In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah went back to the city of Jerusalem and began to rebuild the wall. However, Nehemiah said, “it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?”, and in chapter four and verse three of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared what, “Tobiah the Ammonite” said, where we read,
Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said,
Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
The verse reads, “Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “now Tobiah the Ammonite” or “at that time Tobiah whose name means Jehovah is good who was an Ammonite which means tribal and referred to the descendants and inhabitants of Ammon” “was by him” which means “stood beside and accompanying him, Sanballat”, “and he said” or “and he, Tobiah, uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. Nehemiah shared how “Tobiah” was beside “Sanballat” when he offered his questions, and he proclaimed the following words.
The verse continues, “... Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.” Nehemiah added the words, “even that which they build” or “also and indeed this same structure that the Jewish people reconstruct and rebuild”, “if a fox go up” which means “whether and in case a burrower or jackal ascend or climb”, “he shall even break down” or “he, the fox, will also and indeed burst, tear down and make a breach in” “their stone wall” which means “their, the Jewish people's, common, hewn rocks or material used for the barrier wall”. Nehemiah shared how “Tobiah”cynically stated that the barrier wall built by the Jewish people would not be able to withstand a small “fox” or jackal climbing upon it without it collapsing.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how “Tobiah” chimed in beside “Sanballat”in creating doubt concerning the Jewish people rebuilding the wall surrounding Jerusalem. He cynically doubted the quality of the work being accomplished by the people of Jerusalem, and his demeaning discourse was meant to disparage the workers as well. God gives everyone a place to work in His Kingdom who surrenders to His Son Jesus who died on the cross and was raised from the dead three days later. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and employ us in His Kingdom work throughout the world according to His perfect will and plan for our lives. We need not fear when others, like “Tobiah”, cast doubt upon our efforts when we are working for the LORD and not toward men. (See Colossians 3:23)
Next time Nehemiah prays, “hear, O our God, for we are despised”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment