Nehemiah 13:4–14 - 4 Now prior to this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, being related to Tobiah, 5 had prepared a large room for him, where formerly they put the grain offerings, the frankincense, the utensils and the tithes of grain, wine and oil prescribed for the Levites, the singers and the gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests. 6 But during all this time I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had gone to the king. After some time, however, I asked leave from the king, 7 and I came to Jerusalem and learned about the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, by preparing a room for him in the courts of the house of God. 8 It was very displeasing to me, so I threw all of Tobiah’s household goods out of the room. 9 Then I gave an order and they cleansed the rooms; and I returned there the utensils of the house of God with the grain offerings and the frankincense. 10 I also discovered that the portions of the Levites had not been given them, so that the Levites and the singers who performed the service had gone away, each to his own field. 11 So I reprimanded the officials and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” Then I gathered them together and restored them to their posts. 12 All Judah then brought the tithe of the grain, wine and oil into the storehouses. 13 In charge of the storehouses I appointed Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, and in addition to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were considered reliable, and it was their task to distribute to their kinsmen. 14 Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out my loyal deeds which I have performed for the house of my God and its services.
What does today’s passage say?
In today's passage, when Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem after an absence, he inspected the temple storerooms and discovered a problem - his adversary Tobiah had been granted one of the chambers that was meant to store tithes for the Levites (vv. 4-5). Nehemiah threw all of Tobiah's belongings out of the room and ordered it purified again for proper use (vv. 6-9). He then confronted the temple officials for neglecting God's house and failing to support the Levites, leading to their needing to work fields instead of serving in worship. So, Nehemiah brought the Levites and singers back to serve full-time once more now that provisions were restored (vv. 10-12). Lastly, to sustain faithful oversight of the temple, Nehemiah appointed reliable, God-fearing men he trusted to be in charge of the storehouses and steward resources properly (vv. 13-14).
How can I apply Nehemiah 13:4-14 to my life?
When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem after an absence, he was appalled to find the temple storerooms occupied by his adversary Tobiah and Levites unsupported due to misuse of temple resources. Nehemiah decisively threw out Tobiah’s belongings, properly reallocated tithe stores to again provide for ministers of worship, then appointed trustworthy men as overseers to safeguard purity. While situated long ago historically, Nehemiah’s reforms hold relevant spiritual principles on vigilant leadership protecting integrity. His actions model how those called to shepherd God’s flock must tenaciously confront backsliding, uphold structures empowering wholehearted service, and reproduce other leaders as kingdom work expands. Nehemiah refused complacency when finding compromised standards, immediately setting right what had gone wrong to restore faithful obedience among God’s people. He also displayed administrative foresight in sustainably delegating so worship and ministry stayed strong in his absence. As servants following the Chief Shepherd Christ, church leaders share similar duties. Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:
1. Righteous Leaders Must Act Decisively to Remove Spiritual Compromise from the Body (vv. 4-9): Upon returning to inspect the state of the temple, Nehemiah was shocked to find Tobiah the Ammonite - an outsider opposed to God’s people - occupying a storeroom in the holy courts intended for tithes. This sacrilege granted by the temple’s very overseer no less! Such spiritual laxity and disregard for purity could not stand. As a leader who ardently loved God, Nehemiah responded by immediately throwing out all of Tobiah's belongings and commanding that the chamber be purified. Like Nehemiah, pastors must vigilantly guard their flock from subtle decays in biblical integrity, whether it’s from within through false teaching or misuse of resources, or from without by unhealthy associations. Even minor compromises left undealt with can weaken the church’s holiness - it must be decisively confronted. Address issues with grace and restraint, but also with courage and conviction, not hesitating to biblically call out errors and refusing to turn a blind eye no matter how disruptive the path of correction may seem. The purity of Christ’s Bride is paramount. By tackling problems head on as Nehemiah, spiritual vitality will be maintained (1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 6-7; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 1:10-14).
Food for Thought: When were you hesitant to confront an issue only for the situation to worsen? What lessons can be learned from Nehemiah? Why must truth be spoken with love when restoring a sinning brother or sister?
