relationships (Nehemiah 5:1-19) Compassionate Caring

(Nehemiah 5:1-19)  Now there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. 2 For there were those who said, “We, our sons, and our daughters are many; therefore let’s get grain so that we may eat and live.” 3 And there were others who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses so that we might get grain because of the famine.” 4 There also were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards. 5 And now our flesh is like the flesh of our brothers, our children like their children. Yet behold, we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters are forced into bondage already, and we are helpless because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”

6 Then I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. 7 So I thought it over and contended with the nobles and the leading people, and said to them, “You are lending at interest, each to his brother!” Therefore, I held a great assembly against them. 8 And I said to them, “We, according to our ability, have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations; now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?” Then they were silent and could not find a word to say. 9 So I said, “The thing which you are doing is not good; should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the taunting of the nations, our enemies? 10 And likewise I, my brothers, and my servants are lending them money and grain. Please, let’s do without this interest. 11 Please, give back to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, as well as the hundredth part of the money and of the grain, the new wine, and the oil that you are charging as interest from them.” 12 Then they said, “We will give it back and will require nothing from them; we will do exactly as you say.” So I called the priests and made them take an oath to act in accordance with this promise. 13 I also shook out the front of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every person from his house and from his possessions who does not keep this promise; just so may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said, “Amen!” And they praised the Lord. Then the people acted in accordance with this promise.

14 Furthermore, since the day that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, for twelve years, neither I nor my kinsmen have eaten the governor’s food allowance. 15 But the previous governors who were before me laid burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty shekels of silver; even their servants domineered the people. But I did not do so because of my fear of God. 16 I also applied myself to the work on this wall; we did not buy any land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 17 Moreover, there were at my table 150 Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. 18 Now that which was prepared for each day was one ox and six choice sheep; also birds were prepared for me, and every ten days all sorts of wine were provided in abundance. Yet for all this I did not request the governor’s food allowance, because the forced labor was heavy on this people. 19 Remember me, my God, for good, in return for all that I have done for this people.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

While Nehemiah and a few others suffered along with the people, other Israelites were lending money to their fellowmen and charging interest.  They were not only profiting over other people's hardships, but essentially, they were stealing from those who were trying to help the people.  While Nehemiah and others were trying to buy their people out of slavery, these lenders were making it so impossible for the people to survive, they were having to sell their children into slavery.

Nehemiah is a very good example of a great leader.  He followed his own advice, which was about selfless, sacrificial giving and good will lending, and most importantly, fearing the Lord.  His heart was for the people, and when he heard about the injustices against them, he was angered.  As we should be angered at injustice, as well.  And instead of reacting, he thought it over.  Then when speaking to the Israelite leaders, Nehemiah not only used an appeal for compassion, but used reason, presented a solution, and an accountability measure.

God had clearly told the Israelites...

(in Deuteronomy 23:19) “You are not to charge interest to your countrymen: interest on money, food, or anything that may be loaned on interest."

God will bless those who are steadfast and obedient to His will, trusting in Him that He will provide what is needed.  So often - what God tells us to do - might not make sense to us.  But when we decide to do it anyway, THAT is when we put our trust in Him to the fullest extent!  And any time I have done that, I have seen the benefits! God is faithful, true and caring!!!  What an awesome example to follow!!!

relationships (Nehemiah 4:1-23) Faithfully Continue On

(Nehemiah 4:1-23) Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry, and he mocked the Jews. 2 And he spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy people of Samaria and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore the temple for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish it in a day? Can they revive the stones from the heaps of rubble, even the burned ones?” 3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him, and he said, “Even what they are building—if a fox were to jump on it, it would break their stone wall down!”

4 Hear, O our God, how we are an object of contempt! Return their taunting on their own heads, and turn them into plunder in a land of captivity. 5 Do not forgive their guilt and do not let their sin be wiped out before You, for they have demoralized the builders.

6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

7 Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry. 8 So all of them conspired together to come to fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it.

9 But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.

10 And so in Judah it was said:

     “The strength of the burden bearers is failing,
     Yet there is much rubble;
     And we ourselves are unable
     To rebuild the wall.”

