Ekete ra Rionbọrhọ Uvuẹn Ọbe Owian Akpenyerẹn Ọwan Ọrhẹ Iruo Uvie Na
© 2023 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
JULY 3-9
EFE RI NẸ ẸMRO OSOLOBRUGWẸ RHE | EZRA 4-6
“Are i Vwe Gbe Ọyanghan Rhẹ Owian na-a”
Wa Mẹrẹn Oborẹ i Zechariah ọ Mẹrẹnren?
13 A dobọ owian ra na bọn oghwa ẹga na ji. Ọrẹn, ehworhare ra ha mwu ni kobaro—Orherẹn Ọduado Jeshua (Joshua) ọrhẹ Igọvunọ Zerubbabel—“ni rharhumu tuẹn ebanbọn oghwa Osolobrugwẹ rhọ.” (Ezra 5:1, 2) Itu i Jew ezẹko ina sabu roro taghene orhienbro ọrana o serhọ-ọ. Aye i sabu tiẹ owian ebanbọn na nuẹ rẹn evwreghrẹn aye-e, ri na sabu ha ena sansan suẹ okpetu rẹn aye-e. Ehworhare awanva ra ha mwu na, Joshua ọrhẹ Zerubbabel, i guọlọ imwẹro taghene Jehova ọnọ hobọtua aye. Aye ni mẹrenriẹn. Izede ọgo?
w86 2/1 29, box ¶2-3
Jehovah’s Eye “Proved to Be Upon the Older Men”
Following the return of the Jewish remnant from Babylon, a 16-year-long period of inactivity set in. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah managed to shake the Jews out of their apathy, and the work of rebuilding Jehovah’s temple was resumed. Soon, though, this work was challenged by Persian officials. “Who put an order through to you to build this house?” asked the opposers.—Ezra 5:1-3.
The reply to this inquiry was critical. If the elders allowed themselves to be intimidated, the temple restoration would abruptly come to a halt. If the elders antagonized these officials, an immediate ban on the work could be imposed. So the elders (doubtless led by Governor Zerubbabel and High Priest Joshua) phrased a tactful but effective reply. They reminded the officials of the long-forgotten decree of Cyrus that had granted the Jews royal permission to go forward with this work. Knowing the Persian policy of never altering stated law, these officials shrewdly chose to avoid opposing a royal decree. The work was thus allowed to continue until King Darius later gave his official go-ahead!—Ezra 5:11-17; 6:6-12.
Wa Mẹrẹn Oborẹ i Zechariah ọ Mẹrẹnren?
7 Ewene rọ homaphia nọ lẹrhẹ itu i Jew vwo ibiẹ omefuon. Me yo wenerin? Uvuẹn ẹgbukpe 520 B.C.E., orodje ọkpokpọ re se Darius I, nọ yo sun Persia. Uvuẹn ẹgbukpe ọreva uvuẹn usuon yi, nọ mẹrẹnvwrurhe taghene o fo ne fiobarhọ owian ebanbọn na-a. Omarana, Darius no jurhi taghene a wian owian ebanbọn hin. (Ezra 6:1-3) Iyẹnrẹn ọrana ọvo o gbe ihworho na ephian unu, ọrẹn o ji vwo emru ọrọrọ. Orodje na no jurhi taghene ihworho re rhirhiẹ kẹrẹ aye i vwa kparehaso aye-e, aye i ji yẹ aye igho ọrhẹ kemru kemru aye i guọlọre nẹ aye i sabu bọn yen hin! (Ezra 6:7-12) Omarana, itu i Jew na ni bọn oghwa ẹga na hin ẹgbukpe ẹne gbẹ ibiesuọn, uvuẹn ẹgbukpe 515 B.C.E.—Ezra 6:15.
Wa Mẹrẹn Oborẹ i Zechariah ọ Mẹrẹnren?
