When the cat's away the mice will play.  That saying illustrates what happened during Nehemiah's absence.  The people, without a strong leader, became lax in their behavior. But when Nehemiah returned he cleaned house of those who were strangers and antagonists.   He curtailed Tobiah's lodging in the temple.  Eliashib should have known better than to give Tobiah lodging in the temple because the chambers of the temple were essentially the domain of the Levites (1Chron 9:26,27; 23:27,28).  To note, Eliashib's son also occupied a room in the temple (Ezra 10:6). Nehemiah also chased away Eliashib's grandson, the one who married Sanballat's daughter (v.28).  We do not read of any reprimand given to Eliashib for his errors.   

13:4 Notice the change that had taken place in Eliashib. In Neh 3:1 he was a faithful man.

Nehemiah exercised strong leadership to make sure that the congregation of the LORD walked correctly.  We see that Paul did the same thing for the Corinthians (for example).  Are we prepared to offer strong leadership in the LORD's community today?

13:23 The evil practice of marrying women of the land is also reproved by the contemporary prophet – Mal 2:15

13:6 That Nehemiah had not been in Jerusalem seems to have had a terrible effect on the people. They did not know the law and Eliashib had compromised himself. We see from this the powerful effect that one man can have on a group of people. It was not just what Nehemiah said but his demeanour also. In fact what he said carried more weight because of the way he lived.

We need to remember that the events which occurred during Israel's history were written down for us to consider (Rom 15:4).  Nehemiah took meticulous care to keep the LORD's community separate and holy.  The same care should apply today in the household of Jesus.  Marriages with non-believers are not acceptable (2Cor 6:14).

13:3 In saying that they ‘separated’ the ‘mixed multitude’ it reads as if the people did not know what was said in Deut 23 until they heard it read on this occasion. That might seem an amazing thing. But if we do not read Scripture on a regular basis – all of it – then there will be parts of it that slip from our minds.

13:15-18 I suppose that it might have seemed reasonable to work on the sabbath given the job in hand – being involved in maintaining the city of Jerusalem – after all it was the ‘city of the Psa 48:2. However God’s law takes precedence over our justifications for avoiding its constraints.

Neh 13:6 - Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem about 433 or 432 BC.

Neh 13:23-27 - there was unfaithfulness to God by marrying foreigners. Neh 4:1,3,7 - Sanballat and Tobiah were the key opponents to building the wall. Neh 13:28 - David Simpson, in his 2005 comments, noted the marriage of the grandson of the high priest Eliashib to Sanballat's daughter. The priest Berechiah had his granddaughter marry Tobiah's son while Arah's granddaughter married Tobiah (Neh 3:4,28,30;6:17-18).

Neh 2:19;Deut 23:3-4;Neh 13:1,4,5,7,8 - Eliashib should not have allowed Tobiah, an Ammonite, access to the temple chamber nor should Tobiah have received tithes.

Neh 13:10;Deut 18:1 - the Levites disobeyed the commandment regarding ownership of land, but they had not recieved their tithes.

Neh 13:12,31 - grain, new wine, oil, wood offering and firstfruits perhaps reminds us of the anointed Christ, his offered sacrifice on the cross, and his resurrection as firstborn of the new creation (1Cor 15:20).

V.21-27 Amos charges the people of intorerance of honest criticism, with extortion, with coruption in the court. Away with evil, seek good so that Yahweh can save a remnant and be gracious to you. The prophet shows them that there is no escape from the imminent calamities. In your streets and vineyard will be wailing. God has no pleasure in your feasts, your assemblies, your offerings, your hymns, and your melodies.

5:21 In saying ‘I will not smell in your solemn assemblies’ Amos is reminding them again of the curses, this time he is quoting Lev 26:31

We have a startling statement in v18: "Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD!". For those of us waiting for the Kingdom of God, and the return of Jesus, how would we feel if this was directed at us? But it might as well be directed at us. We can see from v21-23 that these people were worshippers of God. They sacrificed. They gave peace offerings. They kept religious feast days. They Sang hymns to God. They assembled in much the same way as we probably do on a Sunday or Sabath. These were people who were waiting for the promised Messiah and the "day of the LORD". Yet to them this day would be darkness, and not light.

