Nehemiah 13:23-31: a reflection

23In those days I also saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab; 24and their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews’ language, but according to the language of each people. 25I contended with them, cursed them, struck certain of them, plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves. 26Didn’t Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, and he was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless foreign women caused even him to sin. 27Shall we then listen to you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God in marrying foreign women?” 28One 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. 29Remember them, my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites. 30Thus I cleansed them from all foreigners and appointed duties for the priests and for the Levites, everyone in his work; 31and for the wood offering, at appointed times, and for the first fruits. Remember me, my God, for good.

Nehemiah confronts the people who had entered into alliances that were drawing them away from God, and he points to a sobering example: Didn't Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Among many nations there was no king like him, loved by his God; nevertheless foreign alliances caused even him to sin. Even Solomon, wise and loved by God, was drawn away from wholehearted devotion to God by relationships that turned his heart to other gods. The danger Nehemiah confronts is not about people, but about the heart: alliances that would draw the heart away from God.

Notice the danger Nehemiah warns against: relationships and alliances that draw the heart away from God. Even Solomon, for all his wisdom, was led astray, his heart turned from wholehearted devotion to God by relationships that pulled him toward other gods. The peril was not in the relationships as such, but in their power to draw the heart away from God, to divide the loyalty that belonged to him alone. If even Solomon could be drawn away, none should presume they are safe from relationships and influences that would turn the heart from God.

That warning is worth taking to heart, for we too can form relationships and alliances that draw our hearts away from God. There can be relationships, associations, influences in our lives that, whatever else they offer, gradually draw our hearts away from wholehearted devotion to God, dividing our loyalty; and even the wise and devout are not immune, as Solomon was not. Guard your heart against the relationships and influences that would draw it away from God, dividing the loyalty that belongs to him; even Solomon was led astray, so do not presume you are safe. Consider whether any relationship or influence in your life is drawing your heart away from God, and guard against it, remembering that even Solomon, wise and loved by God, was drawn from wholehearted devotion by alliances that turned his heart; keep your heart wholly God's, watchful of what would divide it.

Lord, Nehemiah confronts the people who had entered into alliances that were drawing them away from you, and he points to a sobering example: didn't Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Among many nations there was no king like him, loved by his God; nevertheless foreign alliances caused even him to sin. Even Solomon, wise and loved by you, was drawn away from wholehearted devotion by relationships that turned his heart to other gods. The danger is not about people, but about the heart: alliances that would draw the heart away from you. Show me the danger Nehemiah warns against: relationships and alliances that draw the heart away from you. Even Solomon was led astray, his heart turned from wholehearted devotion by relationships that pulled him toward other gods. The peril was in their power to draw the heart away from you, to divide the loyalty that belonged to you alone. If even Solomon could be drawn away, none should presume they are safe. Take that warning to my heart, for I too can form relationships and influences that draw my heart away from you. There can be associations in my life that, whatever else they offer, gradually draw my heart away from wholehearted devotion to you, dividing my loyalty; and even the wise and devout are not immune. Help me guard my heart against the relationships and influences that would draw it away from you, Lord, dividing the loyalty that belongs to you; even Solomon was led astray, so keep me from presuming I am safe. Help me keep my heart wholly yours, watchful of what would divide it.