King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Chapters: Nehemiah 11-13, Psalm 126
Message: Where Are The Nine?
Hello My Friend,
I was quite agitated this morning, angry at some people, angry at myself, and angry at everything that is going on in this country. After spending two hours talking with God and fighting with this bug that kept taunting me (which I was finally able to kill), God pointed out to me, [Ephesians 4:26-27 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.]. Then God reminded me that the devil had his laugh when he beguiled me like he did Eve, but I did not fall as he hoped I would, and now he laughs no more. Praise God! And as I read the chapters for today, this passage came to mind.
[Luke 17:12-18 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.]
As we come to the end of Nehemiah, everything was moving in the right direction, Ezra and his crew were successful at rebuilding the temple, Nehemiah and his crew were successful at rebuilding the wall. And for the first time, in nearly a hundred years, the Book of the Law had been read, Holy Days were observed, and thousands of people willingly promised to serve God. However, when the time came that people were called to help out in the temple very few were willing to give up the comforts of living in the suburbs to live in Jerusalem. It turns out that one out of ten, and these were believers, stayed in the city.
[Nehemiah 11:1-4,10-11,16 And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities. 2 And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. 3 Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon’s servants. 4 And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez; 10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin. 11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God. 16 And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.]
[the rest of the people also cast lots,] Most of these were not even volunteers, they were those who drew sticks so to speak, and got the short ones. I will tell you what, I have seen it with my very own eyes, it is like pulling teeth to get them to actually do something. There are many people still today who have called upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save them, but very few give up the comforts of the world to live with Him. Why? Their sin. They want the best of both worlds, the security of their salvation while being justified of their sin. However, it does not work that way, and sooner or later, God is going to start taking their comforts away until they either repent or make such a mess of their lives that He feels the best He can take care of them is by bringing them home, [Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.]
What Jesus is referring to here (unless they have believed in vain), is that all who call upon Him as their Saviour are like the salt of the earth, which is what is used to preserve and season. When the salt of the Gospel is in us, it preserves our soul, and that is the savor of true grace, which can never be lost. Those who profess Christ ought to be living their lives as preservers of the Gospel, and that means in a way that leads others to Christ. Let me tell you, there is more salt in saved sinners who admit they mess up every day then there is in those who use their salvation as a cloak for their sin. Now, Nehemiah went to the people and encouraged them to return to Jerusalem and serve where needed, and then a dedication took place.
[Nehemiah 12:27,30-31,35,38,43 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps. 30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall. 31 Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate: 35 And certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph: 38 And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall; 43 Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.]
[so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.] The Levites and those of Judah and Benjamin began worshiping God with great joy, they were so loud that they could be heard for miles because they were so moved that the work of the temple resumed. When we are saved and seeing the blessings that come as we dedicate our lives to Christ we want to let everyone know about it, we want to shout and sing praises to His name. God does not place us in the world to be of the world, but that His Son might be seen through us in the lost and dying world. [John 17:14-17 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.]
It is a sad truth that many Christians today are more concerned about what the world thinks of them instead of obey God and are right in the midst of the evil. In order to keep from the evil we need to stick close to Jesus like glue or else we will succumb to the world. Now, after being in Jerusalem for about twelve years, Nehemiah said it was time to return home as he still had a job to do, after all, the temple was in order and everyone was serving God faithfully. Sadly, it did not take long before they allowed the world to creep in, they were neglecting their duties, allowing those who were forbidden in the temple, including the spiritual leaders and temple workers to live among them and marrying heathens. Nehemiah returned and was stricken with grief at how such a small town could get so out of touch with God so fast? Nehemiah quickly gathered everyone together.
[Nehemiah 13:1-4,8-9,11 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; 2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. 3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. 4 And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah: 8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. 9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense. 11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.]
[Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;] Ammonites and Moabites were the incestuous descendants of Lot, they worshiped idols and sacrificed their own children to them. What made God so angry with them was when they refused to help Israel and also hired Balaam to put a curse on them. With the exception of Ruth, who had converted, and is actually David’s great grandmother, none of them were allowed into congregation. God has never forbidden anyone or denied one believer who sincerely comes to Him through His Son, [Romans 10:8-9 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.]
[Why is the house of God forsaken?] I just realized why the Book of Malachi comes after this. They were not bringing in their tithes, and as a result temple duties were neglected. It is not just in the tithes and offerings that they were forsaking God, it was also in their duties, and in their bringing the world in his house. The Church itself is in need of a serious revival, one that not only gets the members excited about Jesus, but obeying Him as well, and not afraid to tell them to shape up. And that is exactly what Nehemiah did.
[Nehemiah 13:15,17,21,23,25,30-31 In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. 17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? 21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. 23 In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: 25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. 30 Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business; 31 And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.]
[Thus cleansed I them from all strangers,] The world has no business in the Church! This reminds me of what Jesus did when He saw the people buying and selling in front of the temple, [John 2:13-16 And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, 14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.]
Those who make God’s house a house of merchandise have only one agenda, to make money off of those who truly want to worship and honor God with their tithes, offerings, and time. Christ, having cleansed the temple, gave a sign to those who demanded it, to prove His authority for driving them out of the temple, [John 2:18-19 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.]
When Christ comes to dwell within us, He finds our hearts desecrated by unholy things, which He quickly casts out the second we receive Him as our Saviour. As for our body, well, He sifts that as a refiner of silver, and thoroughly purges that dross that sin had left behind, [Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.]
Do you think that everything the people of God do is something He approves of? No. Old or New Testament, we are all the same, sinners saved by His grace. God used men and women that were no different than us, which is why He chose to put these people in His Word. Every person, except Jesus, were without sin, but by the grace of God, He used them all to be examples and testimonies of how loving, merciful, and gracious He is to those who dedicate their lives to Him. Are you going to be the one who returns to Jesus and gives God the glory for saving your soul and life, or are you going to be one if the nine who walk away. God can revive any church, it just takes a few willing souls to step up, ready to rededicate their lives to Him.
[Psalms 126:1-6 A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.]
[They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.] This Psalm is a reminder that we were all once lost souls, held captive to sin. It was Jesus who found us and set us free by His precious blood the second we accepted Him as our Saviour. He is our testimony, while we may sow many tears, will enter into the joy of the LORD [Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.]
Jesus Christ Magnified: [Nehemiah 13:21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for my salvation, I know there is nothing I can do apart from receiving Your Son as my Saviour to merit eternal life. Lord, Lead me and guide me, give me Your power to serve You faithfully, keep my heart tender and willing to serve You wherever you lead me. Give me Your strength to separate myself from the world and let me not be tempted by its visage of evil. Keep me in Your Word and walking with You daily so I do not fall into temptation. And iIf there is anything that I am doing that hinders You, purge it. Let me always be a faithful witness that seasons the world with Your Son through me me. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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