UNehemiya wayengumphathindebe weNkosi u-Aritahishashita, onhliziyo yakhe yayikuNkulunkulu. UNkulunkulu wasibona isimo senhliziyo nokuzinikela kukaNehemiya futhi wafaka enhliziyweni yakhe ububele nomfutho wokuvuselela udonga namasango eJerusalema nabakhileyo kulo.. Ngemva kokuqeda umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu, UNehemiya wacabanga ukuthi abantwana bakwa-Israyeli bangahlala ngokuphepha eJerusalema futhi baphile ngokuvumelana namazwi nemiyalo kaNkulunkulu, kodwa kwakungenjalo. Isitha, owazama ukuvimbela nokumisa umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu ngaphambili, kodwa akazange aphumelele ngenkathi uNehemiya ekhona, waphumelela ngesikhathi uNehemiya engekho. Isitha asigcinanga ngokungena eJerusalema kodwa sangena nasendlini kaNkulunkulu. Esikhundleni sokufunda ezenzakalweni ezedlule, abantu baphinda ubuwula obufanayo. Ngoba isitha sisayazi indlela yokungena endlini kaNkulunkulu futhi singcolise ibandla. Yiliphi isango isitha esangena ngalo endlini kaNkulunkulu futhi yiliphi isango isitha esangena ngalo endlini kaNkulunkulu?
Ububele bukaNehemiya ngeJerusalema nabantwana bakwa-Israyeli nomkhuleko wakhe kuNkulunkulu
Lapho uNehemiya ezwa ngomunye wabafowabo uHanani namadoda athile akwaJuda, ngesimo esibi saseJerusalema (ugange lwaseJerusalema lwalubhidliziwe namasango ashiswa ngomlilo) nokuthi insali yamaJuda eyayisele ekuthunjweni lapho esifundeni yayisekuhluphekeni okukhulu nesihlamba., wakhala, walila izinsuku ezithile, futhi zidle wakhuleka phambi kukaNkulunkulu wezulu.
UNehemiya waphendukela eNkosini uNkulunkulu. Ngoba uNehemiya wayazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu kuphela owayengenza ushintsho mayelana nesimo saseJerusalema nenhlalakahle yezakhamuzi zalo..
Manje, UNehemiya wazithoba phambi kukaJehova futhi wabonisa ukuphenduka. Wavuma izono zabantwana bakwa Israel kuNkulunkulu.
Babenze ngenkohlakalo uNkulunkulu futhi bengazange bayigcine imiyalo Yakhe, noma izimiso, noma ukwahlulela ukuthi Yayala iNkosi.
Abantu basephule isivumelwano sabo noNkulunkulu futhi baphinga.
UNehemiya wakhumbuza uNkulunkulu amazwi awakhuluma kuMose. Ukuthi uma abantu bephambuka, UNkulunkulu wayeyobahlakazela ezizweni. Kodwa uma abantu bebuyela eNkosini, futhi ugcine futhi wenze imiyalo yaKhe, Wayeyobabutha emkhawulweni wezulu, futhi nibayise endaweni iNkosi eyayiyikhethile ukubeka iGama laYo lapho.
UNkulunkulu washukumisa inhliziyo yenkosi u-Aritahishashita
UNkulunkulu wayizwa imithandazo kaNehemiya futhi wayiphendula imithandazo yakhe. Washukumisa inhliziyo yenkosi yaseBhabhiloni, owayenamandla nempahla yokusiza uNehemiya ukuba akhe kabusha udonga namasango aseJerusalema.
Inkosi yasizwa isicelo sikaNehemiya sokwakha kabusha umuzi waseJerusalema futhi yasamukela isicelo sakhe. Wamnika isikhathi, izinsiza, kanye negunya (ngokusebenzisa izincwadi) ukuya kwaJuda futhi akhe kabusha ugange namasango aseJerusalema.
UNehemiya wafika ngerada yesitha
UNehemiya waya eJerusalema kanye nezinduna zempi nabamahhashi. Sebefikile kubabusi phesheya komfula, UNehemiya wabanika izincwadi zenkosi.
Lapho uSanibalathi, iHoronite, noThobiya inceku, umAmoni, wezwa ngakho, kwaba buhlungu kakhulu ukuthi kufike umuntu, ababefuna okuhle kwabantwana bakoIsrayeli.
