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Nehemiah 13 – Praying through the Bible #157 – A Prayer of Last Things
If you knew death was quickly approaching, how would you spend your last days? Nehemiah has served as governor for 12 years (Nehemiah 1.1; 5.14; 13.6). The last chapter of this topical biography is saying good bye to its readers; and sounds like what a good last few days should be: filled with corrections, reflections and prayers.
The remnant keeps reading the Law of Moses and learning (13.1-3). Restoration means change is happening and needed. While Nehemiah is back in Babylon (13.6), God’s people start falling apart…again. Rather strange to our ears, Tobiah, a familiar antagonist, has wheedled himself into a storehouse of the house of God making it his house too. Before, this room had been used for gifts for the Levites, singers and gate keepers, along with other provisions for the priests. While that is bad enough, Tobiah is an Ammonite; and not lawfully allowed in the temple (13.1; 2.19). How did this spiritual defilement happen? Tobiah had a relative who was a priest, Eliashib. Nehemiah returns and throws out all of Tobiah’s belongings. Nehemiah is nothing, if not a man of action! He works then prays, “Remember me for this, my God, and don’t erase the deeds of faithful love I have done for the house of my God and for its services” (13.14).
More restoration is needed. This time the remnant is defiling the Sabbath (13.15-22). Instead of keeping it holy, they are treading wine presses on the Sabbath. Again, Nehemiah is a man of action. After reminding his people that this is the same sin their ancestors committed, he ordered the gates closed. Foreign merchants are so greedy to sell their wares, they camp outside the gates. Nehemiah threatens, “If you do this again, I’ll use force against you.” He works then prays, “Remember me for this also, my God, and look on me with compassion in keeping with Your abundant, faithful love.”
Still, restoration is required; this time on marriage. As in Ezra, the Israelites have unscripturally married foreign women. Unlike Ezra who tore his own beard (Ezra 9.3), Nehemiah pulls out their hair (9.25)! Different men, different tactics, same results. These law breakers include a grandson of Eliashib the high priest, who had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. Yes, the Sanballet who had been the main nemesis of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the wall (2.19). Nehemiah works then prays twice: “Remember them, my God, for defiling the priesthood as well as the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites;” and “Remember me, my God, with favor” (9.31).
As the end of our days approaches us, there should not be a decrease in learning, restoration, correction, working and prayer. Part of this is watching whether our associates are leading us away from God or to God. Work and pray.
Prayer Challenge: Pray that we will work every day as if these are our last days. Act in a way so that we can comfortably pray for God to remember us.
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