Nehemiah Angry - Nehemiah 5:6

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. Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth. There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards. Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards”, and in chapter five and verse six of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “I was very angry when I heard their cry”, where we read,

And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.

The verse reads, “And I was very angry ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “and I” or “and I, Nehemiah” “was very angry” which means “existed as exceedingly and abundantly hot, furious, kindled and incensed” because of the following. Nehemiah shared how he was exceedingly furious at the time he heard the following.

The verse goes on to say, “...when I heard their cry and these words.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “when I heard their cry” or “at the time and moment I, Nehemiah, listened to, perceived and gave attention to their, the people of Judah's, outcry of distress, clamor and shriek” “and these words” which means “and the utterances, declarations and proclamations from the people of Judah”. Nehemiah became exceedingly furious at the time he perceived the outcry and utterances of the people of Judah. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Nehemiah became exceedingly incensed at the time he perceived the outcry and declarations coming from the abused people of Judah. These were their own people, and they were taking advantage of them. God wants us to love one another even as He loves us. He proved His love to us when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead three days later so that everyone who believes and trusts in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and given the ability to love others even as we love ourselves. (See Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27) 

Next time Nehemiah says, “I consulted with myself”, 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".