UNehemiya wafika ngerada yabo, okwaba nemiphumela ekuqhubekeleni phambili kokwakhiwa kabusha kodonga namasango aseJerusalema.
Lapho uNehemiya efika eJerusalema akazange atshele muntu ngesizathu sokuza kwakhe. Wayengahlanganyeli namuntu, lokho uNkulunkulu ayekubeke enhliziyweni yakhe. UNehemiya akazange ahlanganyele namaJuda, noma nabapristi, noma nezikhulu, noma ababusi, noma kwabanye abenza umsebenzi.
UNehemiya wabiza abantu bakaNkulunkulu ukuba bakhe kabusha udonga lwaseJerusalema
Ebusuku, UNehemiya wasukuma wahamba namadoda ambalwa ukuze acwaninge isimo sezindonga ezazibhidliziwe namasango, ezaqedwa ngomlilo.
Ngemva kocwaningo lwakhe, UNehemiya wabhekana namaJuda, abapristi, izikhulu, ababusi, nabanye abenza umsebenzi, ngosizi ababekulo. IJerusalema lachithwa, namasango ashiswa ngomlilo.
UNehemiya wababiza ukuba bakhe kabusha udonga lwaseJerusalema, ukuze bangabe besaba yihlazo. Abantu basabela ubizo lwakhe ngokumethembisa ukuthi bazovuka bakhe. Base beqinisa izandla zabo kulo msebenzi omuhle.
Amazwi esitha abhuqayo awazange avimbele uNehemiya ukuthi akhe kabusha udonga lwaseJerusalema
Kodwa lapho uSanibalathi, uThobiya, kanye noGeshem (umArabiya) wezwa, bahleke babadelele, ngokubabuza ukuthi benzani nokuthi bazoyivukela yini inkosi. UNehemiya wabaphendula ngokuthi:
Nkulunkulu wezulu, Uzosiphumelelisa, ngalokho thina zinceku zakhe siyakusukuma sakhe: kodwa aninasabelo, noma kulungile, noma isikhumbuzo, EJerusalema
UNehemiya 2:20
UNehemiya wayemazi uNkulunkulu wakhe futhi emesaba uJehova. Ngoba uNehemiya wayebazi ubukhulu Bakhe, amandla, nemisebenzi emangalisayo.
Ngakho lawa mazwi ahlekisayo, eyayiqukethe usongo futhi okwakuhloswe ngayo ukwesabisa uNehemiya kanye nabantu, akazange amvimbe uNehemiya.
Ukukholwa Kwakhe kuNkulunkulu nokuqiniseka emazwini Akhe nokuzimisela Kwakhe kwakukhulu kunamazwi alaba bantu, owamelana laye wazama ukumvimba ukuthi angawuvusi umuzi weJerusalema.
UNehemiya nabantu bazilungiselela ukwakhiwa kabusha kwezindonga namasango aseJerusalema
UNehemiya nabantu bazilungiselela ukwakha kabusha izindonga namasango aseJerusalema. Wonke umuntu wayemiselwe ingxenye ethile yezindonga namasango.
Ngokwesibonelo, umpristi omkhulu u-Eliyashibi wasukuma nabafowabo abapristi, lakha isango lezimvu. Balingcwelisa kwaze kwaba seMbhoshongweni waseMeha naseMbhoshongweni kaHananeli, bamisa izivalo zawo..
Ngakho, yilowo nalowo wakha ingxenye yakhe yodonga (UNehemiya 3).
Umzamo wokuqala wesitha wokumisa ukwakhiwa kodonga
Lapho uSanibhalati ezwa ukuthi balwakha ugange, wathukuthela, wathukuthela kakhulu. USanibhalati wahlekisa ngamaJuda ngokutshela abafowabo nebutho laseSamariya, Enzani lamaJuda abuthakathaka? Ingabe bayoziqinisa? Ingabe bayodela? Futhi bayoqeda ngosuku? Ingabe bayowavusa amatshe ezinqwabeni zemfucumfucu eshile??
uThobiya, umAmoni, wayenoSanibhalati futhi wathi, Nalokho abakwakhayo, uma impungushe ikhuphuka, uyakudiliza ugange lwabo lwamatshe.
Kodwa futhi, UNehemiya akazange esatshiswe amazwi abo futhi akazange ame ukuze afeze umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu.
