But as soon as they had rest, they again did evil in Your sight. So You abandoned them to the hands of their enemies, who had dominion over them. When they cried out to You again, You heard from heaven, and You delivered them many times in Your compassion. But as soon as they had restThe Hebrew word for "rest" here is "נוח" (nuach), which implies a state of peace or tranquility. Historically, this rest refers to periods when the Israelites were free from oppression and could live in peace. This cycle of rest and rebellion is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, highlighting the human tendency to forget God in times of comfort. they again did evil before You
The phrase "did evil" is translated from the Hebrew "רע" (ra), meaning wickedness or wrongdoing. This indicates a deliberate turning away from God's commandments. The Israelites' repeated disobedience serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of complacency in spiritual life. So You abandoned them to the hands of their enemies
The word "abandoned" comes from the Hebrew "נטש" (natash), meaning to forsake or leave. This reflects God's righteous judgment, allowing the Israelites to face the consequences of their actions. It underscores the principle that God respects human free will, even when it leads to suffering. who oppressed them
The term "oppressed" is derived from the Hebrew "לחץ" (lachats), which means to press or afflict. Historically, this refers to the various nations that subjugated Israel, such as the Philistines and Babylonians. This oppression is a direct result of Israel's disobedience, serving as a divine corrective measure. Then they cried out to You again
The act of crying out is expressed by the Hebrew "זעק" (za'aq), indicating a desperate plea for help. This reflects a pattern of repentance and turning back to God in times of distress. It highlights God's readiness to listen to sincere prayers of repentance. and You heard from heaven
The phrase "heard from heaven" emphasizes God's omnipresence and His attentive nature. The Hebrew "שמע" (shama) means to hear or listen, indicating that God is always aware of His people's cries. This reassures believers of God's constant vigilance and readiness to respond. and from Your great compassion
The word "compassion" is translated from the Hebrew "רחמים" (rachamim), which conveys deep mercy and love. This attribute of God is central to His character, demonstrating His willingness to forgive and restore. It serves as a reminder of the boundless grace available to those who repent. You delivered them time and again
The term "delivered" comes from the Hebrew "נצל" (natsal), meaning to rescue or save. This reflects God's faithfulness in providing salvation despite repeated failures. The phrase "time and again" underscores the persistent nature of God's mercy, offering hope and encouragement to believers that God’s grace is inexhaustible. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelitesThe people of God who repeatedly turned away from Him, yet cried out for deliverance. 2. EnemiesThe foreign nations that God allowed to rule over the Israelites as a consequence of their disobedience. 3. GodThe compassionate and merciful deity who hears the cries of His people and delivers them. 4. NehemiahThe leader who helped rebuild Jerusalem's walls and led the people in spiritual renewal. 5. HeavenThe dwelling place of God, from where He hears and responds to the cries of His people. Teaching Points The Cycle of Sin and RedemptionRecognize the pattern of sin, consequence, repentance, and deliverance in our own lives. We must be vigilant to break this cycle through consistent obedience and reliance on God. God's Compassionate NatureDespite our failures, God is always ready to hear our cries and extend His mercy. This should encourage us to approach Him with confidence and repentance. The Consequences of DisobedienceUnderstand that turning away from God leads to negative consequences, not because God is punitive, but because He desires our growth and return to Him. The Power of RepentanceTrue repentance involves a heartfelt turning back to God, which He honors by restoring and rescuing us. The Importance of Spiritual LeadershipLike Nehemiah, we need leaders who guide us back to God and help us rebuild our spiritual lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the cycle of sin and redemption in Nehemiah 9:28 reflect in your personal life, and what steps can you take to break this cycle? 2. In what ways have you experienced God's compassion and mercy in your life, similar to the Israelites' experience? 3. How can the consequences of disobedience serve as a warning and a lesson for us today? 4. What role does repentance play in your relationship with God, and how can you practice it more effectively? 5. How can you support or become a spiritual leader like Nehemiah in your community or family? Connections to Other Scriptures Judges 2:18This verse describes a similar cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance among the Israelites during the time of the judges. Psalm 106:43-45These verses recount Israel's repeated rebellion and God's enduring mercy, highlighting His compassion and covenant faithfulness. 2 Chronicles 7:14This verse emphasizes the importance of humility, prayer, and repentance for receiving God's forgiveness and healing. Isaiah 30:18This verse speaks of God's longing to be gracious and show compassion, waiting for His people to return to Him. Lamentations 3:22-23These verses remind us of God's unfailing love and mercy, which are new every morning. People Abram, Amorites, Bani, Bunni, Canaanites, Chenani, Egyptians, Ezra, Girgashite, Girgashites, Hashabniah, Hittites, Hodiah, Hodijah, Israelites, Jebusites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Levites, Og, Perizzites, Pethahiah, Pharaoh, Shebaniah, Sherebiah, SihonPlaces Assyria, Bashan, Egypt, Gate of Ephraim, Heshbon, Mount Sinai, Red Sea, UrTopics Abandon, Abandoned, Compassion, Cried, Deliver, Delivered, Dominion, Ear, Enemies, Evil, Hands, Haters, Heardest, Hearedest, Heaven, Heavens, Leave, Leftest, Mercies, Mercy, Prayer, Rescued, Rest, Returned, Rule, Ruled, Salvation, Sight, Turn, YetDictionary of Bible Themes Nehemiah 9:28 1025 God, anger of
1030 God, compassion
5770 abandonment
8739 evil, examples of Nehemiah 9:16-29 5170 neck Nehemiah 9:16-31 6223 rebellion, of Israel Nehemiah 9:26-29 6195 impenitence, results Nehemiah 9:26-31 8705 apostasy, in OT Library The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength. Neh 9:10
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John Newton—Olney HymnsQuestions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be Moral.
