God Transforms Hearts

Footnotes

[1] 13:18 The Hebrew word can mean evil, harm, or disaster, depending on the context

Hugh Stephenson

Good morning, Ben and all my JTJ siblings. Love this from your devo- “At one of my low moments, I shared my frustration and feelings of ineffectiveness with a mentor, who told me, "Ben, God's scoreboard is not results. God's scoreboard is faithfulness." “It is in this daily walk of faithfulness that we are reminded that God is in control and that this isn't our home.” Q1 and Q2 - see below. Q3. Life application- Warren Wiersbe has a GREAT book called “Life Sentences”. In it he profiles the key themes of 63 Bible characters. Each profile is 3-4 pages. Short and sweet. A go to resources for me. In his chapter on Nehemiah he notes that “The word GREAT is used at least 20 times in the book.” If we feel like God is calling us to a “great work” he suggests 5 questions to ask ourselves. -“Do we have a great burden?” He notes that Nehemiah VOLUNTEERED for his role. -“Do we see great possibilities?” Do you see “calamity or opportunity”? Do you have a powerful vision? -“Do I trust a great God?” “There are 12 instances of prayer” in Nehemiah. -“Do I face great problems and obstacles?” Nehemiah kept his eye on the goal and trusted God to fulfill His promises. -“Do I make great sacrifices?“ Nehemiah paid for his food rather than spend the allotment. If you make a sacrifice, tell no one about it. Lastly, Wiersbe notes that the book opens with “great trouble” and ends with “great joy.”

Hugh Stephenson

Constable notes - “The Book of Nehemiah provides a great illustration of how prayer and hard work can accomplish seemingly impossible things when a person determines to trust and obey God. As a leader, Nehemiah was a man of responsibility, vision, prayer, action, cooperation, and compassion who triumphed over opposition with proper motivation.” And this- "It must be said, in conclusion, that no portion of the Old Testament provides us with a greater incentive to dedicated, discerning zeal for the work of God than the Book of Nehemiah. The example of Nehemiah's passion for the truth of God's Word, whatever the cost or consequences, is an example sorely needed in the present hour." A friend boils all this down to a one liner, “God calls me to be faithful”. Another friend defines faithfulness as “Know God and make Him known to others.” Q3. I serve primarily in discipleship ministries. I am taught that the key role is to embrace the truth that I am not in charge of outcomes. I will be held responsible for my thoughts, words, and deeds; how well and faithfully I shepherd those He has given me. God will convict and call others as He so chooses. In this, I am reminded of a conversation with a family member a few years back. I was talking with them about a particular situation. She gave an exasperated sigh and said, “I prayed and nothing happened”. It made me think of another teaching- God always answers prayers. It’s just sometimes the answer is “wait”. ————————————— Right after college I was in grad school in Atlanta and roomed with a college friend who was getting a dual degree from Ga Tech. In conversation, he explained the Laws of Thermodynamics to me, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laws_of_thermodynamics As an English major and a finance grad student it was a brain melt. What I did recall was the 2nd law. 2nd Law of Thermodynamics - For a spontaneous process, the entropy of the universe increases. What is entropy in simple terms? “broadly : the degree of disorder or uncertainty in a system. 2. a. : the degradation of the matter and energy in the universe to an ultimate state of inert uniformity. Entropy is the general trend of the universe toward death and disorder.” This I could understand. Many years later I centered on Genesis 1:2 “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” In other words…Chaos. Reading on it became apparent, (with help from Constable and Boice), that it was God that took the formless void and brought order to it. Sadly, as we all know, it lasted until Genesis 3:6. Since then, it has been a consistent rip tide puling us to chaos. A great comedic example of what happens when Nehemiah went back to Babylon- in other words when there is no supervisor…chaos is the result. Dr Seuss and The Cat in the Hat https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0312528/ "A new pastor may discover officers or leaders in the church who are not spiritual people but who are entrenched in their offices. What does he do? He knows that these leaders have relatives in the church who, like Eliashib, will cooperate with their family rather than contend for the faith. "General William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, once said to a group of new officers, 'I want you young men always to bear in mind that it is the nature of a fire to go out; you must keep it stirred and fed and the ashes removed.'"[205] Should the pastor try to 'clean house' and possibly split the church? Or should he bide his time, lovingly preach the Word, and pray for God to work? With either approach, the pastor will need courage and faith, because eventually the blessing of the Lord on the Word will arouse the opposition of the 'mixed multitude.'" "Dr. Karl Menninger said, 'Money-giving is a good criterion of a person's mental health. Generous people are rarely mentally ill people.'" “[O]pposing Tobiah's personal use of a room in the temple precincts, Nehemiah was concerned about honoring [HOLY SPACE]; in his anger against those who wanted to make the Sabbath just another day of buying and selling, he wanted to protect [HOLY TIME].” This reform dealt with the priesthood as well as the people, and its concern was [HOLY PEOPLE]. Again, a similar prayer by Nehemiah marks off this significant reform (v. 29; cf. vv. 14, 22b). But this time he prayed "Remember them ..." (Brackets and emphasis added)