UNehemiya akazange asabele. Kunalokho, wathandaza kuNkulunkulu ukuba ihlazo labo liphendukele phezu kwamakhanda abo futhi abanikele babe yimpango ezweni lokuthunjwa.. Ngemva komthandazo wakhe, waqhubeka nomsebenzi wakhe (UNehemiya 4:1-6)
Umzamo wesibili wesitha wokumisa ukwakhiwa kodonga
Lapho uSanibalathi, uThobiya, ama-Arabiya, abantwana bakwa-Amoni, abase-Ashidodi bezwa ukuthi izindonga zaseJerusalema zazakhiwe nokuthi izimfa zazivaliwe, bathukuthela kakhulu. Benza uzungu ndawonye ukuze balwe neJerusalema futhi balivimbele.
Kepha uNehemiya nabanye bakhuleka eNkosini uNkulunkulu wabo, babeka abalindi esitheni sabo imini nobusuku, ngenxa yabo.
UNkulunkulu wayelethe iseluleko esibi sesitha ukuba singene singanakwa, bulala abantu, futhi awuyeke umsebenzi, ukwenza ize
Wathi uJuda, Amandla abathwali bemithwalo ayabola, futhi kunemfucumfucu eminingi; ukuze singakwazi ukwakha udonga. Nezitha zethu zathi, Ngeke bazi, futhi ubone, size singene phakathi kwabo, futhi ababulale, futhi umise umsebenzi Futhi kwenzeka, ukuthi lapho amaJuda ayehlala kubo efika, bathi kithi kayishumi, Kuzo zonke izindawo lapho niyobuyela khona kithi ziyoba phezu kwenu. Ngase ngimisa ezindaweni eziphansi emva kodonga, nasezindaweni eziphakeme, Ngaze ngamisa abantu ngemindeni yabo bephethe izinkemba zabo, imikhonto yabo, neminsalo yabo. Futhi ngabheka, wasukuma, wathi kwabanumzane, nakubaphathi, nakubo bonke abanye abantu, Ningabesabi: khumbulani uJehova, okuyinto enkulu futhi esabekayo, futhi nilwele abafowenu, amadodana akho, namadodakazi enu, abafazi benu, nezindlu zenu (UNehemiya 4:10-14)
UNkulunkulu walivimba icebo elibi lesitha sabo, ababefuna ukungena benganakile futhi phakathi kwabo bababulale futhi babangele ukuba umsebenzi umiswe.
Lapho isitha sizwa ukuthi sebazi ngesu labo elibi nokuthi uNkulunkulu wayesenze ize iseluleko sabo, babuyela odongeni baqhubeka nomsebenzi wabo ngokulungisa okuncane.
Ingxenye yezinceku yenza umsebenzi. enye ingxenye yayiphethe yomibili imikhonto, izihlangu, iminsalo, kanye nama-habergeons. Ababusi babelandela yonke indlu yakwaJuda.
Abakha odongeni nabathwala imithwalo nabathwesayo, yilowo nalowo ngesandla sakhe wasebenza emsebenzini, ngesinye isandla ephethe isikhali. Kwabakhi, yilowo nalowo wayebhince inkemba yakhe okhalweni lwakhe, futhi kwakhiwe kanjalo.
Njengoba umsebenzi wawumkhulu futhi umkhulu futhi ayehlukaniselwe odongeni, kude nomunye, kwabekwa umuntu ozoshaya icilongo lokuqoqa abantu uma kudingeka. Iyona yodwa, owabetha icilongo wayenoNehemiya (UNehemiya 4:18-20)
UNehemiya watshela abantu ukuthi balale eJerusalema, ukuze ebusuku bagade abantu futhi basebenze emini, futhi babezakusindiswa.
Umzamo wesithathu wesitha wokuvimba abantu ekwakheni udonga namasango aseJerusalema
Ubungacabanga ukuthi uSanibhalati, uThobiya, Gesem, futhi ezinye izitha zaziyoshiya abantu bakaNkulunkulu bodwa, ngemva kwemizamo yabo yokusabisa, dikibala, futhi bamise abantu bakaNkulunkulu. Kodwa abazange. Baqhubeka befuna indlela yokuvimba abantu ukuthi bangakhi ugange namasango aseJerusalema.
