Mortgaging for Food - Nehemiah 5:3

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. 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”, and in chapter five and verse three of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how the people said, “we have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn”,where we read,

Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, 

that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.

The verse reads, “Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “some also there were that said” or “a number of the people even so and indeed were in that place who uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “we have mortgaged our lands” which means “we, some people of Judah, have pledged, engaged, undertaken and became surety for our, the some people of Judah's, fields, cultivated plains and grounds”, “vineyards” or “gardens of vine”, “and houses” which means “and habitations, abodes and dwelling places”. Nehemiah shared how a number of the people of the Jews told Nehemiah that they pledged their fields, vine gardens and dwelling places for the following reason. 

The verse goes on to say, “... that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “that we might buy corn” or “so we, some of the people of Judah, may purchase wheat and grain”, “because of the dearth”which means “since and on account of the famine”. Nehemiah shared how the people of Judah told him they “mortgaged” their belongings so they could purchase wheat and grant on account of the famine. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how some of the people of Judah told him they put their properties under surety so they could purchase wheat and grain to feed their families. These troubles were not unknown to Jehovah God, and because God knows our troubles as well, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross and to be resurrected three days later so everyone who believes and trusts in Him will be forgiven of the sins, granted everlasting life and have God available to hear and intercede for us when difficulties arise. Let all who read these words and are in difficulties yield themselves to Jesus who will care for all our needs. (See Philippians 4:19)

Next time Nehemiah shares how some of the people said, “we have borrowed money for the king's tribute”, 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".