walk. Take a walk without purpose; just let your soul catch up with you. For 30 minutes, allow your senses to be your guide. Take note of the simple things: a crack in the sidewalk, a leaf at your feet, a rock or stone, the aroma of a cool fall day, etc. Do not hurry. At the end of your walk notice what happened to your body, your mind, and your sense of time. Embrace God as you walk. Remember, Sabbath was born with the creation of the earth, so Sabbath time beats in intimate synchronicity with the rhythms of nature. (for further study and reading on the Sabbath, read SABBATH: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller and/or Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing Gods Transforming Presence by Ruth Haley Barton)

114

SESSION ELEVEN

DAY FIVE: Over the course of this study, weve watched the visionary leader Nehemiah make his way from the comfort of the kings palace in Persia to Jerusalem. Nehemiah lived in one of the richest and most comfortable places on the earth. And, he was the cupbearer to one of the most powerful men of his day. Yet, when Nehemiah heard about the plight of his people in far-off Jerusalem, he wept, mourned fasted and prayed. His heart was broken for the things and people that broke the heart of God. Nehemiah determined in his heart to forsake his place of comfort for service and sacrifice to his God and Gods people. Why? Because God had given him a clear picture of a preferable future a vision! Nehemiah even risked his life by confronting the king. But, God had put him in an opportune place and an opportune time. The Lord was calling Nehemiah to forsake all his earthly blessings in order to lead a great rebuilding and restoring project. And God was faithful to fulfill the purpose He gave Nehemiah. When God calls you, heed the call! He is faithful! You will bring glory to His name and great blessing to yourself. What are some of the things you have learned from your study of Nehemiah? What have you found most encouraging? What have you found most challenging? What concrete steps will you take to address those challenges? Where have you been strengthened in your faith and discipleship? What areas still need strengthened? (Now might be a good time to meet with your accountability partner and revisit your Discipleship Assessment to see if you have made any gains.) 115

 What have you learned about the character of God during your study? How has that new insight affected your prayer life or worship? What are some specific things you believe God is calling you to do? Has God given you a picture of a preferable future for your own life? What new ministry is God calling you to do?

Remember, our discipleship process is made up of five key areas that are essential to a disciples journey. They are: PRAYERS, PRESENCE, GIFTS, WITNESS & SERVICE with Christ as the foundation. No one is greater than the other - but when all are lived out in unison, great things can happen for the purpose of advancing Gods kingdom. As youve navigated this study on Nehemiah, we hope that each of those five became enlightened to you along the way. Each disciple needs to digest the various aspects of the five key areas and strive to move from a new, exploring phase to an all-in living it phase for each. The key is movement. Whether your still exploring, getting started, going deeper, centering or living it, we trust and pray that this journey has moved you along. Be blessed! Don Ebert, Pastor Tim Beck, Director of Discipleship

NEXT STEPS: As we near the end of this powerful study, thank God for His Word and His truth
that you discovered during the Nehemiah study. Take a few moments to take it all in. The next step for you is to share what youve learned with your family around the dinner table or over coffee with a friend. Find a time to share it. Dont keep it locked inside. Gods Word is full of life. Find a practical way to share that life with others.
2012 Wadsworth United Methodist Church Discipleship blog: www.disciplesteps.tumblr.com

116