In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how the Levites said of Jehovah God, “you are righteous. And did see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heard their cry by the Red sea. And showed signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for you knew that they dealt proudly against them. So did you get you a name, as it is this day. And you did divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors you threw into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters. Moreover you led them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go. You came down also upon mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven, and gave them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments. And made known unto them your holy sabbath, and commanded them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses your servant. And gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, and brought forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promised them that they should go in to possess the land which you had sworn to give them”, and in chapter nine and verse sixteen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how the Levites said, “they and our fathers dealt proudly” where we read,
But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks,
and hearkened not to your commandments,
The verse reads, “But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “but they and our fathers” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover they, the people of Israel, and our, the Levites and the people of Israel's male progenitors and ancestors” “dealt proudly” or “boiled up, seethed and acted arrogantly and insolently”, “and hardened their necks” which means “and made their, the people of Israel's, own physical necks to be severe, fierce, harsh and difficult”. Nehemiah shared how the Levites recalled the way the people of Israel and their forefathers acted arrogantly and stiffened their physical “necks” in opposition to Jehovah God.
The verse continues, “.... and hearkened not to your commandments, ...” Nehemiah added the words, “and hearkened not” or “and did not listen, perceive, pay attention or be obedient” “to your commandments” which means “toward your, Jehovah God's, precepts, laws and code of wisdom”. Nehemiah shared how the Levites remembered the people of Israel's lack of listening, paying attention to and being obedient to Jehovah God's precepts and laws.
When we consider Nehemiah's words in this verse, we discover how the Levites made note of the response of the people of Israel and their forefathers to the “commandments” and “laws” of Jehovah God. Rather than being humble and submissive, they acted arrogantly and were too stubborn to listen to what God had to say. God knows what is best for our lives, and “pride” will keep us from hearing and perceiving what He wants us to obey. He knew we would sin against Him, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone. He raised Jesus from the grave three days later so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us the value of being humble, listening to His words and being obedient to whatever He commands or tells us to do.
Next time Nehemiah shares how the Levites say the fathers of Israel, “refused to obey”, 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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