Nehemiah 9:19

19 But you did not abandon them there in the desert, ¹ for your mercy is great. You did not take away the cloud or the fire that showed them the path by day and night.

Nehemiah 9:19 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 9:19

Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the
wilderness
Where no supply could be had, if he had cast them off, see ( Nehemiah 9:17 ) ,

the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in
the way;
which, if it had, they would have been scorched by the heat of the sun:

neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way
wherein they should go;
or otherwise they would have lost their way, and not have known which way to have gone.

Nehemiah 9:19 In-Context

17 They refused to obey; they forgot all you did; they forgot the miracles you had performed. In their pride they chose a leader to take them back to slavery in Egypt. But you are a God who forgives; you are gracious and loving, slow to be angry. Your mercy is great; you did not forsake them.

18 They made an idol in the shape of a bull-calf and said it was the god who led them from Egypt! How much they insulted you, Lord!

19 But you did not abandon them there in the desert, for your mercy is great. You did not take away the cloud or the fire that showed them the path by day and night.

20 In your goodness you told them what they should do; you fed them manna and gave them water to drink.

21 Through forty years in the desert you provided all that they needed; their clothing never wore out, and their feet were not swollen with pain.

Cross References

• 1. 9.19-21Deuteronomy 8.2-4.