 A continued look at tithes
Nehemiah 13: 1-22 (Continued look at tithes)
1On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;
2Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.
In verse one it says that it was found in the book of Moses that the children of Israel where to keep themselves separate from the Ammonite and the Moabite because of the wickedness they tried to bring against Israel. Since it says it is in the book of Moses lets go and read it. Deuteronomy 23:1-6 1He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD. 2A ******* shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD. 3An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever: 4Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee. 5Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee. 6Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever. Isn’t it good to know that the word of God, which we live by validates itself, and needs not outside support?
3Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
Once it was understood that God commanded them not to cohabitate with the mixed multitude, Israel separated them selves. Once again we must also look at this spiritually. Mix multitudes represent the fleshly nature and all its deviations, directions, and values. Being the Church of God we do not cohabitate with the multitudes. We are in the word but not of the word. We are wheat among the tares. We are only wheat because we abide in the spirit of God through his word living in us.
4And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:
Nehemiah was an Ammonite. Nehemiah 4: 3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
5And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
Eliashib the Priest of Levi (Israel) dedicated a great chamber to Tobiah the Ammonite. This was against the commandments of God. Eliashib committed a sin against the commandment of God in dedicating a chamber to the Ammonite, whom the Lord gave commandment to not let them ever set foot within Israel. These actions of Eliashib happened before Nehemiah the prophet and man of God was in Jerusalem to see this transgression.
6But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:
7And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
8And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff to Tobiah out of the chamber.
Nehemiah was a man of great boldness of the Lord. When he saw the sin that Eliashib committed, he wasted not time in throwing out all the personal things that belonged to Tobiah that Eliashib allowed in the Holy of Holies (tabernacle).
9Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.
Once the things belonging to Tobiah were cast out Nehemiah commanded that the chamber was to be cleansed. After it was cleansed then he brought back in the vessels of the house of God back into the chamber. Looking with a spiritual eye, when God finds sin in us, if we allow him in to our conscious the sin is then kicked out. Once it is kick out, then we must be cleansed of the fleshly nature, which brings sin. This is purging. Once we are purged, then we can have all the vessels of the Lord place back within us, which is our renewed mind. This renewed mind is the mind of Christ the Paul spoke about that we all must have in order to remain holy. The mind that we once had before was deceived in the beginning, and as a result has fallen from the higher and holy purpose of God.
10And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.
11Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
Because the priesthood under Eliashib had committed such transgressions as explained the whole nation was defiled. No one followed the direction, order, or commandments given concerning the Kingdom of God. Ask yourself do we do this same thing today? Do we forsake Gods commandments, and follow after the nature of the flesh? Do we not learn from the examples that we are given? If we don’t learn from the example, then we need not have them. If we don’t follow learn from the example, then the example is then given in vain to the one that remains contrary. Nehemiah noticed that the tithes that were for the Levites were not being followed as commanded by God. Levies portion was the tithe, because he had not inheritance. Again Levi had not inheritance because he was committed by the commandment of God to service the temple, minister before the Lord, and cleanse the people. The Levites that were around understood what there transgressions was also, that’s why they fled. There transgression was not keeping charge of what God had commanded them to do. Instead they went after following the order of other nations, peoples, and gods. But Nehemiah remained bold, and contended with those that had some order of charge (authority), asking why have they forsaken the house of God by not keeping his commandments? If you sit back and let things go wrong you are just as guilty as the one who committed the sin. Lets be real. Therefore I will not sit back and allow this same transgression today. If I do, I am just as guilty as the one committing the sin. Let’s not through away the commandments of God, but let us all submit to his perfect will in all things.
12Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
Once the people were pricked in their heart (conscious), they return to the former things that where committed to them to continue in. I hope our hearts are pricked to return back to God, and give our selves over completely in all things.
13And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
Now that the man of God (Nehemiah) returned the commandments of God back to the house of the Lord, the Kingdom of God is once again within the people. As they submit to the will of God, the Kingdom will remain in them. I call out to all those that have a zeal to return back to God, please do so with God speed, because it is required of us all.
14Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.
15In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
Nehemiah was very learned in the purposes of God. He understood what was required of Gods people. When he saw that the people were defiling the Sabbath by buying, saleing, and trading on the Sabbath Nehemiah once again was inflamed. How far gone where these people. I ask myself that same question today, regarding those that are so called in the church. Nehemiah saw all the burdens that the people had brought on the Sabbath, and he contended with them. Nehemiah understood that the Sabbath was made for rest, and it was a pattern of things to come, just as it is a pattern of thing to come even for us. How can we ever understand the pattern if we through away the commandments and its purpose? Just as Nehemiah testified, I also testify against all that defile the Lords commandments in all things including not acknowledging the Sabbath by keeping it. I know it sounds bold, but we have to be. If we don’t stand for something we will fall for anything under the sun. Man has indeed fallen.
16There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
17Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
18Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.
Nehemiah is calling out saying how long will you not learn from the examples of punishment that our forefathers have gone through, which is the reason why we are punished now? I ask the same question today. Please learn from the examples that we are given. We don’t know how long we have. God is long suffering, but there will come a time we there will be not time left. Head to the words of Nehemiah, and stop transgressing the commandments of God in all things, including the Sabbath. Are we so obedient to be disobedient, that we can’t see our destruction? God forbid.
19And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.
To insure that no burden was brought into the holy city on the Sabbath, Nehemiah closed the gates to the city on that day. Today as I live in the spirit and my life is in Christ, I am the holy city (new Jerusalem). As I abide in the spirit I also bring my body under subjection to the law of the spirit, therefore the gate of my mind (conscious) is closed in the Sabbath. I bring not burden into myself on the Sabbath. If I do this in conscious I must also do this in the deeds of the flesh in bringing the body subject also. If I see one in need, then it is lawful to do good (well) on the Sabbath, as Christ had indicated.
20So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
21Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.
As we can see Nehemiah remained bold didn’t he? We are to follow the same example by bringing our bodies under subjection not to walk contrary to any of Gods commandments within its proper purpose. What we do in spirit must manifest in our flesh also.
22And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
Nehemiah was the watchman of that time. God continues to have watchman in place even today. Ezekiel 33: 2-7 2Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: 3If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he **** the trumpet, and warn the people; 4Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. 6But if the watchman see the sword come, and **** not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. 7So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
To head the word of God in all things.
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