Slaves in Their Own Land
February 11, 2021
Commentary
D. The grace of God (vv 32-39) – God was good to His people when His people were not good to Him. In His mercy He didn’t give them what they deserved.The history of the children of Israel is brought up to date (v. 32). In the past they had enjoyed abundant blessings even though they had sinned against God. They were back in the land, but they could not enjoy the land; for everything they worked for was given to somebody else. They were slaves in their own land (v. 36). Being slaves meant that they had to pay taxes to Persia, and Judah’s governmental leaders had to give the Persian kings money from the produce of the land.
The people recognized that all the problems that came from their captivity were well deserved, “But we have done wickedly.” (v. 33). They had acknowledged God’s greatness and goodness; and now on the basis of His grace they asked Him for a new beginning. They couldn’t change their servitude situation, but they could surrender themselves and seek His help. The Israelites did more than ask God for mercy; they also made a solemn covenant with God to obey His law and do His will. On the basis of their repentance and prayer, they made an agreement with God. This agreement was made on a sealed document. They agreed to separate from the heathen and to continue keeping the commandments of God.
Application
I need to ask myself the question, “Do my blessings make me thankful to God and draw me closer to Him or do I allow them make me feel self sufficient and forgetful of Him?”
Nehemiah 9:32– 39 (NET)
32 “So now, our God—the great, powerful, and awesome God, who keeps covenant fidelity —do not regard as inconsequential all the hardship that has befallen us—our kings, our leaders, our priests, our prophets, our ancestors, and all your people—from the days of the kings of Assyria until this very day. 33 You are righteous with regard to all that has happened to us, for you have acted faithfully. It is we who have been in the wrong! 34 Our kings, our leaders, our priests, and our ancestors have not kept your law. They have not paid attention to your commandments or your testimonies by which you have solemnly admonished them. 35 Even when they were in their kingdom and benefiting from your incredible goodness that you had lavished on them in the spacious and fertile land you had set before them, they did not serve you, nor did they turn from their evil practices.
36 “So today we are slaves! In the very land you gave to our ancestors to eat its fruit and to enjoy its good things—we are slaves. 37 Its abundant produce goes to the kings you have placed over us due to our sins. They rule over our bodies and our livestock as they see fit, and we are in great distress!
38 (10:1) “Because of all this we are entering into a binding covenant in written form; our leaders, our Levites, and our priests have affixed their names on the sealed document.”