PROCLAMATION
“Then I commanded the
Levites to purify themselves and go and guard the gates in order to keep the
Sabbath day holy.” Nehemiah 13:22 (NIV)
EXPLANATION
After the people had
been taught The Law, they gathered together, fasted, prayed, and wore sackcloth
as they confessed their sins and asked to be forgiven. (Nehemiah 9:1-3) Chapter three of The Bible Book of Nehemiah
records the prayer that the Levites prayed. (Nehemiah 9:5-37) Chapter ten records the agreement to keep The
Lord’s commands (Nehemiah 10:28-39) which they signed and the names of the
people that signed it. (Nehemiah 10:1-27)
Chapter eleven records the names of the new residents of Jerusalem. They were the leaders and one out of every ten
people who had drawn lots to become Jerusalem residents. (Nehemiah
11:1-19) The rest of the people stayed
in the towns and villages throughout Judah. (Nehemiah 11:20-36) Chapter twelve begins by listing the names of
the priests and Levites that returned to Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 12:1-26) The
second half of the chapter details the events surrounding the dedication of the
completed wall of Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 12:27-47) The Book of Nehemiah ends with chapter
thirteen which explains the final reforms which Nehemiah instituted. Only Israelites were to be allowed in the
temple. (Nehemiah 13:1-9) The Levites
were to be given their fair share of the temple gifts and reassigned to their
posts. (Nehemiah 13:10-13) The selling
of food and goods was stopped and not allowed on the Sabbath. (Nehemiah 13:15-22) Finally, he rebuked the men of Judah who had
married foreign women. (Nehemiah 13:23-28)
APPLICATION
There are some things which believers are not supposed to do. However, some of the things which believers are allowed to do should not be done on The Sabbath Day. The Bible teaches us to “Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8) The Sabbath Day is to be a day of rest and worship. The Sabbath Day is The Lord’s Day and He is to be our primary focus on that day. In all that we do, let us remember to worship The Lord and give Him praise, honor, and glory on His day.
There are some things which believers are not supposed to do. However, some of the things which believers are allowed to do should not be done on The Sabbath Day. The Bible teaches us to “Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8) The Sabbath Day is to be a day of rest and worship. The Sabbath Day is The Lord’s Day and He is to be our primary focus on that day. In all that we do, let us remember to worship The Lord and give Him praise, honor, and glory on His day.
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