Israel in the desert.
The people now recount the mercies of God to their fathers in the desert, and confess the sins of which they were guilty there. After deliverance from Egypt, the desert had to be passed before Canaan could be reached; and there the people were instructed and organised, tried and proved, disciplined and chastised, and thus prepared for orderly settlement as a nation in the promised land.
I. THE DIVINE FAVOURS BY WHICH THEY WERE DISTINGUISHED.
1. Miraculous guidance (Nehemiah 9:12, Nehemiah 9:19).
2. Miraculous provisions (Nehemiah 9:15, Nehemiah 9:20, Nehemiah 9:21).
3. Miraculous legislation (Nehemiah 9:13, Nehemiah 9:14).
4. The gift of God's "good Spirit" (Nehemiah 9:20). Reference may be made to the Spirit of God as given to Moses, and to the seventy elders (Numbers 11:17, Numbers 11:25), or even Bezaleel and Aholiab (Exodus 35:31-35). But looking at such passages as Psalms 51:11; Psalms 143:10, it is quite as possible that the enlightening influence of the Spirit on the minds and hearts of the people in general may be referred to.
5. The command to enter Canaan. Verse 15, where "promisedst them" (lit. "saidst to them") should probably be "commandedst them." The command, however, virtually included a renewed promise. God had "sworn to give them" it; now they are bid to go in and take possession of it; implying that God would give them possession if they obeyed his call.
II. THE GROSS INIQUITIES BY WHICH THEY DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES. Notwithstanding the wonderful manifestations of God amongst them, and his great kindness.
1. Proud and stubborn disobedience (verses 16, 17).
2. Purpose to return to Egypt (verse 17; see Numbers 14:1-4). Just on the borders of the promised land they refused to advance into it, terrified by the report of most of the spies, and not exercising faith in his power who had wrought for them so mightily. Yea, they proposed to return to the land of bondage, and "appointed a captain to lead them thither.
3. Idolatry (verse 18). A violation of the fundamental principle of their law.
III. THE DIVINE FORBEARANCE, MERCY, AND CONSTANCY (verses 17, 19, 20). They "wrought great provocations," and numbers of them were heavily punished; yea, all who came out of Egypt, except two, were forbidden to enter Canaan, and died in the wilderness; yet even these continued during their lives to enjoy Divine guidance and sustenance, so that "they lacked nothing." God showed himself "ready to pardon," etc. (verse 17), and displayed his "manifold mercies," and did not forsake them. To the children he fulfilled the promises, the benefit of which the fathers had forfeited.
IV. THE LONG DURATION OF HIS MIRACULOUS SUSTENANCE OF THEM (verse 21). Lessons:—
1. The goodness of God and the depravity of man. The history of Israel is full of both. So is all history. "The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord," and also full of human wickedness. Each is rendered more conspicuous by the other; and the contrast makes one appear more glorious, the other more hideous.
2. As, after deliverance from Egypt, the desert had to be traversed before Canaan could be enjoyed, so is it in the Christian life. This world is a desert in comparison with heaven, and the journey through it is difficult and perilous. But it lies between conversion and heaven, and must be crossed.
3. Through this desert, however, God conducts his people. He guides, provides, protects, instructs, governs, and thus trains and prepares them for the promised inheritance. This is our comfort amid all the discomforts and dangers of the journey.
4. In ordinary mercies the agency of God is as real as in the miraculous. Our food, drink, clothing, etc. are as truly his gifts as the manna, etc. which he bestowed on Israel. His power, wisdom, and goodness are as really displayed in them, and both more extensively and more marvellously.
5. Amongst God's best gifts are his revelations of himself and his laws; his crowning gift is his Spirit. Under the Christian dispensation all these are far superior to the similar blessings vouchsafed to Israel. Our responsibilities are, therefore, greater; our moral and spiritual state should be far higher, our thankfulness more ardent.
6. We have a promise of a better inheritance than Canaan, with a command to journey steadily towards it; let us beware lest we come short of it through unbelief and disobedience.