16 Izede ọrọrọ ri Jehova o ru yẹ ọwan ọkpọvi, yẹ nyoma “ọvrẹn ra hẹrosua ro ji vwo ẹghwanren na.” (Matt. 24:45) Ọkezẹko, ọvrẹn na ọnọ sabu yẹ ọwan ọkpọvi ra vwa dabu vwẹruọ ye fiotọre. Jerẹ udje, ana sabu yẹ ọwan ọkpọvi kpahen oborẹ ene mwuegbe lele na sabu vabọ oghwọghọ kpregede, re roro taghene ọ sabu phia uvuẹn ekete re rhirhiẹ-ẹ. Yanghene ana sabu roro taghene ọvrẹn na ọ kẹnoma phan, ọke emiamo ro kerabọ ọrhọ homaphia. Me ye ne ruo orhianẹ e roro taghene ẹghwanren ọ ha ọkpọvi ra yẹre ọwa-an? Ana sabu roro kpahen oborẹ emọ Israel i ru mẹrẹn erere ọke aye a nyalele ọkpọvi ra yẹre aye nyoma Joshua ọrhẹ Zerubbabel. Ana ji sabu roro kpahen iyẹnrẹn i Baibol re se ne. Ọkezẹko, ihworho i Jehova a mẹrẹn ọkpọvi ro vwo serhọ uvuẹn ukẹro ituakpọ, ọrẹn ro simirin aye.—Judg. 7:7; 8:10.
Efe erẹ Ẹhẹn
w93 6/15 32 ¶3-5
Can You Trust the Bible?
The coin was made in Tarsus, a city in the southeastern part of what is now Turkey. The coin was produced during the rule of the Persian governor Mazaeus in the fourth century B.C.E. It identifies him as governor of the province “Beyond the River,” that is, the Euphrates River.
But why is that phrase interesting? Because you will find the same designation in your Bible. Ezra 5:6–6:13 sets out correspondence between the Persian king Darius and a governor named Tattenai. At issue was the Jews’ rebuilding of their temple in Jerusalem. Ezra was a skilled copyist of God’s Law, and you would expect him to be precise, accurate in what he wrote. You will see at Ezra 5:6 and 6:13 that he termed Tattenai “the governor beyond the River.”
Ezra penned that about 460 B.C.E., some 100 years before this coin was minted. Oh, some people might feel that the designation for an ancient official is a minor detail. But if you can rely on the Bible writers in even such small details, should that not increase your confidence in what else they wrote?
JULY 10-16
EFE RI NẸ ẸMRO OSOLOBRUGWẸ RHE | EZRA 7-8
“Uruemru Ezra ọ ha Ujiri Vwe i Jehova”
w00 10/1 14 ¶8
Study—Rewarding and Enjoyable
8 Yes, our love for Jehovah’s Word should come from our heart, the seat of emotion. We should take pleasure in lingering over certain passages that we have just read. We should muse over deep spiritual thoughts, become absorbed in them, and meditate on them. This requires quiet reflection and prayer. Like Ezra, we need to prepare our hearts for the reading and study of God’s Word. Of him it is written: “Ezra himself had prepared his heart to consult the law of Jehovah and to do it and to teach in Israel regulation and justice.” (Ezra 7:10) Note the triple purpose of Ezra’s preparing his heart: to study, to make personal application, and to teach. We should follow his example.
si 75 ¶5
Bible Book Number 13—1 Chronicles
5 No one was better qualified than Ezra to compile this authentic and accurate history. “For Ezra himself had prepared his heart to consult the law of Jehovah and to do it and to teach in Israel regulation and justice.” (Ezra 7:10) Jehovah aided him by holy spirit. The Persian world-ruler recognized the wisdom of God in Ezra and commissioned him with wide civil powers in the jurisdictional district of Judah. (Ezra 7:12-26) Thus equipped with divine and imperial authority, Ezra could compile his account from the best available documents.
it-1 1158 ¶4
Humility
Provides Right Guidance. One who humbles himself before God can expect to have God’s guidance. Ezra had a heavy responsibility in leading back from Babylon to Jerusalem more than 1,500 men, besides the priests, the Nethinim, and the women and children. Additionally, they carried with them a great amount of gold and silver for beautifying the temple in Jerusalem. They needed protection on the journey, but Ezra did not want to ask the king of Persia for a military escort and thereby show reliance on human might. Besides, he had previously said to the king: “The hand of our God is over all those seeking him for good.” Therefore he proclaimed a fast, so the people would humble themselves before Jehovah. They made request of God, and he listened and provided them with protection from enemy ambushes on the way so that they completed the hazardous trip successfully. (Ezr 8:1-14, 21-32) The prophet Daniel, in Babylonian exile, was highly favored by God’s sending an angel to him with a vision, because Daniel humbled himself before God in his search for guidance and understanding.—Da 10:12.