1. Because all the reasons of this commandment are moral and perpetual; and God has bound us to the obedience of this commandment with more forcible reasons than to any of the rest--First, because he foresaw that irreligious men would either more carelessly neglect, or more boldly break this commandment than any other; secondly, because that in the practice of this commandment the keeping of all the other consists; which makes God so often complain that all his worship is neglected or overthrown, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The "Fraternity" of Pharisees
To realise the state of religious society at the time of our Lord, the fact that the Pharisees were a regular "order," and that there were many such "fraternities," in great measure the outcome of the original Pharisees, must always be kept in view. For the New Testament simply transports us among contemporary scenes and actors, taking the then existent state of things, so to speak, for granted. But the fact referred to explains many seemingly strange circumstances, and casts fresh light upon all. …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair, My Love; There is no Spot in Thee. " --Song of Solomon iv. 7.
FRAGRANT SPICES FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF MYRRH. HOW marvellous are these words! "Thou art all fair, My love; there is no spot in thee." The glorious Bridegroom is charmed with His spouse, and sings soft canticles of admiration. When the bride extols her Lord there is no wonder, for He deserves it well, and in Him there is room for praise without possibility of flattery. But does He who is wiser than Solomon condescend to praise this sunburnt Shulamite? Tis even so, for these are His own words, and were …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come The Personality of the Holy Spirit.
Before one can correctly understand the work of the Holy Spirit, he must first of all know the Spirit Himself. A frequent source of error and fanaticism about the work of the Holy Spirit is the attempt to study and understand His work without first of all coming to know Him as a Person. It is of the highest importance from the standpoint of worship that we decide whether the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, worthy to receive our adoration, our faith, our love, and our entire surrender to Himself, …
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit The Early Life of Malachy. Having Been Admitted to Holy Orders He Associates with Malchus
[Sidenote: 1095.] 1. Our Malachy, born in Ireland,[134] of a barbarous people, was brought up there, and there received his education. But from the barbarism of his birth he contracted no taint, any more than the fishes of the sea from their native salt. But how delightful to reflect, that uncultured barbarism should have produced for us so worthy[135] a fellow-citizen with the saints and member of the household of God.[136] He who brings honey out of the rock and oil out of the flinty rock[137] …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh The Prophecy of Obadiah.
We need not enter into details regarding the question as to the time when the prophet wrote. By a thorough argumentation, Caspari has proved, that he occupies his right position in the Canon, and hence belongs to the earliest age of written prophecy, i.e., to the time of Jeroboam II. and Uzziah. As bearing conclusively against those who would assign to him a far later date, viz., the time of the exile, there is not only the indirect testimony borne by the place which this prophecy occupies in …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Preface to the Commandments
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,' &c. Exod 20: 1, 2. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments? The preface to the Ten Commandments is, I am the Lord thy God.' The preface to the preface is, God spake all these words, saying,' &c. This is like the sounding of a trumpet before a solemn proclamation. Other parts of the Bible are said to be uttered by the mouth of the holy prophets (Luke 1: 70), but here God spake in his own person. How are we to understand that, God spake, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Of Immediate Revelation.
Of Immediate Revelation. [29] Seeing no man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son revealeth him; and seeing the revelation of the Son is in and by the Spirit; therefore the testimony of the Spirit is that alone by which the true knowledge of God hath been, is, and can be only revealed; who as, by the moving of his own Spirit, he disposed the chaos of this world into that wonderful order in which it was in the beginning, and created man a living soul, to rule and govern it, so by …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Holy War,
MADE BY SHADDAI UPON DIABOLUS, FOR THE REGAINING OF THE METROPOLIS OF THE WORLD; OR, THE LOSING AND TAKING AGAIN OF THE TOWN OF MANSOUL. THE AUTHOR OF 'THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.' 'I have used similitudes.'--Hosea 12:10. London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms in the Poultry; and Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1682. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Bunyan's account of the Holy War is indeed an extraordinary book, manifesting a degree of genius, research, and spiritual …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Nehemiah 9:28 NIVNehemiah 9:28 NLTNehemiah 9:28 ESVNehemiah 9:28 NASBNehemiah 9:28 KJV
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