In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “So built we the wall; … and Judah said, the strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall”, and in chapter four and verse eleven of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how, “our adversaries said, they shall not know, nor see”, where we read,
And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them,
and slay them, and cause the work to cease.
The verse reads, “And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, ...”Nehemiah began with the words, “and our adversaries said” or “and our, Nehemiah and the people of Judah's, enemies and foes uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “they shall not know” which means “they, Nehemiah and the people of Judah, will in no way or manner perceive, find out, discern, discriminate or distinguish”, “neither see” or “no and not in any way observe, notice and behold”, “till we come” which means “until the time we, the adversaries of Nehemiah and the people of Judah, enter, arise and arrive” “in the midst among them” or “within the middle and center of them, Nehemiah and the people of Judah”. Nehemiah shared how the foes of him and the people of Judah proclaimed that they would be unaware and unable to perceive them when they entered into the center of them.
The verse continues, “... and slay them, and cause the work to cease.” Nehemiah added the words, “and slay them” or “and kill, murder and destroy them, Nehemiah and the people of Judah”, “and cause the work” which means “and make the business and occupation of building the wall” “to cease” or “to desist and stop”. Nehemiah shared how the adversaries of Nehemiah and the people of Judah said they would kill them and make their rebuilding of the wall to stop.
When we consider the words in this verse, we discover through Nehemiah just how vicious these adversaries of him and the people of Judah were. Not only were they cynical and angry, but they also declared that they would kill them and make the work desist. Can we imagine such hatred? God knew all these things, and even though He wanted the people of Jerusalem to rebuild the wall surrounding Jerusalem, there were still people who opposed them. God will take care of them, but let us remember He wants a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When He rose from the dead, everyone who believe and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and given a task within His Kingdom which even if it comes with adversaries, He will accomplish His will.
Next time Nehemiah shares what happened, “when the Jews which dwelt by them came”, 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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