Njengoba babethatha uNehemiya njengomshoshozeli, bazama ukulinga uNehemiya isono.
Bathumela izincwadi futhi bamema uNehemiya ukuba abahlangabeze emizaneni yasethafeni lase-Ono. Kodwa uNehemiah wayengesona isiphukuphuku kodwa wayehlakaniphile futhi walibona kusengaphambili icebo labo elibi lokumenza okubi.
UNehemiya wathumela izithunywa kubo ukuze babazise ukuthi wayengeke eze ngoba wayenza umsebenzi omkhulu. Akazange alinge futhi akazange aphazanyiswe yizindaba eziseceleni. Kodwa uNehemiya wahlala egxile emsebenzini omkhulu okwakumelwe wenziwe.
Abazange bameme uNehemiya nakanye, kodwa kane. Kodwa uNehemiya waphendula izimemo zabo ngamazwi afanayo ahlakaniphile.
Lapho imizamo yabo ingasebenzi, USanibhalati wathumela okwesihlanu inceku yakhe nencwadi evuliwe enamanga ukuze ethuse uNehemiya, ukuze eze kubo. Kodwa u-Nehemiah akazange esabe futhi amethuswe amazwi akhe, okwakungamanga. Kunalokho, UNehemiya wabhala incwadi, ethi amazwi akhe awalona iqiniso, kodwa ukuthi amazwi akhe ayenziwe asuka enhliziyweni yakhe.
Bonke bazama ukubesabisa ngokuthi izandla zabo zizoba buthakathaka emsebenzini, ukuthi kungenziwa. Kodwa uNehemiya wathi, (kuNkulunkulu) ukuqinisa izandla zakhe.
Umzamo wesine wesitha wokumisa ukwakhiwa kodonga namasango aseJerusalema
Lapho uNehemiya efika endlini kaShemaya, owayevaliwe, watshela uNehemiya ukuba bahlangane ndawonye endlini kaNkulunkulu phakathi kwethempeli, ngoba babezoza ukuzobulala uNehemiya.
Kodwa uNehemiya akazange awakholwe amazwi akhe futhi wenqaba ukwenza ngokwamazwi akhe.
Amazwi kaShemaya awazange amethuse uNehemiya futhi awazange amenze enze ngokwesaba, ukuze one, kube negama elibi kubo, ukuze bamthuke.
UNehemiya wabona ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayengamthumanga uShemaya, kodwa ukuthi wamemezela lesi siprofetho ngoNehemiya ngoba uThobiya noSanibhalati babeqashe uShemaya ukuba enze uNehemiya esabe..
UShemaya kwakungeyena yedwa Umprofethi wamanga, owazama ukumethusa nokumvimba.
Umprofethikazi uNowadiya nabanye abaprofethi nabo bazama ukwesabisa uNehemiya, kodwa abazange baphumelele.
NoThobiya akazange aphumelele ukwenza uNehemiya esabe ngezincwadi azibhalela izikhulu zakwaJuda, owayefungile kuye, wathumela izincwadi eziningi kuThobiya (UNehemiya 6:17-19)
UNehemiya akazange esabe, ngoba wayemethemba uNkulunkulu wakhe
UNehemiya wahlala ethembekile kuNkulunkulu nasemsebenzini uNkulunkulu ayewunike uNehemiya. Akazange esabe futhi akazange esatshiswe futhi ethonywe amanga esitha. UNehemiya naye akazange aziphindiselele. Kodwa uNehemiya wanikela konke kuNkulunkulu, i UMahluleli olungileyo, owayebone konke okubi kwesitha ngesikhathi kwakhiwa kabusha iJerusalema.
Ngakho uNehemiya nabantu baqhubeka nokwakha kabusha udonga. Ngemva 52 izinsuku uNehemiya nabantu baqeda umsebenzi.
Izitha, owanqoba ngaphambilini, futhi baklolodela abantu futhi bazama ukwesabisa uNehemiya kanye nabantu nokubasabisa nokubabulala, baphonswa phansi emehlweni abo. Ngokuba babona ukuthi lo msebenzi wenziwa nguNkulunkulu wabo.
