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”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-seven of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how the Levites said, “therefore you delivered them into the hand of their enemies” where we read,
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.
The verse reads, “Therefore you delivered them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “therefore you delivered them” which means “wherefore, then and on this account you, Jehovah God, gave, ascribed and committed them, the people of Israel” “into the hand of their enemies” or “to the power, might and authority belonging to their, the people of Israel's, hating adversaries and foes”, “who vexed them” which means “who cramped, distressed and besieged them, the people of Israel”: “and in the time of their trouble”or “and within the experience and season pertaining to their, the people of Israel's, straits, distress and vexation” the following occurred. Nehemiah shared the Levites mentioned that Jehovah God committed the people of Israel over to the authority and power of their hating foes, and their “enemies” caused them great distress. However, while they were in their “distress”, the following happened.
The verse continues, “... 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.” Nehemiah added the words, “when they cried unto you” or “at the time and moment they, the people of Israel, called out, made an outcry and summoned you, Jehovah God”, “you heard them” which means “you, Jehovah God, listened to, perceived and gave attention to them, the people of Israel” “from heaven” or “separate and apart from the visible sky, atmosphere and the sidereal heaven where God dwells and other spiritual beings”; “and according to your manifold mercies” which means “and in keeping with your, Jehovah God's, great, abounding and numerous compassion, tender love and pity” “you gave them saviors” or “you, Jehovah God, bestowed, granted and ascribed to them, the people of Israel, victorious deliverers”, “who saved them”which means “who rescued them, the people of Israel” “out of the hand of their enemies” or “from the power, might and authority belonging to their, the people of Israel's, hating foes and adversaries”. Nehemiah shared how the Levites recalled the way the people of Israel called out to Jehovah God in their “troubles”, and He listened to them from His “Heavenly abode”. He dispatched “rescuers” who saved the people of Israel from the power of their hating foes.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah that the Levites continued to share about the events happening to the people of Israel. Because they rebelled against Him, God gave them over to people who hated them which caused them great vexation. However, when they called out to Him, He listened to them from “Heaven” and sent rescuers to save them from their foes because of His abundant compassion and pity. God loves the people of Israel, and even when they have been defiant to Him, after they have been “vexed” and call out to Him, He will rescue them. God loves us as well, and even when we have sinned against Him, He will save us when we humble ourselves and call out to Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and carefully attend to us when distressing times arrive.
Next time Nehemiah shares how the Levites said of the people of Israel, “after they had rest, they did evil again”, 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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