In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude, and before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah. And 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. But 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”, and in chapter thirteen and verse seven of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil” where we read,
And 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.
The verse reads, “And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “and I came to Jerusalem” which means “and I, Nehemiah, came forth and entered into Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”, “and understood of the evil” or “and perceived, discerned, considered, observed and distinguished pertaining to the bad, disagreeableness, malignancy and unpleasantness” “that Eliashib did” which means “that Eliashib whose name means God restores and was the high priest in Nehemiah's time” “for Tobiah” or “on behalf of Tobiah whose name means Jehovah is good and was the head of a family who returned from exile with Zerubbabel but who were unable to prove their connection with Israel and the Ammonite who with Sanballat opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem.” Nehemiah shared how he entered into the city of “Jerusalem” and perceived the wickedness that “Eliashib” did on behalf of “Tobiah”.
The verse continues, “in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.” Nehemiah added the words, “in preparing him” or “in fashioning and making him, Tobiah” “a chamber in the courts” which means “a room within the settled hamlet or yard as inclosed by a fence” “of the house of God” or “belonging to the habitation, abode and dwelling place of the Supreme Deity”. Nehemiah said the “evil” performed by “Eliashib” was that he made a room for “Tobiah”within the courtyard of the dwelling place which belonged to Jehovah God.
When we consider words in this verse, we learn how Nehemiah went back to the city of “Jerusalem” and discovered the wicked thing “Eliashib” did for “Tobiah”. Making “Tobiah” a room within the dwelling place of Jehovah God was probably one of the most ill-advised acts this high priest ever did. We shall see what Nehemiah does about this in our next verses, but for now, let us be mindful that he considered this an “evil” act. When someone like “Tobiah” is so adamantly opposed to the work of God, we are not to coddle them and bring them in close relationship with us. (See 2 Corinthians 6:14-18) God will indeed deal with them as He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of everyone, and when He raised Him from the grave three days later, He made the way for anyone who will humble themselves, repent of their sins and put their faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and given the wisdom of His Holy Spirit to discern when they are to separate from those who oppose the will of God.
Next time Nehemiah says, “it grieved me sore”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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