Nehemiah 9:26

Neh 9:26 Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.

Ver. 26. Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled] See how full in the mouth these holy Levites were in aggravating their own and their forefathers’ sins, which swelled as so many toads in their eyes; neither could they ever sufficiently disgrace them. This is the property and practice of the true penitentiary.

They cast thy law behind their backs] That is, they vilipended and undervalued it. God drew them by the cords of a man (so the cords of kindness are called, Hos 11:4, because befitting the nature of a man, and likeliest to prevail with rational people), but they, like men (or rather like beasts), transgressed the covenant; and, as if God had even hired them to be wicked, so did they abuse all his benefits to his greatest dishonour; being therefore the worse, because in reason they ought to have been better.

And slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee] This was the worst they did to them, and that for which they received mercedem mundi, the wages of the mad world, ever beside itself in point of salvation, and falling foul upon such as seek its good. This is that sin that brings ruin without remedy, 2Ch 36:16 Pro 29:1 for, "precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints," Psa 116:15.

And they wrought great provocations] Or, blasphemies. See Neh 9:18.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Neh_9:26-29

Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against Thee.

Provocations and punishment

I. How justly we may be charged, as the Jews in the text, with having wrought great provocations. This will be manifest if we consider--

1. To what a prodigious height all kinds of iniquity are raised amongst us. Atheism, infidelity, blasphemy, intemperance, impurity, commercial immorality.

2. What engagements we are under to abstain from all transgressions of the laws of God.

3. That our sins have been committed against the most prevailing attempts of the Spirit of God to restrain and reclaim us from them.

4. That our sins have been committed against many and great mercies.

5. That our sins have been committed against the discipline of Gods rod and those many judgments He hath sent to teach us righteousness.

II. That we have great reason to fear that our great provocations may be punished by God as those of the Jews were. Conclusion: What is the most effectual means to prevent the punishment our great provocations threaten us with? (Lilly Butler.)

And testifiedst against them, that Thou mightest bring them again unto Thy law.

Gods laws

Some years ago I was enjoying a ramble on the Portsdown Hills, a favourite resort of the Portsmouth people, and commanding a delightful view of the sea. They are all open to the public, except a few places which are carefully fenced off. Are these the most luxurious spots, where the grass is softest and the moss most green? No, indeed, these are the broken and precipitous parts, where serious accidents might occur. Gods laws are just like these fences. Gods love has placed fences there to keep us from hurting ourselves. (F. S. Webster.)

Danger signals

In travelling along our great railroads we pass many signal stations. In connection with each of these there is a man appointed, one of whose duties it is to see that the way is clear. If a bridge should be broken, or any obstruction is on the road, he is expected to ring a bell, wave a flag, or make a signal of some kind, so that the driver of any train coming along the road may know in time to stop his train before any harm is done. And the flag the man waves, or the signal he puts out, is the warring given to approaching trains to save them from injury. In the journey that we are pursuing through this life we are sure to meet with many dangers. The Bible is the guide-book which God has given us to use on the journey. And the warnings found in this book are the signals to tell us of the dangers that lie along our path in order that we may avoid them. We cannot be safe in our journey through the world unless we are careful to mind these warnings.

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

But even in that good land the fathers were disobedient: they rejected the commands of God, slew the prophets who admonished them, and were not brought back to the obedience of God even by the chastisement inflicted on them, till at length God delivered them into the hands of Gentile kings, though after His great mercy He did not utterly forsake them. - Neh 9:26 "And they were disobedient, and rebelled against Thee, and cast Thy law behind their backs, and slew Thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to Thee, and they wrought great provocations. Neh 9:27 And Thou deliveredst them into the hand of their oppressors, so that they oppressed them; and in the time of their oppression they cried unto Thee. Then Thou heardest them from heaven, and according to Thy manifold mercies Thou gavest them deliverers, who delivered them out of the hand of their oppressors. Neh 9:28 And when they had rest, they again did evil before Thee. Then Thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them; and they cried again unto Thee, and Thou heardest from heaven, and didst deliver them according to Thy great mercy, many times."

Neh 9:26

Neh 9:26 again contains, like Neh 9:16, a general condemnation of the conduct of the children of Israel towards the Lord their God during the period between their entrance into Canaan and the captivity, which is then justified by the facts adduced in the verses following. In proof of their disobedience, it is mentioned that they cast the commands of God behind their back (comp. Kg1 14:19; Eze 23:35), and slew the prophets, e.g., Zechariah (Ch2 24:21), the prophets of the days of Jezebel (Kg1 18:13; Kg1 19:10), and others who rebuked their sins to turn them from them. בּ העיד, to testify against sinners, comp. Kg2 17:13, Kg2 17:15. The last clause of Neh 9:26 is a kind of refrain, repeated from Neh 9:18.

