Reformation: Consecrating Actions & Hearts (5/8/23)

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Read: Nehemiah 13 (AMP)

Biblical Lesson…

After the celebration of the rebuilding of and return to Jerusalem, Nehemiah must deal with the failure of the people, especially the Levites, to obey the laws of the Lord that they swore to uphold at the celebration. It was a failure of their oath. Specifically, Nehemiah was outraged at the priesthood and Levites who failed at their duties and responsibilities that God had tasked to the Levitical families in caring for the temple.

Again, as in past times when the Lord sent judges and prophets to correct the Israelites, Nehemiah continued with oversight in his assignment to ensure the reformation of Jerusalem in all aspects of society. He in righteous anger had to discipline those in disobedience because he understood that their disobedience led to their original captivity and destruction of Jerusalem. In many ways, Nehemiah's rebukes and actions against the Levitical families parallel much of what Jesus' rebuke to the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-39) and driving out the merchants from the temple (Luke 19:45-48).

Today's Version…

From physical consecration to our internal consecration unto the Lord, how does Nehemiah 13 apply to you and the world around you today? Take into consideration 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and Proverbs 4:23 as it connects to Nehemiah 13 and whether there is a lesson there that applies to you and your life.

What to do…

Challenges:

1. Pray and ask the Lord to give you revelation regarding the questions in the above Today's Version.

2. Look up the following concepts: justification; consecration, sanctification and glorification. What are the differences? How does it apply to you? If someone asked you to explain the differences, what would you say to them?

3. Meet up with a group of friends and have a discussion with them about the above. Consider what every person's response reveals about him or her.