“Their children went in and took possession of the land. You subdued before them the Canaanites, who lived in the land; you gave the Canaanites into their hands, along with their kings and the peoples of the land, to deal with them as they pleased. They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance…”

Nehemiah 9:24-25a

Last time we saw how Yahweh lavished generous boundaries in the Promised Land to the Israelites and multiplied their descendants. Today we see how those descendants lived in the promised blessing.

“So their children went in (bo – come in, carried, certainly come to pass, bring forth, abide) and took possession (yarash – inherit, utterly dispossess, give to possess, heir, new owners, occupy, enjoy  take possession of, come to poverty, make poor, expel, drive out, expel, occupy by drive out previous tenants) of the land.

So their children came forth and inherited the land.

Just as promised, it came to pass. Those allowed to enter the Promised Land came forth and took possession of it.

You subdued (kana – to be humble, done, bring down low, bend the knee, humiliate) before them (paneh – before the face of) the inhabitants (yashab – to sit, remain, dwell) of the land;

You brought low the inhabitants of the land before their face.

Because of the way white supremacy operates, I cannot stomach any sort of interpretation which would bring low inhabitants of a land before others seeking to conquer. But because we serve a Faithful God, I cannot ignore this section of Scripture. God did what He said He would do. He subdued the inhabitants before the eyes of His people, fresh out of slavery, weary from wandering, and with no military experience.

So let’s chat about the spiritual implications of this. What has God said? Then He will do it. Has He said, “I oppose the proud but give grace to the humble”? You better believe He will actively oppose those with a mind for only their own interests. Not because He’s mean, but because He’s good.

Did He say, “Blessed are those who mourn, are meek, poor in spirit, pure in heart, hunger and thirst for right-living, the peacemakers (not peacekeepers)”? Then may we see with our spiritual eyes what He promises is True.

How about, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Did He say that? Then why are we not living as if dying to ourselves is the ultimate honor of our spiritual lives?

And did He not say, “You must love your neighbor as yourselves”? Then we probably have some loving to do. Too much, in fact, to be more busy with gossip, revenge, justifying evil systems, and distracting each other from our mission.

Friends, do you know how low the enemy is humbled when we absorb these truths into our depths? How evil is forced to bend the knee to the One all hell knows holds ultimate authority? Before our faces He will subdue Him and the Kingdom advances. Glory.

You gave (nathan – give, set, allow, appoint, allowed, assigned, certainly gave, apportioned, provided, bestow) the Canaanites into their hands (yad – hand, authority, care, custody, entrust, pledged), along with their kings and the peoples (am – folk) of the land, to deal (asah – accomplish) with them as they pleased (ratson – goodwill, favor, acceptance).”

You gave the Canaanites into their authority/custody, along with their kings and regular folk, to deal with them as they pleased/goodwill.

I feel like as a nation we should be sat down with our mamas and reminded what it means to have financial resources, military might, fertile land, and industrial opportunities. It means we have more than others and if others are brought into our custody, within the realm of our authority, we have an obligation to deal with them generously. With goodwill. In a favoring way. To those whom much is given much will be required. We will answer for the ways we either hoard in fear or share in trust with fellow image bearers.

“They captured (lakad – seize, take, clasp) fortified (batsar – to cut off, make inaccessible, enclose, gathered, impenetrable) cities (iyr – excitement) and fertile (shamen – fat, robust, plenteous) land (adamah – ground, field)…”

They captured impenetrable cities/excitement and fertile/robust land…

Something about the mention of fortified cities makes me smile. Scripture makes sure to point out these cities were well-protected. Forces gathered, they should have been impenetrable for the Israelites. And yet, when obeying Yahweh, they took hold of them. God gave the victory.

Anything looming before you as inaccessible? An area you cannot imagine God could penetrate with His Spirit, His power and conquering love? Any system lacking justice or community brutalized? Let’s together believe in our Covenant Yahweh to give the victory. To join Him in moving in prayer + action in areas fertile for a Gospel movement.

“…they took possession (yarash again) of houses filled (male – completely, abundance, strong, old) with all (kol) kinds of good (tub – best things, bounty, goodness, prosperity) things…”

…they took possession of houses completely filled with all kinds of good/bountiful/prosperous things…

This one is harder for me. I picture the families living in these homes filled with good things being displaced by the Israelites. But I know that I know our God is always just and loving. He knows what I do not. And what we do know of the Canaanites who were driven out is a practice of evil and cruelty. So I will choose to believe in the long-suffering love and perfectly just motives of El Shaddai.

“…[they took possession of] wells (bowr – cistern, fountain, pit) already dug (chatsab – chop, cut, engrave, cleave, quarry)…”

… they took wells/cisterns already dug…

This one reminds me of something Jesus said to His disciples about the plentiful harvest. About reaping a spiritual harvest from land in which others have done the hard work to sow.

I think sometimes we forget that not everything in our spiritual lives conforms to our modern idea of fairness. Just the other week our family was doing yard work together and it reminded me of an incredibly unfair parable Jesus told. Well, unfair if our aim is earning.

I asked the boys how they would feel if, 5 minutes before we packed up and headed in for the night, their (imaginary) younger brother came out, did a tiny bit of work, then everyone got paid the same. They were not thrilled.

But, grace. Grace.

Sometimes He walks with us through a Hebrews 11 experience, never seeing with our own eyes what we toiled for, only from a distance. Other times, by no merit of our own, we stumble upon a person or situation in which His Spirit and the cooperation of His people has plowed, planted, fertilized, weeded, tended, and pruned. We simply get to harvest.