11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them, and put a stop to the work.” 12 When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,” 13 then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears, and bows. 14 When I saw their fear, I stood and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

15 Now when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work. 16 And from that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them kept hold of the spears, the shields, the bows, and the coats of mail; and the captains were behind all the house of Judah. 17 Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens carried with one hand doing the work, and the other keeping hold of a weapon. 18 As for the builders, each wore his sword strapped to his waist as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me. 19 And I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another. 20 At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, assemble to us there. Our God will fight for us.”

21 So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars appeared. 22 At that time I also said to the people, “Each man with his servant shall spend the night within Jerusalem, so that they may be a guard for us by night and a laborer by day.” 23 So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me—none of us removed our clothes; each took his weapon even to the water.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Our challenge as believers is to recognize "enemies" - yet - still love and pray for them.  This doesn't mean that we purposefully put ourselves in harm's way.  So, for example, a mother and her children should safely and quietly get out of an abusive household.  In that kind of scenario, they might have to hide for a while, find some solid counseling, heal, and plan one's next steps.  

Jesus did tell us to be in the world, but not OF the world.  I remember a group of Christians who had found themselves involved in a cult-like-movement, and even though they were believers, they thought they had to move out and far away from the "big, evil city" and homeschool their children.  It isn't wrong to live in the country, or homeschool your children, but it is wrong if you are making decisions out of hate and fear.  Everything we do should be with the motive of God's love... and seeking His wisdom, trust in Him and in what He says in His word, which will be evident in our obedience.  

Believers are not to be oblivious to dangers and pitfalls.  And we are not to sit back and do nothing, or run away and hide when we do recognize dangers and pitfalls.  We are to stay alert, pray and assemble together, and continue serving the Lord.  So, as struggles arise, keep close to Jesus.  In fearing the Lord, we do not have to fear anyone or anything.  Remember that the Lord is great and awesome and will fight for those who are faithful.  The key to faithfully, courageously and effectively living in God's will is to do everything in the Lord's strength and wisdom, allowing Him to work in and through us, all to His glory.

relationships (Nehemiah 3:1-32) Avoid Disgrace

(Nehemiah 3:1-32) Then Eliashib the high priest arose with his brothers the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and installed its doors. They consecrated the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel. 2 And next to him the men of Jericho built, and next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.

3 Now the sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and installed its doors with its bolts and bars. 4 Next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz made repairs. And next to him Meshullam the son of Berechiah the son of Meshezabel made repairs. And next to him Zadok the son of Baana also made repairs. 5 Moreover, next to him the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not support the work of their masters.

6 Now Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Ancient Gate; they laid its beams and installed its doors with its bolts and its bars. 7 Next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, also made repairs for the official seat of the governor of the province beyond the Euphrates River. 8 Next to him Uzziel the son of Harhaiah of the goldsmiths made repairs. And next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 9 And next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, the official of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs. 10 Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabneiah made repairs. 11 Malchijah the son of Harim and Hasshub the son of Pahath-moab repaired another section and the Tower of Furnaces. 12 Next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the official of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs, he and his daughters.

13 Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They built it and installed its doors with its bolts and its bars, and a thousand cubits of the wall to the Dung Gate.

14 And Malchijah the son of Rechab, the official of the district of Beth-haccherem repaired the Dung Gate. He built it and installed its doors with its bolts and its bars.

15 Shallum the son of Col-hozeh, the official of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He built it, made a roof for it, and installed its doors with its bolts and its bars, and the wall of the Pool of Shelah at the king’s garden as far as the steps that descend from the city of David. 16 After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, official of half the district of Beth-zur, made repairs as far as a point opposite the tombs of David, and as far as the artificial pool and the house of the mighty men. 17 After him the Levites carried out repairs under Rehum the son of Bani. Next to him Hashabiah, the official of half the district of Keilah, carried out repairs for his district. 18 After him their brothers carried out repairs under Bavvai the son of Henadad, official of the other half of the district of Keilah. 19 And next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, the official of Mizpah, repaired another section in front of the ascent of the armory at the Angle. 20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the Angle to the doorway of the house of Eliashib the high priest. 21 After him Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz repaired another section, from the doorway of Eliashib’s house even as far as the end of his house. 22 And after him the priests, the men of the vicinity, carried out repairs. 23 After them Benjamin and Hasshub carried out repairs in front of their house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah, son of Ananiah, carried out repairs beside his house. 24 After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah as far as the Angle and as far as the corner. 25 Palal the son of Uzai made repairs in front of the Angle and the tower projecting from the upper house of the king, which is by the courtyard of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh made repairs. 26 Now the temple servants living in Ophel made repairs as far as the front of the Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower. 27 After them the Tekoites repaired another section in front of the great projecting tower and as far as the wall of Ophel.