Indlu kaNkulunkulu kanye nenkonzo yeNkosi kwavuselelwa
Ngemva kokwakhiwa kabusha kodonga namasango eJerusalema, zonke izinto zenziwa ngokwentando kaNkulunkulu. I Umthetho kaMose waphinda wavela. Bafuna imithetho kaMose, wabuyisela imithetho kaNkulunkulu, futhi wenza konke ngokulalela amazwi nemiyalelo kaNkulunkulu.
Konke kwabuyiselwa, hhayi iJerusalema kuphela kodwa nobudlelwano phakathi kukaNkulunkulu nabantu Bakhe neNdlu Yakhe.
Abantu bebandla base bephendukile enkani nasezonweni zabo.
Ibandla lathembisa ukukhonza uNkulunkulu kanye nokugcina imiyalelo nemithetho Yakhe futhi lavuselela isifungo salo esivumelwaneni noNkulunkulu..
Abantu baphenduka babuyela kuNkulunkulu, futhi ngenxa yalokho, UNkulunkulu wabuyela kubantu bakhe. Wababuka, wabavikela, futhi wabanakekela.
Indlu kaNkulunkulu ayizange isashiywa kodwa yabuyiselwa.
AmaLevi aqoqwa futhi anikezelwa ezikhundleni zawo njengoba kwakulotshwe eMthethweni KaMose. Amagama, imithetho, futhi iziqondiso zoMthetho zabuyiselwa.
Ngokushesha nje lapho befunda okuthile eMthethweni okwakuphambene nendlela yabo yokuphila, bashintsha indlela yabo yokuphila yaba yiZwi likaNkulunkulu. Esikhundleni sokuguqula iZwi likaNkulunkulu endleleni yabo yokuphila.
Ama-Israyeli ashintsha ukuphila kwawo asebenzisa uMthetho
Ngokwesibonelo, bafunda ukuthi abantwana bakwa-Amoni nabakwaMowabi babenqatshelwe ukungena ebandleni likaNkulunkulu kuze kube phakade. Ngobani? Ngoba babengahlangananga nabantwana bakwa-Israyeli ngesinkwa namanzi kodwa babaqasha Bhalamu ngokumelene nabo ukubaqalekise.
Bathi bewuzwa lomthetho, bahlukanisa no-Israyeli yonke ingxubevange. Lokhu kwabonisa inhlonipho ngoNkulunkulu wabo uSomandla.
Kodwa nakuba abantu benza kanjalo, akubona bonke abaholi abenza kanjalo. Ngokwesibonelo, cabanga ngompristi omkhulu u-Eliyashibi, owayengamele amakamelo endlu kaNkulunkulu
Lapho uNehemiya ekhona kwaJuda, konke kwahamba ngokwentando kaNkulunkulu. Isitha asiphumelelanga ukungena nokumisa umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu.
Kodwa ngesikhathi uNehemiya engekho, isitha sangena ngompristi omkhulu u-Eliyashibi.
Isitha singangena kanjani eJerusalema nasendlini kaNkulunkulu futhi singcolise indlu kaNkulunkulu?
UNehemiya wayemelene nezitha zikaNkulunkulu futhi wavimbela ububi obubhubhisayo ukuba bungene eJerusalema. Nokho, umpristi omkhulu u-Eyashibi wayengenaso isimo sengqondo esifana nesikaNehemiya. Esikhundleni sokuvimbela isitha nobubi obubhubhisayo ukuba bungene, umpristi omkhulu wavula umnyango ukuze ububi obubhubhisayo bungene.
Akukhona nje ukuthi umpristi omkhulu wavula amasango eJerusalema ngenxa yesitha nobubi obubhubhisayo, kodwa futhi wavula iminyango yendlu kaNkulunkulu (iThempeli) ngoba isitha lomubi.
Umpristi omkhulu u-Eyashibi wenza kwaba kubi nakakhulu, ngokunika isitha indawo yokuhlala endlini kaNkulunkulu. Lesi sitha, owamnika ikamelo endlini kaNkulunkulu, kwakunguThobiya umAmoni.
KwakunguThobiya ofanayo, owayengomunye wezitha zikaNkulunkulu namaJuda futhi wazama ukuvimbela nokumisa ukwakhiwa kabusha kodonga namasango aseJerusalema.
KwakunguThobiya ofanayo, owazama ukwesabisa nokwethusa uNehemiya futhi wazama ukumlinga ukuba one. Wazama ngisho nokubulala uNehemiya namaJuda.