As for our Israelites who walked into homes chocked full of bounty and wells already dug, no work was required, only obedience. No, it wasn’t fair. It was faith.

“…vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees (maakal – food, fruit, something to eat) in abundance (rob – multitude, greatness, extensive, immense, multiplied)…”

…vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees in immense abundance.

I know many of us could look around at our well-stocked pantries, overflowing refrigerators, and handsomely decorated homes and see the literal reality of these verses. And, indeed, He sometimes blesses with material things. So we might open our lives and give to others.

But, as His Church may we see how Jesus promised blessing under the New Covenant will be our lives bearing much fruit. Zero guarantee of material prosperity; absolute guarantee of suffering. And simple grace for our need.

May we live like what He said is True.

“You gave them kingdoms and nations, allotting to them even the remotest frontiers. They took over the country of Sihon king of Heshbon and the country of Og king of Bashan. You made their children as numerous as the stars in the sky, and you brought them into the land that you told their parents to enter and possess.”

Nehemiah 9:22-23

Last time we saw the deliberate details Yahweh tended to for His people in the wilderness. Today we see the extravagant blessings He lavished.

“You gave them kingdoms (mamlakah – kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, reign, royal, rule; from melek – king) and nations (am – folk) and divided them (chalaq – deal, distribute, share, smooth like smooth stones were used for lots, to apportion, flatter) into districts (peah – corner, side, boundary, sector, forehead, temples; from poh – here, hither, each side).”

You gave them kingdoms (rule and reign) and nations (ordinary folk) and distributed them with generous boundaries, “allotted to them every corner” (ESV).

Often we are okay with how God will supply what we need, but we get uncomfortable when He begins to pile on blessings. When we first moved overseas, we flew directly into a large conference on the sea, filled to the brim with churches serving those who had been living away from their home country for multiple months.

I wish I could describe how wrong it felt for me to allow these servants to bless me. Me, fresh from America, poured into for weeks in training, ready to “earn” my keep. And yet, the more I resisted His grace through this conference, the more I said, “Well, we are just now getting to our intended city,” the sadder I felt in my spirit. There was no earning this. Refusing offers of blessing would not serve Him or those offering.

Same was true of our Israelites. They had not earned the Promised Land. In fact, in their disobedience, many were not allowed to enter. And yet, those obedient did not deserve such generous boundaries. To rule with benevolence in the midst of those watching nations. It was God’s good pleasure to increase their boundaries, allot them every corner of a rich land, and show off the kind of Father He is.

“So they took possession (yarash – inherit, utterly dispossess, give to possess, heir, new owners, occupy, enjoy  take possession of, come to poverty, make poor, expel, drive out, expel, occupy by drive out previous tenants) of the land of the king of Heshbon (Cheshbon – place east of Jordan) and the land of Og king of Bashan (region east of Jordan; smooth).”

So they inherited [by implication, expel/bring to poverty previous tenants] the land of the king of Heshbon and the land of Og king of Bashan.

Ah, and here’s the rub. The intense discomfort I feel reading “drive out, come to poverty” in the midst of our current world climate. The way such language has been used to justify white supremacy and colonizing.

And yet. Knowing the heart of God is not evil, cannot do evil, let’s remember together His perfect, loving justice. And His ultimate purpose in drawing all nations to Himself.

Just like us, His people were never blessed just to hoard it. They were blessed to bless others. To show how much better is our God than any idol. To point to His sufficiency, yes, but also His lavish generosity. So that as freely as we have received, we can freely give.

“You multiplied (rabah – to be much, many, great, bring in abundance) their children (ben – son, descendants) as the stars (kokab – star; likely from kavah – to burn, shine) of the heavens and brought them (bo – come in, carried, certainly come to pass, bring forth, abide)…”

You brought in abundance their descendants as numerous (and burn, shine) as the stars in the heavens and brought them forth…

I think the beauty of such abundance and blessing for those who will receive is in the way it is carried forward. A legacy of faith is brought in abundance, whether married with children or not. What God can do in the spiritual realm with a surrendered life has nothing to do with bearing physical children.

Stop and think about that last sentence. Do you genuinely believe it? If you’re struggling, and you have become a disciple of Jesus, it could help to think through those people who have invested in your life. Anyone who has modeled in the flesh what agape love looks like, sacrificing their comforts or desires to honor our Crucified Savior and love you. Anyone who met with you in a dark time, asked purposeful questions, shared a meal or a family or a holiday with you. Someone who let you into their life, not because of what they could get from it, but because they had been blessed and wanted to pour out to others.

Does that help? Now, could you be that person to someone else? We are a lonely, divided, love-starved world. Close your eyes and imagine if those of us serious about walking with Jesus through it would invest in others who invest in others. More than the stars in the heavens, burning bright as the light of the world. Can you see it?

“…into the land which you had told (amar – assign, declare, give order, appoint, plainly say, call, charge, command) their fathers to go in (bo again) and possess (yarash again).”

…carried them into the land which you had plainly commanded them to inherit and abide, enjoy as new owners.

Can we just let God make us happy, friends? Maybe if we did we’d stop demanding counterfeit happiness from each other. Can we enjoy without hoarding, love without possessing, and share without fear? Can we take Him at His Word and advance where His Spirit is playfully leading? Joyfully compelling? Sincerely refining?

It’s the only place we want to be.

“You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.”

Nehemiah 9:20-21

Last time we saw the Israelites show deep rejection toward Yahweh, creating a golden calf, boldly declaring it was what carried them out of Egypt. But we also saw His exceeding compassion in not refusing to guide them. Today we see in more detail the ways He took care of His people.

