2. Read Nehemiah 13:4-9. Who was Tobiah? Read Nehemiah 3:18-20 to remember.

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1 Women in the Word Nehemiah 13 April 25, Nehemiah served as Judah s governor for 12 years. Now Nehemiah has returned to his place as a servant of King Artaxerxes in Babylon. When he left Judah, the nation had determined to obey the commands of God. But it was a weak determination. In chapter 13 we will see the areas in which the Jews have dishonored God and compromised their calling while Nehemiah is away. Read Nehemiah 13:6-7a. Why might Nehemiah have desired to return to Judah? 2. Read Nehemiah 13:4-9. Who was Tobiah? Read Nehemiah 3:18-20 to remember. According to Nehemiah s words in 3:20, what has Israel forgotten about their relationship with Tobiah and those he represents? Who specifically were suffering because of Tobiah s infiltration into the very temple of God? Read Nehemiah 13:5. How might this trickle down to affect the spiritual health of all Judah? Some people may have thought this hospitality toward Tobiah was a generous and kind offer which displayed love toward an enemy. How do we as Christians today often make this mistake and what are the possible consequences for God and His people? What did Nehemiah call this act of hospitality according to Nehemiah 13:7? How did Jesus handle those who were ignoring the sacredness of the house of God in Matthew 21:12-13?

2 Women In the Word Nehemiah 13 April 25, 2013 Page 2 3. Read Nehemiah 13:10-13 to understand Judah s sins regarding the house of God. What pledge had the Jews made to God in their written agreement in the last line of Nehemiah chapter 10? Last week we looked at the responsibilities of the Levites to teach, do temple work and lead the Jews in praise and worship. Because the tithes and offerings had ceased and no longer supported the Levites, where do we now find the Levites instead of at the temple where they belong? What steps does Nehemiah take to correct this issue? Who does he blame? Malachi was a prophet who spoke God s words during this time of Judah s history. Read Malachi 3:8-12. What does God call the Jews lack of giving in verse 8? What possibilities awaited the Jews if they showed obedience to God s plan of tithing? What possibilities await us today if we are generous with God s money? Read 2 Corinthians 9: Read Nehemiah 13: Judah has sinned by neglecting God s Sabbath. What was Judah s agreement with God in Nehemiah 10:31? How does Nehemiah describe their secularized view of the Sabbath in 13:17? What warning does Nehemiah give the Jews in 13:18?

3 Women In the Word Nehemiah 13 April 25, 2013 Page 3 5. What were the purposes behind God s plan for His people to honor the Sabbath? Exodus 31:16-17 Isaiah 58:13 Leviticus 23:3 Deuteronomy 5:15 Read Nehemiah 13: What words would you use to describe Nehemiah in these verses? 6. Read Nehemiah 13:1-3. What had God s words inspired the Jews to do in these verses? We see in these verses that the Jews have obediently excluded certain nations from entering the temple. What was their promise to God about marrying those from other nations in Nehemiah 10:30? Read Nehemiah 13:23-27 to realize Judah s sin of marrying others from the nations that surrounded them. From these verses, find some of the issues that would surface from the Jews intermarrying with pagan peoples. 7. Read Nehemiah 13: How does the fact that the high priest s son was married to Sanballat s daughter (remember that Sanballat was an enemy of God and His people) illustrate the spiritual dilemmas that result from the Jews intermarrying among the pagans? 8. Read Nehemiah 13:14, 22b, 31b. Nehemiah could not tolerate God s people turning away from God and the judgment that would certainly come from their selfish actions. In these verses Nehemiah is committing himself and his cause to the only safe Hands. The people would not remain true to God. The path is ready for a Redeemer who could stand in the place for Israel and render perfect obedience. Read Romans 3:21-24 and write your own prayer to God committing your life into the safe Hands of our Redeemer. 9. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?

4 Women in the Word- April 25, 2013 Coming Home- The Promises & Providence of God ROBBING GOD Nehemiah 13 We are robbing God of the devotion that belongs to Him alone by- Loving People More Than God 13:1-9 Judah s sin - Replacing the treasures of the Temple with the enemy of God. Nehemiah s correction - Removing the enemy and restoring the Temple for God. Being a people pleaser allows an enemy access to the treasures of our faith. We will always our relationship with God when we are more concerned about our relationship with others. Loving Possessions More Than God 13:10-13 Judah s sin - Failing to provide for the Levites in the Temple storehouses. Nehemiah s correction - Delegating able men to distribute the Levite s tithes. A person s devotion to God can be measured by their attitude toward giving. Contributing to God s kingdom work means that we about God and will fill our storehouse with a harvest of righteousness. Loving A Lifestyle More Than God 13:15-22 Judah s sin - Ignoring God s Sabbath requirements to do life their way. Nehemiah s correction - Guarding the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath. We lay aside our old lifestyle to guard the gates of God s. God requires a distinct lifestyle for His children to bless us and display Him. Loving Love More Than God 13:23 30 Judah s sin - Being unfaithful to God by marrying foreign women. Nehemiah s correction - Rebuking them and leading them into an oath of purity. When God is our wedding coordinator, generations to follow will speak of Him. Marriage is a entered into between two people and God. Key: compromise, care, holiness, covenant TO BE CONTINUED

