
1 On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people. And in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, 2 for they did not meet the people of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them–yet our God turned the curse into a blessing. 3 As soon as the people heard the law, they separated from Israel all those of foreign descent. 4 Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, and who was related to Tobiah, 5 prepared for Tobiah a large chamber where they had previously put the grain offering, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of grain, wine, and oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests. 6 While this was taking place, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king. And after some time I asked leave of the king 7 and came to Jerusalem, and I then discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, preparing for him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. 8 And I was very angry, and I threw all the household furniture of Tobiah out of the chamber. 9 Then I gave orders, and they cleansed the chambers, and I brought back there the vessels of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense. 10 I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them, so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled each to his field. 11 So I confronted the officials and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them together and set them in their stations. 12 Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses. 13 And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouses Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, and as their assistant Hanan the son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah, for they were considered reliable, and their duty was to distribute to their brothers. 14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service. 15 In those days I saw in Judah people treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys, and also wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of loads, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned them on the day when they sold food. 16 Tyrians also, who lived in the city, brought in fish and all kinds of goods and sold them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah, in Jerusalem itself! 17 Then I confronted the nobles of Judah and said to them, “What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers act in this way, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Now you are bringing more wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.” 19 As soon as it began to grow dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut and gave orders that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath. And I stationed some of my servants at the gates, that no load might be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 Then the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice. 21 But I warned them and said to them, “Why do you lodge outside the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on they did not come on the Sabbath. 22 Then I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come and guard the gates, to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love. 23 In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. 24 And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people. 25 And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take an oath in the name of God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves. 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin. 27 Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?” 28 And one of the sons of Jehoiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was the son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I chased him from me. 29 Remember them, O my God, because they have desecrated the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. 30 Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign, and I established the duties of the priests and Levites, each in his work; 31 and I provided for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good. —Nehemiah 13
Intro: Nehemiah 13 brings us to the end of Nehemiah’s account, but the work of restoration and renewal is far from over. After leading the people in rebuilding the walls and renewing their commitment to God, Nehemiah returns from a trip to Persia to find the people falling back into old patterns of compromise. This final chapter highlights a sobering reality: our spiritual vitality requires constant diligence and perseverance. Nehemiah’s response shows us that spiritual renewal isn’t a one-time event—it demands ongoing reform and perseverance in the face of challenges.
Big Idea: Spiritual vitality is sustained through
1. Diligence for the present
Spiritual renewal doesn’t happen automatically; it requires us to
a. Spiritual Opponents
- Ammonites & Moabites (Deut 23)
- Balaam (Numbers 22-25; Numbers 31)
Tobiah the Ammonite official (6:17-19)
17 Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them. 18 For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah: and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as his wife. 19 Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid. —Nehemiah 6:17-19
Eliashib the priest: Son in-law of Sanballat (13:28)
b. The problems Nehemiah faced upon his return:
A broken promise regarding “The House of God” (10:39; 13:11)
For the people of Israel and the sons of Levi shall bring the contribution of grain, wine, and oil to the chambers, where the vessels of the sanctuary are, as well as the priests who minister, and the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not neglect the house of our God.” —Nehemiah 10:39
Violating the Sabbath (13:15-22)
- Mixed marriages (10:30-32)
30 We will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons. 31 And if the peoples of the land bring in goods or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on a holy day. And we will forego the crops of the seventh year and the exaction of every debt. 32 “We also take on ourselves the obligation to give yearly a third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God: —Nehemiah 10:30-32
c. Nehemiah Confronts (13:11,17,25)
To change, you must
2. Perseverance for the future
- a. Don’t ignore the spiritual battle and the spiritual opponents.
What areas of my life have I compromised and now need to
- b. Reclaiming rhythms of grace God has set for us:
- Spiritual Rest
- Reflection
- Worship
c. Trusting in God (2:20, 4:20, 6:16)
Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.” —Nehemiah 2:20
In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” —Nehemiah 4:20
And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. —Nehemiah 6:16
d. Nehemiah’s desperate cry: Remember “Them” because they have not lived your way. “Remember Me” because I tried my best. It’s a cry of desperation.
- e. Our New Testament desperation cry (Luke 23:42)
And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” —Luke 23:42
The key to spiritual vitality is to
Small Group Questions
What did God teach you through this passage and message? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.
What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?
How does avoiding confrontation of sin lead to further spiritual decline? Have you experienced this in your own life?
What areas of your life feel spiritually compromised and need realignment with God’s will?
How can desperation in prayer draw us closer to God? How can focusing on God’s future promises help our spiritual vigilance?