Nehemiah 9:35
Even in their own kingdom, and amid your great goodness that you gave them, and in the large and rich land that you set before them, they did not serve you or turn from their wicked works.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights a tragic irony: even while enjoying a kingdom that was God's gift and a land that was rich and abundant, they still didn't turn from their wicked ways. This emphasizes that external blessings and even national sovereignty didn't automatically lead them to obedience, revealing a deep-seated stubbornness in their hearts.
This verse caps off a long prayer of confession by the Israelites, tracing their history from their exodus from Egypt through their wilderness wanderings and into the promised land. After recounting God's faithfulness and their persistent rebellion, they acknowledge that even during their own kings' rule and within the prosperous land God provided, they continued in their wicked ways, failing to serve Him.
Imagine having it all: a thriving nation, abundant resources, all handed to you. Yet, instead of serving the Giver, the people embraced sin. This verse highlights a profound irony in their history.
The people of Israel, even when established in their own kingdom and enjoying God's abundant blessings – a 'large and fat land' – failed to serve the Lord. The commentaries suggest a subtle irony here: the kingdom itself was a gift from God, not something they achieved independently. Their supposed 'kingdom' was, in essence, God's kingdom on earth, given to them. Yet, this very privilege became a platform for their disobedience and a distraction from true service.
God poured out immense generosity, yet the people persisted in sin. What does this stubborn refusal to change reveal about their hearts?
Nehemiah 9:35 starkly contrasts God's overwhelming goodness with the people's unyielding wickedness. The commentaries point out that 'wicked works' often referred specifically to idolatry, a pervasive sin in Israel's history. Despite enjoying God's 'great goodness' and a land 'flowing with milk and honey,' they not only failed to serve Him but also actively 'turned not from their wicked works.' This wasn't a momentary lapse but a deep-seated refusal to repent, highlighting the tragic reality of hearts hardened by privilege and ungratefulness.
Understand the original words
abad · Hebrew Verb
To minister to God through obedience, worship, and service. It denotes total allegiance and submission to the will and authority of the Creator.
Nehemiah 9:35 reflects on Israel's persistent disobedience, even during periods of national sovereignty ('their kingdom') and God's abundant blessings, highlighting a tragic pattern of unfaithfulness that repeatedly led to divine judgment and exile.
c. 1050 BC
Establishment of the United Monarchy
Saul, David, and Solomon rule over a united Israel, marking a period of national strength and divine favor.
931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's reign, the united kingdom splits into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah.
722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers and deports the population of the northern Kingdom of Israel, scattering them among other conquered peoples.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire begin deporting Judeans, including members of the royal family and skilled laborers, to Babylon.
586 BC
This passage warns Israel not to forget the Lord when they have entered the promised land and are experiencing its abundance, mirroring the theme in Nehemiah of enjoying God's blessings without serving Him.
Judges 2:10-14This describes a generation that arose after Joshua who did not know the Lord or His mighty deeds, leading them to serve other gods. It highlights the spiritual decline that can occur even in a land given by God, similar to the unfaithfulness detailed in Nehemiah.
Jeremiah 5:7-8The prophet Jeremiah laments that Israel had become like adulterous and rebellious people who gathered in brothels and chased after wealth, failing to serve God even when their basic needs were met. This echoes the persistent 'wicked works' mentioned in Nehemiah despite God's provision.
Romans 1:21-23Paul describes how people, though knowing God and receiving His blessings, failed to honor Him and instead exchanged the truth for a lie, becoming futile in their thinking and worshipping created things. This parallels the ingratitude and misplaced devotion seen in Nehemiah 9:35.
clarkeNehemiah 9:35: "For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works."
For they have not served thee in their kingdom - Instead of במלכותם bemalcutham, "in Their kingdom," במלכותך bemalcuthecha, in Thy kingdom," is the reading of two of Kennicott's MSS.; as also of the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic. This is most likely to be the true reading.
cambridgeNehemiah 9:35: "For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works."
35 . they ] emphatic, i.e. the kings and princes; as distinguished from ‘thou’ and ‘we,’ used emphatically in Nehemiah 9:33 . in their kingdom ] Perhaps with a slight touch of irony, since ‘their kingdom’ was itself God’s gift to Israel. The use of the word shows that the ‘kings…
The verse highlights a tragic irony: even while enjoying a kingdom that was God's gift and a land that was rich and abundant, they still didn't turn from their wicked ways. This emphasizes that external blessings and even national sovereignty didn't automatically lead them to obedience, revealing a deep-seated stubbornness in their hearts.
This verse caps off a long prayer of confession by the Israelites, tracing their history from their exodus from Egypt through their wilderness wanderings and into the promised land. After recounting God's faithfulness and their persistent rebellion, they acknowledge that even during their own kings' rule and within the prosperous land God provided, they continued in their wicked ways, failing to serve Him.
This verse caps off a long prayer of confession by the Israelites, tracing their history from their exodus from Egypt through their wilderness wanderings and into the promised land. After recounting God's faithfulness and their persistent rebellion, they acknowledge that even during their own kings' rule and within the prosperous land God provided, they continued in their wicked ways, failing to serve Him.
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Fall of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, ending the southern Kingdom of Judah and leading to a mass exile.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Allows Return
The Persian Empire, led by Cyrus, conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Judeans, to return to their homeland.
445 BC— this verse
Nehemiah's Mission to Rebuild Walls
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes I, receives permission and resources to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its defensive walls, facing significant opposition.
"Even in their own kingdom, and amid your great goodness that you gave them, and in the large and rich land that you set before them, they did not serve you or turn from their wicked works." — The verse highlights a tragic irony: even while enjoying a kingdom that was God's gift and a land that was rich and abundant, they still didn't turn from their wicked ways. This emphasizes that e…
