Many Children - Nehemiah 5:2

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “and there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews”, and in chapter five and verse two of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how the people said, “we, our sons, and our daughters, are many”, where we read,

For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: 

therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.

The verse reads, “For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many:” Nehemiah began with the words, “for there were that said” or “because, since and on account that there existed some of the people of Judah who uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “we, our sons” which means “we, the people of Judah, and our male offspring and progeny”, “and our daughters” or “and our, the people of Judah's, female progeny and offspring”, “are many” which means “exist as a numerous, abundant and a large amount”. Nehemiah shared how some of the people of Judah declared that they and their male and female offspring were numerous and abundant. 

The verse continues, “therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.” Nehemiah added the words, “therefore we take up corn” or “wherefore, then and on this account we, the people of Judah, fetch, lay hold of and seize wheat and grain” “for them” which means “on behalf of them, the children of Judah”, “that we may eat” or “so we, the people of Judah, might consume and devour”, “and live” which means “and remain alive and be sustained”. Nehemiah shared how the people said they seized wheat and grain on behalf of their children so they might consume the food and remain alive.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how there were a group of people along with their children among the Jews who were abundant in number and hungry. They seized wheat and grain so they could remain alive. This seems to be an additional problem in the midst of attempting to follow God's commission to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and because they had difficulties with enemies already, this only added to their troubles. God was aware of all of their needs, and when He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross and to be raised from the dead three days later, He showed His awareness of our problem of separation from Him. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His provision and protection even when difficulties and troubles arise. 

Next time Nehemiah shares how some of the people said, “we have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn”, 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".