Kodwa ngaphansi kobuholi bukaNehemiya, UThobiya akazange abe nethuba lokungena futhi enze amacebo akhe amabi, hhayi nangezihlobo zakhe nobudlelwano bakhe (UNehemiya 6:17-19).
Waze wahamba uNehemiya, ingabe isitha uThobiya salibona ithuba lokungena nje kuphela emzini waseJerusalema kodwa lokungena endlini kaNkulunkulu futhi sihlale khona?, okwangena ngakho ububi, bangcolisa indlu kaNkulunkulu.
Isitha esinguThobiya saphumelela kanjani ukungena endlini kaNkulunkulu? Ngomndeni wakhe.
Isitha sasingangena endlini kaNkulunkulu ngezibopho zomndeni
UThobiya wayengumndeni wompristi omkhulu u-Eliyashibi. Ngaphandle kwalokho, futhi wayeyinceku nomhlanganyeli ebugebengwini bukaSanibhalati, umkhwenyana wompristi omkhulu u-Eliyashibi.
Lomphristi omkhulu u-Eliyashibi wayengenaso isimo sengqondo nokwesaba iNkosi njengoNehemiya. Akazange enze ngokuvumelana namazwi nemiyalo kaNkulunkulu, njengoba kufanele futhi wathembisa ukwenza njengompristi omkhulu. Umpristi ophakeme u-Eliyashibi wayesaba kakhulu ngesihlobo sakhe uThobiya, umAmoni.
Ngoba ukwesaba kwakhe umkhaya wakhe kwakungaphezu kokwesaba kwakhe uNkulunkulu, wabeka umndeni wakhe ngaphezu kukaNkulunkulu.
Ngokuvumela umndeni wakhe, owayeyisitha sikaNkulunkulu futhi ephila ebutha noNkulunkulu, endlini kaNkulunkulu, washiya uNkulunkulu noMthetho kaMose, okufanele ayimele, thobela, futhi akhiphe.
Umpristi omkhulu u-Eliyashibi wayeyazi intando kaNkulunkulu ngama-Amoni namakamelo endlu kaNkulunkulu..
Kodwa u-Eliyashibi wala amazwi kaNkulunkulu, ngalokho walahla uNkulunkulu, wenza ngokubona kwakhe, akakubonanga njengento embi ukuthulula ikamelo elikhulu elingcwelisiwe nelinikelwe kuNkulunkulu., futhi uyilungise futhi uyinike isitha sikaNkulunkulu: uThobiya umAmoni.
Ngakho umpristi omkhulu wathulula ikamelo elikhulu, lapho ngaphambili babebeka khona iminikelo yokudla, inhlaka, nezitsha nokweshumi kwamabele, iwayini elisha, namafutha, ezazinikelwe ngemiyalo yamaLevi nabahlabeleli nabalindisango, neminikelo yokuphakanyiswa yabapristi, wayinika uThobiya.
UNehemiya waxosha isitha nobubi obubhubhisayo endlini kaNkulunkulu futhi wahlanza indlu kaNkulunkulu
Kodwa lapho uNehemiya ecela imvume enkosini futhi wabuyela eJerusalema futhi waqonda ububi u-Eliyashibi ayebenzele uThobiya, ekumlungiseleni ikamelo emagcekeni endlu kaNkulunkulu, kwaba buhlungu kuye. UNehemiya wazikhiphela ngaphandle kwekamelo zonke izinto zendlu kaThobiya.
Khona-ke uNehemiya wayala ukuba kuhlanzwe amakamelo futhi wabuyisa izitsha zendlu kaNkulunkulu, with the meal offerings and the frankincense.
But that was not the only sin. During Nehemiah’s absence, more sins had entered the lives of the people of Israel and God’s house.
Why had they forsaken the house of God?
Nehemiah perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them. Ngenxa yalokho, every one of them returned to his field.
Nehemiah didn’t remain silent and watch how God’s house was forsaken. But Nehemiah immediately took action. He contended with the rulers and asked them why the house of God was forsaken.
While Nehemiah had restored God’s house, izinceku, and the service and appointed reliable priests, at least that’s what he thought, and gave them the care for the chambers of the House of God, they had defiled and forsaken the house of God. (Funda futhi: Ingabe ibandla seliphenduke umhume wamasela?).
