Day #345 The Blessing of Reform—Bible Reading Plan - Denise Pass

The Blessing of Reform

The Blessing of Reform

No one likes to be called out, right? But would it be kind to leave someone in sin? If we did not have the Law, we would not be aware of our sins. And if God did not rebuke us for our sins and then pay for our sin debt, we would remain in sin, enslaved to a corrupt reprobate mind. While our flesh desires to conform to this world, the blessing of reform is that we can start anew. God’s mercies are new each and every morning.

Bible Reading: Nehemiah 10-13

In today’s reading from the book of Nehemiah, we read about the settling of all the people and the dedication of the wall. And then specific instructions are given. The people had listened to the law of God (Nehemiah chapter 8) and they had remembered their history (Nehemiah chapter 9). Then a list of the people who made an agreement with God is in chapter 10.

The Blessing of Reform—Taking Care of God’s Temple and People

The people promised not to intermarry with people who served other gods. They promised to honor the Sabbath. The people also promised to tithe so the running of the Temple could be provided for – the paying of the Levites or priests and the musicians. Sometimes you hear about people complaining when churches ask for money, but it costs to do ministry. God did not want His Temple or His people to not be provided for and the worker is worthy of his wages (1 Timothy 5:18).

According to the Easy English Bible commentary, “Twelve years after the people rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah returned to Persia. Some time later, he asked the king to allow him to return to Judah (Nehemiah 13:6). There, Nehemiah discovered that the people were doing many wrong things.”

The Blessing of Reform—Dealing with Sin

Nehemiah brought reform in chapter 13.

Notice that the reform began with reading the word of God publicly. We become aware of our sins when we read God’s word. Not to condemn us, but to change us as we are convicted and obey.

  • He found out that Eliashib was allowing an ammonite to shack up at an apartment in God’s house. According to the Jamieson-Faust Brown Commentary, Nehemiah had governed for 12 years and been gone perhaps about a year only to return and find corruption and liberties taken by the priest.
  • Then Nehemiah found that the compensation for the Levites and singers had been neglected.

Nehemiah 13:10-12

“I also found out that because the portions for the Levites had not been given, each of the Levites and the singers performing the service had gone back to his own field. 11 Therefore, I rebuked the officials, asking, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts. 12 Then all Judah brought a tenth of the grain, new wine, and fresh oil into the storehouses.”

  • Then Nehemiah called out another sin—the profaning of the Sabbath as well as
  • Their intermarrying with foreign women.

Nehemiah 13:25-27

“I rebuked them, cursed them, beat some of their men, and pulled out their hair. I forced them to take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or yourselves! 26 Didn’t King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, yet foreign women drew him into sin. 27 Why then should we hear about you doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?”

There can be pressure to fit into the culture around us and to compromise and become corrupt. We must be in God’s word daily and be accountable so we don’t stray.

The Blessing of Reform—Constant Need of It

This theme of reform is the constant need we have before a Holy God. We drift. We rebel. And in God’s kindness, He reveals where we fall short and meets our needs. In the end, we need reform in our life to keep us on track. We will be accountable for the choices we made while here on earth.

Scripture of the Day: Nehemiah 13:14

“14 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.”

Application

  • Better is open rebuke than hidden love. It is a kindness to lovingly correct one another rather than let someone remain in sin because of fear that they won’t like you.
  • When we read God’s word daily we are better able to live it out and not stray.

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 12 𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧.

Day #345-348: (Nehemiah 10-13)

𝒱𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓎: Nehemiah 13:14

“14 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.”

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