“You gave them your good (towb – beautiful, pleasant, agreeable) Spirit (ruach – breath, wind, spirit, air, cool, courage, grief, temper, trustworthy, windy, wrath) to instruct (sakal – to be prudent, to consider, expert, make wise, skillful, good success, teach, wisdom, guide wittingly) them…”

You gave them your beautiful, pleasant, agreeable Spirt – wind, trustworthy breath, air, courage – to teach, make them wise, skillful, expert, cause them to be prudent and have success.

Sometimes the Book of John feels like a counseling session to me. I read the Last Supper in three gospels yesterday, Maundy Thursday, and the detail John includes was pure comfort. It is to your benefit I go, so the Counselor can come. I am the Vine, you are the branches; remain in me. I pray for those You have given Me; don’t take them out of this world, set them apart by Truth.

Where would we be without this Spirit of Truth? The Holy Advocate, the Beautiful Breath and Courageous Counselor? He has always been the Godhead, Three in One. He hovered over the great deep before creation and was one-third of “Let Us Make…“

And while He manifested Himself differently under the Old Covenant, He is now fully united with us when we receive Jesus as Master. Believers, may we surrender to Him in us to make us pleasant, wise, prudent lights in this world.

“You did not withhold (mana – withhold, hold back, hinder, keep back, refuse, deny, refrain, restrain) your manna (man – whatness, type of bread; from meh – what? how? why? whatever, good end, purpose, which? when?) from their mouths (peh – mouth, accordance, boast, face, hunger, spokesman, words, commandment, eat; from pa’ah – mouth, to cleave in pieces, blow away, scatter into corners)…”

“You did not mana Your manna.” Interesting turn of phrase, don’t you think?

You did not hold back, refuse, deny your miracle bread from their mouths in hunger…

I began reading through Matthew this week, and was struck by the humanness of Jesus when He was tempted in the wilderness. Forty days with no food, all alone, the infinite limited to the finite – God was hungry.

I am so happy He knows how hard it can be to be fully human. He does not take our pain lightly in a distant, above-it-all superiority. He knows. And He does not withhold, refuse, or deny us what He knows we need. He is simply not cruel.

And in the Israelites’ desert time, He provided manna from heaven. The Hebrew for manna means “whatness.” What is this mysterious bread daily sustaining us? How does He know exactly what we need? But other questions are implied by that root word for manna, meh: what? which? when? how? why? whatever, good end, purpose?

While God clearly had issue with the Israelites unbelief and grumbling, throughout His Word He seems to invite the genuine questioning. And when we take our bloodied hearts and confused minds to Him, where do we end up? In genuine relationship, answers or no answers, with experiential knowledge He is God.

“…and gave them water (mayim – water, juice, spring) for their thirst (tsama – thirst, parched ground; from tsame – to suffer thirst)…”

And gave them springs of water for their suffering thirst…

During library time at school, I’ve been thumbing through this gem of a science-art book. With stunning photography, the artist author details the intricacy of this element. And because of condensation, evaporation, and rainfall, the water on our earth today is the same water our ancient Israelites had.

And since this two-hydrogen, one-oxygen organic chemical substance is necessary for life, Covenant Yahweh made it flow from a rock to meet His people’s needs. He will meet our needs today, too, Church.

“And for forty years you sustained (kul – comprehend, contain, calculate, endure, maintain, provide, abide, bear, forebear, guide, nourish, receive, sustain, provision, sustenance, sustainer) them in the wilderness (midbar – desert, mouth, south, speech, wilderness, from dabar – to speak, boast, declare, utter, tell)…”

For forty years you provided, guided, nourished and sustained them in the wilderness desert…

“…they lacked nothing (chaser – empty, needing, decrease, deprive, scarce, want)…

“…their clothes did not wear out (balah – old, consume, decay, waste away, worn) nor did their feet (regel – feet, to be able to endure, follow, haunt, journey; from ragal – to go about on foot, slander, spy, backbite, taught to walk) become swollen (batseq – swell, blister)…”

They lacked, were in need, deprived of nothing, experienced no scarcity. Their clothes were not worn away, decayed, nor did their feet, their ability to follow on the journey, swell and blister.

Isn’t He good? On this Good Friday, can we celebrate that He did not simply create and walk away? That He created, provided, forgave, prophesied, and became God with Us? Then He hungered, felt thirst, required clothing, knew the wear of a hot, dusty ground. A weary planet and broken hearts.

That word chaser, “they lacked nothing,” is again in our Shepherd Psalm 23:

“The LORD is my Shepherd,

I shall not want…”

We won’t have lack, be in need, and He withholds nothing from us that is required. Scarcity mentality is a lie. He is our Guide.

And because of that, and His Good Spirit in us, we can bow at His nail-scared feet and together celebrate, “It is Finished.”

“Even when they had made for themselves a golden calf and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,’ and had committed great blasphemies, you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way did not depart from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go.”

Nehemiah 9:18-19

Last time we saw the Israelites refuse to listen and recount the wonders He’d done among them, along with appointing a new leader to take them back into bondage. Today we see their continued rebellion juxtaposed with Yahweh’s mercy.

“Even when they had made (asah – accomplish) for themselves (lahem – masculine plural) a golden (maccekah – molten metal, covering, cast image) calf and said (amar – say, assign, declare, appoint, boast), ‘This is your God (elohim – creator god) who brought you up (alah – go up, ascend, climb, carried) out of Egypt…'”

They, together, created a golden calf and declared, “This is your creator who carried you out of Egypt.”

