The Discipline Took

After Israel returned to the land, rebuilt the Temple, then rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem, a great celebration broke forth. There were choirs and singing and raising of hands and walking around on top of the new wall - all seemed great.

Then in Nehemiah 13:1 "On that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people. And in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God."

Here was a big test. Israel had been disciplined because despite Joshua telling not to "mix" with the nations around them, the people did just that. Joshua's warnings had come true that the gods of the people became a "snare" for them and they bowed down and served them. Joshua warned that God would remove them from the land, and He did just that.

Now that they were back, what would happen? They obviously still had ties to the descendants of the people God had said not to mix with. Would they just ignore the years of discipline? No. When they heard God's Word they responded and "separated from Israel all those of foreign descent." (vs 3).

Not only that, but they removed enemy influence from their worship (throwing Tobiah out of the Temple). In addition, the people started giving to the work of God, and dedicating themselves to following God's Law by observing the Sabbath (though they needed some encouragement from Nehemiah).

This shows fruit from God's discipline. Does this happen to you? Are there times when your own disobedience has lead to an experience of discipline from God? Then when the discipline is over, isn't it nice to see the fruit? You feel free from that which bound you and you want to pick up in your service and worship to God.

It's never fun to go through discipline, but it sure is nice to see God work good things in our lives through it. So celebrate!

Pastor Tom