For the last three weeks we have observed two issues which required Nehemiah’s intervention. Despite their oaths to the contrary, our fathers had corrupted and neglected to care for the Temple of God as well as profaned the Sabbath Day. Rather than remaining resolute in their determination to obey the Lord, they compromised with the prevailing culture of unbelief surrounding them. This compromise with unbelief is highlighted poignantly today as we learn one of the causes of this compromise: our fathers were intermarrying with these unbelieving peoples and adopting their ways of thinking and living.