In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals”, and in chapter thirteen and verse sixteen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared how, “there dwelt men of Tyre also therein” where we read,
There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware,
and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
The verse reads, “There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “there dwelt men of Tyre” which means “there lived and abided male human beings belonging to Tyre whose name means to distress and were Syrian” “also therein” or “even so and indeed within the city”, “which brought fish” which means “who carried forth fish”, “and all manner of ware” or “and every type and kind of merchandise and valuables”. Nehemiah shared how male human beings who lived within “Tyre” of “Syria” carried “fish” and every type of merchandise into the city.
The verse goes on to say, “... and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “and sold on the sabbath” or “and offered for sale the items upon the day of intermission and rest” “unto the children of Judah” which means “to the offspring and progeny belonging to Judah whose name means praised and was the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split upon the death of Solomon”, “and in Jerusalem” or “and within Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. Nehemiah shared how the “men” from “Tyre” were selling their “fish and merchandise” to the offspring and progeny of “Judah” upon the “Sabbath or rest day” within the city of “Jerusalem”.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Nehemiah that people from foreign nations were also selling their wares to the people within “Jerusalem” on the “Sabbath” day. Once again people buying these items were violating the law of God. (See Exodus 20:8-11) God provided the “day of rest” to us not only so we would take ease from our work, but also as a symbol of the “rest” Jesus gives to people who believe and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”. Jesus died upon the cross for the sins of the world, and He was resurrected from the grave on the third day afterward, and when we put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us so we observe His “Sabbath” day and enjoy the “rest” He has promised to us for all eternity. (See Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:9-10)
Next time Nehemiah says, “I contended with the nobles of Judah”, 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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