“I was not in Jerusalem at that time, for I had returned to King Artaxerxes of Babylon in the thirty-second year of his reign, though I later asked his permission to return. 7 When I arrived back in Jerusalem, I learned about Eliashib’s evil deed in providing Tobiah with a room in the courtyards of the Temple of God. 8 I became very upset and threw all of Tobiah’s belongings out of the room. 9 Then I demanded that the rooms be purified, and I brought back the articles for God’s Temple, the grain offerings, and the frankincense. I also discovered that the Levites had not been given their prescribed portions of food, so they and the singers who were to conduct the worship services had all returned to work their fields. 11 I immediately confronted the leaders and demanded, “Why has the Temple of God been neglected?” Then I called all the Levites back again and restored them to their proper duties. 12 And once more all the people of Judah began bringing their tithes of grain, new wine, and olive oil to the Temple storerooms.” Nehemiah 13:6-12 NLT
God who is, always everywhere,
Nehemiah had popped back to Babylon as all was well. After all he was in service to the King of Babylon and this was servitude not a high paid butler job with paid leave! Then a little while later the King graciously granted his request to pop back to Jerusalem.
Eliashib’s problem was that he got found out rather than repented. Nehemiah immediately spotted the change with fresh eyes. Eliashib had started a slide from what was right till all the leaders and Levites neglected their commitments too. And it was not Nehemiah they had offended but You God.
Sometimes I think it is good to step out side what we are doing and see the situation with fresh eyes. A new comer can see things that we walk past daily and don’t even notice anymore. But this was not just cobwebs or a crumbling paint job. it was misuse. And not hidden. Everyone knew and took it for granted. Eliashib helping out a friend. Father give us fresh eyes to see and look at our own house first. Are there any areas we have become lax in. Dropped our holiness guard or become complacent? Help us to see our church and what You would like to do within it. Not to charge in and tell everyone but work from within for good. Fresh eyes Lord to make the good better. Keep us from complacency.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen,
Worship Tuesday 14th October 2025
If we follow we will see with fresh eyes what He is showing us, telling us . . .
Our God will go before us
And guide us by His presence
What confidence this promise is
We will never walk alone
Through unknown paths, through shadows
Our hearts fear not tomorrow
For every step His faithfulness
Is the truth that lights our way
Chorus
Though evil forms against us
All heaven will defend us
The gates of hell shall not prevail
For the battle is the Lord’s
Chorus
Now send us with Your presence
And lead us on to Heaven
Where songs of sorrow strain no more
And our every breath is praise
O let our every breath be praise
Lyrics: Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, and Kristyn Getty