because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing). Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Nehemiah 13:2? 2. Why did God turn Balaam's curse into a blessing for Israel? 3. How does Nehemiah 13:2 demonstrate God's protection over His people? 4. What lessons can we learn about obedience from Nehemiah 13:2? 5. How can we apply God's transforming power in our lives today? 6. What other scriptures highlight God's ability to turn curses into blessings? 7. Why did God turn Balaam's curse into a blessing in Nehemiah 13:2? 8. How does Nehemiah 13:2 reflect God's sovereignty over human intentions? 9. What historical context led to the events in Nehemiah 13:2? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 13? 11. Why did God command killing Midianites, including children? 12. How does Micah 6:5 align with or contradict other biblical accounts concerning Balak, Balaam, and their historical credibility? 13. How can we reconcile Nehemiah 13:1-3 banning Ammonites and Moabites from the assembly with earlier passages showing Ruth, a Moabite, fully accepted among God's people? 14. Nehemiah 4:4-5: Why would a just and merciful God sanction curses against enemies, conflicting with later teachings of forgiveness? Discussion Questions 1. How does the account of Balaam and the Moabites in Numbers 22-24 provide context for Nehemiah 13:2?2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in our own lives, similar to how He turned Balaam's curse into a blessing? 3. How can Romans 8:28 encourage us when we face situations that seem to be against us? 4. What lessons can we learn from Nehemiah's leadership in ensuring the community adhered to God's laws? 5. How can we be a source of support and blessing to others in our community, contrasting the actions of the Moabites?1. How does Nehemiah's response to the desecration of the temple rooms (verses 1-9) inspire you to protect and honor sacred things in your life? 2. What can you learn from Nehemiah's zeal for the observance of the Sabbath (verses 15-22)? How might this influence your understanding of rest and worship in your own life? 3. In the context of intermarriage with foreign women (verses 23-31), what does it mean for you to be 'set apart' in the world today? 4. How did Nehemiah demonstrate his commitment to the Levites' wellbeing (verses 10-14)? How can you apply this principle of supporting those who serve in your community? 5. How did Nehemiah handle his discoveries of disobedience amongst the people of Judah? How would you handle similar situations in your community? 6. What do you think motivated Nehemiah to enforce such drastic reforms? 7. How do you balance the call to be in the world, but not of the world, in relation to the problem of mixed marriages discussed in verses 23-31? 8. How do Nehemiah's actions throughout the chapter demonstrate his understanding of the holiness of God? 9. What challenges might Nehemiah have faced during these reforms, and how might you face similar challenges in your life? 10. How does the way Nehemiah handled opposition to his reforms speak to your personal situations of standing for what is right? 11. How do you see the themes of consecration and dedication in your life as mirrored in Nehemiah 13? 12. What lessons can modern-day leaders learn from Nehemiah's leadership style and his passion for reform? 13. How does the concept of tithing in support of the Levites (verses 10-14) translate into today's Christian living? 14. Nehemiah made some tough decisions in this chapter. How can his courage inspire you in making difficult decisions in your own life? 15. How does Nehemiah's prayer in verse 14, "Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out what I have faithfully done for the house of my God and its services", resonate with your personal spiritual journey? 16. Why do you think the people of Judah had drifted away from the Law of Moses, and what parallels do you see in today's society? 17. How can you apply Nehemiah's passion for God's Law in your personal life, family, and community? 18. What practices in your life may need reforming, as Nehemiah reformed the practices in Jerusalem? 19. What is your reaction to the ways Nehemiah reprimanded the people and the consequences he imposed? How does this compare to the idea of God's discipline in our lives? 20. In light of Nehemiah's reforms, what role does obedience play in your relationship with God? How do you balance grace and law in your own life? Links Nehemiah 13:2 NIVNehemiah 13:2 NLT Nehemiah 13:2 ESV Nehemiah 13:2 NASB Nehemiah 13:2 KJV Nehemiah 13:2 Commentaries Bible Hub |



