ZEAL FOR THE LORD

Nehemiah 13:7-9 (NIV 1984) … I learned about the evil thing Eliashib had done in providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God. I was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiah’s household goods out of the room. I gave orders to purify the rooms...

Nehemiah opposed Tobiah, who was a man with connections (Neh 6:17-19; 13:4). He was related to an influential family in Judah and was friends with Eliashib the priest who later allowed him to move into one of the large storerooms of the temple, an act that drew Nehemiah’s harsh response (Neh 13:8-11), one not too different from Jesus in the temple with the money changers (Jn 2:12-25). Nehemiah’s battle was not with some light-weight, and on top of that people liked Tobiah and thought his deeds were good. How does one discern? How does one stay confident he is right?

As believers, we must be confident and clear concerning our beliefs and calling. We must know the Word of God and be committed to obeying it no matter the consequences, and we must have a discerning spirit; there are wolves in sheep's clothing, perhaps many. We must not be people-pleasers who are looking to make everyone like and approve of us. News flash: Public approval does not necessarily represent the will of God. Oswald Chambers touches on this by basically asking the question, “Does our holiness lead people to Christ or us?” “Do people look at our holiness and say, ‘what a fine person that is!’ Or does it point them to Christ?” Nehemiah glorified God at his own expense, and he did not quit in his devotion and calling, even after his particular assignment to build the wall was completed. Upon seeing how many people admired and respected Tobiah, he could have doubted himself and questioned his calling, but he was not intimidated and bullied into shrinking back from his devotion, instead he continued fervently and with zeal to serve and please the Lord. May we do the same.