Nehemiah 13: PG-13 Bible pt. 1

Nehemiah 13 has to be one of the most graphic, intense and saddening chapters in all of the Bible. So much happens in 31 verses that when you're done you can't help but say, "What just happened?"


This part of Nehemiah's story begins when he leaves Jerusalem and returns to the court of King Artaxerxes I in Babylon. Scholars believe that he left in early 432 BC and returned late 433 BC. So let's say he was gone from February 432 - December 433. Not a lot of time, right? Hold that thought throughout this whole chapter. 


When Nehemiah returns there is a certain day set aside to read the Book of Moses. Also know as the Pentateuch, which consists of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. While reading the book of Deuteronomy (chapter 23 to be precise), they discover this:


“No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the assembly of the LORD. Even to the tenth generation, none of them may enter the assembly of the LORD forever, because they did not meet you with bread and with water on the way, when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. But the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam; instead the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loved you. You shall not seek their peace or their prosperity all your days forever.


So then this happens:(Neh. 13:3)


When this passage of the Law was read, all those of foreign descent were immediately excluded from the assembly.


WHOA! Settle down, God. Maybe You should just go settle down in the corner and take a timeout. 


That was honestly my first thought. I thought there was no way that a gracious and loving God would ever banish an entire people group because they weren't nice to a bunch of smelly and hungry slaves who were leaving the most powerful nation on earth. 


I spent hours trying to find the redemption. I tried to find the commentary that told me the Greek word for 'forever' was a metaphor for a few years. Or that the phrase, 'even to the tenth generation' was a cultural saying that would imply the eventual forgiveness of the Ammonites and Moabites. I didn't find it. 


Two quick thoughts:


1. America is the most individualistic society in the history of the world. We hear this story and we cry, FOUL, because God blames generations down the line for the sins of their fathers and mothers. We are one of the few nations who would see it that way. Civilizations throughout history have been family driven and family oriented. If father sins, mother and kids suffer. If grandpa sins, nieces and nephews suffer. Family accountability. Gives you a whole lot more reason to think before you act. 


2. I am by no means a Biblical scholar. Maybe I'm missing the point here. Maybe there is some hidden redemption. All I know, is that God means business and we have to remember and fear the truth and justice aspects of God. I'm not trying to 'scare someone out of hell', or imply that God won't bring you salvation if you're mean to others. But, remember that following God isn't all daises and roses. Because being God isn't either. We walk the journey He lays before us.


This is just the first part of Nehemiah 13. Wait til you see how Nehemiah responds for God's glory to other situations.  


Are there any chapters in the Bible that have caught you off guard? I'd love to hear why!