Nehemiah 10-13
The major subject covered in the chapter 11 to 13 of Nehemiah are Dedication of Jerusalem wall, Restoration of the customs and worship according to the statues of the laws, Resettlements of the people, registration of the Levites, and separation from Heathens.
In chapter 13 verses from 1 to 9 says about the separation from Heathens. Verse 1 says that the Ammonites and Moabites are not permitted into the congregation of God for ever because they cared not and did not honor the Israelites in their journey. They hired Balaam to curse them but God had turned the curse into blessings. If we keep ourselves separated from this world and the heathens whatever curses of this world shall be turned into our blessings. A chamber was prepared for the heathen Tobiah in the courts of the temple and this was against the statues of the law. In verse 9 we can read that the chamber was cleansed at the command of Nehemiah.
Verse 23 we see that the Israelites were entering into intermarriages with the heathen from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab which was not permitted by the Law of Mosses. Then when we come verses 25 and 26 we see that Nehemiah actions towards this “So I contended with them and cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters as wives to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or yourselves. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin. Should we then hear of your doing all this great evil, transgressing against our God by marrying pagan women?” From this strong reaction of Nehemiah, we gather he considered this to be the most dangerous of their sins - pursing ungodly romance, and getting involved in romantic relationships God had said “no” to. (Enduringword)
His example of Solomon is well taken (Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? . . . pagan women caused even him to sin). If Solomon, one of the wisest and most blessed men ever, sinned with unwise and ungodly romance then no one else should consider themselves invulnerable. (Enduringword).
We see as a result that the people cleansed themselves and swore to keep the separation which was an important statue of the Law. Therefore, the statues are applicable for us every child of God since we are the chosen ones and a royal priesthood just as the Israelites. So, take heed to keep up this separation, to safe guard ourselves from the sins of idol worships, by mixing and mingling with the worldly practices and life styles as we live in the world. For it says in Romans 12:1-3 that Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We see as a result that the people cleansed themselves and swore to keep the separation which was an important statue of the Law. Therefore, the statues are applicable for us every child of God since we are the chosen ones and a royal priesthood just as the Israelites. So, take heed to keep up this separation, to safe guard ourselves from the sins of idol worships, by mixing and mingling with the worldly practices and life styles as we live in the world. For it says in Romans 12:1-3 that Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
By: John Mathai
Resources: Enduringword.com