Deeds Reported to Nehemiah - Nehemiah 6:19

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah and the people of Judah completed the barrier wall surrounding Jerusalem, and he said, “And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God. Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them. For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah”, and in chapter six and verse nineteen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “they reported his good deeds before me”, where we read,

Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. 

And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

The verse reads, “Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him.” Nehemiah began with the words, “also they reported” or “even so and indeed they, the people of Judah in alliance with Tobiah, kept telling Nehemiah about” “his good deeds” which means “Tobiah's pleasant, agreeable and excellent acts and accomplishments” “before me” or “in front and in the presence of me, Nehemiah”, “and uttered my words to him” which means “and said, declared and proclaimed my, Nehemiah's, utterances, declarations and proclamations to him, Tobiah”. Nehemiah shared how the numerous people of “Judah” told him about “Tobiah's” excellent acts and accomplishments, and they told Nehemiah's utterances to him. 

The verse goes on to say, “And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “and Tobiah” or “and Tobiah whose name means Jehovah is good” “sent letters” which means “put forth, dispatched and assigned missives and epistles” “to put me in fear” or “to cause me, Nehemiah, to be afraid and in terror”. Nehemiah shared how “Tobiah” kept sending missives to him to make him be afraid. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how the people of “Judah” who were in alignment with “Tobiah” told him about “Tobiah's” great accomplishments, and they kept telling “Tobiah” what Nehemiah had to say. “Tobiah” responded by sending Nehemiah epistles which were designed to make him afraid. Whatever “Tobiah” tried or attempted to do to Nehemiah failed because Nehemiah relied upon Jehovah God and not upon people. God wants us to yield ourselves to Him and His ways through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead three days later. When we put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us protected by His Holy Spirit from all adversaries who attempt to make us fearful. 

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Nehemiah share how he, “set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed”, 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".