28 Above the Horse Gate the priests carried out repairs, each in front of his house. 29 After them Zadok the son of Immer carried out repairs in front of his house. And after him Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, carried out repairs. 30 After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah carried out repairs in front of his own quarters. 31 After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, carried out repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and of the merchants, in front of the Inspection Gate and as far as the upper room of the corner. 32 And between the upper room of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants carried out repairs.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

God's hand was definitely on this entire project!  Not only did the Israelites have the support of King Artaxerxes who helped supply some of the funds and materials, but the people were eager to do the actual work.  Despite oppositions, repairs got underway.  In verse 14, we see an official repairing the dung gate.  It might not sound glamorous, but every detail is important.  We cannot be too proud to do the work required of us.  Throughout, we see everyone working together, from priests and officials, to perfumers and temple servants, men as well as some women.

In chapter 2, Nehemiah had said to the Israelites, "Let's rebuild so we will no longer be a disgrace."  In any community, we should try to maintain our homes and businesses, not just for esthetics but for health and safety.  And financially, as soon as a few buildings become dilapidated, the value of those buildings will go down, as well as all of the other buildings in the area.  We all live in communities, whether intentional or not.  Therefore, in these simple acts of keeping things clean and maintained, we can be a testimony to others in demonstrating practical love and care to our neighbors and the neighborhood.

So what about our intentional community?  Our Christian family and church!?  How much more should we want to join together in unity, to contribute, build, maintain and clean?  We do need to focus on our hearts - and the inside of things, but the outside will reflect what is on the inside.  Therefore, what our neighborhoods should see is not a disgrace, but God's grace!  Our presence in any neighborhood should bring value, not simply a monetary value, but a very practical, thoughtful, loving and strong spiritual value!!!

relationships (Nehemiah 2:1-20) "Friends" in High Places

(Nehemiah 2:1-20) And it came about in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, that wine was before him, and I picked up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. 2 So the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, though you are not ill? This is nothing but sadness of heart.” Then I was very much afraid. 3 And I said to the king, “May the king live forever. Why should my face not be sad when the city, the site of my fathers’ tombs, is desolate and its gates have been consumed by fire?” 4 Then the king said to me, “What would you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 Then I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, I request that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” 6 Then the king said to me, with the queen sitting beside him, “How long will your journey be, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I gave him a definite time. 7 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me for the governors of the provinces beyond the River, so that they will allow me to pass through until I come to Judah, 8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which is by the temple, for the wall of the city, and for the house to which I will go.” And the king granted them to me because the good hand of my God was on me.

9 Then I came to the governors of the provinces beyond the Euphrates River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. 10 And when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about it, it was very displeasing to them that someone had come to seek the welfare of the sons of Israel.

11 So I came to Jerusalem and was there for three days. 12 And I got up in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my mind to do for Jerusalem, and there was no animal with me except the animal on which I was riding. 13 So I went out at night by the Valley Gate in the direction of the Dragon’s Spring and on to the Dung Gate, and I was inspecting the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which had been consumed by fire. 14 Then I passed on to the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was no place for my mount to pass. 15 So I was going up at night by the ravine and inspecting the wall. Then I entered the Valley Gate again and returned. 16 However, the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing; nor had I as yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or the rest who were doing the work.

17 Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates have been burned by fire. Come, let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a disgrace.” 18 And I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let’s arise and build.” So they put their hands to the good work. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20 So I answered them and said to them, “The God of heaven will make us successful; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no part, right, or memorial in Jerusalem.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

The Judeans had been taken into captivity, yet God saw to it that Nehemiah was placed in the service of the king and had his ear.  Not only his ear, but his compassion, as typically if anyone was sad in the presence of these kings, they would be punished and even executed.  Nehemiah knew this and thought he had hidden his sadness well enough.  Perhaps God had opened the king's eyes to see and have compassion on Nehemiah.

