He gathered together those who had forsaken the service of the house of God,
---and caused the tithes and offerings to be restored.
---Another result of intercourse with idolaters was disregard of the
Sabbath. Heathen merchants and traders from the surrounding country had been intent upon leading the children of Israel to engage in traffic upon the Sabbath.
Many dared openly to violate the Sabbath.
---Another result of intercourse with idolaters was disregard of the
Many dared openly to violate the Sabbath.
While some engaged in traffic with the heathen, others were treading in wine presses, and others bringing in sheaves upon the Sabbath day. In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Nehemiah 13:15,16
Nehemiah rebuked them for their shameful neglect of duty, which was largely responsible for the fast-spreading apostasy.
Nehemiah rebuked them for their shameful neglect of duty, which was largely responsible for the fast-spreading apostasy.
What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the Sabbath day?
–he sternly demanded. Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet you bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath. He gave command that when it… ...began to be dark before the Sabbath, the city gates should be shut, and that they should not be opened till the Sabbath was past. Nehemiah 13:17-19
And, having more confidence in his own servants than in those the magistrates of Jerusalem might appoint, he stationed them at the gate to see that his orders were enforced."
E.G.W.