Hugh Stephenson

Constable summarizes- The summary of Nehemiah's reforms 13:30-31 I love this list as the many factors that make up a servant leader- Probably we should understand these verses as summarizing Nehemiah's reforms that are described in this chapter. How long Nehemiah remained in Jerusalem is unknown. He behaved in this chapter as though he still had the power of a Persian governor. The book fittingly closes with another of Nehemiah's many prayers (v. 31b). "... as facilitator of political stability and as the resolute upholder of the law, Nehemiah's mission has messianic features about it as well. He is thus a religious reformer who can be cast into the very best traditions of a Josiah or a Hezekiah." "Nehemiah's single-mindedness of purpose, attention to detail, willingness to delegate authority, dedication to service, and dependence on God were combined in a man who can simply be labeled as a servant of God." "We see also in Nehemiah a heart that habitually turned to God, that sought its strength in Him, and thus surmounted the greatest obstacles."[223] Nehemiah's Reforms -He ended the Jews' practice of usury among themselves (5:6-12). -He forewent the governor's food allowance (5:13-19). -He led the people in recommitting to the Mosaic Law (9:38; 10:28-31). He reinstituted support for the temple (10:32-39). -He distributed the returnees in cities (11:1—12:26). -He dedicated the wall (12:27-47). -He excluded the foreigners (13:1-3). -He expelled Tobiah from the temple (13:4-7). -He renewed financial support for the temple (13:10-14). -He re-established regular Sabbath observance (13:15-22). -He corrected the people by dissolving mixed marriages (13:23-27). -He purified the priests and Levites in several ways (13:28-31). In many ways like the Torah and Deuteronomistic Narrative, Ezra-Nehemiah is a success story followed by repeated tragic rebellions ending with glimmers of hope. ... The Ezra-Nehemiah narrative shows readers the constant need to repent and turn to God's will, but not to trust in temporary reforms."[225] Conclusion “The Book of Nehemiah records the fortification of Jerusalem and the restoration of the Jews, two essential steps that were necessary to reestablish God's people in His will and in their land. As such, the book remains a timeless guide for spiritual renewal.” “Nehemiah continued the good work that Zerubbabel, Jeshua (Joshua), and Ezra had begun. Zerubbabel's great contribution had been the rebuilding of the temple, and Ezra's was the reformation of the people. Ezra and Nehemiah worked together in this latter task. Ezra 7—10 records Ezra's work in 458 B.C., and Nehemiah 8—13 describes Nehemiah's work in 444 and probably 431 B.C.” “Whereas Ezra was a priest and a scribe, a "professional" religious leader, Nehemiah was a "layman," an administrator who was responsible to a Persian king. Daniel was also a foreign government official, but he lived about a century before Nehemiah. Both Ezra and Nehemiah had deep commitment to God's will for Israel as Yahweh had revealed this in His Word. Both were true Jewish patriots in the best sense of that word.” "The books of Ezra and Nehemiah reflect some of the bleakest and most difficult days of Israel's long Old Testament history. Though the Exile was over and a remnant people was in process of rebuilding the superstructures of national life, the prospects for success paled in comparison to the halcyon [happy and prosperous] days of the past when the Davidic kingdom dominated the entire eastern Mediterranean world. What was needed was a word of encouragement, a message of hope in the God who had once blessed His people above all nations of the earth and who had promised to do so again.” "The great theological theme of the books lies, then, precisely in this nexus between the ancient promises of Yahweh and the present and future expectations of His chosen people. The postexilic community was small but its God is great. Reliance on such a God will assure a future more glorious than anything in the days gone by." “Contrast the harsh conditions in Israel at this time with the glorious future that the writing prophets predicted for the nation. The restoration period did not fulfill the promised glories of the messianic age when Israel will again return to its land.”

