Our kings and leaders and priests and fathers did not obey Your law or listen to Your commandments and warnings that You gave them. Our kings, leaders, priests, and fathersThis phrase highlights the collective responsibility of Israel's leadership across different societal roles. The Hebrew words for "kings" (מַלְכֵּ֣ינוּ, malkeinu), "leaders" (שָׂרֵ֔ינוּ, sareinu), "priests" (כֹּהֲנֵ֖ינוּ, kohaneinu), and "fathers" (אֲבֹתֵֽינוּ, avoteinu) emphasize the hierarchical structure of ancient Israelite society. Each group had distinct roles: kings were to govern according to God's law, leaders were to guide the people, priests were to mediate between God and man, and fathers were to instruct their families in righteousness. Historically, this reflects the period of the monarchy and the priesthood's central role in spiritual life. The failure of these groups to adhere to God's law led to national consequences, underscoring the importance of godly leadership. did not follow Your Law
The phrase "did not follow" (לֹ֣א עָשׂ֔וּ, lo asu) indicates a deliberate choice to ignore or disobey. "Your Law" (תּוֹרָתֶ֑ךָ, toratecha) refers to the Torah, the divine instructions given to Israel. The Torah was not merely a set of rules but a covenantal guide for living in relationship with God. The leaders' failure to follow the Law signifies a breach of this covenant, which had both spiritual and societal ramifications. This disobedience is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often leading to periods of judgment and exile. or pay attention to Your commandments
The phrase "pay attention" (הִקְשִׁ֖יבוּ, hikshivu) suggests an active listening and obedience. "Your commandments" (מִצְוֺתֶ֥יךָ, mitzvotecha) are specific directives from God, meant to guide the moral and ethical conduct of His people. The Hebrew root of "commandments" (צוה, tzavah) implies a sense of duty and obligation. The leaders' neglect to heed these commandments reflects a spiritual apathy and a turning away from God's voice, which is a central concern in the prophetic literature. and warnings You gave them
The "warnings" (וְעֵדֹתֶ֖יךָ, ve'edotecha) refer to the testimonies or admonitions provided by God through the prophets and the Law. The Hebrew root (עֵדוּת, edut) conveys the idea of a witness or testimony, often serving as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience. These warnings were meant to steer the people back to faithfulness and prevent the calamities that would follow rebellion. Historically, the failure to heed these warnings led to the Babylonian exile, a pivotal event in Israel's history that underscored the seriousness of covenantal unfaithfulness. Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahA Jewish leader who played a crucial role in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls and leading spiritual renewal among the Israelites after the Babylonian exile. 2. KingsRefers to the monarchs of Israel and Judah who often led the people away from God's commandments, contributing to the nation's downfall. 3. LeadersIncludes the political and military leaders who were responsible for guiding the people but often failed to uphold God's laws. 4. PriestsThe religious leaders who were supposed to teach and uphold the law but frequently neglected their duties, leading to spiritual decay. 5. FathersRepresents the ancestors of the Israelites who had a history of disobedience and rebellion against God's commands. Teaching Points The Importance of Leadership AccountabilityLeaders are held to a high standard and have a significant impact on the spiritual direction of their people. It is crucial for leaders to adhere to God's commandments and lead by example. The Consequences of DisobedienceIgnoring God's laws and warnings leads to spiritual and often physical consequences. The history of Israel serves as a cautionary tale for individuals and nations alike. The Role of Repentance and RenewalDespite past failures, there is always an opportunity for repentance and renewal. Nehemiah's leadership in calling the people back to God's law demonstrates the power of turning back to God. The Generational Impact of SinThe disobedience of one generation can affect subsequent generations. It is vital to break cycles of sin through repentance and commitment to God's ways. Listening to God's WarningsGod provides warnings through His Word and His prophets. It is essential to heed these warnings to avoid the pitfalls of disobedience. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the failure of Israel's leaders in Nehemiah 9:34 reflect the importance of godly leadership in today's context? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are listening to and obeying God's commandments in our daily lives? 3. How can the history of Israel's disobedience and its consequences serve as a warning for modern believers? 4. What steps can we take to break generational cycles of sin and disobedience in our families and communities? 5. How can we cultivate a heart of repentance and renewal, both personally and within our church communities? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, highlighting the consequences faced by Israel's leaders for not keeping God's law. Jeremiah 7Jeremiah's warnings to the people of Judah about their disobedience and the impending judgment, similar to the warnings ignored by the leaders mentioned in Nehemiah 9:34. 2 Kings 17Describes the fall of Israel due to the persistent disobedience of its kings and people, paralleling the failures recounted in Nehemiah 9:34. 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 Admonished, Admonitions, Attended, Attention, Commandments, Commands, Fathers, Follow, Hast, Heads, Hearkened, Heeded, Kept, Kings, Law, Leaders, Listened, Orders, Paid, Pay, Performed, Priests, Princes, Rulers, Testified, Testify, Testimonies, Warnings, Wherewith, WitnessDictionary of Bible Themes Nehemiah 9:34 6200 imperfection, influence Nehemiah 9:33-35 6624 confession, of sin 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 9:34 NIVNehemiah 9:34 NLTNehemiah 9:34 ESVNehemiah 9:34 NASBNehemiah 9:34 KJV
Nehemiah 9:34 Commentaries
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