“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.