Efe erẹ Ẹhẹn
w06 1/15 19 ¶10
Highlights From the Book of Ezra
7:28–8:20—Why were many Jews in Babylon reluctant to go up to Jerusalem with Ezra? Even though more than 60 years had passed since the first group of Jews had returned to their homeland, Jerusalem was only sparsely settled. Returning to Jerusalem meant building a new life under uncomfortable and dangerous circumstances. The Jerusalem of the day did not hold out attractive material prospects to the Jews who might have been prospering in Babylon. Not to be overlooked was the dangerous journey. The returnees had to have strong faith in Jehovah, zeal for true worship, and courage to make the move. Even Ezra strengthened himself according to the hand of Jehovah upon him. With Ezra’s encouragement, 1,500 families—perhaps numbering 6,000 people—responded. After Ezra took additional initiatives, 38 Levites and 220 Nethinim responded.
JULY 17-23
EFE RI NẸ ẸMRO OSOLOBRUGWẸ RHE | EZRA 9-10
“Emiamiamo ra Mẹrẹn Arha Tiẹn Uvwele”
w06 1/15 20 ¶1
Highlights From the Book of Ezra
9:1, 2—How serious a threat was intermarriage with the people of the land? The restored nation was to be the guardian of Jehovah’s worship until the coming of the Messiah. Intermarriage with other inhabitants was a real threat to true worship. Because some had formed marriage alliances with the idol-worshipping people, the entire nation might eventually be assimilated into the pagan nations. Pure worship could have vanished from the face of the earth. To whom, then, would the Messiah come? No wonder Ezra was stunned at seeing what had taken place!
w09 10/1 10 ¶6
What Does Jehovah Ask of Us?
Our willing obedience will bring blessings. Moses writes: “Keep the commandments . . . that I am commanding you today, for your good.” (Verse 13) Yes, every commandment of Jehovah—everything that he asks of us—is for our good. How could it be otherwise? “God is love,” the Bible says. (1 John 4:8) Hence, he has given only such commands as would further our lasting welfare. (Isaiah 48:17) Doing all that Jehovah asks of us will spare us many frustrations now and lead to endless future blessings under his Kingdom rule.
Efe erẹ Ẹhẹn
w06 1/15 20 ¶2
Highlights From the Book of Ezra
10:3, 44—Why were the children put away along with the wives? If the children had stayed behind, the likelihood that the dismissed wives would return on account of them would have increased. Moreover, little children generally require the care of their mother.
JULY 24-30
EFE RI NẸ ẸMRO OSOLOBRUGWẸ RHE | NEHEMIAH 1-2
“Ogege ni mi Nẹrhomo”
w08 2/15 3 ¶5
Keep Jehovah Before You Constantly
5 At times, we may need to pray quickly for God’s help. On one occasion, Persian King Artaxerxes noticed that his cupbearer Nehemiah was gloomy. “What is this that you are seeking to secure?” asked the king. “At once [Nehemiah] prayed to the God of the heavens.” Nehemiah could not linger in that apparently silent prayer. Yet, God answered it, for Nehemiah was given the king’s support to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. (Read Nehemiah 2:1-8.) Yes, even a brief, silent prayer can be effective.
be 177 ¶4
Extemporaneous Delivery
When you are called on for impromptu explanations of your beliefs, what can help you make your comments effective? Imitate Nehemiah, who silently prayed before he answered a question posed by King Artaxerxes. (Neh. 2:4) Next, quickly formulate a mental outline. The basic steps might be listed in this way: (1) Select one or two points that the explanation should include (you may choose to use points found in Reasoning From the Scriptures). (2) Decide which scriptures you will use to support those points. (3) Plan how to begin your explanation tactfully so that the inquirer will be willing to listen. Then start to talk.