Our pastor pointed out recently an interesting aspect of Old Testament idolatry I had not known: often people bowing down to an image did not believe this object was in fact a god, but that it was a way to connect with the god it represented. A good example is most of us do not take stacks of cash and bow down to it, yet we do tend to order our lives around (read: worship) what those stacks of money seem to represent: power, privilege, freedom, comfort, security. And those ideals would be our real idol, not the stacks of cash themselves.

In the same way, when the Israelites gathered all their gold and melted it to form this calf, it is not likely they believed this newly-made thing had carried them out of Egypt, but rather the god it represented. And yet, the real Covenant Yahweh had not made Himself unknown throughout the exodus. He did not hide Who He was or what His name was to be known among them. That is why the following is true:

“…and committed great (gadol – great, bitter, deep, heavy) blasphemies (n’atsah – contempt, scorn, blasphemy; from naats – reject, despise, provoke)…”

They committed heavy, deep rejection toward God.

It took Moses so long on the mountain, and they were in such unfamiliar territory, they resorted to what they had known in Egypt: calling upon false gods rather than the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

If we’re honest, we do this on the regular. God seems absent, taking too long. We’ve never been in this situation before, but it’s not comfortable. Unsure of what to do, we resort to what seemed to help in the past. But we forget the bondage of it.

How about corporately? Not only does God seem to be taking too long in some broken areas of His Church, but things seem to be getting worse. Better to push ahead, move on, go with what seemed to be sufficient in the past, rather than move toward repentance and all the ugliness it entails. The problem with this is it leaves everyone but those seemingly unaffected by a particular issue out to dry. And it shovels fractured pieces into a dustpan rather than watch God breathe new life into them, creating something exquisitely restored by His Spirit.

But mostly, let’s not turn away from the difficult truth that such things are a rejection toward our God. Together, us all showing contempt toward Him and His power to move. And saying, “No. This is what has carried us thus far.” A great blasphemy.

“…yet You (attah – Yourself) in your mainifold (rab – many, much, exceedingly) mercies (racham – compassion, deep mercy) did not forsake them (azab – leave, loose from self, fail, refuse, leave destitute from last time) in the desert (midbar – desert, mouth, speech, wilderness, pasture, open field)…”

Once again, the gospel so sensational. You Yourself, in your exceedingly deep compassion, did not loose them from Yourself or leave them destitute in the wilderness.

And He doesn’t leave us either, friends. In His mercy He won’t refuse us. He will walk us through the dark valleys, the shadow of death. After all, that’s what the pillar of cloud and fire accomplished:

“…the pillar of cloud to lead them (nachah – lead, guide, from Psalm 23) in the way (derek) did not depart (sur – turn aside, avoid, separate, turn away) from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go (halak).”

The columns by which He made Himself obvious led them in the way they should go. Remember, that nachah is also used in the Shepherd’s Psalm, Psalm 23. His leadership will not depart, turn aside, or turn away from us either. He will lead us all, together, in paths of righteousness for His Name’s Sake.

May we follow.

“They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them…”

Nehemiah 9:17

Last time we saw how the exiles’ ancestors stiffened their necks toward Yahweh and His commands. Today we see their further defiance along with God’s unending mercy.

“They refused (maen – to utterly refuse) to listen (shama – listen with intent to obey) and were not mindful (zakar – bring to mind, celebrate, remember, be mindful, recount) of your wonders (pala – to be surpassing or extraordinary, deal marvelously, make wonderful, show your power, accomplish, arise; from pele – a wonder) that you did (asah – accomplished).”

They utterly refused to listen with intent to obey, and did not bring to mind and celebrate your surpassing, extraordinary wonders that you accomplished among them.

Last time our verse pointed out the Israelites did not listen to His commands. Today, the hurt seems to go deeper: they weren’t willing to bring to mind the incredible wonders He’d done among them. Not paying attention to a command is unfortunately common; forgetting and choosing not to bring back to mind all the ways He’d fought for them during the exodus and desert wandering? A real slap in the face.

I wonder how often I do that. I wonder if I looked a little more closely at my worry if it would tell me.

Why do I wonder if He’ll leave me high and dry this time? Why do I start to worry He won’t take care of the details? Keep everyone’s needs in mind? Show up when the answer isn’t obvious?

Pretty sure it’s because I don’t recount, bring to mind, and celebrate how He’s already shown up in such a way in the past. And what a lie that this time I need to take matters into my own hands.

How about all of us corporately? Where are we utterly refusing to listen with intent to obey – and not bringing to mind ways He has shown His power before? In some situations, it might be how He brought corporate discipline after lack of repentance. Or public outcry to injustices the Church had ignored. May we know the holy tremble of answering to the One Who takes personally wounds of the least powerful.

In other situations of corporate Church life, it could simply be lack of faith that anything can change. When we forget ways He has moved in relationships, healing, and revival in the past, our vision will be myopic in how we pray and believe for our today.

“…and hardened their necks (stiff-necked from last time) and in their rebellion (meri – rebellion, bitter; from marah – to be most contentious, rebellious, disobedient, provocation, bitter, unpleasant) appointed (nathan – give, set, allow, appoint) a leader (rosh – head, bodyguard, captain, chief) to return (shub – turn back, return, withdraw) to their bondage (abduth – slavery, servitude).”

They became stiff-necked in their contentious, bitter rebellion, and appointed a leader to turn back to slavery.

I keep thinking about how the situation referred to in these verses was less about the Israelites plowing forward with what they thought best, and more a lack of faith to move forward at all. Their rebellion came from bitterness. God was holding out on them. He delivered them only to fail them. There was no way they could take the land He promised they could possess.

They were so sure the Promised Land was a lost cause, they wanted to appoint a different leader: one who would march them right back to bondage.