We are told to submit to the authorities that are over us... in the Lord.  In other words, we are to obey, unless it means being disobedient to God's laws.  We never know who will notice our actions and integrity.  Through this, we will have opportunity, to not only share the good news with others, but serve God and others in a much bigger way.  And it's not about having "friends" in high places.  It is about having God as our "friend" (and heavenly Father) - which is as high as one can go!  Afterall, besides being loving and just, the Lord is sovereign!

God used the relationship that Nehemiah had with this king to help Israel rebuild!  This king's heart was moved to help out with whatever Nehemiah requested, and Nehemiah immediately brought this before the Lord in prayer!  God was obviously in all of these details.  But this is not to say that we are to try to get the attention of kings, presidents or dictators, or even try to entice other people to join our ranks in building up the Church.  Wherever we find ourselves, this is where we are to be striving to live out God's will.

All the Lord wants from us is our willing heart - to continue in a close relationship with Him - and establish good relationships with others, all in His strength, love, wisdom and guidance.  God will call us to the ministries and areas where He wants to use us, and there He will equip us and help us.  Therefore, no matter what struggles, circumstances or situations we find ourselves in, if we are honoring and following Jesus, and communicating to Him in prayer, and allowing Him to communicate to us through His word, the Bible, He will take care of us and all the details, and He will use us to help build His kingdom.

relationships (Nehemiah 1:1-11) Keep Returning

(Nehemiah 1:1-11) The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.

Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capitol, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and disgrace, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates have been burned with fire.”

4 Now when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 I said, “Please, Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps the covenant and faithfulness for those who love Him and keep His commandments: 6 let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open, to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have committed against You; I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. 8 Remember, please, the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples; 9 but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I have chosen to have My name dwell.’ 10 They are Your servants and Your people whom You redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand. 11 Please, Lord, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name, and please make Your servant successful today and grant him mercy before this man.”

Now I was the cupbearer to the king.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Even though Israel had rebellowed against the Lord, God still set up a scenario for them that when they would confess and return to Him, He would set things straight.  God is faithful and will carry out all of His promises. Ultimately, in the Tribulation, Israel will see the signs of their Messiah's return, and they will believe and become obedient as a nation. Then Jesus will set up His kingdom in the Millennium, and fulfill all their covenants.

Meanwhile, in the passage above, we see hope for all nations. Verse 5 does not discriminate. "FOR THOSE" - means - anyone who loves and obeys God's commandments will be redeemed through Jesus, and He is faithful!  He desires a close relationship with all of us.  He provides the way and the means. He changes us from the insight out so we can be "obedient" in Him.  

And once a believer, even when we sin, over and over again, we are still His children.  He might discipline us, but He will never disown us.  In order to grow in our relationship with the Lord Jesus, all we need to remember is to keep running back to Him and His word!

relationships (Ezra 10:1-44) Marriage

(Ezra 10:1-44) Now while Ezra was praying and making confession, weeping and prostrating himself before the house of God, a very large assembly, men, women, and children, gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept greatly. 2 Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, said to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land; yet now there is hope for Israel in spite of this. 3 So now let’s make a covenant with our God to send away all the wives and their children, following the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the Law. 4 Arise! For this matter is your responsibility, but we will be with you; be courageous and act.”

5 Then Ezra stood and made the leading priests, the Levites, and all Israel take an oath that they would do according to this proposal; so they took the oath. 6 Then Ezra rose from before the house of God and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib. Although he went there, he did not eat bread nor drink water, because he was mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles. 7 So they made a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the exiles, that they were to assemble at Jerusalem, 8 and that whoever did not come within three days, in accordance with the counsel of the leaders and the elders, all his property would be forfeited, and he himself would be excluded from the assembly of the exiles.

9 So all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth month on the twentieth of the month, and all the people sat in the public square before the house of God, trembling because of this matter and the heavy rain. 10 Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful and have married foreign wives, adding to the guilt of Israel. 11 Now therefore, make confession to the Lord God of your fathers and do His will; and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign wives.” 12 Then all the assembly replied with a loud voice, “It is our duty to do exactly as you have said! 13 However, there are many people, it is the rainy season, and we are not able to stand in the open. Nor can the task be done in one or two days, because we have done a great wrong in this matter. 14 Please let our leaders represent all the assembly and have all those in our cities who have married foreign wives come at appointed times, together with the elders and judges of each city, until the fierce anger of our God on account of this matter is turned away from us.” 15 Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah opposed this, with Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supporting them.

