Nehemiah 13

Read Nehemiah 13

Verse for meditation: Nehemiah 13:14 (22b, 31b) ESV: 

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.

Reflect

What would you make of this last chapter of the book? Is the ending anything like you have expected? If not, what do you think is the point of including this last chapter other than it being a record of events that had taken place?

Where else in the bible can you find a scenario similar to this, that of a root - and - branch cleanup of a city or temple of God?

No matter how you look at it, there seems to be a 'Nehemiah effect' in the sense that without him, nothing works. Should anyone then be considered indispensable? 

Why do you think Nehemiah prayed: 'Remember me, O my God?' What could have led him to say such a prayer? 

Do you perhaps, have a similar kind of prayer?

Relate

It depends on what kind of a reader you are, whether you're the type to read the ending first before commencing with the actual reading from the beginning. Or perhaps, you could have read the whole book once before. And this is your second, third or umpteenth time reading it again. 

However, if you're reading it the first time, and starting from the first chapter, the ending, or last chapter of the book could send a rather mixed message, which may not at all be the sweet ending that you have expected or pictured in your mind.

But even though it may not be a nice climactic ending, it is hard reality nonetheless staring us in the face. Something that we can all readily identify with, without having to look any further. Therefore, this last chapter serves as a succinct reminder to us that maintenance is paramount. And that doing regular checks and reviews is necessary. 

It highlights again the importance of spiritual discipline. And illustrates as well that entrusting to faithful men and women is integral to the continuity of any good work. This is but the cornerstone of disciple making (Matthew 28: 19, 20, 2 Timothy 2:2), where the continuity of Christ's good work rests on faithful men and women. 

A similar incident like the one in the passage is also seen in Matthew 21: 12 - 13 where Jesus cast out all those who were engaged in buying and selling in the temple of God, and overthrew the tables of money changers and seats of dove sellers who had turned the house of prayer into a den of thieves. There are times when a situation like this call for a root - and - branch clean - up.

Whether apparent or not, there's no denying that there’s a Nehemiah effect in this whole incident. Note how quickly the situation reverted to ground zero, back to its deplorable state, whenever Nehemiah was not around. However, to say that someone is indispensable is not altogether correct. For there's no one indispensable other than Christ. No one could offer their life on the Cross for our sake except Christ. But as for Nehemiah, there could always be another Nehemiah - like individual or even a person very different in style and personality from Nehemiah if God so chooses. It’s therefore not so much a question of indispensability but responsibility on the part of the men and women, which Nehemiah set to put right straightaway.

It's interesting that Nehemiah should ask the Lord to remember him in all of his three prayers. Call it self - aggrandisement, scoring brownie points, or by any other perverse motives, but I don't think it was for any of these reasons that he had asked to be remembered.

Rather, it tells me that he had a really hard time doing the job. More likely than not, he was not always well liked by the people. He would have touched one too many raw nerves in the course of the job. Besides, he could have even gone against his own natural disposition. Imagine a nice guy doing a 'nasty' job. Understandably, all this could be weighing on him. So, by making the request, he could be saying:" Lord, it's okay for others not to remember me. But you at least must remember me. That’s all that matters."

I wonder if we may have our own ways of coping with unfavourable situations by making short, but no less effective, prayers. As for me, the prayer that works well goes simply like this: "I thank you, Lord." 

Like Nehemiah, I'm not thankful for the unpleasantness of the situation. Nonetheless, I'm thankful despite the discomfort or disappointment.

And just as it was in Nehemiah's case to raise more Nehemiah - like individuals, the one reason perhaps for the inclusion of this chapter is to remind us that to fulfil the Great Commission, we too need to raise faithful Christ - like individuals called disciples. 

Rest

Lord, when the whole world forgets us, we pray that you remember us for the work we’ve done. But if we ever think we’re indispensable, remind us that we’re not. For only Christ is. And we pray too that you’ll raise faithful men and women, ourselves included, who will responsibly carry on the task of fulfilling your Great Commission.

Naville Chia