And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
You warned them so you could bring them back to following your law. But they acted with pride and wouldn't listen to your commands. They sinned against your guidelines (which give life to anyone who follows them). They turned away stubbornly, became hardheaded, and refused to listen.
God repeatedly warned His people to return to His ways, but they proudly refused to listen and turned away from Him despite His life-giving laws.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Nehemiah, the Jewish people had returned from Babylonian exile and were gathered in Jerusalem for a solemn assembly of fasting and confession. The prayer in chapter 9, led by the Levites, recounts Israel's long history of rebellion against God, including how He sent prophets to warn them to return to His law. Despite these warnings, the people repeatedly acted with pride and disobeyed, leading to their suffering and discipline.
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