In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how the Levites said Jehovah God cared for the people of Israel by delivering them from Egypt, and they said of the people of Israel, “they were disobedient, and rebelled against you, and cast your law behind their backs, and slew your prophets which testified against them to turn them to you, and they wrought great provocations. Therefore you delivered them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto you, you heard them from heaven; and according to your manifold mercies you gave them saviors, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-eight of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how the Levites said, “after they had rest, they did evil again” where we read,
But after they had rest, they did evil again before you: therefore left you them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto you, you heard them from heaven; and many times did you deliver them according to your mercies;
The verse reads, “But after they had rest, they did evil again before you: therefore left you them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them:” Nehemiah began with the words, “but after they had rest” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover following the time the people of Israel were settled down and made quiet”, “they did evil again before you” or “they, the people of Israel, turned back to performing bad, disagreeableness, malignancy and unpleasantness in the presence of you, Jehovah God”: “therefore left you them” which means “wherefore, then and on this account you, Jehovah God, forsook, abandoned and neglected them, the people of Israel” “in the hand” or “within the power, might and authority” “of their enemies” which means “belonging to their, the people of Israel's, hating foe and adversaries”, “so that they had the dominion” or “with the result being that they, the adversaries of Israel, possessed rule and domination” “over them” which means “above them, the people of Israel”. Nehemiah shared how the Levites referred to the peace and quiet the people of Israel experienced after God delivered them, however, they returned to their wicked ways in the presence of God, so He abandoned them to their hating foes so their adversaries ruled over them again.
The verse goes on to say, “yet when they returned, and cried unto you, you heard them from heaven; and many times did you deliver them according to your mercies;” Nehemiah continued with the words, “yet when they returned” or “even so and still at the time and moment they, the people of Israel, came and went back”, “and cried unto you” which means “made a clamor and called out to you, Jehovah God”, “you heard them” or “you, Jehovah God, listened to, perceived and paid attention to them, the people of Israel” “from heaven” which means “separate and apart from the visible sky, atmosphere and the sidereal heaven where God dwells and other spiritual beings”; “and many times” or “and on numerous and a multitude of occasions”, “did you deliver them” which means “you, Jehovah God, rescued and saved them, the people of Israel” “according to your mercies” or “in keeping with your, Jehovah God's, compassion, tender love and pity”. Nehemiah shared how the Levites recalled how the people of Israel went back and called out to God after being defiant to Him again, and He gave attention to the people of Israel and this happened over and over again with God's tender love and compassion being demonstrated every time.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how the Levites referred to the way the people of Israel would receive rest from Jehovah God, go back to their sinful ways, suffer, call out to God and He would hear them and save them from their hating foes again. God is faithful even when we are not, and because He loves us, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. He was resurrected from the dead three days later so all who believe and trust in Him, even repeat offenders, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and teach them to follow His ways so peace and quiet remain in their lives rather than vacillating back and forth.
Next time Nehemiah shares how the Levites said Jehovah God, “testified against 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".
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