Set in the Lower Places - Nehemiah 4:13

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “and it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places where you shall return unto us they will be upon you”, and in chapter four and verse thirteen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall”, where we read,

Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, 

I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.

The verse reads, “Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “therefore set I in the lower places” or “wherefore, then and on this account I, Nehemiah, was seated, remained and stood still within the lowermost and nether locations” “behind the wall” which means “in the hinder part of the barrier wall surrounding Jerusalem”, “and on the higher places” or “and upon the exposed, glaring and surface locations”. Nehemiah shared how he responded to the threats of the adversaries by being seated in the backside of the wall and upon the exposed and surface locations. 

The verse continues, “... I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.” Nehemiah added the words, “I even set the people” or “I, Nehemiah, caused the human beings both male and female to stand, remain and be stedfast” “after their families” which means “within the ranks of their, the people of Judah's, kindred, kinship and relatives” “with their swords” or “along with their, the people of Judah's, knives, sharp cutting stones, sharp implements, axes, daggers or mattocks”, “their spears” which means “the people of Judah's lances, javelins or hurling rods with sharp iron points”, “and their bows” or “and their, the people of Judah's, archery bows”. Nehemiah shared how he caused the people of Judah to remain with their relatives and to be armed with “swords, spears and bows”.

When we think through Nehemiah's words in this verse, we learn how he had to prepare the people of Judah and Jerusalem for battle. Although they were accomplishing the work of God in Jerusalem by rebuilding the wall, their adversaries threatened them and they needed to prepare to defend themselves. Can we imagine this sort of hatred toward them? The same is true today as Jewish people around the world suffer similar difficulties, and still, Jehovah God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for every person through them. When we yield to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and prepare us for battle as we wage spiritual war in this world. (See Ephesians 6:12) 

Next time Nehemiah says, “I looked, and rose up, and said … be not you afraid of them”, 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".