Scripture Daily

Context No. 3204 of 4322 · Nehemiah

Context · Reflection

Nehemiah 13:10-14: in context

10I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them, so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had each fled to his field. 11Then I contended with the rulers, and said, “Why is God’s house forsaken?” I gathered them together, and set them in their place. 12Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, the new wine, and the oil to the treasuries. 13I 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 business was to distribute to their brothers. 14Remember me, my God, concerning this, and don’t wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its observances.

Nehemiah discovers that the portions due to the Levites had not been given, so the Levites and singers who did the work of the temple had each gone off to their own fields to survive. He confronts the officials: why is the house of God forsaken? He gathers the Levites back to their posts, restores the tithes, and appoints trustworthy men to distribute them fairly.

Worship had quietly collapsed for a practical reason: those who served were not being supported, so they left to feed their families, and the house of God fell into neglect. Nehemiah sees that failing to support those who serve leads to the collapse of the ministry itself. He acts, restoring the tithes and appointing faithful men to distribute them justly. Spiritual life and practical provision are connected; a community that will not sustain its servants will find its worship draining away. And Nehemiah's quiet prayer, remember me, O God, shows his motive: he did it for God's house, not for applause.

Do I see the connection between the practical support of God's work and its spiritual health, and do I do such good for God's sake rather than for recognition?

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