In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever”, and in chapter thirteen and verse two of Nehemiah, Nehemiah shared what happened, “because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water” where we read,
Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.
The verse reads, “Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, ...” Nehemiah began with the words, “because they met not the children” which means “since and on account that they, the people of Ammon and Moab, did not come to meet or receive the offspring and progeny” “of Israel” or “belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name for the descendants and nation of the descendants of Jacob” “with bread and with water” which means “accompanied by grain and food along with water to drink”, “but hired Balaam” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover rewarded and purchased for wages Balaam whose name means not of the people” “against them” which means “in opposition to them, the people of Israel”. Nehemiah shared how the people of “Ammon and Moab” did not meet the people of “Israel” with food and water, but rather purchased “Balaam”for wages instead.
The verse goes on to say, “... that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.” Nehemiah continued with the words, “that he should curse them” or “so he, Balaam, would slight, abate and trifle them, the people of Israel”: “howbeit our God” which means “our, the spiritual leaders', Supreme Deity” “turned the curse” or “transformed, perverted and overthrew the vilification and execration” “into a blessing” which means “into a gift, present and treaty of peace”. Nehemiah shared how “Balaam” was contracted for wages to put an abatement and trifling upon the people of Israel, but Jehovah God transformed it into a gift and treaty of peace.
When we meditate upon Nehemiah's words in this verse, we discover why the people of “Ammon and Moab” were never to enter into the congregation of Jehovah God. The people of “Ammon and Moab” did not assist the people of Israel with food and drink and rather paid “Balaam” to bring a “curse” upon the people of Israel. (See Numbers 22:3-6) God loves the people of Israel, and He protects them against those who oppose them. When we yield to God's Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead three days later, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to give honor to Him and His people so we are never abandoned by Him or kept from being in His presence.
Next time Nehemiah shares what happened, “when they had heard the law”, 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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