Nehemiah 13:27

Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?

Nehemiah 13:27 (KJV)

Context

Nehemiah led the Jewish people in restoring Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. In this closing chapter, he returns from an absence to find that the people have broken God’s commands. His question is a sharp rebuke, showing his shock that anyone would defend such disobedience. The verse is part of his final efforts to restore the spiritual and physical state of Jerusalem.

Meaning

Nehemiah asks, “Shall we then hearken unto you?” He refuses to tolerate or excuse the sin. The “great evil” is marrying foreign wives who worship other gods. This was not about race but about faith. God had warned that such marriages would lead His people away from true worship. The phrase “hearken unto you” implies that Nehemiah will not connive at this sin. His rhetorical question underscores the absurdity of allowing such evil to continue without punishment. The people’s actions are described as “great evil” and as acting treacherously against God, emphasizing the covenant-breaking nature of their sin.

Biblical connections

God’s command against intermarriage appears in Deuteronomy 7:1, 3, where He forbids the Israelites from marrying the nations of the land. The reason was to prevent idolatry. The sad example of Solomon in 1 Kings 11:1-2 shows how foreign wives turned his heart from God. Nehemiah knew this history and feared the same ruin for Judah. The command was rooted in the danger of adopting the customs, beliefs, and idols of foreign cultures. Such influences would weaken the people’s commitment to the worship of the one true God. Nehemiah’s question serves as a call to repentance and a warning against compromising with the world.

Application

Faithfulness to God means guarding our hearts from influences that pull us away from Him. This may require difficult choices, even when they go against culture or personal desire. God’s instructions protect us from spiritual harm, so we should obey them fully. We must be careful about the relationships we form and the values we embrace. Not every influence is neutral; some can slowly turn our hearts from God.

Accountability is also vital. Nehemiah confronted the people boldly. We need fellow believers who can correct us and help us stay on the right path. Being open to correction keeps us aligned with God’s will. Leaders and friends alike have a role in calling us back when we wander.

We must embrace God’s Word as our guide. Just as Nehemiah based his rebuke on Scripture, we should study and apply its principles, trusting that His ways are best. The Bible gives us clear direction for holy living. When we follow it, we avoid the traps that lead to spiritual ruin.

Reflection

Nehemiah’s question challenges us to examine our own compromises. Are we tolerating any “great evil” in our lives? His boldness reminds us that leaders and believers alike must take sin seriously. The call is to return to God with whole hearts, avoiding any practice that weakens our devotion to Him. Let us learn from Nehemiah’s example and confront sin with courage, while also extending grace to those who repent. Our goal is not merely to avoid wrong but to pursue wholehearted faithfulness to God.