SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 11-13
So I gave them a warning. I called curses down on them. I beat some of them up. I pulled their hair out. I made them take an oath in God’s name. (Nehemiah 13:25)
Oh my, Nehemiah, what a violent, un-Christlike response.
Without justifying his behaviour, we need to get a sense of his frustration.
Israel has just returned from a terrible period of captivity in Babylon.
And it was the very things that Nehemiah addresses here that got them in trouble the last time.
Like a gambling addict that you help get back on their feet, and then they go back to the casino.
“A foolish person who does the same foolish things again is like a dog that returns to where it has thrown up. (Proverbs 26:11)
To neglect the temple was to neglect their fellowship with and dependence on God.
To defy the Sabbath was to submit themselves to the enslavement of greed and consumerism.
To intermarry was to bring in pagan worship, and distance their children from God (they could’t even speak Hebrew).
These are historical/cultural issues that have their own parallels in our day: when we forget our dependence on God, when we become enslaved to having more, when we accommodate other beliefs and values and behaviours contrary to our own.
Sometimes I wonder if God is as frustrated with me, with my own folly.
“You unbelieving people!” Jesus replied. “How long do I have to stay with you? How long do I have to put up with you?” (Mark 9:19)
Where am I neglecting God, where is my heart wandering, where am I compromising my faith?
Where am I frustrating God?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, these are rhetorical questions, I know the answers to them. Please do not beat me (like Nehemiah did), but please help me in the best way possible to get my heart and priorities straight with You.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
We each seem to have our own stumbling blocks. Things that tempt me … Eating junk food, overspending, neglecting housework in favour of playing games on my phone… may not be an issue for the next person. But they may struggle with things that don’t tempt me. I can only imagine (though I am not sure I want to know) the frustration God feels as I fall into the same traps day after day, year after year. I sense Him wanting to shake me by the shoulders and say “I MADE YOU FOR SO MUCH MORE THAN THIS”!!!!! Lord, you know the things that I struggle with repeatedly. I pray that you continue to gently (GENTLY) guide me toward your plan!
Observations/Application
The names of the people in Jerusalem and the dedication of the temple, giving thanks to God. They were rejoicing for God had given them great joy – a return to the land of promise. During the various leaders the people id what was expected. But . . .
. . . in the absence of of rightful leadership the people went astray once again but the wrong man stepping up and doing his way. The people desecrated the Sabbath like their forefathers – lessons not learned. Do this and live – that’s what the Master said. Live and do this!
The people fell away and did their own thing. And I? Where am I not following the Way as God desires me to do? Whose law do I follow?
Paryer
Create in me a pure heart Oh God so that daily I walk in Your Way.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence;
Take not Thy holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation;
And renew a right spirit within me.