So here we are today as slaves in the land You gave our fathers to enjoy its fruit and goodness--here we are as slaves! So here we are todayThis phrase captures a moment of realization and confession. The Hebrew word for "today" (הַיּוֹם, hayom) emphasizes the immediacy and urgency of the situation. It reflects a present acknowledgment of their condition, urging the people to confront their reality. Historically, this is a pivotal moment for the Israelites, as they recognize their current state in light of their past and God's promises. slaves in the land
The term "slaves" (עֲבָדִים, avadim) is significant, as it contrasts with the freedom and prosperity that God intended for His people. This word evokes the memory of their ancestors' slavery in Egypt, highlighting a cycle of disobedience and consequence. Theologically, it underscores the consequences of sin and the loss of divine favor, serving as a call to repentance and renewal. You gave our fathers
This phrase acknowledges God's covenantal faithfulness. The Hebrew root for "gave" (נָתַן, natan) implies a generous and intentional act of provision. It reminds the Israelites of the Abrahamic covenant, where God promised the land to their forefathers. This historical context reinforces the idea that their current plight is not due to God's unfaithfulness but their own disobedience. to enjoy its fruit and goodness
The words "fruit" (פְּרִי, peri) and "goodness" (טוּב, tuv) reflect the abundance and blessings intended for the Israelites. These terms are reminiscent of the descriptions of the Promised Land as a place "flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8). Theologically, this highlights the contrast between God's intentions and the people's current reality, emphasizing the loss experienced due to their failure to uphold the covenant. here we are, slaves in it!
The repetition of "here we are" (הִנֵּה אֲנַחְנוּ, hinneh anachnu) serves to emphasize the gravity of their situation. The lament of being "slaves in it" underscores the irony and tragedy of their condition. Despite being in the land promised to them, they are not experiencing the freedom and prosperity intended by God. This serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments and the need for repentance and restoration. Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahA Jewish leader who played a crucial role in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the spiritual renewal of the people. He is known for his leadership and dedication to God. 2. IsraelitesThe people of God who are acknowledging their current state of servitude despite being in the Promised Land, which was given to their ancestors. 3. The Promised LandThe land given by God to the ancestors of the Israelites, meant to be a place of blessing and prosperity. 4. Babylonian ExileThe period when the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon, leading to their current state of servitude even after returning to their land. 5. CovenantThe agreement between God and the Israelites, which they repeatedly broke, leading to their current predicament. Teaching Points Acknowledgment of SinRecognize the importance of confessing our sins and understanding the consequences of disobedience to God. God's FaithfulnessDespite the Israelites' unfaithfulness, God remains faithful to His promises. This encourages us to trust in God's steadfast love and mercy. The Importance of RepentanceTrue repentance involves not only confessing sins but also turning away from them and seeking to restore our relationship with God. Living in FreedomEven when circumstances seem dire, we can live in spiritual freedom through Christ, who breaks the chains of sin and bondage. Stewardship of BlessingsReflect on how we are using the blessings God has given us. Are we honoring Him with our resources and opportunities? Bible Study Questions 1. How does Nehemiah 9:36 reflect the consequences of the Israelites' disobedience, and what can we learn from their experience? 2. In what ways does the concept of servitude in Nehemiah 9:36 relate to spiritual bondage today, and how can we find freedom in Christ? 3. How does the acknowledgment of sin in Nehemiah 9:36 inspire us to examine our own lives and seek repentance? 4. What role does God's faithfulness play in the account of Nehemiah 9, and how can we apply this understanding to our personal walk with God? 5. How can we better steward the blessings God has given us, ensuring that we are not living as "slaves" to the world but as free children of God? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, which directly relate to the Israelites' current state as described in Nehemiah 9:36. Leviticus 26Similar to Deuteronomy 28, this chapter discusses the consequences of breaking God's covenant, providing context for the Israelites' servitude. Ezra 9Ezra's prayer of confession parallels Nehemiah 9, emphasizing the theme of acknowledging sin and seeking God's mercy. Jeremiah 25This prophecy foretells the Babylonian captivity, which is the backdrop for the events in Nehemiah. 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 Behold, Bondmen, Bounty, Eat, Enjoy, Fathers, Forefathers, Fruit, Gavest, Gifts, Hast, Produce, Produces, Servants, Slaves, Theirs, Thereof, To-dayDictionary of Bible Themes Nehemiah 9:36-37 4510 sowing and reaping 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 9:36 NIVNehemiah 9:36 NLTNehemiah 9:36 ESVNehemiah 9:36 NASBNehemiah 9:36 KJV
Nehemiah 9:36 Commentaries
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