Reach this City: Stay Strong

Nehemiah 13

Recap:

The people of Israel in the book of Nehemiah started out their journey to obey and worship God well. They overcame adversity, refortified Jerusalem in 52 days, re-instituted the worship of God, and re-commissioned the function of the temple. In chapters 1-12 of Nehemiah God’s people were marked by success as they listened to God and did what He said. In chapter 13 of that success unravels. The covenant that the people made with God in chapter is categorically broken and the worship of God dismissed. The denouncement of Nehemiah is not a happy one. Things started out well, but the people failed to finish well.

Apprehension Questions:

-In Nehemiah 13:1-3 & 23-27 it sounds as if God is opposed to the marriage of different racial/ethnic groups. Is this in fact what these verses mean or is there something going on beneath the surface? Why is this question important?

-Why do you think that the Israelites were successful in obeying God for a period of time, but eventually failed and broke the covenant they made with God?

-Have you ever broken a covenant you made with God/do you see this trend of temporary obedience in your own life?

-When Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem and finds the people having abandoned God and broken the covenant. His response was to re-institute the covenant and fight for the restoration of the people. Do you think that initiating another covenant immediately after the people broke the first covenant will yield a different result?

-The Old Testament seems to be replete with behavioral covenants and laws. Why did God interact with humanity this way for so long when He knew that we were incapable of keeping His laws and covenants? Read Romans 7:7-20 for assistance in answering the question above.

-How can we break the trend of temporary obedience and temporary covenant keeping in our lives and instead move forward to consistency? 

Announcements:

-Xmas Eve Service at REVO North at 5:00 PM.