Once again Nehemiah had a well thought out plan of correction, which he executed with diligence, having warned the offenders (Nehemiah 13:15 ). He dealt with leaders first (Nehemiah 13:17 ), giving them a solemn warning (Nehemiah 13:18; Jeremiah 17:21 ). He then arranged for the city gates to be closed on the Sabbath (Nehemiah 13:19 ). He threatened to punish traders who opened a market on the Sabbath outside the city walls (Nehemiah 13:20-21 ). He placed Levite guards at the gates on Sabbaths (Nehemiah 13:22 ), and marked it as holy service by insisting they cleanse themselves for the work. Guarding the city gates was to be regarded as holy as standing guard in the Temple. Then he asked the Lord in prayer, to take account of what he had done, knowing that he was truly accountable to God.

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Practical Applications For Our Conduct:

	In business conduct, responsibility must be accepted to correct deviation from God's Word.
	To know about sinful practices and to fail to warn, is to become partner in the guilt (Nehemiah 13:17 ).
	Penalties for wrongdoing act as deterrents to others and promote right-doing.
	Godliness in business must be pursued with bold, impartial and energetic action.
	We should gladly want the Lord to remember all our actions.
	What we do should be done with an eye to future continuance.
	Do not despise through neglect what God created for us (Mark 2:27 ).
	We need worship and fellowship (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10 ).

Nehemiah 13:23 "In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:"

Mixed marriages had erupted again (See notes on Nehemiah 10:30 ). They did not keep their promise to God. Even one of the high priest's grandsons was guilty of breaking the Word of God on this issue (Nehemiah 13:28 ). The children of these marriages could not speak Hebrew (Nehemiah 13:24 ). Purity of faith, morality, and faithfulness to God were seriously threatened.

Nehemiah carried out vigorous action to deal with this blatant compromising of God's Word, and their failure to keep their word. He dealt firmly with the offenders (Nehemiah 13:25 ): contended with them, pronounced them cursed and physically punished them. The beard was a sign of respect, to pluck it out was therefore a gesture of utter contempt. He spoke God's Word on the matter, and reminded them that foreign wives had proved to be Solomon's downfall (Nehemiah 13:26 ). He dismissed the high priest's grandson, chasing him away (Nehemiah 13:28 ). He regarded this wrong as so destructive that he exercised passion, indignation and zeal - and even resorted to physical force.

His zeal reminds us of Jesus, who overturned the money-changers' tables and drove them from the Temple with a whip (Matthew 21:12-13 ).

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Practical Applications Would Include The Following Things:

	Marriages should be unions in the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:39 ).
	God's Word should govern our conduct.
	Standards should be God-glorifying.
	A high standard of discipline needs to be maintained.
	Discipline of others must be in accordance with God's Word.
	When anger has to be expressed, it needs to be righteously exercised, as exampled by Jesus.
	Unless there is leadership by example, standards deteriorate.
	Let God deal ultimately with unrepentant defilers and wrongdoers (Nehemiah 13:29 ).
	Do everything possible to assign duties and each to his service (Nehemiah 13:30 ).
	Encourage sacrificial service and fruitfulness (Nehemiah 13:31 ).
	Know that the Lord will work all things together for good (Nehemiah 13:31; Romans 8:28 ).

	He was a strong leader.
	He was exemplary in conduct, commanding the respect of king, nobles and people.
	He was devoted to God.
	He loved God's law.
	He saturated work with prayer.
	He feared God but did not fear man.
	He displayed great courage.
	He was not put off course by opposition.
	He loved people and cared about their needs.
	He showed impartiality in dealing with people.
	He had vision and overview.
	He never avoided responsibility.
	He exercised tact with decisiveness.
	He had tremendous ability to inspire and encourage others.
	He was a skilful organiser and detailed planner.
	He was a great builder and adept at reconstruction.
	He was an outstanding administrator.
	He had ability to deputize and delegate.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Would you regard the breaking of covenant with God to be very serious and consequential? (Nehemiah 13:15-22; 10:30 ).
2. Do you gladly want the Lord to remember all your actions? (Nehemiah 13:22 ).
3. Is it right to break your promise to God? The Israelites unkept promise was mixed marriage. What promises to God are not kept today? (Nehemiah 13:23 ).
4. What lack of standards would you say merits discipline by the church?
5. What impresses you most about Nehemiah's example as God's businessman?