Standing Up to Sin - Nehemiah 10-13

 Nehemiah 13:19-22 (ESV Strong's)

19 As soon as it began to grow dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut and gave orders that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath. And I stationed some of my servants at the gates, that no load might be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 Then the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice. 21 But I warned them and said to them, “Why do you lodge outside the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on they did not come on the Sabbath. 22 Then I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come and guard the gates, to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love.

Standing Up to Sin

Nehemiah, in the beginning of the book, returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls.  That was his goal.  Ezra returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple.   Together, these men we ultimately charged with rebuilding spiritual worship to God in the hearts of the people.  Nehemiah took a trip by to Assyria at the request of King Artaxerxes.  It was Artaxerxes that allowed him to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls.  Upon his return, however, and despite the public commitment to obey all of God’s word (see chapter 10), the people had once again started to fall into the trap of sin.   It was something easy.  They simply decided to do their shopping on the Sabbath.    Notice what Nehemiah said to them prior to the above account:

Nehemiah 13:17-18 (ESV Strong's)

17 Then I confronted the nobles of Judah and said to them, “What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers act in this way, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Now you are bringing more wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.”

Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem and saw his loved ones committing the very same sins that put them in captivity to men like Artaxerxes.   Rather than be quite, Nehemiah said something.  Rather than stay focused on his missions (building the city walls ... which, by most accounts had been accomplished), Nehemiah took on a new task: Rebuilding the spiritual lives of his brothers.   Paul tells believers to have the same concern in the book of Galatians:

Galatians 6:1-2 (ESV Strong's)

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

We ought not stand by and let those who claim to love God, disobey His Word.   That is not love for your brother.   That is protection of self.   Real love stands up to sin and is willing to stand in the gap to prevent sin from continuing.