Michael Sisson

Re: Neh 13:1-3 “There are three explanations for Ruth's [a Moabitess] inclusion in the Israelite nation, which this reform in Nehemiah brings into question. The best one, I believe, is that unbelieving immigrants from these nations were those denied full rights. This would explain why Rahab, a Canaanite, and Ruth, a Moabite, became citizens. They were both believers in Yahweh. Another explanation is that the use of the Hebrew masculine nouns, Ammonite and Moabite, refer to males exclusively. A third possibility is that the Israelites simply did not enforce this law in the case of Ruth and perhaps others.” — Dr. T. Constable https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/ot/nehemiah/nehemiah.htm See also Eph 2:11-13; Acts 10:34-35, 15:9

Shawn Foster

Good morning Ben & WM family! Thank you for a terrific devotional. In a culture that celebrates the rich, beautiful and accomplished- we need to be reminded that every perfect gift comes from heaven and that success is faithfulness. Thank you for doing that and for leading by example! HAGWOW

Kathy Hempel Cox

thank you!!

Greg Jones

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. Nehemiah 13:1 Why? 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. Nehemiah 13:2 Therefore As soon as the people heard the law, they separated from Israel all those of foreign descent. Nehemiah 13:3 Now before this. Nehemiah 13:4a Q. Before what? A. Before 13:4b-29. Since it gets the first mention for Nehemiah it seems intermarriage is the root of the problem. Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign. Nehemiah 13:30a But not before beating some pulling out their hair, and, ironically, cursing them. Now before this (no citation just me sayin) in a different time under the same law this happened. Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and to Mahlon. Also Ruth the Moabite, the widow of Mahlon, I have bought to be my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his native place. Ruth 4:9-10 Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, paraphrasing-bless you. Ruth 4:11-12 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Ruth 4:13 And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. Ruth 4:17 From yesterday’s comments “So, a question… is every great leader a spiritual leader? Whether or not in church, business, politics, science, etc.?” I like Hugh’s answer. With it I think you have to allow for a bit of a universalist, not a capital U universalist, view of spirituality. In Judaism obviously the covenant of Abram is recognized but along with that God’s covenant with Noah is recognized for his descendants outside of Abraham. Not necessarily the theology of very many people but one source for some who hold that as a Biblical view. In the article cited the interviewee Rabbi Soloveichik makes a distinction between “strategic” and “transcendent” judgment in leaders. He then goes on a bit of a riff on the differences. Great leaders fall into the transcendent category. Two of the leading factors that placed a leader in the transcendent category were humility and connection with those you lead. In the cases of Boaz and Nehemiah I see a humility and connection to people in Boaz that I don’t see in Nehemiah. Both are strategic and analytical in their situations. In a sense why would an Israelite not marry a Moabite is asked in each scenario. That answer is the same in each scenario-Because they didn’t bring bread and water and hired Balaam to curse you-but your God turned it into a blessing. It’s not stated but Boaz asks this question, in light of the law, why would I marry a Moabite. The answer is if he breaks the rule it will bring blessing to Naomi. As it is, no husband no sons, she’s living in a cursed state. Strategically Boaz judged the situation and humbly acted with transcending results. He acted on his connection to Naomi much like Moses intervenes with God on behalf of the Israelites when God told him he was going to destroy the Israelites in the wilderness and start over with Him. I see Nehemiah as a strategic, spiritual, good leader. I concede he is making good informed decisions concerning the law. But three verses I see a lot of I did rather than we did and in that h he puts himself in a place of separation. The book ends telling us Nehemiah lead from a place of disconnectedness with those around him. He removes the deviant from around him rather than becoming a positive force among the deviant. Remember them, O my God, because they have desecrated the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign, and I established the duties of the priests and Levites, each in his work; and I provided for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good. Nehemiah 13:29-31 My thought on the question, yes great leaders are spiritual leaders who have humility and connectedness. But not all leaders who are spiritual, humble, and lead from a sense of connectedness are transcendent. The transcendent have what I would call a positive deviance. They deviate from a good to a greater. Strategic leaders without positive deviance maintain a good over a worse. Great devotional, loved this-“And yet many times I've looked around and felt like the system was crumbling around me. I've never beat anyone and pulled out their hair (Nehemiah 13:25) . . . , but I was tempted.” I hear you brother! Thank you for being a positive deviant in that. :-))

