In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah”, and in chapter four and verse seventeen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon”, where we read,
They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded,
every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
The verse reads, “They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “they which builded on the wall” or “they, the people of Judah, who rebuilt, established and caused to continue the barrier wall”, “and when they that bare burdens” which means “and at the time and moment they, the people of Judah, who lifted up, carried and supported”, “with those that laded” or “alongside and accompanying the people of Judah who carried the burden or load did the following”. Nehemiah said the people of Judah who rebuilt the barrier wall and the people who supported and worked alongside those who bore the loads did the following.
The verse continues, “... every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.” Nehemiah added the words, “every one with one of his hands” or “each, all, the whole and everyone by the use of one single physical hand” “wrought in the work” which means “fashioned, accomplished and produced within the business, occupation and workmanship”, “and with the other hand” or “and by the use of the other physical hand” “held a weapon” which means “prevailed, made themselves strong and were resolute with a spear, dart or sword”. Nehemiah shared how the people of Judah worked with one of their physical hands and kept a spear, dart or sword within the other.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how he and the people of Judah worked on the wall with one of their hands, and kept a weapon in the other. They worked and were ready for battle. We are to be like this when engaging in the Kingdom of God. God wants to save people from their sins, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross and to be raised from the dead three days later to accomplish His will. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the will to work and the wisdom to prepare for battle as we engage the foes of Jehovah God in this world. (See 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Ephesians 6:12)
Next time Nehemiah shares about, “the builders”, 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".
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