Continuing in the Work - Nehemiah 5:16

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God”, and in chapter five and verse sixteen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “I continued in the work of this wall”, where we read,

Yes, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land:

and all my servants were gathered there unto the work.

The verse reads, “Yes, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land:” Nehemiah began with the words, “yes, also I continued” or “even so, and indeed I, Nehemiah, prevailed, became strong, firm and resolute” “in the work” which means “within the occupation, business and labor, ” “of this wall” or “pertaining to the particular barrier wall surrounding Jerusalem”, “neither bought we any land” which means “no and not in any way did we, Nehemiah and the nobles of Judah, purchase fields or plains”. Nehemiah shared how he and his people became resolute in their labor on the barrier wall surrounding, and they did not purchase any fields or plains. 

The verse goes on to say, “and all my servants were gathered there unto the work.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “and all my servants” or “and each, every, the whole and everyone of my, Nehemiah's, slaves, men of servile condition and bondmen” “were gathered there” which means “were assembled and collected together there” “unto the work” or “to the business, occupation and labor”. Nehemiah shared how every one of his bondmen were assembled together to labor on the wall. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how he and his fellow laborers worked on the wall, and they kept themselves from land purchases while they worked. Every one of his men of servile condition were assembled to continue laboring. God was with Nehemiah and his servants, and He assembles those who receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross and was resurrected three days later to forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and use them in His Kingdom for His purposes and will. 

Next time Nehemiah says, “there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".