Joe: Alright, so Nehemiah 13, what’s going on here?

Expert: Well, Joe, Nehemiah 13 is about Nehemiah and the Israelites continuing to make reforms to ensure that God’s laws are followed and his people are kept safe.

Joe: So, what kind of reforms?

Expert: Nehemiah sets out to make sure that only those of the priestly line are allowed to perform duties in the temple and to make sure that the Sabbath day is kept holy by disallowing the sale of items on that day and preventing anyone from working.

Joe: Whoa! That’s pretty intense.

Expert: Indeed, Joe. He also makes sure that the tithes of the people are given to the priests, who then can provide for the temple.

Joe: That makes sense.

Expert: Absolutely. He also makes sure that foreign wives are divorced and no foreign gods are worshipped.

Joe: Wow, that’s pretty hardcore.

Expert: Yes, it is. Nehemiah also places a high premium on keeping the temple and city safe, ensuring that the gates are always guarded and that the walls are continually maintained.

Joe: Sounds like he was pretty serious about making sure God’s laws were followed.

Expert: Absolutely. Nehemiah was a faithful servant of God, and he was determined to keep God’s people safe and to ensure that their worship of Him was pure.