Is there anything God wants you to move forward on, but the step of faith it takes makes chains on your wrists seem easier? Better? Less of a hassle?

What about as His Body on our planet during this time? Anything He wants us to move toward but our desire for comfort or sameness or not getting it wrong pulls us toward a spiritual jail cell?

What if, together, we just took that step? What if we all get it wrong but keep getting back up? What if – when the past pulls or our flesh gets in the way – we put courage back into each other to move forward and trust He knows what He’s doing?

Our Israelites did not. In their unpleasant disobedience they chose a different leader and an alternative path.

But God.

“…You (attah) are a forgiving God (Eloah – El selichah – forgiveness, pardon) gracious (channun – gracious; from chanan – beseech, show favor, fair, grant graciously) and merciful (rachum – compassionate; from racham – to love, find mercy)…”

But You are a forgiving God, gracious and fair, compassionate and merciful

I’m a fan of the wording of this phrase in the Hebrew: You Yourself are a forgiving God. It is Your nature, the character You possess. You are not one form of a god who forgives. You are the Most High, Forgiving God. You show gracious favor where none is deserved. You are so secure in Yourself, Your holy, triune Self, You can show compassionate mercy to those Who turn from You.

And it gets even better.

“slow to anger (arek – long, long-suffering, patient, slow; from arak – endure, delay, stick) [to anger – aph – nostril-flaring wrath) and abundant (rab – much, many, great, exceedingly, full) in hesed (checed – favor, goodness, loving-kindness)…”

…sticking with us and slow to inflict the nostril-flaring wrath our rebellion deserves…exceedingly abundant in hesed…

This is such incredible, good news. We’ve seen this nostril-flaring anger on here before, witnessed the depth of His holiness. How we turn not only away from the Beautiful, but toward a prison sentence. That He sticks with us, that He not only loves us, but is exceedingly abundant in favor, goodness, and loving-kindness to us, is a miracle. A logic-defying, mind-boggling miracle.

“…and did not forsake them (azab – leave, loose from self, fail, refuse, leave destitute)…”

…and You did not loose Yourself from them, leaving them destitute.

Of course, this good news cost Him. Nothing but the blood would do. No other way to maintain such absolute purity and never loose Himself from us. Our rebellion required it. Our hearts longed for it. We couldn’t find ourselves in our lostness. We were lost. We had to be found.

May we praise Him forever He has never left us destitute.

“But they, our ancestors, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and they did not obey your commands.”

Nehemiah 9:16

Last time we saw how Yahweh called the Israelites to abide in the land He swore with a powerful, open hand to provide for them. Today we see how they responded once settled.

“They and our fathers (ab – father, ancestors) acted proudly (zud – boil up, seethe, act proudly, presumptuously, rebelliously, arrogant, be insolent)…”

I do not like these synonyms for acting proudly. To be presumptuous – overstep bounds, failing to observe what is permitted. To rebel against a beautiful God and His just laws, show a lack of respect, insulting and contemptuous. These, friends, are not how we want to be described.

I don’t know about in your life, but in mine these words are most descriptive of me when I have unforgiveness in my heart. When I haven’t poured out my heart to Him about something – or haven’t done it over and over as necessary – what comes out is boiling over, overstepping bounds, lack of respect, and spewing hurt.

How about you? What are some of your tells, ways you can know the pride in your heart is likely deceiving you?

How about us all? As the Bride of Christ, where do we overstep His bounds? In what ways are we collectively rebelling against a beautiful God and His just laws? Perhaps in deference to man-made, cultural laws? How do our lives either confirm or deny respect for the Creator of all?

“…and hardened (qashah – to be hard, severe, fierce, cruel, stiffen [stiff-necked], stubborn) their necks (oreph – neck, back, back of neck; from araph – to break the neck, of an animal, behead, destroy)…”

Unfortunately, in our verse today, it gets worse. The recently-returned exiles’ ancestors also chose to stiffen their necks toward God. This definition of hardened is compelling: to make your neck severe, fierce, cruel. In the same vein as beheading someone or decapitating an animal.

Although I doubt it always shows up in a physiological way, I can remember times in my life when my neck has been hard during rebellion. Not that I could not turn my head each direction, but that I wouldn’t. Jaw set, face forward, no tenderness in my stance toward Him or others in my life. It was a decision. Choices had been made and taking matters into my own hands was the result. It looks so different than having a “yes” on the table to God, willing to go where He leads. In both situations a decision has been made; in one the head is bowed, in the other it must be broken.

Oh may we collectively choose not to make our necks fierce and cruel toward God and others. When He says the word, when His Spirit is clearly moving, may our heads turn toward His activity in corporate delight. When He asks for surrender, may we bow and remain tender. And when we’re not, may we pour it out to Him until our hearts are softened by His love.

“…and did not listen (shama – listen with intent to obey) to your commands (mitsvah – command, prescribed terms, ordinance; from tsavah – conditions, law, ordinance, precept, lay charge upon)…”

In our verse, this section is what the ancient Israelites were stiffening their necks toward: listening with intent to obey His commands. This word mistvah is distinct from torah in that it also includes “moral kindness in keeping the law” (such as loving your neighbor as yourself). There are 613 mitzvot (plural of mitsvah). However, because the Temple is no longer in tact – and because Israel is not the theocratic state it was before – Jewish scholars list 271 mitzvot which are still to be followed today. (source)

When I think of carefully keeping 271 rules (194 don’ts and 77 do’s), I am ever more grateful for a Savior Who kept them all. And I’m grateful His Spirit in us is what allows us to move beyond mere duty of a law and into joyous giving. But these mitzvot give us beautiful insight into the heart of the Command-Giver and His desire for shalom.

