Today we are slaves, and the land that You gave our fathers to enjoy its fruit and bounty—here we are slaves on it!Nehemiah 9:36 (The Israel Bible™)הִנֵּה אֲנַחְנוּ הַיּוֹם עֲבָדִים וְהָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר־נָתַתָּה לַאֲבֹתֵינוּ לֶאֱכֹל אֶת־פִּרְיָהּ וְאֶת־טוּבָהּ הִנֵּה אֲנַחְנוּ עֲבָדִים עָלֶיהָHear the verse in Hebrewhi-NAY a-NAKH-nu ha-YOM a-va-DEEM v’-ha-A-retz a-sher na-TA-tah la-a-vo-TAY-nu
le-e-KHOL et pir-YAH v’-et tu-VAH hi-NAY a-NAKH-nu a-va-DEEM a-LE-ha
Fulfilling Our Ultimate Purpose
In this chapter of Nehemiah, the prophet speaks of Hashem's (God's) promise to Avraham(Abraham) to grant the Land of Israel to his descendants as an inheritance. It then continues with an overview of history, including the exodus from Egypt, the years in the desert, the acquisition of the Land of Israel and the many trials and tribulations of the Israelites over the centuries. One might assume that Hashem gave the Land of Israel to the People of Israel so that they could rest in it at ease, and yet this verse states that in fact "we are slave to it." The Land of Israel is not just a homeland or national territory. It is a tool, a vehicle through which the people can fulfill their ultimate purpose: To serve God and serve as a light unto the nations- a mission requiring much hard work.
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