Nehemiah 13:2 - because they didn’t meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them; however our God turned the curse into a blessing.
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What does "Nehemiah 13:2" mean?
Nehemiah 13:2 refers to the Moabites and Ammonites and their actions against the Israelites when the Israelites were wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. Let's break down the verse:
"because they didn’t meet the children of Israel with bread and with water...": This references a lack of hospitality. Deuteronomy 23:4 states that Moab and Ammon were condemned because "they did not meet you with bread and water on the way when you came out of Egypt." It was a common expectation (and even a command in some ways) to offer hospitality to travelers, especially those in need. The Moabites and Ammonites actively chose not to provide basic necessities to the Israelites.
"...but hired Balaam against them, to curse them...": This is a reference to the story in Numbers 22-24. Balak, the king of Moab, was terrified of the vast numbers of Israelites and their victories. So, he hired Balaam, a sorcerer or diviner, to curse the Israelites, hoping to weaken them militarily and spiritually.
"...however our God turned the curse into a blessing.": Despite Balak's attempts, God intervened and prevented Balaam from cursing Israel. Instead, God forced Balaam to pronounce blessings upon them. This demonstrates God's power and his commitment to protect his chosen people, even against formidable opposition.
In essence, the verse highlights the wickedness of the Moabites and Ammonites for two reasons:
1. Lack of Hospitality: They failed to offer basic sustenance to a nation in need.
2. Active Hostility: They actively sought to harm the Israelites by hiring Balaam to curse them.
The verse then emphasizes God's sovereignty and faithfulness:
Despite the enemy's intentions, God's power is greater, and he can turn curses into blessings, protecting his people.
Significance in Nehemiah:
This verse is being recalled in Nehemiah's time to justify the separation of the Israelites from all foreigners, particularly Moabites and Ammonites (as described in the surrounding verses of Nehemiah 13). The memory of their past hostility and the prohibition in Deuteronomy 23:3 against Moabites and Ammonites entering the assembly of God provides the basis for this action. It is a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's laws and a warning against associating with those who are hostile to God's people.
In short, this verse is a condemnation of the Moabites and Ammonites for their past hostility and a demonstration of God's protective power. It provides a historical and theological justification for the separation of the Israelites from those nations during Nehemiah's time.
Nehemiah 13:2 - because they didn’t meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them; however our God turned the curse into a blessing.
What does "Nehemiah 13:2" mean?
Nehemiah 13:2 refers to the Moabites and Ammonites and their actions against the Israelites when the Israelites were wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. Let's break down the verse:
"because they didn’t meet the children of Israel with bread and with water...": This references a lack of hospitality. Deuteronomy 23:4 states that Moab and Ammon were condemned because "they did not meet you with bread and water on the way when you came out of Egypt." It was a common expectation (and even a command in some ways) to offer hospitality to travelers, especially those in need. The Moabites and Ammonites actively chose not to provide basic necessities to the Israelites.
"...but hired Balaam against them, to curse them...": This is a reference to the story in Numbers 22-24. Balak, the king of Moab, was terrified of the vast numbers of Israelites and their victories. So, he hired Balaam, a sorcerer or diviner, to curse the Israelites, hoping to weaken them militarily and spiritually.
"...however our God turned the curse into a blessing.": Despite Balak's attempts, God intervened and prevented Balaam from cursing Israel. Instead, God forced Balaam to pronounce blessings upon them. This demonstrates God's power and his commitment to protect his chosen people, even against formidable opposition.
In essence, the verse highlights the wickedness of the Moabites and Ammonites for two reasons:
1. Lack of Hospitality: They failed to offer basic sustenance to a nation in need.
2. Active Hostility: They actively sought to harm the Israelites by hiring Balaam to curse them.
The verse then emphasizes God's sovereignty and faithfulness:
Despite the enemy's intentions, God's power is greater, and he can turn curses into blessings, protecting his people.
Significance in Nehemiah:
This verse is being recalled in Nehemiah's time to justify the separation of the Israelites from all foreigners, particularly Moabites and Ammonites (as described in the surrounding verses of Nehemiah 13). The memory of their past hostility and the prohibition in Deuteronomy 23:3 against Moabites and Ammonites entering the assembly of God provides the basis for this action. It is a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's laws and a warning against associating with those who are hostile to God's people.
In short, this verse is a condemnation of the Moabites and Ammonites for their past hostility and a demonstration of God's protective power. It provides a historical and theological justification for the separation of the Israelites from those nations during Nehemiah's time.