Sue Bohlin

Great devo, Ben. The insight from your mentor reminds me of a game-changing quote from Mother Theresa. When receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, a reporter asked her, "Mother Theresa, you work among the poor and sick in Calcutta where the number of poor and sick far outstrips your ability to care for them all. Why do you keep going when you can do so little?" She answered, "Because God has not called us to success, but to faithfulness." I calligraphed that quote for my husband Ray during the 8 years he worked on his Ph.D. in molecular biology, trying one project after another, none of them working. Every day he would look at it on his office wall, reminding himself to just be faithful. In the end, he had no journal articles to show for his research, he had made no contributions to science, just a number of failed experiments. But he was awarded a doctorate anyway. "Dr. Ray" has never been asked to show his papers (or his dissertation, for that matter), but that Ph.D. is a key that opens doors to be listened to. And then, a few years later, without warning or training, he was made president of Probe Ministries. He says he wishes someone had told him right at the start that leadership means two things: 1) conflict, and 2) the right to be misunderstood. See also Nehemiah 13. What a reminder that mankind's sin nature is always, always, always pulling us down, like spiritual gravity, into disobedience and rebellion. Leading disobedient and rebellious people is HARD. Which is why Paul tells us in 1 Timothy to honor our church elders. It's HARD.

Michael Scaman

While Moses said not to marry Ammonites or Moabites, Not insurmountable tho. Ruth was a Moabite and she did make the God of Israel her God. Psalm 87 has many people from 'enemies of God" written as 'born in Jerusalem' as part of the 'glorious things of thee [Jerusalem] are spoken" in the psalms I think suggesting they turned to the real God. Psalm 87:3-6 3 Glorious things are said of you, city of God: 4 “I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me— Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush— and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’” 5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her.” 6 The Lord will write in the register of the peoples: “This one was born in Zion.” The poeple were reminded of mixed marriages dividing down Solomon's heart That was because the brides kept their old worship practices. ad they changed it would not have been an issue.

Jason Cromwell

I'm definitely glad that everyone is welcome in the family of God these days no matter our background, race, who our ancestors were, etc. You can definitely draw a straight light from Nehemiah to the Pharisees. There's nothing wrong with zeal for God's word as long as we remember to season it with love, compassion and mercy. I go to a Small Church at the moment and as anyone knows you wear a lot of hats when you work at a Small Business or attend a Small Church. Still being single atm I find myself ministering to those weary souls who feel lost and broken in our modern Digital non-Social Social Media age. As a side note I would have loved with all of my heart to come to the Service this coming Sunday night, but won't be able to make it. I will be praying for all of you as you gather together around JTJ. Hopefully and prayerfully God will open a door for me to attend the next one.

Michael Scaman

The one use of 'holy' in Genesis was for the Sabbath and they took it seriously here. Not only did they proactively and practically shut the gates but they told them not to camp out near the door either.

Amy Lowther

1. I encourage people to believe in themselves and to be positive in whatever they do. 2. Faithfulness is not always seen. Faithfulness takes time and effort. But it is important to remember faithfulness helps improve the quality of the results. Encouragement helps in the area of faithfulness so people keep trying and putting effort in the right direction. Faithfulness is worth the time and effort it receives. 3. It is important to see the passage with consideration to God’s values and to consider how I can use the values presented in the passage in positive ways in daily life.

Michael Sisson

Jason Cromwell wrote: “As a side note I would have loved with all of my heart to come to the Service this coming Sunday night, but won't be able to make it. I will be praying for all of you as you gather together around JTJ. Hopefully and prayerfully God will open a door for me to attend the next one.” Was there a JTJ gathering announcement I missed? After a year, I’d enjoy the opportunity to put faces with names.