And it was this Shalom the people were resisting as they stiffened their necks and went their own way. Remember, this was not simply less peace in their lives; God’s people were drawn into worshipping idols and ultimately taken captive by what promised freedom and life.

We, too, as God’s people have a charge laid upon us. A new command He gives us: love one another. As He has loved us, so we are to love one another. By this all will know we are His disciples.

Let’s love.

“In their hunger you gave them bread from heaven and in their thirst you brought them water from the rock; you told them to go in and take possession of the land you had sworn with uplifted hand to give them.”

Nehemiah 9:15

Last time we saw God intimately made known both the Sabbath and precepts, laws, and Torah for His people. Today we journey with the ancient Israelites into the wilderness and see how Covenant YHWH provided for them.

“You gave (nathan – allowed, assigned, certainly gave, apportioned, provided, bestow) them bread (lechem – food, loaves) from heaven (shamayim – sky, highest heavens) for their hunger (raab – famine, hunger; from raeb – suffer [hunger])…”

You provided them bread from heaven for their suffering hunger.

Many of us reading this do not truly understand suffering hunger. Never wondered where our next meal would come from; fall asleep full, with the knowledge tomorrow we’ll eat again.

God help us, that is not the case for everyone. With ample hunger still here and wealth of resources in many places, may we be through whom God can apportion, assign, and bestow bread from heaven.

Of course, in the case of our exodus exiles, Yahweh was trying to teach them about provision. His sufficiency in the midst of uncertainty. Desert far as you can see? No crops abounding? Perfect stage set for bread to quite literally fall from heaven. Just enough for today, never a need to hoard, always a chance to trust.

Though your pantry may be full, where do you have suffering hunger? Spiritual hunger is a gift. We are called blessed when we hunger and thirst for righteousness. When we come to Jesus and His provision for what we lack daily. Can we get to the place where we genuinely thank Him for the ways He has used suffering hunger in our lives to grow us? Cause us to depend on His sufficiency? Refute the lie that an easier life or better circumstances is surely what He would have for us?

This is hard. Fortunately, He will allow us to wrestle it out with Him, even as He certainly provides what’s needed moment by moment. 

But what about those who suffer spiritual or emotional hunger? For which we are called to partner with Him to certainly give relief? If He has shown up in your life, you have something to give away. No need to rescue, never an excuse to speak over others. But you have Hope to share. Let’s share.

“…and brought them (yatsa – go, come out, brought forth, upheld, assuredly, break out, shoot forth) water (mayim – water, pool, flood) out of the rock (sela – crag, cliff, mountain, rocks, ragged, strong hold) for their thirst (tsama – parched ground, dry, literal or figurative thirst; from tsame – to suffer [thirst])…”

You shot forth pools of water out of a strong hold for their parched ground and suffering thirst.

Parched ground is quite the description. The soil itself longing for relief, for life-giving sustenance. From this desert place the exiles watched Yahweh shoot forth pools of water from a rock. A strong hold, ragged cliff. That’s what He does. The place that has a strong hold on you is the place He is ready to become your Strong Tower. These are not just words to me. It’s the only thing keeping me afloat some days. He has to be Who He says He is or I’m the world’s biggest fool. To be pitied above all people. A meaningless life held together by childish dreams.

But if it’s True? If He is Who He says He is and becomes our Strong Tower? Meaning in the senseless and the actual God of Hope? Then we are holding on to the only thing that matters. Wiser than those hanging on to only what can be seen by eyes. The only kind of life that brings purpose and soul satisfaction, even as the pain claws daily.

“…and told (amar – assign, declare, give order, appoint, plainly say, call, charge, command) to go in (bo – advance, bring to pass, certainly go, enter, abide, besiege) to possess (yarash – inherit, take possession of, come to poverty, make poor, expel, drive out, expel, occupy by drive out previous tenants)…”

You plainly commanded them to advance [abide] to inherit [by implication, expel/bring to poverty previous tenants] the land.

This one strikes me poorly, which is usually my indication I am seeing things only from my limited perspective. So let’s remind ourselves those occupying the land of Canaan were given centuries of patience from a loving Creator to repent.

Now let’s focus on one of the definitions for “go in the land:” to abide. God promised His people a place to make a home. Somewhere they could abide – not just in houses with land, but with Him. I also believe this abiding in Yahweh was where the Israelites gained the courage and spiritual authority to take possession of this land. After all, relying on battle strategy alone wasn’t going to get them far.

But let’s sit here for a moment in light of what is going on in our world today. If anyone has the audacity to take verses like these out of context and somehow justify one race as superior over others and, therefore, called to drive out others, I shudder to think of the judgment coming. And, frankly friends, any ingrained, subconscious partiality toward whiteness individually, corporately, and systemically better bow as well. White supremacy in all its forms is evil.

Now let’s sit on how this does apply to us without violence or war. Where has God plainly commanded you to go, physically or spiritually? And what has He assigned, appointed you to do? Our answers will vary but our methods will likely look similar: abiding in Him for strength as we join His movement to drive out evil and possess His kingdom here on earth. And we have it on good Authority He will bring it to pass:

“…the land which You had sworn with uplifted hand (yad – hand, powerful help alongside; open hand indicating power, means, direction) to give them (nathan again)…”

…which you swore with an open, powerful hand to provide them.

When God swears something will be bestowed, it is with His power and means provided. Never raising us to be independent of Him, His provision rests in the abiding. It is not by human might, nor by power, but by His Spirit.

By faith let’s advance together.