5 NEHEMIAH 13 April 25, 2013 MALACHI 2:7 9 GOD SAYS, FOR THE LIPS OF A PRIEST OUGHT TO PRESERVE KNOWLEDGE, AND FROM HIS MOUTH MEN SHOULD SEEK INSTRUCTION BECAUSE HE IS THE MESSENGER OF THE LORD ALMIGHTY. BUT YOU HAVE TURNED FROM THE WAY AND BY YOUR TEACHING HAVE CAUSED MANY TO STUMBLE YOU HAVE VIOLATED THE COVENANT WITH LEVI. GALATIANS 1:10 AM I TRYING TO WIN THE APPROVAL OF MEN, OR OF GOD? OR AM I TRYING TO PLEASE MEN? IF I WERE STILL TRYING TO PLEASE MEN, I WOULD NOT BE A SERVANT OF CHRIST. MALACHI 3:8 12 THE LORD SAYS, WILL A MAN ROB GOD? YET YOU ROB ME. BUT YOU ASK, HOW DO WE ROB YOU? IN TITHES AND OFFERINGS. YOU ARE UNDER A CURSE BECAUSE YOU ARE ROBBING ME. BRING THE WHOLE TITHE INTO THE STOREHOUSE THAT THERE MAY BE FOOD IN MY HOUSE. TEST ME IN THIS, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY, AND SEE IF I WILL NOT THROW OPEN THE FLOODGATES OF HEAVEN AND POUR OUT SO MUCH BLESSING THAT YOU WILL NOT HAVE ROOM ENOUGH FOR IT.THEN ALL OF THE NATIONS WILL CALL YOU BLESSED BECAUSE YOU WILL BE A DELIGHTFUL LAND, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY. 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6,10 11 REMEMBER THIS: WHOEVER SOWS SPARINGLY WILL ALSO REAP SPARINGLY, AND WHOEVER SOWS GENEROUSLY WILL ALSO REAP GENEROUSLY..GOD WHO SUPPLIES SEED TO THE SOWER AND BREAD FOR FOOD WILL ALSO SUPPLY AND INCREASE YOUR STORE OF SEED AND WILL ENLARGE THE HARVEST OF YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. YOU WILL BE MADE RICH IN EVERY WAY SO THAT YOU CAN BE GENEROUS ON EVERY OCCASION, AND THROUGH US YOUR GENEROSITY WILL RESULT IN THANKSGIVING TO GOD. MALACHI 4:13 15 YOU HAVE SAID HARSH THINGS AGAINST ME, SAYS THE LORD. YET YOU ASK, WHAT HAVE WE SAID AGAINST YOU? YOU HAVE SAID, IT IS FUTILE TO SERVE GOD. WHAT DID WE GAIN BY CARRYING OUT HIS REQUIREMENTS AND GOING ABOUT LIKE MOURNERS BEFORE THE LORD ALMIGHTY? BUT NOW WE CALL THE ARROGANT BLESSED. CERTAINLY THE EVILDOERS PROSPER, AND EVEN THOSE WHO CHALLENGE GOD ESCAPE. EPHESIANS 4:22 24 YOU WERE TAUGHT, WITH REGARD TO YOUR FORMER WAY OF LIFE, TO PUT OFF YOUR OLD SELF, WHICH IS BEING CORRUPTED BY ITS DECEITFUL DESIRES; TO BE MADE NEW IN THE ATTITUDE OF YOUR MINDS; AND TO PUT ON THE NEW SELF, CREATED TO BE LIKE GOD IN TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS. MALACHI 2:11 JUDAH HAS BROKEN FAITH. A DETESTABLE THING HAS BEEN COMMITTED IN ISRAEL AND IN JERUSALEM: JUDAH HAS DESECRATED THE SANCTUARY THAT THE LORD LOVES, BY MARRYING THE DAUGHTER OF A FOREIGN GOD. 2 CORINTHIANS 6:14 DO NOT BE YOKED TOGETHER WITH UNBELIEVERS. FOR WHAT DO RIGHTEOUSNESS AND WICKEDNESS HAVE IN COMMON? OR WHAT FELLOWSHIP CAN LIGHT HAVE WITH DARKNESS? MALACHI 3:1 I WILL SEND MY MESSENGER, WHO WILL PREPARE THE WAY BEFORE ME. THEN SUDDENLY THE LORD YOU ARE SEEKING WILL COME TO HIS TEMPLE; THE MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT WILL COME.