2. Faithful Stewardship of Resources Enables Dedicated Worship and Service to God (vv. 10-12): After removing Tobiah's possessions from the temple chambers, Nehemiah confronted officials for previously allowing God's house to be neglected, and brought back the Levites and singers to now fulfill their duties with the temple since provisions were restored. Just as pure spiritual integrity depends on vigilant leadership, faithful worship and selfless service rely on good stewardship of resources. Pastors and ministry leaders must wisely manage and distribute their church's material means to support vital gospel work. When God's workers lack proper support, their attention gets divided from focusing wholly on prayer, preaching, teaching, and shepherding. Consecrate gifts and offerings to uphold those who uphold you in the Word so the body can flourish. Like Nehemiah fought for pure worship by ensuring the Levites had full material support, leaders must secure steady supply lines for the resources and labor powering disciple-making. This guarantees the undistracted spiritual dedication of pastors and other servants to freely minister in their giftings with joy (Malachi 3:8-10; 1 Corinthians 9:7-14; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; 1 Timothy 5:17-18).
Food for Thought: What tangible ways can your church better care for those who serve it? How would more reliable support empower ministry workers’ dedication?
3. A Godly Leader Wisely Delegates Responsibilities to Trustworthy Men (vv. 13-14): After restoring purity and provisions in the temple, Nehemiah appointed reliable men over the storehouses, entrusting them with oversight of temple affairs. He did this because they were faithful men who feared God. As an effective leader, Nehemiah did not try to manage everything himself but delegated authority to trustworthy deputies. Like Nehemiah, pastors and ministry leaders should identify and empower other capable, godly individuals to share responsibilities and fill leadership roles. Raise up associate pastors, elders, deacons, directors, and lead volunteers with proven character to steward vital areas of church ministry under your guidance. Then give them latitude to lead using their own spiritual gifts while holding them accountable. Shared authority accomplishes more for God’s glory than lone rangers. Model Nehemiah’s pattern of handing off duties to faithful men and women so the church flows in unified mission across various capable hands, many laboring together as one body directed by Christ the Head (Exodus 18:13-26; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 3:1-13).
Food for Thought: What ministry roles could you delegate to share your load? Who demonstrates the maturity and godliness to lead if given the chance? Why is raising leaders crucial for ministry expansion?
Like Nehemiah, church leaders must tenaciously confront any form of backsliding or compromise that develops in the church, whether doctrinal or moral. Do not hesitate to address issues head-on through compassionate correction if standards decline. Also ensure faithful stewardship of gifts and offerings to provide for ministry workers, empowering their wholehearted service through lack of material worries. Finally, raise up other trusted and gifted leaders to share responsibilities, entrusting them with oversight of vital areas of ministry. Empower teams over lone rangers for maximum kingdom impact. Through decisive action against spiritual decay, securing resources to enable worship and service, and reproducing leaders, church vitality will be sustained from generation to generation just as Nehemiah secured Judah's obedience long-term. As stewards of God's flock, lead vigilantly like Nehemiah - with vision, courage and wisdom.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that You would give me discernment like Nehemiah to recognize any areas of spiritual compromise that may arise in the church. Empower me to confront sin with conviction yet grace, unafraid to call out errors while restoring wanderers in a spirit of patience and love. I also pray that You would help me be a wise steward of the church’s resources and that I would wisely distribute funds to properly support ministry workers, alleviating distractions so they can wholeheartedly focus on prayer, teaching, and shepherding Your flock. Furthermore, I pray that You would raise up mature and faithful leaders to appoint as elders, deacons, and ministry heads. Help me to not try to manage everything alone but rather entrust responsibilities to other godly men and women of proven Christlike character. I pray that You would renew in me vigilance like Nehemiah to guard purity, uphold worship, and reproduce leadership for the flourishing of Christ’s church.
I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Nehemiah 13:14 – “Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out my loyal deeds which I have performed for the house of my God and its services.”
With His Blessings,
Pastor Corby
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