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Day 140 Nehemiah 13:23 In those days also saw I Jews who had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: 24 And their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews’ language, but according to the language of each people. 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. 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. 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. 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 first fruits. Remember me, O my God, for good. Who do you emulate? Do you follow them because of their reputation or because they’re someone famous? Nehemiah wasn’t happy when he returned from Babylon. He saw how far the people fell from what God commanded in the law. He likened them to King Solomon who sinned against God with his many wives. His response to their sin might seem harsh by today’s standards, however, not in that culture. God continually told the people they needed to purge sin from their midst. Deuteronomy 13:1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives thee a sign or a wonder, 2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spoke unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; 3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proves you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. 5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. As Christians, you need to watch whom you follow so you don’t fall away from God and walk in the paths of the world. Satan wants nothing more than for you to compromise your faith and act like the world. Even those who seem to follow God because they know the language and persuade you with honeyed words are your downfall. You need to imitate Christ, not the world. Ephesians 5:1 Be ye, therefore, followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye, therefore, partakers with them. Nehemiah knew the law and loved God. He wanted to see the people follow God in all things. He did what he could to cause the people to see how far they fell from God. How is your walk with God? Do you need to examine your life and purge everything that compromises your faith in Jesus? Psalm 79:9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake. (KJV) Let that be your prayer today as you recommit your life to Jesus Christ to follow Him. Copyright © 30 October 2021 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay.