To the Nobles, Rulers and Rest of the People - Nehemiah 4:19

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how, “the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me”, and in chapter four and verse nineteen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah spoke to, “the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people”, where we read,

And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, 

The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.

The verse reads, “And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “and I said unto the nobles” or “and I, Nehemiah, uttered, declared and proclaimed to the white, pure and freeborn ones”, “and to the rulers” which means “and toward the prefects, governors and officials”, “and to the rest of the people” or “and toward the remainder and remnant pertaining to the human beings”. Nehemiah shared how he spoke to the freeborn ones, the officials and the remainder of the people of Judah who were rebuilding the wall. 

The verse continues, “... the work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.” Nehemiah added the words, “the work is great and large” or “the occupation, business and workmanship exists as multiplied, exceedingly heaped, grown up, wide and broad”, “and we are separated” which means “and we, Nehemiah and the people of Judah, exist as divided, dispersed and scattered” “upon the wall” or “on the barrier wall”, “one far from another” which means “one person a great distance from the other person”. Nehemiah stated that the labor before the people of Judah was indeed massive and broad, and he and the people of Judah were scattered a long distance away from one another.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how Nehemiah addressed the people once again as he acknowledged the massive amount of work which was before them and long distance from each other as they worked. In order for them to be watchful and able to respond to any attack, they must have a plan. God has a plan as well, and He knows where we are in the world. Because we have sinned against Him, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross and to be resurrected from the dead for the sins of all mankind. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a passion, will and desire to continue our section of the work in His Kingdom even when we are far away from each other. 

Next time Nehemiah shares what the builders are to do, “in what place therefore you hear the sound of the trumpet”, 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".