Neh 9:27-28

Neh 9:27 and Neh 9:28 refer to the times of the judges; comp. Jdg 2:11-23. מושׁיעים are the judges whom God raised up to deliver Israel out of the power of their oppressors; comp. Jdg 3:9. with Neh 2:16. עתּים רבּות, multitudes of times, is a co-ordinate accusative: at many times, frequently; רבּות like Lev 25:51.

Neh 9:29-30

"And testifiedst against them, to bring them back again to Thy law; yet they hearkened not to Thy commandments, and sinned against Thy judgments, which if a man do he shall live in them, and gave a resisting shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear. Neh 9:30 And Thou didst bear with them many years, and didst testify against them by Thy Spirit through Thy prophets; but they would not hearken, therefore Thou gavest them into the hand of the people of the lands. Neh 9:31 Nevertheless in Thy great mercy Thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for Thou art gracious and merciful."

Neh 9:29 and Neh 9:30 treat of the times of the kings. בּהם ותּעד is the testimony of the prophets against the idolatrous people; comp. Neh 9:26. וּבמשׁפּטיך is emphatically prefixed, and taken up again by בּם. The sentence, which if a man do he shall live in them, is formed upon Lev 18:5, comp. Eze 20:11. On the figurative expression, they gave a resisting shoulder, comp. Zac 7:11. The simile is taken from the ox, who rears against the yoke, and desires not to bear it; comp. Hos 4:16. The sentences following are repeated from Neh 9:16. עליהם תּמשׁך is an abbreviated expression for חסד משׁך, Psa 36:11; Psa 109:12; Jer 31:3, to draw out, to extend for a long time favour to any one: Thou hadst patience with them for many years, viz., the whole period of kingly rule from Solomon to the times of the Assyrians. The delivering into the power of the people of the lands, i.e., of the heathen (comp. Psa 106:40.), began with the invasion of the Assyrians (comp. Neh 9:32), who destroyed the kingdom of the ten tribes, and was inflicted upon Judah also by means of the Chaldeans.

Neh 9:31

But in the midst of these judgments also, God, according to His promise, Jer 4:27; Jer 5:10, Jer 5:18; Jer 30:11, and elsewhere, did not utterly forsake His people, nor make a full end of them; for He did not suffer them to become extinct in exile, but preserved a remnant, and delivered it from captivity.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

9:26-27 The prayer recounts the pattern in the book of Judges (see Judg 2:11-23).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Taking heaven and earth to witness, that God would destroy them, except they returned, as 2 Chron. 24:19.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

26. Israel’s Disobedience

26. cast thy law behind their backs] R.V. back. ‘Thy law,’ cf. Neh_9:14. For this phrase cf. 1Ki_14:9; Eze_23:35, ‘Cast me behind thy back,’ where the Lord is the speaker. The ‘law’ of God, which Israel rejected, is not here the ceremonial or even the written law, but the moral and spiritual ‘teaching’ of Jehovah, of which ‘the prophets’ were the Apostles from Moses to Malachi.

slew thy prophets] ‘Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord,’ 1Ki_18:4. Not many instances are recorded. But cf. Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24; 2 Chronicles 20-22), Uriah the son of Shemaiah (Jer_26:20-23). The martyrdoms of Isaiah and Jeremiah belong to Jewish tradition. The deaths of the prophets who laid down their lives for their testimony are referred to in the New Test., cf. Mat_5:12; Mat_23:29; Act_7:52 (1Th_2:15); Heb_11:32 ff.

to turn them to thee] R.V. to turn them again unto thee, i.e. to turn them back from following after other gods, and to lead them in ‘the way wherein they should go’ (Neh_9:19). Not as Vulg. ‘ut reverterentur ad te,’ (LXX. ἐπιστρέψαι αὐτοὺς πρός σε). The rebellion of Israel was ‘a turning back’ from Jehovah. Cf. Psa_78:57.

