Nehemiah 9:35

35 For even while they were in their kingdom, with the abundant goodness that You had given them, and in the spacious and fertile land that You had set before them, they would not serve You or turn from their wicked ways.

Nehemiah 9:35 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 9:35

For they have not served thee in their kingdom
When in it, whether of Israel or of Judah, and when in the most flourishing circumstances:

and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them;
amidst all the prosperity and affluence of good things they enjoyed, which was an obligation upon them to serve the Lord;

and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them;
the land of Canaan, a land flowing with milk, which lay open for them, their enemies being driven out before them, see ( Nehemiah 9:25 ) ,

neither turned they from their wicked works;
their idolatries more especially.

Nehemiah 9:35 In-Context

33 You are just in all that has befallen us, because You have acted faithfully, while we have acted wickedly.

34 Our kings and leaders and priests and fathers did not obey Your law or listen to Your commandments and warnings that You gave them.

35 For even while they were in their kingdom, with the abundant goodness that You had given them, and in the spacious and fertile land that You had set before them, they would not serve You or turn from their wicked ways.

36 So here we are today as slaves in the land You gave our fathers to enjoy its fruit and goodness— here we are as slaves!

37 Its abundant harvest goes to the kings You have set over us because of our sins. And they rule over our bodies and our livestock as they please. We are in great distress.