Devotion 426
“The Cleansing Of The Temple Of God”
Reference: Nehemiah Chapter 13
The temple of God is washed by the Word of God.
Ephesians 5:26-27 “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, [27] That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
Today, in Christ, we are temples of God. We are washed by lining up with the Word. Not just reading the Word but believing.
Faith in the Word lines us up with the Word.
Nehemiah lines up the congregation with the Word.
Let’s read:
Nehemiah 13:1-3 “On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; [2] Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. [3] Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.”
They read the Word, they believed the Word, and acted on the Word.
Every congregation has a mixed multitude. Those who believe, those who are semi-believers, and unbelievers.
The Word of God separates believers from all others.
Numbers 14:28-30 “Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: [29] Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, [30] Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.”
The Believers (Caleb and Joshua) were separated from the mixed multitude.
We continue our reading:
Nehemiah 13:4-9 “And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah: [5] 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. [6] 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: [7] 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. [8] And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. [9] Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.”
Eliashib the High Priest had gone contrary to the Word of God. He can only be straitened by the Word of God. Which was what Nehemiah did.
Nehemiah was grieved for he had a different spirit from Eliashib. Nehemiah had the Spirit of Christ which Eliashib did not. For if a man or woman has the Spirit of Christ, he or she will manifest the same things of Christ.
We are known by our fruit of Christ.
We continue our reading:
Nehemiah 13:10-22 “And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. [11] Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. [12] Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries. [13] And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren. [14] Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof. [15] 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. [16] 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. [17] Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? [18] Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. [19] And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. [20] So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. [21] Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. [22] And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.”
Nehemiah recognized the people walked contrary to the Word regarding the sabbath. He brought them in line with the Word. They were washed by the Word.
Today, we are washed by the Word when we line up our lives with the Word.
Remember, Jesus Christ is the Word, and faith in the Word is what lines us up with the Word.
Faith in the Word has its entry point which is the work of the Cross of Christ.
It’s by faith that we eat the flesh and blood of the Word.
John 6:56 “He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.”
We conclude our reading:
Nehemiah 13:23-31 “In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: [24] And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people. [25] And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. [26] Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. [27] Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives? [28] And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me. [29] Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. [30] Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business; [31] And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.”
Nehemiah washed the people by bringing them in line with the Word.
Let the Word wash and place you in line with God. BELIEVE and confess Christ the Word as we’ve revealed Him from the First Adam. We are washed by the water and blood of the Word, in Christ!
Reference: Nehemiah Chapter 13
The temple of God is washed by the Word of God.
Ephesians 5:26-27 “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, [27] That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
Today, in Christ, we are temples of God. We are washed by lining up with the Word. Not just reading the Word but believing.
Faith in the Word lines us up with the Word.
Nehemiah lines up the congregation with the Word.
Let’s read:
Nehemiah 13:1-3 “On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; [2] Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. [3] Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.”
They read the Word, they believed the Word, and acted on the Word.
Every congregation has a mixed multitude. Those who believe, those who are semi-believers, and unbelievers.
The Word of God separates believers from all others.
Numbers 14:28-30 “Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: [29] Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, [30] Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.”
The Believers (Caleb and Joshua) were separated from the mixed multitude.
We continue our reading:
Nehemiah 13:4-9 “And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah: [5] 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. [6] 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: [7] 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. [8] And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. [9] Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.”
Eliashib the High Priest had gone contrary to the Word of God. He can only be straitened by the Word of God. Which was what Nehemiah did.
Nehemiah was grieved for he had a different spirit from Eliashib. Nehemiah had the Spirit of Christ which Eliashib did not. For if a man or woman has the Spirit of Christ, he or she will manifest the same things of Christ.
We are known by our fruit of Christ.
We continue our reading:
Nehemiah 13:10-22 “And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. [11] Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. [12] Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries. [13] And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren. [14] Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof. [15] 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. [16] 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. [17] Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? [18] Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. [19] And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. [20] So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. [21] Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. [22] And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.”
Nehemiah recognized the people walked contrary to the Word regarding the sabbath. He brought them in line with the Word. They were washed by the Word.
Today, we are washed by the Word when we line up our lives with the Word.
Remember, Jesus Christ is the Word, and faith in the Word is what lines us up with the Word.
Faith in the Word has its entry point which is the work of the Cross of Christ.
It’s by faith that we eat the flesh and blood of the Word.
John 6:56 “He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.”
We conclude our reading:
Nehemiah 13:23-31 “In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: [24] And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people. [25] And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. [26] Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. [27] Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives? [28] And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me. [29] Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. [30] Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business; [31] And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.”
Nehemiah washed the people by bringing them in line with the Word.
Let the Word wash and place you in line with God. BELIEVE and confess Christ the Word as we’ve revealed Him from the First Adam. We are washed by the water and blood of the Word, in Christ!
Recent
Archive
2025
January
February
Devotion 146Devotion 145Devotion 144Devotion 143Devotion 142Devotion 141Devotion 140Devotion 139Devotion 138Devotion 137Devotion 136Devotion 135Devotion 134Devotion 133Devotion 132Devotion 131Devotion 130Devotion 129Devotion 128Devotion 127Devotion 126Devotion 125Devotion 124Devotion 123Devotion 122Devotion 121Devotion 120Devotion 119Devotion 118Devotion 117Devotion 116Devotion 115Devotion 114Devotion 113Devotion 112Devotion 111Devotion 110Devotion 109Devotion 108Devotion 107Devotion 106Devotion 105Devotion 104Devotion 103Devotion 102Devotion 91Devotion 92Devotion 93Devotion 94Devotion 95Devotion 96Devotion 97Devotion 98Devotion 99Devotion 100Devotion 101Devotion 147Devotion 148Devotion 149Devotion 150Devotion 151Devotion 152Devotion 153Devotion 154Devotion 155Devotion 156Devotion 157Devotion 158Devotion 159Devotion 160Devotion 161Devotion 162Devotion 163Devotion 164Devotion 165Devotion 166Devotion 167
Categories
no categories
No Comments