Slaves in the Promised Land

"So here we are today, slaves.  Yes, in the land you gave our ancestors, so that they could eat what it produces, and enjoy its good -- here we are in it, slaves!  (Nehemiah 9:36 CJB)

"Yes, forty years you sustained them in the desert; they lacked nothing -- their clothes did not wear out ; their feet did not swell up. (v.21) Then you brought them into the land about which you had said to their fathers that they should go in and take possession of it.  So the children went in and possessed the land, as you subdued ahead of them the Kena'ani living in the lands, and handed them over to them..(v.23-24)

They took fortified cities and fertile land , possessed houses full of all kinds of good things......so they ate their fill and grew robust, luxuriating in your great goodness. (v. 25)



Yet they disobeyed and rebelled against you, throwing your Torah behind their backs.  They killed your prophets for warning them that they should return to you.....So you handed them over to the power of their adversaries, who oppressed them.  Yet in the time of their trouble, when they cried out to you, you heard from heaven, and in keeping with your great compassion, you gave them saviors to save them from the power of their adversaries.  But as soon as they had gotten some relief, they went back to do evil before you.  (v. 26-28)

They paid no attention to your mitzvot, but sinned against your rulings, which, if a person does them, he will have life through them.  However, they stubbornly turned their shoulders, stiffened their necks and refused to hear.  Many years you extended them mercy and warned them by your Spirit through your prophets; yet they would not listen.  Therefore, you handed them over to the peoples of the lands.  Even so, in your great compassion, you didn't completely destroy them; nor did you abandon them, for you are a compassionate and merciful God.  (v. 29-31)

Even when they ruled their own kingdom, even when you prospered them greatly, in the great, rich land you gave them, they did not serve you; nor did they turn from their wicked deeds. (v. 35)

So, here we are today, slaves.  Yes, in the land you gave our ancestors, so that they could eat what it produces and enjoy its good -- here we are in it, slaves!!  It's rich yield now goes to the kings you have set over us because of our sins; they can do what they please to our livestock, and we are in great distress!  (v.36-37)

THERE IS SO MUCH IN THIS THAT I AM NOT ALLOWED TO EXPOUND BECAUSE THE LORD WANTS THE READER TO LISTEN AND HEAR FOR THEMSELVES.  AS I TYPED, I CAN SENSE THE SPIRIT UPON ME AND THE URGENCY TO GET THIS OUT.  MY HANDS TREMBLE......

NOTHING WAS ADDED TO HIS WORD AS HE DID NOT PERMIT ME.  THEREFORE, I PRAY THAT THE EYES OF YOUR HEART BE OPENED TO UNDERSTANDING AND RECEIVE THE REVELATION THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IMPARTS.  MAY HE LEAD YOU TO RESPOND ACCORDING TO WHAT HE REVEALS TO YOU.

THE WORD OF GOD STILL SPEAKS ON ITS OWN.....

See, the Word of God is alive! It is at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword — it cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart. ~ Hebrews 4:12 CJB