“And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah.”
Nehemiah 13:4
The Bible story explains how Sanballat and Tobiah conspired together to stop the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah received the burden to rebuild the walls of the city, and the children of Israel supported his vision. While others were putting in efforts to build, there was a traitor named Eliashib who associated himself with an enemy against God’s work.
Eliashib the priest was appointed as a supervisor of the storerooms of the Temple of God. Still, he chose to misuse the opportunity by giving out one of the rooms to Tobiah (an enemy of God’s work) just because he was his in-law. The opportunity God gives us is for our transformation and people’s reformation to establish God’s kingdom on earth. Beloved, let us seek to use every opportunity God has given us for Him and not against His works.
Eliashib’s connection to Tobiah reflects a broader trend of compromise that often occurs in leadership roles, where the desire for acceptance may overshadow the need for righteousness. Alliances matter, they can be a force for good or a source of downfall; hence, choose wisely.
Charge: No man who goes against God ultimately ends well. Be with Him, and He will always be with you.
Further Study: Numbers 16:11; Joshua 24:15; Psalms 1:1-6; Matthew 12:30; Acts 5:38-39; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
Happy weekend.
