In Nehemiah 1, we see that this story began in the 20th year of the reign of Artaxerxes. As they rebuilt the wall and also faced opposition, Nehemiah continued to point the people not only to horizontal realities but to also consider vertical ones. Don’t look at man but look at the power and plans of God.

The rebuilding was followed by revival and reformation. The Law was read and people were broken for sin. They know that God is holy and they are sinners. By this point in Nehemiah, they had the rebuilt wall, people who had returned to the city, and also those involved in worship or guarding worship.

So, hasn’t God’s plans and purposes already come true? Nehemiah left Jerusalem because his work was done (Neh 13:6). It has been 12 years since the work began (Neh 1:1).

But God’s work is not yet done.

(A) Already God’s purposes have begun to come true (Neh 13:1-3)

After rediscovering the ceremonial aspects of the law, the people also discovered that there were civic aspects of they law that they had to obey. The law had stated that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God (Neh 13:1, c.f. Deut 23:3-5). Numbers 22-25 records for us the enmity between Israel and the Ammonite and Moabite, which resulted in the hiring of Balaam to prophesy against Israel.

In Nehemiah 13:3, we see how the people read the law and resolved to obey it, by separating from Israel all those of foreign descent. They did not to try to self-justify or think it is for someone else. Rather, they saw how they needed to repent and obey.

Is your heart like this? Do you come to God’s word with a heart that desire to obey it, even before you read it? Why? It is because God has said it. The people’s response in these 3 verses is a good response for us to also take our own spiritual temperature.

In one sense, God’s purposes have already begun to come true. God’s people desire to obey Him! Praise God. But this is not all.

(B) Not yet are all things perfectly restored (Neh 13:4-31)

We read of how Eliashib cleared out a section of the temple for Tobiah to store his household furniture and reside there (Neh 13:4-9). This was at the expense of the grain offering, frankincense, the vessels, tithes of grain, wine and oil and the contributions for the priests (Neh 13:5). Don’t forget who Tobiah is! This is a man who had been opposing the work!

This and the subsequent neglect of the law took place while Nehemiah was not in Jerusalem (Neh 13:6). Nehemiah’s discouragement and disappointment is palpable. Friends, take heart if you are discouraged while serving. You are not alone and are in good company.

Nehemiah also draws attention to three other issues during this period (Neh 13:10-31). Firstly, there is a neglect of the provision for worship (Neh 13:10-14). The portions of the Levites were not set aside and God’s people stopped giving.

Secondly, they neglected the sabbath and failed to obey the commands for rest and worship (Neh 13:15-22). The people did not keep the Sabbath. This was within the city — where they engaged in commerce and trade — and also outside the city — where people camped and hoped that the people of God would work on the Sabbath.

Finally, they neglected the laws regarding marriage and failed to separate themselves from the world (Neh 13:23-24). The people intermarried with the nations and embraced a different religion and language (Neh 13:24). It was not just a linguistics issue, but they therefore did not know the law and were unable to memorise, meditate and bind these words to themselves.

Does it surprise you that the people so quickly neglected the ceremonial and civic law? The moment God’s word no longer occupies a central position in our lives, and demand that everything else aligns, something else will.

Are we neglecting God’s word? Are we sustaining holy worship? Are you resting in holy worship or are you addicted to work? Have you separated from the world? Where are we in our walk with God?

The same people who said Nehemiah 13:1-3 are the same people who are responsible for Nehemiah 13:4- 31.

(C) In between we must stand firm (Neh 13:32-47)

Nehemiah addresses these issues when he returns from Jerusalem. For each of these cases, he discovers it, reacts, brings in a positive force, and cries out to God.

Regarding worship

He found out that the Levites and singers could not provide for themselves and had to go back to work in the fields (Neh 13:10). Worship had stopped. This also shows us that we cannot have spiritual activity without administration. Proper administration is important for spiritual ministry. We need both.

Nehemiah confronted the officials (Neh 13:11). Is this how you deal with sin when you see it? Maybe you do not feel qualified? Maybe. But more often than not, we do not feel bold enough. Maybe someone else can have a chat. Or, we try to go around it. But Nehemiah goes directly to them and speaks to them himself.

He appointed treasurers and also gave them an assistant (Neh 13:13). These were reliable men. Nehemiah also provided them a structure so that they could be successful at their task. The Levites were also to guard the holy to ensure that worship is done (Neh 13:30). Who guards what is holy? Who holds us accountable for what is holy and what is not? Discipline is important in churches.

