SERIES: The Book of Nehemiah
TEXT: Nehemiah 13:15-31
MESSAGE: “Confronting the Cost of Compromise”
“No one talks to you more than you do. You’re in a constant conversation with yourself. And the things you say to you, about your life, and about God shape the way you live. We have a tendency to take ourselves off the hook, to argue for the right of the thing we’re thinking.” — Paul David Tripp
Nehemiah confronts two areas in which God’s people have compromised their covenant faithfulness:
- Sabbath (vv. 15–22)
- Marriage (v.23-31)
Light and darkness — Genesis 1:4
Day and night — Genesis 1:5
Waters above and waters below — Genesis 1:6-8
Land and seas — Genesis 1:9-10
Sun and moon — Genesis 1:14-18
Male and female — Genesis 1:27
Work and rest — Genesis 1:28; 2:2-3
“When we humbly submit ourselves to the Lord and stop trying to determine our own use of time (even the time we spend at rest), we acknowledge that we are creatures and he is the Creator. An optional Sabbath makes us lords of our own schedule. A required one reminds us that we are not.” — Megan Hill, The Gospel Coalition
“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” — Revelation 22:17, 20-21 ESV
Takeaways: Three questions to ask as we end the book of Nehemiah:
1. Are you tired?
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” — St. Augustine
2. Are your relationships in a mess?
3. Are you in need of healing?
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3