It might be hard for us to understand why God would be so scathing of their worship. In fact He despised it (v21). But it becomes clearer to us when we consider verses 10-13 and consider how similar these people were to the Pharisees whose religion Jesus challenged. He summed it up in a parable found in Matt 24:45-51. No matter how much we look forward to the day of Christ's coming, and no matter how religious we are, it will all come to everlasting darkness for us if we do not treat our neighbours in a loving way now.

5:14We have seen in :6 and 14 that Israel were called upon to seek God that they might live. Now they are called upon to seek ‘good and not evil’. This highlights what seeking God is all about. It is not possible to on the one hand seek God but on the other hand follow evil practices.

5:5 Notice this ‘word’ is against ‘Israel’ – that is the northern kingdom. In the evil time of Jeroboam the prophet is encouraging the people to turn to God and live. That was tantamount to a call to the people to leave the north and migrate to Judah in the south.

5:3 The prophet describes the decimation of the cities – only ten percent remaining. This is rather like what Isa 6:13 describes.

5:25-27 ‘Beyond Damascus’ is, for the northern kingdom Assyria. Damascus being named because of Israel’s confederacy with Syria against Judah which Ahaz feared – Isa 7:2

V.12 If we share the kind of treatment Christ received on earth, then we are assured of co-rulership with him on a regenerated earth (Rev 5:5-10). Such was the assurance given the apostles (Matt 19:28, Mark 10:28-30)

2:4  If only we could have the discipline to ensure that we could appreciate that the warfare we are involved in entails us not getting entangled in worldly things.

V.15 Bible study is of course a necessity for the servant of the Lord, with this study one should apply all the skills and ability that he has. We must always be aware that it is not academic knowledge that counts, it is the quality of ones meditation that produces spiritual insight and understanding. If one "loves the law" they will make it their "study all the day" (Psa 119:97). The Greek word SPOUDAZO (4704) emphases effort and earnestness more so than knowledge. It is translated diligence (2Tim 4:9,21) and endeavour in 2Pet 1:15. The exhortation is concerned with one's effort rather than knowledge.

The figure of a soldier as a servant of Christ is a powerful one (vs.3,4).  A soldier's job is to obey orders without questioning.  He is loyal to his commander and is prepared to suffer on the field of battle.  We are in a war against sin - are we ready for the consequences?  It would be stupid for a soldier to enter combat without being armed.  Likewise, the soldier of Christ should be prepared (Eph 6:13-17). 

It is important to handle the Word of truth correctly (v.15).  However, we should be aware that knowledge can be a source of pride (1Cor 8:1).  On the other hand, wisdom is to be desired at all costs (Prov 4:7).  The English poet William Cowper remarks: Knowledge is proud that she knows so much; Wisdom is humble that she knows no more.

2:15 In studying to be approved we differ from the ‘evil’ – Prov 24:2

2:16 This is the third time – 1Tim 4:7, 6:20 – and here where Paul has warned about profane talking. One would hardly think it would be something that would occur in the ecclesia but clearly it was a problem in Ephesus. But Ephesus was just a microcosm of the ecclesial world. The threefold warning should alert us to the fact that such behaviour may be manifest in our midst today.

2:4 The war that Paul encouraged Timothy to be involved in was not one of strife about word but a war against the flesh – his own.

2Tim 2:12 First Principles>Sure Mercies of David>Government
The rulership of God's Kingdom is not limited to the twelve apostles. The faithful will play a part as well.
For more information about the government of God's Kingdom, go to Matt 19:28

We would probably all do well to note how Timothy was to deal with foolish, ignorant and idle disputes.

2:15 In speaking of a workman that is not ‘ashamed’ Paul is returning to a problem he perceived was manifest in Timothy – 2Tim 1:8,12,16