Efe erẹ Ẹhẹn
w86 2/15 25
True Worship Triumphs
No, for Jerusalem’s devastated condition had been the subject of Nehemiah’s prayers “day and night” for quite some time. (1:4, 6) When afforded the opportunity to tell King Artaxerxes about his desire to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, Nehemiah again prayed, thus doing what he already had done repeatedly. Jehovah’s favorable answer resulted in a commission to rebuild the city’s walls.
Lesson for Us: Nehemiah looked to Jehovah for direction. When faced with weighty decisions, we, too, should “persevere in prayer” and act in harmony with Jehovah’s guidance.—Romans 12:12.
JULY 31–AUGUST 6
EFE RI NẸ ẸMRO OSOLOBRUGWẸ RHE | NEHEMIAH 3-4
“We ni Oma Taghene wu do Ghwẹ Ewian Ezẹko?”
w06 2/1 10 ¶1
Highlights From the Book of Nehemiah
3:5, 27. We should not consider manual work done in the interests of true worship beneath our dignity, as did the “majestic ones” of the Tekoites. Rather, we can imitate the common Tekoites who willingly expended themselves.
Me yi Jehova Ọnọ Sabu ha ru?
11 Ẹgbukpe buebun a vrẹn, emọ egbọtọ i Shallum i ha usuẹn ihworho ri Jehova ọ ha kwaphiẹ ugbomoghwa i Jerusalem. (Neh. 2:20; 3:12) Dedevwo ọsẹ aye ọmọ orodje, emọ egbọtọ i Shallum i vwo omwemẹ aye ina wian owian ọrana rọ gbanhonron ro ji mwuofẹn. (Neh. 4:15-18) Ọnana ọ vẹnẹ uruemru itu i Tekoa, ri vwe kwe “homariotọre vwobọrhọ owian” na! (Neh. 3:5) Roro kpahen oborẹ oma ọ merhen emọ egbọtọ i Shallum lele, ọke ra wian owian na hin ẹdẹ 52 ọvo! (Neh. 6:15) Uvuẹn ọke ọwan na, imizu emẹse ri vwo omwemẹ a mẹrẹn omamerhomẹ ọke aye arha wian owian oghẹnrensan uvuẹn ukoko i Jehova, jerẹ ewian ebanbọn ọrhẹ erufon ekete ra ha ruẹ ogame. Ena, oruru ọrhẹ atamwu aye, ọ lẹrhẹ owian na vwo efikparobọ.
w04 8/1 18 ¶16
Cultivating a Christlike View of Greatness
16 All Christians, young and old, should seek to cultivate the Christlike view of greatness. In the congregation, a variety of tasks must be performed. Never resent being asked to do things that may appear to be lowly. (1 Samuel 25:41; 2 Kings 3:11) Parents, do you encourage your children and teenagers to work cheerfully at any assignment that they are given to do, whether at the Kingdom Hall, at an assembly, or at a convention site? Do they see you perform lowly tasks? One brother, who now serves at the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, vividly recalls his parents’ example. He said: “The way they treated the job of cleaning the Kingdom Hall or a convention center told me that they considered it to be important. They often volunteered to perform tasks that were for the good of the congregation or the brotherhood, no matter how menial those tasks might appear to be. This attitude has helped me to accept willingly any work assignment here at Bethel.”
Efe erẹ Ẹhẹn
w06 2/1 9 ¶1
Highlights From the Book of Nehemiah
4:17, 18—How could a man do the work of rebuilding with just one hand? For burden bearers this would not be a problem. Once the load was placed on their head or shoulders, they could easily balance it with one hand “while the other hand was holding the missile.” The builders who needed both hands to do their work “were girded, each one with his sword upon his hip, while building.” They were ready to go into action in case of an enemy attack.
