Please read Nehemiah 12:44 – 13:3. From these verses it appears that the people were taking seriously the teachings of the law of Moses, and were seeking to practice “pure religion” according to that law. At the end of verse 44 the statement is made “for Judah rejoiced in the priests and Levites, who were performing their duties.” This implies that the people were happy that their spiritual leaders were remaining faithful to the precepts of the law. Some scholars feel that at this time the leaders were being heavily influenced by the desire of the people to hold to the tenants of that law, and in effect the leaders were being lead by the people. What is the proper approach for people to take when they do not feel that their leaders are leading them in the proper direction?

DIG

At the reading of the book of Moses, the people were reminded of the impact that “outsiders” had on their history. The decision was to exclude all “foreigners” from their nation. Was this exclusivism a mandate from God, or an overreaction on the part of the people? Do you feel the New Testament teaches us to be more inclusive or more exclusive of outsiders?

Please read the remainder of chapter 13. One author writes, “After twelve years in Jerusalem (455 – 433 B.C.), Nehemiah left Jerusalem for the Persian court. His leave of absence had expired. He had to ask the king for permission to return to Jerusalem, because he obviously felt that his mission to reform his people had not yet been accomplished.”

It appears that while he was gone, the people regressed in their strict adherence to the keeping of the law. Upon his return, he finds several situations with were untenable to him. In your own words, please describe at least one of those situations.

1.) Read verses 4-9. In his anger, Nehemiah threw the belongings of Tobiah into the street. What made him so angry, and was his reaction justified?

2.) Read verses 10 – 14. Though we do not know for certain exactly how long Nehemiah was away, still, in that time period the people had ceased to tithe for the support of the Levites and their temple work. What happened to the good will described in 12:44ff.?

3.) Read verses 15-22. Soon after his departure, the people began to desecrate the Sabbath. “The real meaning of the Sabbath, a day to acknowledge the Lord as Creator and to give all the honor to him for a successful week, had been abandoned. The Sabbath was celebrated to show that man’s existence as a creation was more important that his fight for survival. It is one of the significant phenomena which distinguished the Jews from other nations.” Nehemiah attributes the failure to honor the Sabbath as one of the primary reasons the nations fell in the first place. Why would the people so quickly stumble at the same point which caused their initial destruction? How does Nehemiah handle this problem?4.) Read verses 23 – 29. Intermarriage to foreign women had plagued the people from the time of Solomon. One of the first reforms at the return from captivity was a commitment to put away their foreign wives, and to marry from only within their nation. However, when Nehemiah returned, he found the people had regressed and were once again intertwining their lives with the nations around them. His conduct over this was nothing short of dramatic. In chapter 10, the people had solemnly sworn not to do this, yet already they have broken the pledge. Why is this so important, and what application, if any, does this have for our lives today?

Four times in today's lesson (chapter 13 verses 14, 22, 29, and 31) Nehemiah pleads for God to remember him, the conduct of the people in their sins, and/or his good deeds. Some think this implies an insecurity in the heart of Nehemiah. Do you agree? Why do you feel this is important to him?

Overall, what are the most significant lessons of this book to you?