They profaned the Sabbath
Nehemiah also saw that despite the commandment of God, the people worked and traded on the sabbath, wherefore they had profaned the sabbath day. He brought their fathers in remembrance, who had done the same evil and because of that brought evil upon them.
Nehemiah immediately commanded to shut the doors, when the gates of Jerusalem began to dark, and would not be opened till after the sabbath. He set some of the servants over the gates, so that no burden was brought in on the sabbath day.
He also warned the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares, who lodged about the wall outside of Jerusalem, if they would do it again he would lay hands on them. Kusukela ngaleso sikhathi, they didn’t come on the sabbath day.
Nehemiah commanded the Levites to purify themselves and keep the gates to sanctify the sabbath day.
The mixed marriages of the Jews and the Gentiles
Nehemiah also saw the mixed marriages between the Jews and women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. Their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod and could not speak in the Jewish language,
Nehemiah contended with them about the evil and trespass against God by marrying foreign women.
He cursed them, smote certain of them, plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, that they would not give their daughters unto their sons nor take their daughters for their sons or themselves.
He mentioned Solomon the king of Israel, who was beloved by God and made king. Nokho, his love for foreign women caused him to sin. (Funda futhi: The way of destruction).
One of the sons of Joiada, the son of the high priest Eliashib was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite (and enemy of God and His people). He married a foreign woman, against the commandment of God.
Nokho, Nehemiah didn’t have respect of persons.
Nehemiah didn’t make an exception, because he was the son of the priest and grandson of the high priest. But Nehemiah did according to the word of God and chased him from him.
Nehemiah had remained faithful to God and asked the Lord to remember him for good
Nehemiah asked the Lord to remember them, because they had defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.
He had cleansed them from all foreigners and appointed charges for the priests and for the Levites, everyone in his work and for the wood-offering, at times appointed, and for the first fruits. Nehemiah asked the Lord to remember him for good (Nehemiah chapter 1-13)
The state and order in the church depend on a strong leader, who fears God and walks in His ways
Nehemiah was a strong leader, whose power was from God. He trusted God and was willing, ezithobekile, ukukhonza, and obedient to God. He was compassionate, driven, gxilile, and faithful to God and His work.
Kodwa ngaphezu kwakho konke, Nehemiah feared God, uMninimandla onke, i Mdali wezulu nomhlaba nakho konke okungaphakathi, whereby he walked in obedience to the words and commandments of God and did not sin.
Nehemiah restored the chaos in Jerusalem, by rebuilding the wall and the gates of Jerusalem.
He cleansed the people, restored God’s house, and reinstated the laws and precepts of God.
He didn’t allow the enemy to enter and didn’t allow evil. But Nehemiah dealt with evil in the congregation and with the enemy (and evil) that tried to enter.
And when he saw that the high priest had allowed the enemy to enter God’s house, he immediately cast the enemy out of God’s house.
Nehemiah wasn’t intimidated by the words and letters of the people, despite their (umndeni) relationship or position in society. He wasn’t influenced, tempted, and frightened by his brothers and sisters, I-WHO prophecied falsely over his life, nor by the nobles (highly placed people).
Nehemiah didn’t get distracted from his purpose by getting involved with lies and side affairs.
Nehemiah was focused on God and did the work that God had entrusted him and finished His work.
Leaders like Nehemiah are hardly there anymore
Leaders with the same attitude and mentality as Nehemiah are hardly there anymore. Nehemiah was not a people pleaser but a God pleaser.
His fear for God was greater than his fear for people. Ngenxa yalokho, the enemy and the associated evil, who tried to enter couldn’t enter in the presence of Nehemiah.
Not until Nehemiah left Jerusalem, the enemy and evil managed to enter and settle in God’s house
Through which gateway does the enemy still enter God’s house?
And just like the enemy and evil knew how to enter God’s house back then, the enemy and evil still know how to enter God’s house (ibandla) now. Kanjani? Through family members (blood relatives).
Through the interference, ithonya, and sins of family members, especially of children, many church leaders have compromised and have become tolerant of sin and iniquity.
What used to be forbidden in the church, is now accepted in the church and considered normal.
If someone is remote and commits a sin, it’s easy to represent the point of view of God’s Word (Ibhayibheli) and follow the words of God and keep His commandments, emelela intando yakhe, and confront the person with his or her sin.