Nehemiah also cries out to God and prays (Neh 13:14).

Regarding the Sabbath

He discovered their neglect of the Sabbath when he saw people treading winepresses on the Sabbath, bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys and wine, grapes, figs and all kinds of loads (Neh 13:15). He also saw the Tyrians in the city (Neh 13:16). He knew that the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares were lodged outside Jerusalem (Neh 13:20).

Nehemiah also confronted the nobles of Judah (Neh 13:17).

He commanded that the doors should be shut and should not be opened until after the Sabbath (Neh 13:19). He also threatened to lay hands on the merchants if they continued to stay there (Neh 13:21). The Levites were also to purify themselves and guard the gates, to keep the Sabbath holy (Neh 13:22).

Nehemiah prays (Neh 13:22).

Regarding intermarriages with the other nations

Nehemiah saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab (Neh 13:29). Nehemiah confronted the people (Neh 13:25) and also the people take oaths in the name of God (Neh 13:25). Nehemiah prays (Neh 13:31).

Nehemiah does not compromise and does not give up. He is focused on each task. He is systematic and driven, and is committed to getting things done.

What about you? How do you respond to what is sinful in your life? Do you compromise? Do you think that if God wants you to change, He will make it happen? Or do you think it is a personal matter and no one else can tell you there is something wrong? Nehemiah addresses each of this statement. There is no compromise and it is not just a personal relationship with God — other people need to be involved. And change involves practical steps and efforts too.

Life in the in between, the already and not yet, looks like constantly fighting sin. The man and woman of God needs to continue to stand firm, and never compromise. THe world can turn its back on God and the whole of Jerusalem can become the world, but Nehemiah did not budge an inch.

Let us also pay attention to the emotional language of Nehemiah in this process. Nehemiah was angry (Neh 13:8), confronted them (Neh13:11,25), warned them (Neh 13:15,21), and chased him (Neh 13:28). Nehemiah was not cordial and relaxed about it. He was enraged that the people were not obey God’s law and living holy lives. Look at what he was enraged about. Are these the things that would affect you in this way?

Nehemiah was offended on behalf of a holy God. He really wanted Jerusalem to be the city of the great King and he could not stand that the people are kings unto themselves, living their lives as they pleased and using their money and resources as if it does not belong to God. He was enraged that the people of God are not acting like the people of God. If we cared about God, it would enrage us too.

We see a similar streak in Paul in Acts 17:16-17. Paul was provoked and upset that God’s people was not acting like God’s people.

Friends, if you are nonchalant about how other Christians live in your life, how are you doing in your walk with God? We know we love God when we care about what others who say they love God do with God. If it does not affect us, consider praying for more zeal and love for God.

Nehemiah’s zeal prompts him to pray his “remember me” prayers. And he is so confident that even if no one obeys God and stands on His word, he will.

Nehemiah is not so arrogant to think that his actions alone will change the world. Apar from correcting the errant, he also tasks others to participate in the work of reform. Other people also need to be involved in the work. One can bring about much good but many have a multiplying effect when we work together for God’s purposes.

Is your life and ministry one that brings other people in as well? Do you call others to partner together for the sake of Christ? If you feel like you are lonely where you are serving right now, cry out to God and ask Him to send you co-workers. This is a prayer that God honours.

In the New Testament, we also see how the apostles did not regard themselves as super apostles who did not require the help of others. As we read in Philippians 1:27-30, Paul desires a partnership for the gospel! Let us also pray this for ourselves, that God will bring other like-minded brothers and sisters as we work and minister.

Nehemiah calls us to stand firm in the already but not yet. Jesus died on the cross and finished His work. He rose to newness of life to show that God has accepted His atoning work on our behalf. We can now say that the kingdom has now come to us. Yet, it is the same Jesus who taught us to pray, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. We are to pray this as we pray for our daily bread — every day! Even though His kingdom has already come, we are to pray for His Kingdom to come. We are still waiting for the Kingdom to come in its fullness!

We should not tell ourselves that our best life is now. This is an over-realised eschatology. We will still experience persecution and suffering in our lives.

How do we live? We do it like Nehemiah. We recognise that His purposes have come true, but not fully. We still face imperfections of all kinds — including our own — and resolve to stand firm, with practical godliness, and seek to make a difference in our day.