1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;
The Ammonites and Moabites (descendants of Abraham's nephew Lot) fought with Israel in the wilderness instead of letting them pass through peacefully.
2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.
This is the “Talking Donkey” story. Balaam was hired to curse Israel, but on the way his donkey kept stopping and going off the road. When he beat her for it, God allowed her to speak. She explained that there was an angel in the path with a sword. God then opened Balaam’s eyes so he could see the angel, who told him that if it wasn’t for the donkey leaving the path and stopping, he would have killed Balaam. After that Balaam was willing to bless Israel instead of curse her.
Unfortunately after this the Moabites invited Israel to join them in their idol worship and led a large number astray.
3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
They are taking out those who were not supposed to be in Israel. This is also recorded in Ezra.
4 And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:
Remember, Tobiah was one of the bad guys.
5 And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
The priest set up an apartment for Tobiah in the room of the Temple that was supposed to be used for a store room.
6 But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the thirty second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:
After serving as Governor of Israel for a time, Nehemiah had to go back to his job in Shusa.
7 And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
Nehemiah arranged to come back home.
8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff to Tobiah out of the chamber.
He kicked him out!
9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.
Nehemiah restored the room to its original purpose.
10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled everyone to his field.
The Levites and other Temple workers had to go find jobs because the people were not bringing the tithes in like they were supposed to. This caused the worship in the house of God to suffer greatly.
11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
He scolded the rulers of the country.
12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
Judah began to behave themselves and bring their tithes like they were supposed to.
13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
Nehemiah put men in charge he knew would take care of the Temple and the Levites the way they should be cared for.
14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.
15 In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
It was against the Mosaic Law for anyone to do work on the Sabbath. Nehemiah catches the people violating that law.
16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the Sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
Also, some of the neighbors were bringing in goods to sell, which was considered work.
17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, “What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the Sabbath day?
18 “Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? Yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath.”
“Haven’t you learned your lesson yet?!”
19 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.
Israelite days began at sunset. So when it began to get dark, Nehemiah closed all the gates and put guards at them to keep the merchants out.
20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
They set up outside the wall a couple of times.
21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, “Why lodge ye about the wall? If ye do so again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath.
He threatened to arrest them (or beat them up!) if they didn’t knock it off.
22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Thy mercy.
He assigned the job of “Gatekeeper” to the Levites.
23 In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:
24 And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.
Not only had these men married into races God had forbidden, they hadn’t bothered to teach their children the Jewish language.
25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, “Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.”
He beat them up!
26 “Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.”
Even the Great Solomon couldn’t stay saved while married to sinners.
We should be extra careful to only even date those who love our God. Don’t even take a chance of falling love with someone who doesn’t.
27 “Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?”
28 And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.
He kicked Sanballat’s son-in-law and his father out.
29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
30 Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, everyone in his business;
31 And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
A prayer we should all have and try to fulfill.