In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah referred to, “the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding. They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes. And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons”, and in chapter ten and verse thirty-one of Nehemiah, Nehemiah told the people of Israel what not to do, “if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell” where we read,
And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.
The verse reads, “And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day:” Nehemiah began with the words, “and if the people” which means “and whether and in case the human beings” “of the land” or “belonging to the foreign countries, regions, districts and territories” “bring ware or any victuals” which means “carry or bring forth merchandise or any type of grain or corn” “on the sabbath day” or “upon the intermission sunrise to sunset of rest” “to sell” which means “to merchandise or exchange”, “that we would not buy it of them” or “that we, the people of Israel, would in no way or manner purchase the grain, corn or merchandise from the people of the foreign lands” “on the sabbath” which means “upon the intermission sunrise or sunset of rest”, “or on the holy day” which means “or upon the sacred, set apart, hallowed and consecrated sunrise to sunset”. Nehemiah shared how the people of Israel were not to purchase any food or merchandise from foreigners on the “sabbath day” or the “sacred and set apart” days.
The verse goes on to say, “and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “and that we would leave” or “and that we, the people of Israel, forsake, cast off and abandon their lands or farms” “the seventh year” which means “the seventh annual number of days or division and measure of time”, “and the exaction” or “and the lending, interest or usury” “of every debt” which means “pertaining to each, all, the whole and everyone of the monies owed to us”. Nehemiah shared how the people of Israel committed to allow their lands to rest during the “seventh year”, and they would forgive every amount of money that was owed to them.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah how the people of Israel committed to follow the laws concerning the “Sabbath” and “holy” days that were set apart by Jehovah God. They were not to purchase food or merchandise from foreigners on the “Sabbath day”, nor were they to till and plant their fields every “seventh year”. God wants us to “rest” in observance of Him and His ways, and when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a passion and desire to keep His “Sabbath day” and to make it holy. (See Exodus 20:8-11; 31:14-16 Deuteronomy 5:12; Colossians 2:16-17)
Next time Nehemiah says, “we made ordinances for us”, 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