Nehemiah’s List
A. RETURN FROM BABYLON.
1. Zarubbabel and Jeshua rebuild the temple.
Haggai and Zechariah prophesy.
2. About 60 years later Ezra comes and teaches the law. Finds people in sinful marriages.
3. Nehemiah rebuilds the wall and defenses.
C. SEEMINGLY GOOD RESULTS.
1. Mind to work (Neh. 4:6). Haggai and Zechariah’s prophesies.
2. Reaction to the law (Neh. 8). Watergate.
3. The temple stirs them (Ezra 3:12-13).
D. CORRUPTION – SIN.
1. Malachi. The last word – a call to repentance.
2. The end of Nehemiah – He lists problems.
E. WILL WE LEARN?
A. FAILURE TO SUPPORT THE PRIESTHOOD (Neh. 12:44; 13:10).
1. Priests had to take 2nd jobs (13:10).
2. Teachers not back up, evidence in THEIR corruption.
3. A tough job … (2 Tim. 4:1-2; see Ezra 9:1-4).
a. Declare all (Acts 20:26-27).
b. Convict (Acts 24:25; Gal. 2:11-14; Mark 6:18).
“Am I become your enemy?” – Gal. 4:16
c. Dull of hearing (Heb. 5:11).
4. Shecaniah’s reassurance (Ezra 10:1-4).
B. MINGLING WITH FOREIGNERS (Neh. 13:1-4).
1. Opposing purposes – Different gods – No understanding.
2. Zarubbabel and Jeshua vs. Samaritans č Lasting enmity.
3. Our fellowship – Light vs. Dark.
a. Worldliness and sin (2 Cor. 6:14-18).
b. Teachers of Error (Rom. 16:17-18).
c. Factions and unfaithful (Titus 3:10-11; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14).
4. Three instructions in each case:
a. Preach the Word (2 Tim. 4:2; Titus 1:9).
b. No compromise (Prov. 23:23).
c. No fellowship (Eph. 5:11).
C. EXALTATION OF FALSE TEACHERS (Neh. 13:4-8).
1. Tobiah’s bedroom – Sanballet’s son-in-law.
2. We are warned
a. (Acts 20:29; Col. 2:8; 1 Tim. 1:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:16-18; 2 Pet. 2:1-2;
Rom. 16:17-18).
b. Where will we end up? (Matt. 15:13-14).
3. What allows this to happen?
a. Itching ears (2 Tim. 4:3-4; Isa. 30:9-11).
b. Preachers vs. hirelings (2 Pet. 2:15; 1 Tim. 6:3-5).
c. Prejudice and earplugs (2 Thess. 2:10-12; Matt. 13:10-11, 14-15).
d. Fear of offending (Matt. 15:12). THE WORD IS A SWORD!
D. PROFANING THE HOLY (Neh. 13:15-22).
1. The Sabbath (Ex. 20:8-11). They worked anyway.
2. They set at naught God’s law (Heb. 10:28-29).
a. God will be honored (Heb. 12:28), sanctified (10:31).
- Isaiah’s reaction (Isa. 6:5).
- Reverend (Psa. 111:9-10; 99).
b. And that which he ordains:
- Marriage (Heb. 13:4).
- Sabbath day (Neh. 13:17-18; Ex. 31:12-15).
- Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 10:24-25, 29).
- Worship (1 Cor. 14:15; John 4:24).
- His holy word (Heb. 10:28).
- Redeemed self (1 Cor. 6:19-20; 1 Pet. 1:15-16).
E. THE LANGUAGE OF ASHDOD (Neh. 13:23-24).
1. Denominational terms desensitize to error represented.
- Confuse the inexperienced and unstable.
2. Devotional, chapel service, sacrament, retreat, revival.
3. Misuse of Scriptural terms – disciple, grace, faith.
A. REBUKED RULERS & SET IN ORDER WHAT THE LEVITES NEEDED (13:11-13).
B. SEPARATED ISRAEL FROM MIXED MULTITUDE (13:3).
C. THREW TOBIAH AND HIS TRASH OUT (13:7-9).
D. CONTENDED W/NOBLES & REBUKED THE GUILTY (Neh. 13:15-17; 2 Tim. 4:2).
E. CONTENDED, REVILED, SMOTE, PLUCKED OFF THEIR HAIR –
CHASED THEM OUT!
F. WHAT ARE WE TO DO?
A. DO WHAT GOD WANTS.
B. RELY ON GOD FOR APPROVAL AND HELP (Neh. 13:14, 22, 31)