“…and you made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant…”

Nehemiah 9:14

Last time we saw how Yahweh bowed low to loom up on a mountain and give His people pleasing rules, faithful statutes, and beautiful commands. Today we see some of those commands in more detail.

“You made known (yada – know intimately, for certain, surely teach) Your holy (qodesh – apartness, sacredness, consecrated, dedicated) Sabbath (shabbath; from shabath – to cease, desist, rest, celebrate, put away)…”

You surely taught, intimately made known, to your people Your sacred Sabbath – a dedicated time to cease work, to rest and trust God. A time set apart to put away any striving, to celebrate.

I have come to appreciate God’s timing more and more in my life. I am studying a verse about the command, the privilege, of ceasing work in a week when I personally have much of it. And yet, in some moments I feel carried. And in other moments, when I feel it is all up to me, snap at my loves, and wring my hands, I suddenly have an empty house, a computer that freezes up, and a spot on the carpet to nap in the sun. He truly provides.

So how about us all – on a larger level, the corporate level of our churches and ministries and His Global Bride – how well are we resting? Do we cease striving? Intentionally celebrate even as the news cycles tempt us to despair? Sink deep in His intimate knowledge of us and small and large-scale work in this world He died for?

You know what it seems to take? Experience with a faithful God Who shows up when we’re down to nothing. A delight in our weakness being a canvas for Him to show off. And daily, corporate surrender to Him Who is able and knows best.

The good news is, in our verse and our lives today, He has promised to surely teach us. And what a witness to a world convinced it’s all about hustle. If we’re not working and being faithful, God would have something to say to us. But joyful work without striving? What a witness.

“…You laid upon them the charge of Your precepts (mitsvah), statutes (choq), and laws (torah)…”

Not only did He intimately show them about Sabbath, He laid a charge upon them of precepts, statutes, and laws. As we step into our daily tasks, there is a set of guidelines to take up which show us how life works best. How He designed us and this world. To ignore those is to invite His correction – and not always gentle correction.

And let’s remember together these precepts are not just moral, individualistic rules. Rather, these were statutes that showed how justice and love come together communally. We as a Body cannot assume to ignore the corporate law and expect no correction.

Aren’t you so glad today is Ash Wednesday? Liturgical background or not, we can all acknowledge we are from dust and to dust we shall return. That as we begin the season of awaiting the resurrection, we can celebrate our humanness and His perfect goodness.

And, wonder of wonders, He uses us. After all it was “…by the hand (yad) of Moses Your servant (ebed)…” He chose to spell out the precepts, statutes, and laws. Just as human as the next person, willing to listen and obey Yahweh, awaiting for the Ultimate Servant to be the Law in perfection.

He truly has made all this known. Let’s listen and obey.

“You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments…”

Nehemiah 9:13

Last time we looked more closely at how Covenant Yahweh guided the Israelites after the exodus in the way they should go: A conspicuous column of cloud by day, and a the resplendent illumination of fire at night. Today we see the way this God gave His Law to the people.

“You came down (yarad – go down, descend, bow, bring low, shed) on Mount (har – hill country, mountain, promotion, loom up) Sinai…”

I particularly like how the coming down happened on an area rising up. He bowed low to loom up for His chosen people.

I’m so grateful we serve a God Who bows low to meet with us. And as He does, we’re lifted up. He is not interested in mockery, doesn’t strip us of our dignity. Rather He speaks to us.

“…and spoke among (im – among my belongings, before, behalf, within, in conjunction with; from amam – to darken, dim, overshadow by huddling together) them…”

I like the first listed definition of among is “among my belongings.” I read this week in Isaiah, “I have summoned you by name. You. Are. Mine.” But His isn’t an unhealthy possessiveness; it’s pure freedom. And when He speaks to us, it’s on our behalf, for our betterment, never at our expense. His Words are life-giving.

And do you not love “overshadow by huddling together”? The God Who bowed down to loom up on a mountain overshadowed it as He spoke to Moses as a friend. But it was not only this duo who huddled together. The result was for an entire people whose job it would be to represent Him to those who did not know.

“…from heaven (shamayim – the highest heavens) and gave (nathan – give, put, set, commit, establish, pledge, utter, appoint, bestow)…”

Yes, this people would be appointed the ways of God. He would bestow a pledge by uttering His commands, establishing a people for Himself.

“…and gave just (yashar – straight, conscientious, proposal of peace, upright, equity; from another form of yashar – smooth, agreeable, made straight, make smooth, pleasing, fit) rules (mishpat – right ordinance, due justice, kind manner, proper regulation, rightful sentence, worthy verdict, proper decree)…”

First step: straight, peaceful, smooth and pleasing rules. This mishpat is our Old Testament term for justice. The term means not simple equality where everyone has the exact same, but equity, where everyone has what is needed for fairness, success. Where due justice is given no matter one’s ability to buy it. A kind manner with rightful sentencing, versus verdicts based on skin color or social status.

If we ever wonder if the God of the Bible cares about justice, mishpat, all we need to see is the definition. Then His righteous anger when His people fail to abide by it. He will always defend the fatherless, support the widow, despise unjust scales, and cry out against unrighteousness.

But not only did He huddle together with His people to give just rules, He also gave “…true (emeth – firmness, faithfulness, lasting, truthful, stability, trustworthiness; from aman – confirm, support, believe, guardian, nurse, verified, sure, assurance) statutes (choq – allotment, boundaries, conditions, limit, fixed order, permission, required amount, commandment, decreed, appointment)…”

True statutes. Firm and faithful boundaries, truthful and stable limits. Lasting decrees and trustworthy commands. And did you notice “permission?” We tend to see rules and statutes about what not to do. But, like any good parent, God gives us a “no” because He has a better “yes” for us. We need boundaries for our good, and permission to create and try, love and learn within those boundaries. Our Good, Good Father delights in giving us just that.