AUGUST 7-13
EFE RI NẸ ẸMRO OSOLOBRUGWẸ RHE | NEHEMIAH 5-7
“Nehemiah o Vwo Omwemẹ rọ nọ ga Awọrọ, Ukperẹ Ana ga ye”
w02 11/1 27 ¶3
Supporters of True Worship—Then and Now
Nehemiah contributed more than his time and organizational skills. He also used his material means to support true worship. He used his own money to buy back his Jewish brothers from slavery. He lent money without interest. He never “made it heavy” upon the Jews by demanding an allowance as governor, something to which he was entitled. Instead, he kept an open house to feed “a hundred and fifty men, and those coming in to us from the nations that were around us.” Each day he provided “one bull, six select sheep and birds” for his guests. In addition, once every ten days he offered them “every sort of wine in abundance”—all at his own expense.—Nehemiah 5:8, 10, 14-18.
“We Jenẹ Abọ Ọnọ Seriotọre-e”
16 Nyoma userhumu i Jehova, Nehemiah ọrhẹ ihworho yi ni fioma rhọ owian na. Aye ni sabu bọn ogba amwa na hin uvuẹn ẹdẹ 52 ọvo! (Neh. 2:18, ftn.; 6:15, 16) Nehemiah o rhiẹ oniruo owian na ọvo-o. O vwobọrhọ owian ẹbọn ogba i Jerusalem na. (Neh. 5:16) Omaran ekpako ukoko buebun a hẹrokele Nehemiah nyoma aye e vwobọrhọ ebanbọn ọrhẹ ẹruete Aghwẹlẹ Uvie. Nyoma aye e lele imizu na vwobọrhọ owian aghwoghwo na, jeghwai kọn bru aye, aye ne ru abọ ihworho rẹ ẹhẹn aye o seriotọre gbanhan.—Se Isaiah 35:3, 4.
w00 2/1 32
How Will Jehovah Remember You?
Consistently, the Bible shows that with God, “remembering” means taking positive action. For example, after the earth had been inundated by the floodwaters for 150 days, “God remembered Noah . . . , and God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters began to subside.” (Genesis 8:1) Centuries later, Samson, blinded and chained by the Philistines, prayed: “Jehovah, remember me, please, and strengthen me, please, just this once.” Jehovah remembered Samson by giving him superhuman strength so that he could avenge himself against God’s enemies. (Judges 16:28-30) As for Nehemiah, Jehovah blessed his efforts, and true worship was restored in Jerusalem.
Efe erẹ Ẹhẹn
w07 7/1 30 ¶15
“Keep Conquering the Evil With the Good”
15 Third, Nehemiah’s enemies used a traitor, the Israelite Shemaiah, to try to make Nehemiah break God’s Law. Shemaiah said to Nehemiah: “Let us meet by appointment at the house of the true God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple; for they are coming in to kill you.” Shemaiah said that Nehemiah was about to be assassinated but that he could save his life by hiding in the temple. However, Nehemiah was not a priest. He would commit a sin by hiding in the house of God. Would he break God’s Law in an attempt to save his life? Nehemiah responded: “Who is there like me that could enter into the temple and live? I shall not enter!” Why did Nehemiah not fall into the trap that had been set for him? Because he knew that although Shemaiah was a fellow Israelite, “it was not God that had sent him.” After all, a true prophet would never advise him to break God’s Law. Again, Nehemiah did not let himself be conquered by evil opposers. Shortly thereafter he could report: “At length the wall came to completion on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days.”—Nehemiah 6:10-15; Numbers 1:51; 18:7.
AUGUST 14-20
EFE RI NẸ ẸMRO OSOLOBRUGWẸ RHE | NEHEMIAH 8-9
“Aghọghọ i Jehova yẹ Omẹgbanhon Are”
w13 10/15 21 ¶2
Lessons From a Well-Prepared Prayer
2 A month prior to the above assembly, the Jews had completed the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. (Neh. 6:15) God’s people accomplished the work in just 52 days, and they then proceeded to give particular attention to their spiritual needs. So on the first day of the new month, Tishri, they gathered together at the public square to hear Ezra, along with other Levites, read aloud and explain God’s Law. (Illustration 1) Whole families, including “all intelligent enough to listen,” stood and listened “from daybreak till midday.” What a fine example for those of us who today attend meetings in comfortable Kingdom Halls! Yet, on such occasions do you sometimes find that your mind wanders and you start thinking about less important matters? If so, consider again the example of those ancient Israelites who not only listened but took to heart what they heard to the extent that they began weeping over their failure as a nation to obey God’s Law.—Neh. 8:1-9.
w07 7/15 22 ¶9-10
Will You “Keep Walking by Spirit”?
