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Not only had the temple been profaned； but the offerings had been misapplied。 This had tended to discourage the liberalities of the people。 They had lost their zeal and fervor； and were reluctant to pay their tithes。 The treasuries of the Lord's house were poorly supplied； many of the singers and others employed in the temple service； not receiving sufficient support； had left the work of God to labor elsewhere。
Nehemiah set to work to correct these abuses。 He gathered together those who had left the service of the Lord's house； 〃and set them in their place。〃 This inspired the people with confidence； and all Judah brought 〃the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil。〃 Men who 〃were counted faithful〃 were made 〃treasurers over the treasuries；〃 〃and their office was to distribute unto their brethren。〃
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Another result of intercourse with idolaters was a disregard of the Sabbath； the sign distinguishing the Israelites from all other nations as worshipers of the true God。 Nehemiah found that heathen merchants and traders from the surrounding country； coming to Jerusalem； had induced many among the Israelites to engage in traffic on the Sabbath。 There were some who could not be persuaded to sacrifice principle； but others transgressed and joined with the heathen in their efforts to overcome the scruples of the more conscientious。 Many dared openly to violate the Sabbath。 〃In those days；〃 Nehemiah writes； 〃saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the Sabbath； and bringing in sheaves； and lading asses； as also wine； grapes； and figs； and all manner of burdens； which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day。 。 。 。 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein； which brought fish； and all manner of ware； and sold on the Sabbath unto the children of Judah。〃
This state of things might have been prevented had the rulers exercised their authority； but a desire to advance their own interests had led them to favor the ungodly。 Nehemiah fearlessly rebuked them for their neglect of duty。 〃What evil thing is this that ye do； and profane the Sabbath day？〃 he sternly demanded。 〃Did not your fathers thus； and did not our God bring all this evil upon us； and upon this city？ yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath。〃 He then gave command that 〃when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath；〃 they should be shut； and not opened again till the Sabbath was past； and having more confidence in his own servants
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than in those that the magistrates of Jerusalem might appoint； he stationed them at the gates to see that his orders were enforced。
Not inclined to abandon their purpose； 〃the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice；〃 hoping to find opportunity for traffic； with either the citizens or the country people。 Nehemiah warned them that they would be punished if they continued this practice。 〃Why lodge ye about the wall？〃 he demanded；
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〃if ye do so again； I will lay hands on you。〃 〃From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath。〃 He also directed the Levites to guard the gates； knowing that they would command greater respect than the common people； while from their close connection with the service of God it was reasonable to expect that they would be more zealous in enforcing obedience to His law。
And now Nehemiah turned his attention to the danger that again threatened Israel from intermarriage and association with idolaters。 〃In those days；〃 he writes； 〃saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod； of Ammon； and of Moab： and their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod； and could not speak in the Jews' language； but according to the language of each people。〃
These unlawful alliances were causing great confusion in Israel； for some who entered into them were men in high position； rulers to whom the people had a right to look for counsel and a safe example。 Foreseeing the ruin before the nation if this evil were allowed to continue； Nehemiah reasoned earnestly with the wrongdoers。 Pointing to the case of Solomon； he reminded them that among all the nations there had risen no king like this man； to whom God had given great wisdom； yet idolatrous women had turned his heart from God； and his example had corrupted Israel。 〃Shall we then hearken unto you；〃 Nehemiah sternly demanded； 〃to do all this great evil？〃 〃Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons； nor take their daughters unto your sons； or for yourselves。〃
As he set before them God's commands and threatenings； and the fearful judgments visited on Israel in the
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past for this very sin； their consciences were aroused； and a work of reformation was begun that turned away God's threatened anger and brought His approval and blessings。
There were some in sacred office who pleaded for their heathen wives； declaring that they could not bring themselves to separate from them。 But no distinction was made； no respect was shown for rank or position。 Whoever among the priests or rulers refused to sever his connection with idolaters was immediately separated from the service of the Lord。 A grandson of the high priest； having married a daughter of the notorious Sanballat； was not only removed from office； but promptly banished from Israel。 〃Remember them； O my God；〃 Nehemiah prayed； 〃because they have defiled the priesthood； and the covenant of the priesthood； and of the Levites。〃
How much anguish of soul this needed severity cost the faithful worker for God the judgment alone will reveal。 There was a constant struggle with opposing elements； and only by fasting； humiliation； and prayer was advancement made。
Many who had married idolaters chose to go with them into exile； and these； with those who had been expelled from the congregation； joined the Samaritans。 Hither some who had occupied high positions in the work of God found their way and after a time cast in their lot fully with them。 Desiring to strengthen this alliance； the Samaritans promised to adopt more fully the Jewish faith and customs； and the apostates； determined to outdo their former brethren； erected a temple on Mount Gerizim in opposition to the house of God at Jerusalem。 Their religion continued to be
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a mixture of Judaism and heathenism； and their claim to be the people of God was the source of schism； emulation； and enmity between the two nations； from generation to generation。
In the work of reform to be carried forward today； there is need of men who； like Ezra and Nehemiah； will not palliate or excuse sin； nor shrink from vindicating the honor of God。 Those upon whom rests the burden of this work will not hold their peace when wrong is done； neither will they cover evil with a cloak of false charity。 They will remember that God is no respecter of persons； and that severity to a few may prove mercy to many。 They will remember also that in the one who rebukes evil the spirit of Christ should ever be revealed。
In their work； Ezra and Nehemiah humbled themselves