16 But the exiles did so. And Ezra the priest selected men who were the heads of fathers’ households for each of their father’s households, all of them by name. So they convened on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter. 17 And they finished investigating all the men who had married foreign wives by the first day of the first month.

18 Now among the sons of the priests who had married foreign wives were found of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. 19 They pledged to send away their wives, and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their guilt. 20 Of the sons of Immer, there were Hanani and Zebadiah; 21 and of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah; 22 and of the sons of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah.

23 Of the Levites there were Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that is, Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.

24 Of the singers there was Eliashib; and of the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri.

25 Of Israel, of the sons of Parosh there were Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah; 26 and of the sons of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah; 27 and of the sons of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza; 28 and of the sons of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai; 29 and of the sons of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch and Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth; 30 and of the sons of Pahath-moab: Adna and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh; 31 and of the sons of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, 32 Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah; 33 of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei; 34 of the sons of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel, 35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, 36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, 37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasu, 38 Bani, Binnui, Shimei, 39 Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, 40 Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, 41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, 42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph. 43 Of the sons of Nebo there were Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah. 44 All of these men had married foreign wives, and some of them had wives by whom they had children.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

In today's society, a very favorable stance is to have no regrets.  Not only do people proudly admit to their wrong doings, but they will justify it by saying it is somehow a good thing.  I've even heard Christians say that it was God's will that they, for example, married an unbeliever because...  Well, it is never God's will that we sin.  God knows that we will still sin, therefore He covers us with His grace and promises that we cannot lose our salvation, but He will allow consequences into our lives.

I've even seen an entire church become a mess, because the majority became legalistic and judgmental.  In that case, the pastor really needed to step up and preach a message of God's grace, and a message about not adding to the Bible.  We should not diminish the Bible, either.  These are God's words, which lovingly direct us to humbly acknowledge that we are sinners in need of a Savior.  And after we are Christians, we must humbly realize that we still need a Shepherd!

As soon as we sin or realize that we have sinned, we should feel remorse!  Now, a person doesn't have to beat themselves up or hate themselves.  And other believers should not shun them, or beat them up, or hate them.  If that person confesses, and apologizes to anyone wronged, and makes the necessary changes, then those around them should "forgive" the matter, move on, and continue encouraging and equipping one other.

If a fellow believer decides to really go off the deep end and willfully live a sinful life, then - there are steps that God tells us to take, which are nicely laid out in Matthew 18:15-22.  Everything is always to be done with God's love, with gentleness and compassion, treating them as you would want to be treated.  And if that person still decides to continue in their sin, we are to treat them as unbelievers.  And how are we to treat unbelievers?  We are to love them and pray for them.

The trickier sin is when a believer has married an unbeliever.  Even trickier, if there are children involved.  Notice that the men in this chapter were only separating from these wives, and not divorcing them.  I'm assuming that these pagan women and children were so steeped in their own cultures, it would have been difficult for the husbands to remain obedient to the Lord.  There are further directions for this situation in 1 Corinthians 712-16.  

Once you are married to an unbeliever, now you must somehow find a way to manage this relationship while still being obedient to God's word and nurturing your walk with the Lord.  This won't be easy.  Somewhere, somehow, there will be compromises made.  Of course, there will be, even if both are believers - but in that case - we are talking about things like where to eat, or where to live.  BUT, we should never compromise in our faith, and there could be a very huge push back.

Because marriage is a union until death, it is a huge commitment!  Therefore, believers should see the importance of marrying another believer.  Never rush into marriage.  Make sure that the other person is actually a believer, not just someone who says they are, or pretends to be, or is just going through the motions without understanding, because it is just some sort of religious ritual with a checkoff list.  Ask yourself, do they exhibit the fruit of the Spirit?  Are they growing in their walk with the Lord?  Do they love to talk about their relationship with Jesus?

