Nehemiah 13:3
French (La Bible expliquée)
Lorsque les Israélites entendirent la lecture de cette interdiction, ils décidèrent d'exclure de leur communauté tous les étrangers. La lecture publique du livre de la loi est désormais bien enracinée dans la vie du peuple. A l'occasion de cette lecture, est proclamé le texte de Deut 23.4-7 demandant l'exclusion de ces deux peuples voisins, qui habitent de l'autre côté du Jourdain et qui, autrefois, n'avaient pas respecté les règles de l'hospitalité. La communauté décide alors d'exclure tous les étrangers, car ils menacent d'entraîner le peuple vers l'idolâtrie. Pourtant plusieurs textes invitaient au contraire à aimer l'étranger (Ex 22.20 22 Lév 19.33-34 Deut 24.14 17). Deut 10.18 affirme même que Dieu aime l'étranger.
What Does This Mean?
This verse tells us that when the people heard the law, they decided to separate themselves from the mixed groups who were not fully part of Israel. Nehemiah is not directly speaking here, but the action reflects the leadership and guidance he provided. The key message is about maintaining purity and following the law strictly.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a special group of friends who follow the same rules. One day, you learn about some new rules and decide that only those who follow all the rules can be in your special group. That's what happened here with Israel and the mixed groups.
Historical Background
This verse is from the Book of Nehemiah, written by Nehemiah himself around 445-433 B.C. The book was written for the people of Israel who had returned from exile in Babylon. The cultural setting was one of rebuilding and recommitting to their faith after a period of dispersion.
Living It Out Today
In a modern scenario, a group might decide to limit its membership to those who fully embrace its core values and beliefs. For instance, a community church might require members to commit to certain religious practices and beliefs to maintain the group's spiritual integrity.
Topics
puritylawcommunityfaithfulnessseparationobedience
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'mixed multitude' mean in Nehemiah 13:3?
The 'mixed multitude' refers to people of various backgrounds, including foreigners or non-Israelites, who were living among the Israelites but did not fully follow their laws or customs.
Why did they separate from the mixed multitude?
They separated to maintain purity and adherence to the law, which was crucial for their identity and relationship with God.
How does this verse relate to modern religious communities?
Modern religious communities might use this as a guide for maintaining their core values and beliefs, ensuring members fully commit to their faith and practices.
What can we learn about faithfulness from Nehemiah 13:3?
We can learn that faithfulness involves making tough decisions to maintain the integrity of one's beliefs and community, sometimes even at the cost of inclusiveness.