(REFLECTIONS ON Nehemiah 13:15-31 )

As we reach the end of Nehemiah, we see that his last contributions to the rebuilding effort, was to rebuild and reform the people of God. Why is reformation necessary? Reformation is necessary because things change over time. What was once new, becomes old, and what as once spiritual, becomes worldly. What was first led by truth, conviction, and service, quickly turns into tradition, comfort, and power.

Church reformation is necessary to correct, renew, and realign the church back to the truth of God’s word and the mission of Christ. Church reformation is a return to biblical teaching, renewal of spiritual life, and a reform of unhealthy structures.

Historically, the word refers to the 16th-century Protestant Reformation led by Martin Luther, John Calvin, Huldrych Zwingli, etc. Reformation is actually something that we see God repeatedly do throughout history, in the Old Testament, New Testament, and in His church today as well.

In today’s Scripture, we see Nehemiah reinstate Sabbath observance (vv.15-22), end intermarriage with foreign nations (vv.23-27), remove a corrupt priest (vv. 28-29), and reorganize temple worship (vv. 30-31).

What if reformation never happened? This is a question for us all to consider, not just in the efforts that Nehemiah made, but for all Protestant Christians and denominations. What does the reformation mean for us in the church today? Since we have already been reformed, does that mean that we stop reforming?

In Mandarin, we often hear from those of the reformed tradition, that we are 改革中 and not just 改革宗. Both are similar, with just a slight difference in pronunciation. We are not the reformed church, but the reforming church.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Nehemiah 13