The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Nehemiah 2:10,
"When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites."
After Nehemiah had heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, with the gates burned and the people there living in "great trouble and disgrace", he approached King Artaxerxes and received his help to travel to Jerusalem to rebuild it. After securing letters from the king to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, these officials, Sanballat and Tobiah, sought to oppose Nehemiah.
This took place during a time when the Lord had decided to reestablish the nation of Israel to prepare for the arrival of his Son, Jesus Christ, which would be another five-hundred years down the road. Israel had been destroyed by the Lord for their idolatry and a remnant that had been taken into Babylonian captivity had been allowed to return.
The plans and intentions of God are always opposed by those who "play" for the team of humans that oppose him. I call them "Team Cain", those who are in league with the spiritual dark side. Here in this account we see Team Cain in yet another instance of resistance to God's agenda.
I am yet again reminded of the apostle John's words, "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." John 3:12-13.
"When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites."
After Nehemiah had heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, with the gates burned and the people there living in "great trouble and disgrace", he approached King Artaxerxes and received his help to travel to Jerusalem to rebuild it. After securing letters from the king to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, these officials, Sanballat and Tobiah, sought to oppose Nehemiah.
This took place during a time when the Lord had decided to reestablish the nation of Israel to prepare for the arrival of his Son, Jesus Christ, which would be another five-hundred years down the road. Israel had been destroyed by the Lord for their idolatry and a remnant that had been taken into Babylonian captivity had been allowed to return.
The plans and intentions of God are always opposed by those who "play" for the team of humans that oppose him. I call them "Team Cain", those who are in league with the spiritual dark side. Here in this account we see Team Cain in yet another instance of resistance to God's agenda.
I am yet again reminded of the apostle John's words, "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." John 3:12-13.
What John refers to as "the world", I simply call "Team Cain". Team Cain always opposes the things God does - they are animated by the spiritual dark side. Since they are so very active today… what does the spiritually dark side see coming down the road?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
No comments:
Post a Comment