In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how the Levites said, “our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keeps covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before you, that has come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day. Howbeit you are just in all that is brought upon us; for you have done right, but we have done wickedly”, and in chapter nine and verse thirty-four of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how the Levites said, “neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept your law” where we read,
Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept your law,
nor hearkened unto your commandments and your testimonies, wherewith you did testify against them.
The verse reads, “Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept your law, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “neither have our kings” which means “no and not in any way have our, the Levites and the people of Israel's, royal rulers and leaders”, “our princes” or “our, the Levites and the people of Israel's, rulers, leaders, chiefs and captains”, “our priests” which means “the Levites and the people of Israel's, spiritual spokesmen and leaders”, “nor our fathers” which means “no and not in any way our, the Levites and the people of Israel's, male progenitors and ancestors”, “kept your law” or “fashioned, accomplished, produced and observed your, Jehovah God's, direction, instruction and codes of conduct”. Nehemiah shared how the Levites continued to referred to the way the royal rulers, leaders, spiritual spokesmen and the male progenitors belonging to Israel violated Jehovah God's commandments and statutes.
The verse goes on to say, “... nor hearkened unto your commandments and your testimonies, wherewith you did testify against them.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “nor hearkened” or “no and not in any way listened, paid attention or heeded” “unto your commandments” which means “to your, Jehovah God's, ordinances and precepts” “and your testimonies” or “and your, Jehovah God's, witness”. Nehemiah shared how the Levites said the “leaders and forefathers” of Israel did not listen or take heed to Jehovah Gods ordinances and witness.
When we consider Nehemiah's words in this verse, we learn how the Levites continued to share the way the leadership within Israel violated the statutes and precepts of Jehovah God. They did not listen to Him. They did not obey what God said, and they continually forsook what He told them. God wants us to hear and obey Him, and when we do, our lives are bettered for it. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He raised Him from the dead three days later so everyone who yields to Him as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and taught the value of listening to God and obeying whatever He says in His word.
Next time Nehemiah shares how the Levites said, “they have not served you in their kingdom”, 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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