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 took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells dug, vineyards, and olive-yards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in your great goodness”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-six of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how the Levites said, “they were disobedient, and rebelled against you” where we read,
Nevertheless 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.
The verse reads, “Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against you, and cast your law behind their backs, ...”Nehemiah began with the words, “nevertheless they were disobedient” which means “nonetheless, even so and still they, the people of Israel existed as contentious, refractory and rebellious”, “and rebelled against you” or “and revolted in opposition to you, Jehovah God”, “and cast your law” which means “and threw off and away your, Jehovah God's, direction, instruction and code of conduct” “behind their backs” or “to the hinder part of their, the people of Israel's, rear”. Nehemiah shared how the Levites referred to the contentious and revolting behavior the people of Israel exhibited in opposition to Jehovah God and how they threw His direction and code of conduct to the hinder part of them.
The verse goes on to say, “... and slew your prophets which testified against them to turn them to you, and they wrought great provocations.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “and slew your prophets” or “and killed, murdered and destroyed your, Jehovah God's, spokesmen and speakers” “which testified against them” which means “who bore witness and solemnly warned and exhorted in opposition to them, the people of Israel” “to turn them to you” or “to return and restore them, the people of Israel, to you, Jehovah God”, “and they wrought great provocations” which means “and they, the people of Israel, fashioned, accomplished and produced large, intense and important contempt, contumely and blasphemy”. Nehemiah shared how the Levites referred to the way the people of Israel murdered and killed God's spokesmen who warned and exhorted them so they would return to God, however they produced intense contempt and blasphemy against God instead.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how the Levites continues to share about the people of Israel as they told of their insolence against Jehovah God. Even through God provided for them abundantly, they disobeyed Him and revolted against Him and His “law”. They threw away God's direction for their lives, and they killed the spiritual spokesmen God sent among them to cause them to return to Him. Rather than come back to Him, they committed blasphemous acts, and this was not the way God wanted it to be. God wants us to realize His provision for us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected from the dead three days later. When we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life teach us the value of yielding to His provision, law and direction for our lives.
Next time Nehemiah shares how the Levites said of Jehovah God, “therefore you delivered them into the hand of their enemies”, 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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