Nehemiah 13:17
Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
The verse belongs to the reform after the return from Persia to Jerusalem. The people of Judah had solemnly and publicly pledged to obey God's law, but when that guiding influence was withdrawn many departed from the Lord. During an absence evils crept in that threatened to pervert the nation. The wrong confronted was open profanation of the Sabbath day by trade, including treading winepresses and bringing in sheaves and burdens. Those burdens were carried on donkeys and in sacks, bundles, containers and vessels, and included fish and other goods bought from men of Tyre.
The rebuke was aimed at the nobles and rulers of Judah. They could have prevented the traffic but neglected their duty from desire to advance their own interests and favor the ungodly. Others sided with outsiders to overcome the scruples of the conscientious. This disregard grew out of intercourse with idolaters, as heathen merchants and traders induced Israelites to engage in Sabbath traffic. The Sabbath is the sign distinguishing Israel from all other nations as worshipers of the true God.
To call it an evil thing means that profaning the Sabbath brings more wrath upon Israel. Their fathers did the same, and God brought all this calamity upon them and upon Jerusalem. On learning of this bold profanation done in contempt of God, Nehemiah was grieved. He fearlessly contended against the wrong and took prompt measures to cleanse what had been defiled. He directed the Levites to guard the gates of the temple courtyard against Sabbath burdens in order to restore God's house to its right use.