For a marriage to work, it takes a lot of work!  So you really want to be on the exact same page as your spouse, both working to make it work.  And if both are looking to the Lord to fulfill and complete them, help them, and guide them... then both will be growing in the same direction.  Why is this important?  If we put our hope in our spouse - they WILL let us down.  No one is perfect.  Therefore, we should not be in any rush to divorce.  In fact, this word "divorce" should never be used as any sort of threat - or method to manipulate - ever!  Don't attempt or rush to fix a bad decision with another bad decision.

Listen, if there is abuse of any sort, one must safely get out of that situation, separate, and seek counseling.  As soon as possible!  And if there are any children, get them out of there with you!  Also seek legal advice to make sure you are doing things correctly within the legal system.

We cannot go back to change things, but we can confess and move forward, seeking out and living in God's will, in His strength, guidance and love.  It is never God's will that we make mistakes, but even when mistakes are made, by returning to the Lord's side, He can use our past experiences to teach us life-lessons and bring about good.

relationships (Ezra 9:1-15) Loving Communities

(Ezra 9:1-15) Now when these things had been completed, the officials approached me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, as to their abominations, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2 For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has intermingled with the peoples of the lands; indeed, the hands of the officials and the leaders have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness.” 3 When I heard about this matter, I tore my garment and my robe, and pulled out some of the hair from my head and my beard, and sat down appalled. 4 Then everyone who was frightened by the words of the God of Israel on account of the unfaithfulness of the exiles gathered to me, and I sat appalled until the evening offering.

5 But at the evening offering I stood up from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn, and I bowed down on my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God; 6 and I said, “My God, I am ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God, for our wrongful deeds have risen above our heads, and our guilt has grown even to the heavens. 7 Since the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt, and because of our wrongful deeds we, our kings, and our priests have been handed over to the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plunder, and to open shame, as it is this day. 8 But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the Lord our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, so that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage. 9 For we are slaves; yet in our bondage our God has not abandoned us, but has extended favor to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us reviving to erect the house of our God, to restore its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

10 “And now, our God, what shall we say after this? For we have abandoned Your commandments, 11 which You have commanded by Your servants the prophets, saying, ‘The land which you are entering to possess is an unclean land with the uncleanness of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations which have filled it from end to end, and with their impurity. 12 So now do not give your daughters to their sons nor take their daughters for your sons, and never seek their peace or their prosperity, so that you may be strong and may eat the good things of the land, and leave it as an inheritance to your sons forever.’ 13 And after everything that has come upon us for our evil deeds and our great guilt, since You our God have spared us by inflicting less than our wrongdoing deserves, and have given us such an escaped remnant as this, 14 shall we again break Your commandments and intermarry with the peoples who commit these abominations? Would You not be angry with us to the point of destruction, until there would be no remnant nor any who would escape? 15 Lord God of Israel, You are righteous, for we have been left an escaped remnant, as it is this day; behold, we are before You in our guilt, for no one can stand before You because of this.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

It is disappointing, disheartening, and an embarrassment when people, who call themselves Christian, do not even try to behave as Christians, especially if and when it is a very public spiritual leader.  Of course, no one is perfect and won't be until we reach heaven, but as believers, we have God's words to direct us appropriately, and we all have access to the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide and help us.  As for spiritual leaders, there is a higher standard that is expected, not only for how they live and practice what they preach, but that they preach God's truths humbly and accurately.

We are never told that we cannot marry someone from another race, but we are told that as believers, we are not to marry unbelievers.  The three women in Jesus' genealogy, who were all from enemy pagan countries, had become believers and made Israel their people... to follow after their God and their customs.  In the same way, we are not to live as the world lives, or adopt their attitudes and "alternative" beliefs and practices.  

Understand that the world can, on the surface, talk about love and distribute some feel-good-in-the-moment-kind-of-love, but it is all motivated by self-love.  Even if and when sincere, it will only disappoint.  Therefore, as believers, we should really desire to be part of a loving, steadfast community of believers, and desire to marry another believer, so that together, we can, not only encourage each other to grow closer to the Lord and to each other, but together, we can be a light to the world.  

God is the author of love.  He alone defines agape - unconditional - sacrificial love!  So, whether married or single, the most important thing in one's life is to keep putting our relationship with the Lord God (Jesus) first, and to keep seeking after Him and His will.