The enemies of Israel were not able to thwart Nehemiah’s mission from without, but once the walls were completed, a more cunning plan was hatched. They had gained a foothold right in the heart of the community, for one of the opposing officials, Tobiah the Ammonite, had married into an aristocratic Jewish family. By using his connections Tobiah had gained entry into the Jewish community and was given a place to live, not only in Jerusalem, but in the temple itself! Eliashib the priest should have known better, for Moses had warned the people about the Ammonites and Moabites in particular (Deuteronomy 23:3). They were not permitted entry into the community, unless of course, like Ruth the Moabite, they devoted themselves to God. We have here some valuable insight into how our spiritual enemy, Satan, works against us. If he can’t thwart us with external persecution and temptation, he will work to get a foothold gradually into our hearts without us noticing. He will tempt us with ambitions that seem justifiable enough, but which will gradually give him the opportunity to gain greater influence within us. He will try to link us to influences that may seem harmless enough at first, but which will one day undermine us when our guard is down. He will lure us into behaviours that will become habits that in turn will become addictions through which he can control us. His seeds are small but what grows from them is destructive. You must be wise and very watchful lest you give the devil a foothold in your life (see 1 Peter 5:8).
Is Satan gaining a foothold in your life? Pray and reflect.
Read Nehemiah 13:1-14
