CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 981

“Tobiah’s Chamber”

Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, and who was related to Tobiah, prepared for Tobiah a large chamber where they had previously put the grain offering, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of grain, wine, and oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests… (Nehemiah 13:4-5)

During a recent study of the Book of Nehemiah, light was shed on this passage found in chapter 13 that I had never noticed before despite countless readings of the book. Recall that this Tobiah who has taken up residence in the house of God is the same Tobiah who along with Sanballat opposed the work of rebuilding the walls of the city. But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel. (Nehemiah 2:10)

Reflect on the following life lessons from this passage:

Eliashib…was appointed…and…related to Tobiah – We must be diligent in following God’s Word in who we appoint to be leaders in our homes, churches, local, state, and federal governments. How many have suffered from unholy alliances, being unequally yoked in marriage? How many church communities have suffered harm from appointing elders and deacons because of popularity and worldly power and position rather than being anointed with God’s Holy Spirit?

…prepared for Tobiah a large chamber… – Here we find an enemy of the Lord and of the church taking up residence in the Temple of God. Notice that the chamber occupied by Tobiah was the chamber that was intended to store the resources of the church for ministry. Hardly a day goes by without the media exposing the misuse and abuse of funds by charitable organizations, Christian churches included. How many church and Christian charities have allowed a ‘Tobiah’ of greed and avarice to siphon ministry resources for personal gain and material possessions?

The application of God’s Word here goes beyond the corporate to that of the personal for we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? … (1Corinthians 6:19-20)

How many of us are less than faithful stewards of God’s provision for our lives? How many of us have allowed the ‘Tobiah’ of the love of material wealth to take up residence in our heart thereby displacing a generous and faithful steward’s heart for the ministry of our Lord? Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. … Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. (Malachi 3:8-10)

May the Holy Spirit fill you with the zeal to ‘throw the Tobiah’s out of your life. …I was very angry, and I threw all the household furniture of Tobiah out of the chamber… (Nehemiah 13:6-9)

May you hear the Lord say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’ (Matthew 5:21)