“"Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love."”
Nehemiah 13:22
Summary
In Nehemiah Chapter 13, Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem after being away and discovers the reforms he had instituted were not being maintained. He sees that Eliashib the priest has allowed Tobiah, an enemy of Israel, to occupy a room in the temple. Nehemiah is outraged and immediately throws out all of Tobiah's belongings. Further, he discovers that the Levites, who depended on the people's offerings, had left their work because the people had not been faithful in tithing. Nehemiah rebukes the officials and restores the Levites to their positions. Additionally, he confronts those who were conducting business on the Sabbath, desecrating the holy day, and he reinforces the importance of keeping the Sabbath holy. Another major concern arises with the intermarriages between the people of Judah and foreign nations, which results in children who do not even speak the language of Judah. Nehemiah reacts by reprimanding the people, separating them from foreign influences, and reminding them of Solomon's downfall due to similar sins.