SETTING the RULES

 

Romans 13:1

King James Version

13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. 

For there is no power but of God: 

the powers that be are ordained of God.

Now that Jerusalem's walls and gates were rebuilt, Nehemiah and his people dedicated the city to GOD.

And the princes, Levites, and priests put their seal upon the covenant.

Laws were set down, according to GOD's laws given to Moses.

Nehemiah 10:28-30

King James Version

28 And the rest of the people, 

the priests, the Levites, the porters, 

the singers, the Nethinims, 

and all they that had separated themselves 

from the people of the lands unto the law of God, 

their wives, their sons, and their daughters, 

every one having knowledge, 

and having understanding;

29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, 

and entered into a curse, and into an oath, 

to walk in God's law, 

which was given by Moses the servant of God, 

and to observe and do all the commandments 

of the Lord our Lord, 

and his judgments and his statutes;

30 And that we would not give our daughters 

unto the people of the land, 

not take their daughters for our sons:

Nehemiah 10:31

King James Version

31 And if the people of the land bring ware 

or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, 

that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, 

or on the holy day: 

and that we would leave the seventh year, 

and the exaction of every debt.

Nehemiah 10:32-33

King James Version

32 Also we made ordinances for us, 

to charge ourselves yearly 

with the third part of a shekel 

for the service of the house of our God;

33 For the shewbread, 

and for the continual meat offering, 

and for the continual burnt offering, 

of the sabbaths, 

of the new moons, 

for the set feasts, 

and for the holy things, 

and for the sin offerings 

to make an atonement for Israel, 

and for all the work of the house of our God.

Nehemiah 10:34

King James Version

34 And we cast the lots 

among the priests, the Levites, and the people, 

for the wood offering, 

to bring it into the house of our God, 

after the houses of our fathers, 

at times appointed year by year, 

to burn upon the altar of the Lord our God, 

as it is written in the law:

Nehemiah 10:35-37

King James Version

35 And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, 

and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, 

year by year, unto the house of the Lord:

36 Also the firstborn of our sons, 

and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, 

and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, 

to bring to the house of our God, 

unto the priests that minister 

in the house of our God:

37 And that we should bring 

the firstfruits of our dough, 

and our offerings, 

and the fruit of all manner of trees, 

of wine and of oil, 

unto the priests,

to the chambers of the house of our God; 

and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, 

that the same Levites might have the tithes 

in all the cities of our tillage.

Nehemiah 10:38-39

King James Version

38 And the priest 

the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, 

when the Levites take tithes: 

and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes 

unto the house of our God, 

to the chambers, 

into the treasure house.

39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi 

shall bring the offering of the corn, 

of the new wine, 

and the oil, 

unto the chambers, 

where are the vessels of the sanctuary, 

and the priests that minister, 

and the porters, and the singers: 

and we will not forsake the house of our God.

Nehemiah 12:43

King James Version

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.

Nehemiah 12:44

King James Version

44 And at that time were some appointed 

over the chambers for the treasures, 

for the offerings, 

for the firstfruits, 

and for the tithes, 

to gather into them out of the fields of the cities 

the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: 

for Judah rejoiced for the priests 

and for the Levites that waited.

Nehemiah 12:45-47

King James Version

45 And both the singers and the porters 

kept the ward of their God, 

and the ward of the purification, 

according to the commandment of David, 

and of Solomon his son.

46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old 

there were chief of the singers, 

and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.

47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, 

and in the days of Nehemiah, 

gave the portions of the singers and the porters, 

every day his portion: 

and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; 

and the Levites sanctified them 

unto the children of Aaron.

Nehemiah 13:1-3

King James Version

13 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.

Nehemiah 13:12-13

King James Version

12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn 

and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.

13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, 

Shelemiah the priest, 

and Zadok the scribe, 

and of the Levites, Pedaiah: 

and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, 

the son of Mattaniah: 

for they were counted faithful, 

and their office was to distribute 

unto their brethren.

Nehemiah 13:19-21

King James Version

19 And it came to pass, 

that when the gates of Jerusalem 

began to be dark before the sabbath, 

I commanded that the gates should be shut, 

and charged that they should not be opened 

till after the sabbath: 

and some of my servants set I at the gates, 

that there should no burden be brought in 

on the sabbath day.

20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware 

lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.

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.

Nehemiah 13:22

King James Version

22 And I commanded the Levites 

that they should cleanse themselves, 

and that they should come and keep the gates, 

to sanctify the sabbath day. 

Remember me, O my God, 

concerning this also, and spare me 

according to the greatness of thy mercy.

Nehemiah 13:23-30

King James Version

23 In those days also saw I Jews 

that had married wives of Ashdod, 

of Ammon, and of Moab:

24 And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, 

and could not speak in the Jews' language, 

but according to the language of each people.

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.

26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? 

yet among many nations was there no king like him, 

who was beloved of his God, 

and God made him king over all Israel: 

nevertheless even him did outlandish women 

cause to sin.

27 Shall we then hearken unto you 

to do all this great evil, 

to transgress against our God 

in marrying strange wives?

28 And one of the sons of Joiada, 

the son of Eliashib the high priest, 

was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: 

therefore I chased him from me.

29 Remember them, O my God, 

because they have defiled the priesthood, 

and the covenant of the priesthood, 

and of the Levites.

30 Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, 

and appointed the wards of the priests 

and the Levites, every one in his business;

In this "REBUILDING Jerusalem" series, we've seen how hard Nehemiah prayed, and worked to get things done.

How many leaders do that now?

How many even care to rebuild?

How many have a deep love for GOD?

How many care to obey His will?

How many have the patience, focus, and vision?

As it is, the world can't seem to offer such a leader.

Isaiah 53:6

King James Version

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; 

we have turned every one to his own way; 

and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

More on "REBUILDING Jerusalem" here.

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