Read the Passage: Nehemiah 13

Separation and Tithing (13:1–14)

Nehemiah 11–12 largely consist of names of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, including the priests and Levites, during the time when the wall was completed. Neh. 12:27–43 details the dedication of the wall. The wall was completed in 445 BC and Nehemiah returned to Persia in 433 BC (cf. Neh. 2:6; 5:14; 13:6). Chapter 13 details Nehemiah’s subsequent return to Jerusalem, sometime before Artaxerxes’ death in 424 BC. This means there is an unknown gap in time between Nehemiah 12 and 13, although it was likely a period of many years (cf. Neh. 13:23–24). In Neh. 13:1–3 we read that, as Scripture was taught, it was found that “no Ammonite or Moabite should ever come into the assembly of God” (Neh. 13:1; cf. Deut. 23:3–6). The fact that the people then acted on this law indicates this event most likely occurred prior to Nehemiah leaving Israel for Persia (cf. Neh. 10:26–29).

In Neh. 13:4–9 Nehemiah begins to describe the state of Jerusalem when he arrived for his second term as governor. The reason why the law regarding Ammonites and Moabites is cited in Neh. 13:1–3 is that when Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem, he found Tobiah the Ammonite residing in the Temple! Recall that Tobiah, who was mentioned by name eleven times previously in this book, was one of the main agitators and enemies of Israel. Yet, by family intermarriage (cf. Neh. 6:18), Tobiah had ingratiated himself to Eliashib the High Priest (cf. Neh. 3:1). Moreover, the room given by Eliashib to Tobiah was formerly a storeroom where offerings for the priests, Levites, and other temple workers were to be held. In the absence of these material goods, the temple personnel were not able to serve. Thus, Nehemiah was grieved, he evicted Tobiah, and cleansed the rooms of the temple.

Nehemiah’s eviction of Tobiah from the temple foreshadows Jesus’ cleansing of the temple more that 450 later (cf. Matt. 21:12–13; John 2:13–17). Similarly, Nehemiah’s concern for the house of God and its workers parallels Jesus’ care for the church and its members (cf. John 17:20–23). In Neh. 13:10–14 Nehemiah addressed the issue of tithing, as the lack of giving meant that the temple workers needed to return to their fields (cf. Neh. 13:10). Therefore, Nehemiah appointed four treasurers over the storehouses of the temple, including a priest, a scribe, a Levite, and a layman. These four men were chosen “for they were considered faithful, and their task was to distribute to their brethren” (Neh. 13:13). Observe that while these men were faithful, most (if not all) of them also had a personal stake in the collection of tithes. Nehemiah also asked God to remember his good works (cf. Neh. 13:14).

Economics and Sabbath (13:15–22)

In the covenant the inhabitants of Jerusalem had made earlier (cf. Neh. 9–10), they promised to tithe of their agricultural produce and animals, as well as to support the temple workers (cf. Neh. 10:35–39). Yet, as Neh. 13:10–13 explained, the people did not fulfill this aspect of their agreement. Similarly, in their prior covenant the inhabitants of Jerusalem vowed to observe the Sabbath (cf. Neh. 10:31). However, as Neh. 13:15–22 reveals, the people did not keep this pledge. Rather, they violated the Sabbath by working on the seventh day (cf. Neh. 13:15), as well as by engaging in commerce and trade on the Sabbath (cf. Neh. 13:16). Nehemiah tackled these abuses in three ways: first, he confronted the leaders of Jerusalem (cf. Neh. 13:17–18); second, he closed the gates of the city (cf. Neh. 13:19–20); and third, he warned away those who attempted to engage in trade (cf. Neh. 13:21–22).

Marriage and Purity (13:23–30)

As could perhaps be expected, just as God’s people violated their covenant in regard to tithing, supporting temple workers, and keeping the Sabbath, so they also violated their vows in regard to not marrying Gentiles (cf. Neh. 10:30). In the closing verses of this letter Ezra explains that the Jews “had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab” (Neh. 13:23). Moreover, the text reveals that many of the children born of these unions could not even speak Hebrew. Given Ezra’s earlier reforms, such inter-spiritual marriages were surprising (cf. Ezra 9–10). Note that whereas Ezra’s primary concern was messianic, for “the holy seed is mixed with the [pagan] peoples” (Ezra 9:3), Nehemiah’s main concern was that pagan women would cause God’s people to sin (cf. Neh. 13:26). This letter closes with Nehemiah’s third prayer that God would not forget his works (cf. Neh. 13:14, 22, 31).

Application Questions:

1. How important is accountability in the Christian life? What events and practices have aided you in your sanctification?
2. Why were Ammonites and Moabites prohibited from the assembly of God? Could they become proselyte converts to Judaism?
3. What is most important among those who serve the Lord: skills, experience, education, or character?
4. Is the Sabbath still in effect for God’s people? If not, then why? If so, then how can believers best keep the Sabbath?
5. If a Christian marries a non-Christian, is the marriage legitimate? What should be done in such scenarios (cf. 1 Cor. 7:12–16)?