E-pistle for October 31, 2008
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E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation October 31, 2008
The Reforms of Nehemiah's Second Term
(Nehemiah 13:1-31)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on Nehemiah's actions in this chapter
For twelve years Nehemiah served as governor of Judah, under
appointment by the Persian king, Artaxerxes. He returned to
Persia for a brief time, during which the Jews again back-slid
into sin and disobedience. Chapter 13 summarizes the reforms
of Nehemiah during his second term as governor.
1. While Nehemiah was away form Jerusalem, the Jewish High Priest,
Eliashib, had moved Tobiah, a heathen leader, into a room inside the
temple; Nehemiah threw him out, vv. 4-9.
2. During the interim period, the people had stopped tithing and the Levites
had been forced to return to secular work to support their families;
Nehemiah contended with the rulers, ordered the people to start tithing,
and re-established adequate support for the religious leaders who were
chosen to lead the nation to worshipping God, vv. 10-14.
3. Nehemiah also re-instituted strict observance of the Sabbath Day regulations,
which had been violated by both the Jews and the heathen nations which
traded with them vv. 15-22.
4. Nehemiah violently and sternly dealt with the Jews who had inter-married
with heathen women . . . this included the grandson of the high priest who
married a daughter of Sanballat, another enemy of the Jews, vv. 23-31.
II. Meditation and Revelation: on the spiritual implications seen here
1. When the person in authority is absent or neglects to demand spiritual
accountability, the people usually tend to drift toward carelessness and
sinful disobedience.
2. Righteous anger sometimes is in order to counteract defilement of the holiness
of God And His house by pagans, heathens, and unbelievers, Mark 3:5;
John 2:13-17; Matthew 21:12-13.
3. Stern warnings and strict punishment should be administered only within an
atmosphere of prayer; Nehemiah prayed three times during the events described
in this chapter . . . vv. 14, 22, 31.
4. God's prohibition against doing any harm to His anointed persons
(I Corinthians 16:22) must never be violated, regardless of the circumstances;
Nehemiah did not impeach Eliashib even though four times he had grossly
violated God's standards of holy conduct.
III. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Be accountable and demand accountability.
2. Stand as a prophet against defilement of God's holy standards.
3. Temper my righteous anger within a spirit of humble prayer.
4. Never, under any circumstances, participate in a rebellion against a Christian
leader whom God has anointed to serve over me.
How To Relate To Pastors In The Church
(Hebrews 13:1-25)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. The author gave a number of practical directions for moral
living, vv. 1-6.
2. The author emphasized several spiritual principles, including:
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever,"
. . . "By Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise
to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks in His
name" . . . "Obey those who rule over you and be
submissive, for they watch out for your souls," vv. 7-17.
3. The author requested prayer for himself, vv. 18-19.
4. The author pronounced a benediction, along with extending a
final exhortation to keep moving on toward maturity, vv. 20-25.
II. Meditation: on remembering and following your ministers because . . . (v. 7)
1. They speak the word of God.
2. They have faith in God.
3. Their conduct has been worthy.
4. Their results (outcomes) have been fruitful.
III. Revelation: on obeying and submitting to them because (v. 17 . . .
1. They watch out for your souls.
2. They must give personal account to God.
3. Followers are to be a source of joy, not grief, to spiritual leaders.
4. Lack of a submissive spirit harms the disobedient believers, so that their
lives become unprofitable to God.
IV. Observations: on the meaning of "greet them" (v. 24) . . .
1. Show respect and honor to your spiritual leaders.
2. Express kind wishes to them and their families.
3. Receive them enthusiastically into your fellowship.
4. Welcome them and their ministry among you with joy and sincerity.
V. Applications: on relationships between pastors and people . . .
1. Those in authority (bishops, elders, pastors) should rule with humility.
See Matthew 8:5-13.
2. Those believers under authority should submit with grace.
3. God's anointed leaders are not to be "touched" (harmed physically, mentally,
emotionally, or spiritually), Psalm 105:15.
4. Followers are to show respect and honor toward their leaders by following them
in obedience and submission. This is for the benefit (profit) of the followers, v. 17.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
On Tuesday, November 4, 2008
pray before you go vote.
Vote as the Lord leads.
After voting, pray for
the elected officials.
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