Introduction. The Bible teaches us often about mistakes that God’s people have allowed themselves to fall into. We are intended to learn from these mistakes so that we do no fall into the same mistake. Tonight I’d like for us to consider a mistake that the Jews made during the time of the return from exile that concerned a non-Israelite named Tobiah.

The Jews’ Alliance With Tobiah.

1. Nehemiah comes to Jerusalem with permission from the king to rebuild the walls (Nehemiah 2:1-8).
   1. Tobiah was an Ammonite official in Palestine during the Persian period. Tobiah is upset at the move to rebuild the walls (2:9-10).
      1. He was “disturbed” that someone sought the “well-being” (lit. the “good”) of the Jews. He was an enemy of the Jews.
   2. Tobiah “laughs” at the effort (2:11-19).
      1. He may have seen that this would mean that his place and power would be diminished (2:20).
   3. The rebuilding of the walls progress (3:1-32).
      1. Tobiah mocks the effort (4:1-3).
      2. This was an offense to God (4:4-6).
2. Tobiah’s mocking turned to opposition.
   1. Conspiracy to attack the Jews (4:7-8).
      1. The Jews prayed and set a watch (4:9).
      2. Half of the Jews worked and half guarded the workers (4:16).
      3. The workers carried a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other (4:17). The building was completed.
3. Tobiah’s Associates Seek to Kill Nehemiah and Spread Rumors (6:1-8).
   1. Nehemiah discovers their plans (6:10-14).
4. Israel’s Relationship with Tobiah (6:15-19). Even though he had opposed the Jews he maintained a connection with them and tried to keep his influence.
   1. In spite of his opposition to the things of God the Jews maintained a relationship with him (13:1-5). How they could overlook his opposition to their own “good” defies understanding. Nevertheless, even the High priest was “allied” with him (vs. 4).
      1. High Priest had worked on the wall (3:1).
   2. Nehemiah casts him out of the temple (13:6-9).
      1. He also restores the portion and work of the Levites (13:10-14).
      2. He restores proper observance of the Sabbath (13:15-22).
      3. He moves them to separation from pagan wives (13:23-31). This included Moabites and Ammonites.

How Can Christians Make the Same Type of Alliance?

1. By Failing to Recognize Opponents of Truth.
   1. The Jews should never have allowed the kind of relationship that developed with Tobiah. After he opposed the building of the wall, they should have realized that they could not serve God and ally themselves with His enemy.
   2. We must be on guard against the enemies of truth (Matthew 7:15-18).
2. By Failing to Set Boundaries on Our Relationships With Unbelievers.
   1. The Jews had allied themselves with Tobiah, even though he openly mocked, conspired against and tried to thwart God’s work.
   2. We must limit our relationships with the world (II Corinthians 6:14-17).
3. By Becoming Ignorant of God’s Word.
   1. It seems as if the people had become ignorant of what the Law of Moses had taught about Ammonites and the assembly of Israel. Giving Tobiah a room in the temple itself was a violation of this.
   2. Apostasy often comes from those who do not know what the word even says (Hosea 4:6-7).
      1. We should be eager to know God’s will (Ephesians 5:15-17).
4. By Allowing the Corruption of the House of God.
   1. Allowing Tobiah in the temple was not the only way in which they had allowed a corruption of the House of God. Providing for Tobiah meant the Levites were neglected and their service unsustained.
   2. The church is the “House of God” under Christ (I Timothy 3:14-15).
      1. It can be corrupted by immorality tolerated and ignored (I Corinthians 5:1-2; 6-7).
      2. It can be corrupted by turning from sound practice (Revelation 2:12-16).