Read 283.) Nehemiah 4:1 thru 6:19. Nehemiah had the king's permission to rebuild Jerusalem. When he arrived, and aroused the remnant to commence the work, much local opposition arose from among the non-Jews living there. But, as we read Nehemiah chapter 4, and especially passages like 4:4+5, 8, 14, 15 and 20, we realize that he is a godly believer, and that God is using this man to accomplish His purposes among Israel at this time of 445/444 BC.
From chapter 5, we continue to see Nehemiah's trust in God, and of God's giving him good success in all that he put his hands to. In this particular instance, the Jewish leadership over the remnant were enslaving their fellow-countrymen by means of indebtedness and taxation! Note that the lending these leaders were doing 'for' their people was only at an interest rate of 1%! And this was called usury by Nehemiah. In all this, as verses 9, 13, 15 and 19 clearly attest, Nehemiah was acknowledging God in all his ways, as per the principle of Proverbs 3:5+6, and we read that God was directing his steps!
Then, with chapter 6, there was still great opposition to the rebuilding of the wall by those outside of the people of Israel. Their opposition was rife with intrigue, as these enemies had hired some within the city to hamper the work by intimidating Nehemiah. Had Nehemiah agreed to flee into the temple to seek sanctuary, this would have been interpreted as a tacit admission that he was plotting a rebellion, to make himself their king. In all this, Nehemiah continued to look to God, as we read in verse 14. Then, with verse 15, we read that the effort was completed very speedily! That which the people had said in chapter 5, and verse 10, could not be done (and had not been done in about 90 years!), was completed in less than 2 months! Further, this effort and its good success was seen even by their enemies as having been accomplished with the help of God!
Proverbs 3:5+6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths, or make your paths straight." This matter of acknowledging the Lord has to do with the idea of regularly invoking Him in your speech before others, putting your hearers in mind of God themselves. They will watch you more closely, and God will bless and use you in such a way that they see and acknowledge God themselves, as being with you, blessing you and using you, so as to give you extraordinary good success in whatever it is that He would have you to do. Acknowledge God in all your ways and see if He is not faithful to use you too, to bring glory to Himself through you! It's what the Book is all about!
ForeverKingdom,
Harold F Crowell
No comments:
Post a Comment