“And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and [some] of my servants set I at the gates, [that] there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.” (Ne 13:19-20 AV)
It is easy to forget those who were locked out on the Sabbath included fellow Jewish citizens. We are tempted to think that only the Gentiles or Samaritans were merchants. However, by the time Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, the Temple had been repaired and those who had returned to accomplish this task settled outside the city gates. Once the temple was restored, those who had returned repaired the homesteads of their forefathers. They planted again the fields that had lain fallow. They built again the houses and sheepcotes that remain idle. They put up fences, markers, and established again their heritage. They started afresh the trades that were once practiced in the outlaying areas. So, when Nehemiah shut the gates to the city on the Sabbath, he shut them to his own people. Furthermore, if they refused to remain on their own land and camped around the city during the city, waiting for the gates to be opened that commerce might commence, Nehemiah shot arrows at them to chase them away. There would be no commerce, nor thinking about commerce, on the LORD’s day. While the gates were opened six days in seven, they were more than welcome. Nehemiah had to take a biblical stand against those who identified with the Jewish culture and sacred calling. Nehemiah was not going to compromise the command of God simply because they shared a lot in common.
Being the odd man out is not a good feeling. Sometimes, for sake of conscience, it is necessary. That does not mean we have to compromise our convictions in order to be cooperative. It simple means that there cannot be perfect unity in all things. For a few years, I taught Bible class in a Christian High school. The church did not take a stand on bible versions. I am Only King James. That differs from King James Only. The church that had the school used the King James, but did not criticize the equal use of other versions. Since I was the odd man out, I had to be careful. This school participated with other schools in the Midwest in areas like sports, academic competitions, and continuing education for teachers. This also meant that I was the odd man out. Because we had education as our primary goal, this issue was a non-issue. The school that I taught at did not broach the subject of scriptural criticism, nor did I, so we got along. However, when pastoring a church, we are careful of the speakers we invite. I remember many years back, my pastor invited a dynamic evangelist to speak. The problem? He was a Baptist-Brider. We were not. So, there were rules in place. He could not preach or teach on the subject, nor could he sell any of his materials that mentioned that doctrine. We got along just fine as long as we respected the conviction of the host; whether it was a school or church.
The reason Nehemiah had an issue with his fellow Hebrews was their initial refusal to respect the convictions of the orthodox Jew. Nehemiah and those within the city walls desired to follow the law of the Sabbath to the letter. They would not allow work or commerce on the LORD’s day. BTW, I remember those days. I grew up in a city that closed down on Sundays. The only things opened were the local drugstore and emergency services. Not even gas stations were open. I think it would be a good thing to get back to those days. Anyway, Nehemiah did not go onto private land and chasten those Hebrews bent on disobeying the Sabbath. No doubt they may have still worked their fields or traded among themselves. But as far as Jerusalem was concerned, it wasn’t going to happen in the capital city. Nehemiah made a hard choice. He chose to disassociate himself with those living in disobedience while they were being disobedient. If we are to be what God wants us to be, we have to make the same hard choices. There will be sweet and kind believers who choose not to live according the God’s precepts. Not occasional failures of falling into sin, but as a lifestyle choice, they have decided the word of God in certain areas need not be followed. You and I will have to make a choice then. Do we associate ourselves with those walking contrary to God’s word while they walk contrary to God’s word, or do we compromise and walk with them as they walk contrary to God’s word simply because we have much in common? That will always be a hard choice.
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