wrought great provocations] Cf. Neh_9:18.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Nevertheless, they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee,.... Notwithstanding all these favours and mercies bestowed upon them, which was great ingratitude:

and cast thy law behind their backs; as of no account, and unworthy of their regard; that which they should have had continually before their eyes, as the rule and guide of their actions, they cast behind them, not caring to look into it, and read it:

and slew thy prophets, which testified against them to turn them to thee; the prophets that bore a testimony against their sins, admonished them of them, called heaven and earth to record against them should they continue in them, and all to turn them from them by repentance to the Lord; those they were so wroth with on this account as to slay them, see Mat 23:37,

and they wrought great provocations; serving Baalim and Ashtaroth, and other gods of the nations, than which nothing was more provoking to the Lord.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Slew thy prophets - Compare 1Ki 18:4; 1Ki 19:10; 2Ch 24:21. Jewish tradition further affirms that more than one of the great prophets (e. g., Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) were martyred by their countrymen.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Earnestly. Literally, called to witness" (Haydock) themselves, (Josue xxiv. 21.) or heaven and earth, Deuteronomy iv. 26., and xxx. 19. (Calmet) --- Blasphemies. See ver. 18. (Menochius)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Cast thy law behind their backs, i.e. neglected and despised thy laws, would not regard nor observe them; whereas they should have had them continually before their eyes, to direct and govern them. Compare Psa 50:17; Eze 23:35.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Vers. 26-31. Israel"s wickedness and God"s goodness.

A summary of the national history from the entrance into Canaan to the captivity. A dismal story; but, as was natural and suitable in a confession of sin, the more pleasing facts are omitted.

I The great and INVETERATE WICKEDNESS OF THE PEOPLE. This is described by various terms and phrases, and its heinousness exhibited in many particulars.

1. Flagrant disobedience to the Divine laws. Although so good and so adapted to promote their welfare, "which if a man do, he shall live in them" (ver. 29).

2. Proud and stubborn disregard of the Divine remonstrances and warnings.

3. Persecution even unto death of God"s inspired messengers (ver. 26).

4. Repeated relapses after partial reformation. Notwithstanding

(1) The severity of the chastisements which produced it.

(2) The fervour of their prayers for deliverance, and promises of amendment.

(3) The signal and numerous deliverances effected for them in answer to their prayers.

5. The persistence of their disobedience.

II THE MARVELLOUS AND LONG-CONTINUED GOODNESS OF GOD.

1. In sending them successive messengers to warn them and lead them to repentance. Even when they slew some, he sent others.

2. In inflicting punishment upon them for the same end.

3. In repeatedly answering their prayers for deliverance.

4. In bearing with them so long, although "they wrought great provocations.

5. In preserving a remnant when at length he scattered the nation (ver. 31).Showing himself throughout "a gracious and merciful God.

Reflections:

1. Sin and suffering are indissolubly linked together.

2. Suffering is inflicted that sin may be subdued.

3. Amendment produced by suffering is often only temporary.

4. Persistence in sin insures ultimate ruin.

5. The goodness of God is shown in the testimony he maintains against sin, and the chastisements he inflicts on the sinner.

6. God is faithful to his promises, although men prove unfaithful (ver. 31).

7. The history of Israel is a mirror in which all may see their own likeness. Nations and individuals; some more, some less. Even sincere Christians in a measure. Many can say with good George Herbert"Lord, with what care hast thou heart us round! Parents first season us; then schoolmasters Deliver us to laws; they send us bound To rules of reason, holy messengers, Pulpits and Sundays, sorrow dogging sin, Afflictions sorted, anguish of all sizes, Fine nets and stratagems to catch us in, Bibles laid open, millions of surprises, Blessings beforehand, ties of gratefulness, The sound of glory ringing in our ears; Without, our shame; within, our consciences; Angels and grace, eternal hopes and fears: Yet all these fences and their whole array One cunning bosom-sin blows quite away.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Connecting Statement:

In these verses, the Levites continue to praise Yahweh in the presence of the people of Israel.

They threw your law behind their backs

The law is spoken of as if it were a worthless item that a person could throw away. AT: "They considered your law worthless and paid no attention to it" (See: Metaphor)

They threw your law

The Israelites threw Yahweh's law.

you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer

Here "hand" represents power or control. AT: "you allowed their enemies to defeat them and cause them to suffer" (See: Metonymy)

you sent them rescuers who rescued them out of the hand of their enemies

Here "hand" represents power or control. AT: "you sent people to stop their enemies from harming them" (See: Metonymy)

translationWords

disobey

rebel

law

prophet

blasphemy

adversary

suffer

heaven

mercy

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.