It almost seems as if the story of Nehemiah could be re-titled "Nehemiah against the World" because he never seems to catch a break. As Nehemiah 13 opens with a note that reminds Israel that no Ammonite or Moabite is to join the community of Israel because of previous afronts against God and Israel. This is established after the reading of the Law.
Part of the reason for this seems to come from the scheming of Tobiah, who is an Ammonite, and conspires with the chief priest to have an apartment in the temple, doing all of this while Nehemiah is back in Persia reporting to the king. As you might imagine, this sort of action is a big no no with God and the temple itself is defiled by Tobiah's mere presence.
Upon his return, Nehemiah kicks Tobiah out and cleanses the temple. In so doing he discovers that the people have not been bringing proper tithes to support Levites. So sends out word and the people then bring their offerings. Nehemiah then appoints officials to oversee this operation so that it does not happen again.
One problem solved leads to yet another problem! Now Nehemiah discovers that no one is keeping the Sabbath, no one. "Do these folks ever learn?" might another title. So now Nehemiah must emphasize that the reason that the Israelites went into exile was because of they blatantly disregarded the Law and this is not a good start in returning from exile. Now Nehemiah sets guards over gates to make sure merchants do not try to come into the city to sell their goods on the Sabbath.
Finally, the mixing of marriages is addressed. While it seems rather draconian, there is reason for Nehemiah to ban mixed marriages, it is for the sake of all of Israel. When Israel finds itself tempted by other peoples, they are usually lead astray from God. In order for this not to happen, they must remain part of the tribe of Israel and not marry outside.
Luke 10
Perhaps a fitting theme for the 10th chapter of Luke is hospitality. Just as the Twelve were sent out, now the Seventy go, and they truly must depend upon God to provide, but God will provide through the hospitality of others. The Seventy are to go and offer their hospitality and when it is returned to them, they are able to do amazing things. This hospitality, or peace in this instance, is a spiritual gift and power that joins us with Christ.
Yet their are some communities and people who do not join in this gift, and it would seem that Chorazin and Bethsaida are two places that hospitality is not offered.
When the Seventy return, they tell of wondrous stories and Jesus rejoices to God for God's willingness to work through the Seventy.
Within this context, the Parable of the Good Samaritan is not just about mercy but the hospitality of one towards another. Hospitality is not just something offered in ones home, it is a way of life. Yet, Mary and Martha demonstrate that just opening your home to Jesus is not enough. Listening and following are important as well.
Backlogged Posts
2 Kings 8-9
Why there is a famine in Israel is unknown, yet the Shunammite woman whom Elisha has cared for leaves her land and goes to the region of Philistine to live out the famine. When she returns, her land is restored to her because of her connection to Elisha, it would seem that this unnamed king is a great admirer of Elisha.
Of course, it seems that word about Elisha has spread throughout the region for when he journeys to Damascus, the king of Aram sends a messenger to inquire if the king will recover from his illness. Much work has been done on this passage and yes, it seems that Elisha seems to conspire to make Hazael the king of Aram. Of course this is something the God had told Elijah to do, so somewhere this is part of God's will.
After Hazael becomes king, the narrator tells us of the next kings of Israel and Judah respectively. Both the new kings are tainted by the blood of Ahab, whether through blood or marriage. Either way because of their connection to Ahab, they are recorded as being kings if ill repute.
When people consider the bloodshed found in the Old Testament, the violence of Jehu is frequently recalled. This is an episode sanctioned by God, which makes us squeamish, that first was directed to Elijah but now falls to Elisha to actually bring about. The issue is really how the line of Ahab will be brought to an end, an end that has already been announced by Elijah.
In 2 Kings 9, Elisha and the prophetic guild are sent to anoint Jehu as the king of Israel, even as Joram reigns. They find Jehu in the field with his troops and it would seem that Jehu is either devout enough or ambitious enough to pursue his calling. He acts upon his anointing and kills Joram and Ahaziah, both related to Ahab by blood or marriage, and then destroys Jezebel, bringing her apostasy to an end. Perhaps this will change Israel's fortunes with God.
Psalm 62-63
Psalm 62 is a prayer of trust in God in the face of persecution. It is a reminder that God's will will be done as well as the righteousness of God will see things through. Why worry about the people of this world, who are fleeting, when God is forever? God will repay deeds according to their work.
Psalm 63 is a call to find the presence of God in the sanctuary. This search for God is a longing, a longing that seeks to be quenched. This presence provides comfort and security, even in the face of persecutions.
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