The intermarriages extended to those in positions of responsibility, and that with the worst of their enemies. Tobiah, the Ammonite, was kinsman to Eliashib, the high priest (Neh. 13:4 JND), and his grandson was son-in-law to Sanballat (Neh. 13:28)! Rather than distancing himself from these unholy unions, Eliashib prepared for Tobiah a great chamber in the house of God where they had previously stored the tithes and firstfruits (Neh. 13:5). It is little wonder that the people fell into sin — they were simply following Eliashib’s example. The portion for the priests and the Levites was displaced by this worldly alliance; as a result, it was necessary for the Levites to leave the city and work in the fields (Neh. 13:10). So it is in Christendom today; union with the world — the advancing of social causes, political speeches from the pulpit, activism, all done in the name of Christianity — has displaced true worship and service for God.
No doubt it would have been argued then, as it is now, that an olive branch extended to one’s enemy is a good thing. Righteousness and holiness are not, however, to be compromised in the name of peace; in fact, peace bought at such a price cannot last. Righteousness — obedience to the Word of God — is the true basis for peace. “Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:22). “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever” (Isa. 32:17). “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable” (James 3:17).
During this time, Nehemiah was absent from the city and everyone else appears to have been ignorant of, insensible to, or unable to address the presence of Tobiah in the temple. For the masses it may well have been convenient for the chamber to be occupied; if there was no place for tithes, then there was no need to tithe! Upon Nehemiah’s return, Tobiah’s belongings were cast out and the chambers cleansed. It wasn’t enough to simply remove his stuff; there must be cleansing as well.
The rulers of Judah had to be challenged by Nehemiah concerning the neglect of the house of God. Tithing was restored, and Nehemiah appointed faithful men to be treasurers over the storehouses. As in Elijah’s day, there appears to have been a silent, faithful remnant, the 7000 that had not bowed the knee to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). These are those who feared the Lord and spoke often one to another (Mal. 3:16). They are the Simeons and Annas of a latter day (Luke 2:25,36). Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, Pedaiah the Levite, and Hanan were found faithful to serve in the house of God. Irrespective of position, high or low, public or private, they were found faithful. No matter the circumstances of the day, we, too, can be found faithful in that small sphere of service that the Lord has given us. “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt. 25:21).
It is interesting to note that the expression house of God is especially characteristic of this post-captivity period. It is used frequently in the Books of the Chronicles, but not once in Kings. This would seem contrary to circumstances. In the Book of Kings the glory of the Lord filled the temple, but by the time of the captivity that glory had departed. There seems, however, to have been a special sensitivity among the faithful who had returned from the captivity; they recognized that the temple was owned by God as His house, despite the absence of the Shekinah glory, and that there was a conduct suited to it (John 2:16). This is very much the character of Paul’s epistles to Timothy — behaviour in the house of God when things are both in order (1 Timothy) and in disorder (2 Timothy). Similarly, God’s throne was no longer in Zion — not anywhere on earth for that matter — and yet God still governed morally, and required a certain conduct from that remnant who owned themselves to be His people.