But what do you do if your own child commits the same sin?
If your son or daughter commits the same sin, are you still so firm?
Do you still hold on to the words of God? Do you stay faithful to Jesus and keep walking after the Spirit representing righteousness and separate yourself from sin?
Or do you suddenly illuminate the sin from a different angle? From the situation of your son or daughter? And are you led by the flesh; your feelings and emotions, and open the door for the enemy and evil to enter and do you compromise with darkness and bow to sin, because you don’t want to lose your child?
Compromise with sin and bow to the devil and sin, to prevent losing your son or daughter (kumbe ubaba, umama, usisi, umfowethu, njll.)
Bangaki abashumayeli, kwenye indawo, and deacons used to be against ukuhlala ndawonye bengashadile and were clear about their point of view that was in agreement with the Word, until their own son or daughter told them they wanted to live together unmarried, and they compromised and bowed to the devil and sin and allowed sin in the church.
Bangaki abashumayeli, kwenye indawo, and deacons were against adultery and isehlukaniso and made their point of view that represented the Word, known in the congregation, until their son or daughter told them they’d decided to divorce and they changed their point of view and accepted divorce in the church and normalized divorce.
And how many preachers, kwenye indawo, and deacons have compromised and have become world-like, because they were influenced by the opinions and lifestyles of their children?
The devil can enter lives and churches and gain territory, where the love of God and the fear of God are lacking in the hearts of leaders and believers and Jesus isn’t the most important Person in life, but the family member is. (Funda futhi: Umoya ka-Eli).
He that loves father or mother, son or daughter more than Jesus is not worthy of Him
He that loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of me: nothanda indodana noma indodakazi kunami akangifanele. Nongasithathi isiphambano sakhe, futhi futhi ulandele emva kwami, ayingifanele (Mathewu 10:37-38)
Ngakho-ke, UJesu wathi, that if you love your father, umama, indodana, or daughter above Him (iZwi), you are not worthy of Him.
Loving Jesus means, that you believe His words, do what He says, and you keep His commandments, futhi niMlandele, despite the opinion and decision of your father, umama, indodana, or daughter, to reject the words of God and live in disobedience to God in darkness, doing the works of the flesh that oppose the will of God.
Loving Jesus has a price.
Uma umthanda ngempela uJesu, then it not only costs you your life (that you have laid down in Christ), but it can also cost you your family and friends. Ngaphandle kwa-, you bow to the will of the devil and compromise with sin and allow darkness to enter.
When you compromise and allow sin, by allowing the sinful lifestyle, you won’t lose them but Jesus.
By compromising you bow to the devil, who works in the children of disobedience, and accept his evil works (isono) and be a partaker of his evil works.
God’s house is left to his fate and the gates of the church are forsaken
Apostles, abavangeli, abaprofethi, abefundisi, othisha, and elders, who were given the responsibility to guard the gates of the Church and to raise the believers in the will of God unto spiritual maturity, have forsaken their responsibility and allowed the devil (the enemy) kanye nesono (-bi) in the church through the influence and/or the sins of their sons, amadodakazi, abazali, or other family members.
The gates of the church that were guarded and where truth and judgment (ubulungiswa) was spoken according to God’s Word are forsaken.
The Holy Spirit and the Word, elimele intando kaNkulunkulu, have been replaced by man and the wisdom, intando, izinkanuko, lezifiso zenyama. All because God has been replaced by people, and instead of God, people are seated in the hearts of many Christians.
The enemy and adversaries of God still use the same gateway to enter and stop God’s work
The enemy and the adversaries of God were very clever in the time of Nehemiah, but the enemy (usathane) and the adversaries of God are still clever. They don’t give up so easily, as many Christians do. But they are persistent and keep trying until they find an opening to enter the church and defile the church
The enemy and adversaries of God use the same gateway to enter God’s house and use the same methods to intimidate and frighten Christians and cause them to sin, and to silence and stop them, so that God’s work will be stopped.
Nehemiah was born under the Law and belonged to the generation of fallen man (Indalo endala), ababehlala eSivumelwaneni Esidala. But many Christians, who have become a new creation in Christ and live under umusa in the New Covenant can take an example of Nehemiah’s faithfulness, ukuziphatha, and mentality, but above all his love and fear for his God.
‘Yibani usawoti womhlaba’