9 Joy is a state of great happiness. Jehovah is “the happy God.” (1 Timothy 1:11; Psalm 104:31) The Son delights to do his Father’s will. (Psalm 40:8; Hebrews 10:7-9) And “the joy of Jehovah is [our] stronghold.”—Nehemiah 8:10.
10 God-given joy brings us deep satisfaction when we do the divine will even in times of hardship, sorrow, or persecution. What happiness “the very knowledge of God” brings us! (Proverbs 2:1-5) Our joyous relationship with God is based on accurate knowledge and faith in him and in Jesus’ ransom sacrifice. (1 John 2:1, 2) Being part of the only true international brotherhood is another source of joy. (Zephaniah 3:9; Haggai 2:7) Our Kingdom hope and the grand privilege of declaring the good news make us joyful. (Matthew 6:9, 10; 24:14) So does the prospect of everlasting life. (John 17:3) Since we have such a grand hope, we should be “nothing but joyful.”—Deuteronomy 16:15.
Efe erẹ Ẹhẹn
it-1 145 ¶2
Aramaic
A number of years after the Jews returned from Babylonian exile Ezra the priest read the book of the Law to Jews assembled in Jerusalem, and various Levites explained it to the people, Nehemiah 8:8 stating: “They continued reading aloud from the book, from the law of the true God, it being expounded, and there being a putting of meaning into it; and they continued giving understanding in the reading.” This expounding or interpreting may have involved paraphrasing the Hebrew text into Aramaic, Aramaic possibly having been adopted by the Hebrews when in Babylon. The expounding also, no doubt, involved exposition so that the Jews, even if understanding the Hebrew, would comprehend the deep significance of what was being read.
AUGUST 21-27
EFE RI NẸ ẸMRO OSOLOBRUGWẸ RHE | NEHEMIAH 10-11
“Aye i ze Izobo Omobọ Rẹn i Jehova”
w98 10/15 22 ¶13
A Jerusalem True to Its Name
13 The “trustworthy arrangement” sealed in Nehemiah’s day prepared God’s ancient people for the day of the inauguration of Jerusalem’s wall. But another urgent matter still needed attention. Now enclosed by a large wall with 12 gates, Jerusalem needed a larger population. Though some Israelites lived there, “the city was wide and great, and there were few people inside it.” (Nehemiah 7:4) To solve this problem, the people “cast lots to bring in one out of every ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city.” The willing response to this arrangement moved the people to bless “all the men who volunteered to dwell in Jerusalem.” (Nehemiah 11:1, 2) What a fine example for true worshipers today whose circumstances allow them to move to where there is a greater need for mature Christian help!
w86 2/15 26
True Worship Triumphs
Leaving hereditary possessions and moving to Jerusalem would have resulted in some expense and certain disadvantages. Those living in that city may also have been exposed to various dangers. Under such circumstances, others viewed the volunteers as praiseworthy and doubtless prayed that Jehovah would bless them.
w16.04 8 ¶15
Being Faithful Leads to God’s Approval
15 When we dedicated our lives to Jehovah, we vowed that we would do his will unreservedly. We knew that living up to that promise would require self-sacrifice. However, our willingness is especially put to the test when we are asked to do things that are not initially to our liking. When we make such sacrifices and serve God in a way that takes us out of our comfort zone, we prove ourselves faithful. The resulting blessings are always far greater than any sacrifices we may make, painful as they may be. (Mal. 3:10) But what about Jephthah’s daughter?
