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| Blue Man Tobias |
The second crazy thing to happen in Nehemiah 13 reminds me of a story from Jesus’ life.
Nehemiah walks into the temple after returning back to Jerusalem and he learns that the supervisor of the temple, Eliashib,(we shall call him, Ellis) has given an empty room to a Ammonite man who is an enemy of Jerusalem named, Tobiah(Tobias, for obvious Arrested Development reasons). In Nehemiah we see Tobias opposing the rebuilding of the walls in chapter four and six.
Quick note about Ammonites: The Bible explains the origins of the Ammonite people from the incestuous event between Lot and his daughters following the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Both daughters had children and the Moabites and Ammonites were decendents of the unions. (gotbible.blogspot.com)
Now Ellis and Tobias were related, second cousins let’s say. So I can imagine Tobias walking into the temple and strolling into Ellis’ office and saying, “Hey cuz, You know that extra storeroom off the back porch of the temple. I’m gonna need it for...personal reasons.”
Ellis, not wanting to betray or disappoint family, gives in. He let’s Tobias, a known enemy of Jerusalem put up shop in the temple.
Nehemiah returns and find this out and he goes biserk! He walks straight into Tobias’ room and begins throwing stuff out! Boxes, crates, pottery, clothes, a chicken, three sheep, and a brown goat. It’s chaos! As it should be.
Flash forward 500 years or so, we see Jesus walk into the temple and chaos ensues.
“Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!” Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.” ” - John 2
Nehemiah walks into the temple after returning back to Jerusalem and he learns that the supervisor of the temple, Eliashib,(we shall call him, Ellis) has given an empty room to a Ammonite man who is an enemy of Jerusalem named, Tobiah(Tobias, for obvious Arrested Development reasons). In Nehemiah we see Tobias opposing the rebuilding of the walls in chapter four and six.
Quick note about Ammonites: The Bible explains the origins of the Ammonite people from the incestuous event between Lot and his daughters following the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Both daughters had children and the Moabites and Ammonites were decendents of the unions. (gotbible.blogspot.com)
Now Ellis and Tobias were related, second cousins let’s say. So I can imagine Tobias walking into the temple and strolling into Ellis’ office and saying, “Hey cuz, You know that extra storeroom off the back porch of the temple. I’m gonna need it for...personal reasons.”
Ellis, not wanting to betray or disappoint family, gives in. He let’s Tobias, a known enemy of Jerusalem put up shop in the temple.
Nehemiah returns and find this out and he goes biserk! He walks straight into Tobias’ room and begins throwing stuff out! Boxes, crates, pottery, clothes, a chicken, three sheep, and a brown goat. It’s chaos! As it should be.
Flash forward 500 years or so, we see Jesus walk into the temple and chaos ensues.
“Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!” Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.” ” - John 2
HE MADE A WHIP! THAT’S A WEAPON! Jesus uses a weapon to clear the temple for the sake of the Father. Nehemiah uses his bare hands to throw the evil out of the temple.
Two things stand out to me about all of this.
1. Nehemiah’s actions are comparable to Christ and in my mind they are justified and affirmed. If you have any doubt about whether or not Nehemiah’s reaction was correct, simply look at Christ’s reaction. Very similar in my mind. Remember this for the rest of the chapter, because Nehemiah goes psycho pretty soon.
2. Passion for God should consume us. Now, righteous anger is hard to achieve. Our sinful nature kicks in so quickly with anger, but I do believe there are times in life where we must stand up for what we believe and do so unashamed and with passion.
Do you agree with the connection between Jesus and Nehemiah?
How should we handle situations where non-believers are abusing the name of the Father?
That is REALLY interesting, and REALLY neat. Thanks for sharing this, Peter...I can definitely see the connection, and it is awesome!
ReplyDeleteIn handling such situations--I think it is important to first extend grace, even if you have to force it. For many of them, "they know not what they do", and I have to remember that. Then, if the opportunity arises (and it usually does), I have the chance to express why I would prefer they not do whatever it was they were doing, at least when they are around me. It opens the door for a bigger and better conversation.