And the final thing bestowed upon our ancient Israelites in today’s verse is…”good (towb – beautiful) commandments (mitsvah – commandment, prescribed, terms; from tsavah – conditions, law, ordinance, precept, law charge upon)…”

Beautiful Commands. A Law which, when followed, produces the kind of life for which we were created. A transparent, thriving relationship with the Creator and flourishing relationships with others and the Earth. Shalom.

This is what Covenant Yahweh entrusted to His rescued people. He moved over and over on their behalf to show His heart. Then He spelled that heart out in His Law. The next time you struggle with seeing His commands as restrictive and outdated, remind yourself He Who created you knows best how life should go. And He loves you too much to allow you to stray far from His heart and pure joy.

But, by all means, in those moments huddle together with Him and pour out your heart. Share with Him how you have a hard time replacing examples of poor human authority with Divine Love.

And ask Him to help you see His commands as Beautiful.

“By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light for them the way in which they should go.”

Nehemiah 9:12

Last time we saw how God cast down the Israelites’ pursuers into the Red Sea while they crossed over on dry land. Today we move into a new section of worship for the remembering exiles: how Covenant Yahweh led them in the wilderness.

You led them (nachah – to lead, guide, bring, station, bestow, govern, lead forth) with a pillar (ammud – column, post from amad – to stand, take one’s stand) of cloud (anan – cloud, heavy mist – from anan – to soothsay, practice magic, cloud over/act covertly)

Once the returned exiles’ ancestors were safely across the Red Sea, they worshipped God for His stunning redemption on their behalf. Moses begins a praise song, and Miriam leads the women in a tambourine parade.

But after that? Wilderness. And a lot of grumbling from the people. But we’ll get to that. First we get to celebrate the way Yahweh led the people through this wilderness: He guided, governed, and led them forth with a pillar of cloud during the day.

Even in the face of unknown territory, little proof of food and water, and desert heat, God guided His people. He makes a way for us no matter how hopeless circumstances may seem. This word nachah is also used in Psalm 23, the Shepherd Song:

“The LORD is my shepherd,

I shall not be in want…

He guides (nachah) me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake…” (Ps 23:1, 3b)

And the way God guided and governed them was with a pillar of cloud. Pillar is ammud: a column, post. It comes from amad – to stand, take one’s stand. The cloud which showed them where to move or when to rest was in an obvious column. A clear post showing the people how to stand on Him as their Leader. The One Who would perfectly guide in a way no human could.

And this conspicuous column was a cloud (anan – cloud, heavy mist; from anan – to soothsay, practice magic, cloud over/act covertly). In other words, the origin of this idea of a misty cloud is more like pulling the wool over someone’s eyes. A smoke show. To look good and seem to clearly know the future, but in reality to cloud over the Genuine Good. Just like any idol.

In a beautiful reversal of this definition of covert – acting in secret, veiling truth – God uses the heavy mist of a cloud to make Himself obvious. He is not hidden, hasn’t spoken to us in secret, nor told us to seek Him in vain. The heavens declare His glory. The skies proclaim His work. Their voice goes into the entire world.

And, of course, we have what the ancient Israelites did not yet: His flawless Word, revealing all we need to know in order to have relationship with Him. He is the Genuine Good. Not the Wizard of Oz behind a smoke screen, but the Powerful Creator of the Universe, fully engaged in His creation, openly displaying Love for people.

But this clear exhibition of love and leadership from God to His people was not only during the day. When the sun went down, He also governed them with a pillar of fire – esh – a fire, blazing, burning coals, flaming, flashing, burning, fiery.

No street lamps or flashlights, among wildlife and possible bandits, no clear map or understanding of the topography, Covenant Yahweh provided. And He did it at night (layil – midnight season, a twist away of the light, adversity; from lul – winding staircase, enclosed space, spiral step; as compare to lulaah – loop).

Indeed, most of us have been in a midnight season. When our circumstances seem to turn from light, adversity feels multiplied. Or our innermost self spirals, anxieties and fears on a loop in our heart, seemingly suffocating in an enclosed space.

Ever been there? If so, you recognize the intensity of darkness. Hopefully you also have known the aching delight of light. Because that is what His overt display of guidance was for: to give [them] light (or – to be or become light, bright, dawn, enlightened, illumine, kindle, shine, resplendent, luminous, glorious, set on fire).

He is the One Who turns our darkness into light.

And He did not give this resplendent illumination simply to help them in the moment, but to show the way (derek – way, road, distance, journey, direction, path, walk; from darak – tread, march, lead) they should go (halak – to go, travel, walk, increasing, brighter, grew steadily).

This is good news for us collectively, friends. We are in a spiraling time, where many whose job it is to lead us are turning away from light. Fortunately, we serve the One in Whom there is no darkness. He will brighten the direction we march together. Remember that path of righteousness He leads us in? Because of His governance, we as His Bride can grow increasingly steady, brighter in the future, even knowing in this life, darkness will be along for the ride.

And we can take this direction, the path of light, into any dark corner of civic life. We can set on fire our workplaces and schools, our businesses and neighborhoods, our hospitals and stores by living out His Word. Remember, there is no law against the Fruit of the Spirit. This life in Him transcends conventional borders and divisions. The light shines in increasing lumens, growing steadier and bolder.

Let’s call out darkness in any wilderness in which we find ourselves. Then let’s watch Him brighten the path forward.