Efe erẹ Ẹhẹn
w06 2/1 11 ¶1
Highlights From the Book of Nehemiah
10:34—Why were the people required to supply wood? The wood offering was not commanded in the Mosaic Law. This requirement stemmed strictly from the need. Large quantities of wood were needed in order to burn the sacrifices on the altar. Apparently, there were not enough Nethinim, who served as non-Israelite temple slaves. Hence, lots were cast to ensure a continuous supply of wood.
AUGUST 28–SEPTEMBER 3
EFE RI NẸ ẸMRO OSOLOBRUGWẸ RHE | NEHEMIAH 12-13
“Vwo Atamwu Kpahen i Jehova Ọke wa Djẹ Igbehian Enọ”
it-1 95 ¶5
Ammonites
After Tobiah’s ejection from the temple grounds, God’s law at Deuteronomy 23:3-6 prohibiting the entry of Ammonites and Moabites into the congregation of Israel was read and applied. (Ne 13:1-3) This restriction, imposed some 1,000 years earlier because of the Ammonite and Moabite refusal to succor the Israelites when they were approaching the Promised Land, is generally understood to mean that these people could not enter into full legal membership in the nation of Israel with all the concomitant rights and privileges that such membership would signify. It does not mean, of necessity, that Ammonite and Moabite individuals could not associate themselves with or reside among the Israelites and thereby benefit from the divine blessings upon God’s people, and this is evident from the inclusion of Zelek, mentioned earlier, among David’s chief warriors, as well as from the record concerning Ruth the Moabitess.—Ru 1:4, 16-18.
w13 8/15 4 ¶5-6
You Have Been Sanctified
5 Read Nehemiah 13:4-9. We are surrounded by unclean influences, so it is not easy for us to remain holy. Consider Eliashib and Tobiah. Eliashib was the high priest, and Tobiah was an Ammonite and likely a petty official in the Persian administration of Judea. Tobiah and his associates had opposed Nehemiah’s efforts to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. (Neh. 2:10) Ammonites were forbidden to come onto the temple grounds. (Deut. 23:3) So why would the high priest provide space in a temple dining hall for such a man as Tobiah?
6 Tobiah had become a close associate of Eliashib. Tobiah and his son Jehohanan had married Jewish women, and many Jews spoke highly of Tobiah. (Neh. 6:17-19) One of Eliashib’s grandsons was married to the daughter of Sanballat, governor of Samaria, who was one of Tobiah’s closest associates. (Neh. 13:28) These ties may explain why High Priest Eliashib allowed an unbeliever and opposer to influence him. But Nehemiah showed loyalty to Jehovah by throwing all of Tobiah’s furniture outside the dining hall.
w96 3/15 16 ¶6
Meeting the Challenge of Loyalty
6 If we are loyal to Jehovah God, we will avoid making friends with all who are his enemies. That is why the disciple James wrote: “Adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4) We want to have the loyalty that King David evidenced when he said: “Do I not hate those who are intensely hating you, O Jehovah, and do I not feel a loathing for those revolting against you? With a complete hatred I do hate them. They have become to me real enemies.” (Psalm 139:21, 22) We do not want to fraternize with any willful sinners, for we have nothing in common with them. Would not loyalty to God keep us from socializing with any such enemies of Jehovah, whether in person or through the medium of television?
Efe erẹ Ẹhẹn
it-2 452 ¶9
Music
Considerable importance was attached to the singing at the temple. This is evident from the many Scriptural references to the singers as well as from the fact that they were “set free from duty” common to other Levites in order to devote themselves wholly to their service. (1Ch 9:33) Their continuance as a special group of Levites is emphasized by their being listed separately among those returning from Babylon. (Ezr 2:40, 41) Even the authority of the Persian king Artaxerxes (Longimanus) was brought to bear in their behalf, exempting them, along with other special groups, from ‘tax, tribute, and toll.’ (Ezr 7:24) Later, the king commanded that there was to be “a fixed provision for the singers as each day required.” Although Artaxerxes is credited with this order, most likely it was issued by Ezra on the basis of the power granted to him by Artaxerxes. (Ne 11:23; Ezr 7:18-26) Thus, it is understandable that, although the singers were all Levites, the Bible makes reference to them as a special body, speaking of “the singers and the Levites.”—Ne 7:1; 13:10.