How does Nehemiah 11:35 connect to God's promises in the Old Testament? The Verse Nehemiah 11:35: “in Lod, Ono, and in the Valley of the Craftsmen.” Where We Are in the Story • Returned exiles are repopulating Judah after 70 years in Babylon. • Nehemiah assigns families to long-abandoned towns so that every corner of the covenant land is once again occupied. • Lod, Ono, and the Valley of the Craftsmen sit in Benjamin’s territory, near the western border toward the coast. Tracing God’s Promises to the Land • Deuteronomy 30:3-5—God vowed to “restore you from captivity… and bring you back to the land your fathers possessed.” • Jeremiah 29:14—He would “restore you from captivity and gather you from all the nations.” • Ezekiel 36:8-10—the mountains would “burst forth your branches and bear fruit for My people Israel, for they will soon come home.” • Isaiah 44:26—God “confirms the word of His servant” by saying of Jerusalem, “She will be inhabited.” ⇒ Nehemiah 11:35 records the literal fulfillment: specific towns, once empty, are now re-inhabited exactly as God pledged. Benjamin’s Prophetic Portion • Genesis 49:27 spoke of Benjamin’s vigor; Deuteronomy 33:12 promised the tribe would “dwell secure” between God’s shoulders. • Occupying Lod and Ono showcases that Benjamin’s inheritance is intact despite exile. • Jeremiah 33:7—“I will restore Judah and Israel and rebuild them as in former times.” Listing Benjaminite towns proves Judah is not alone; the northern remnant (Benjamin) is included. The Valley of the Craftsmen: Skill in Service of Promise • “Valley of the Craftsmen” points to a community of artisans—people gifted to build and repair (cf. Exodus 31:2-6; 1 Chronicles 4:14). • Their presence signals God’s provision of skilled labor for rebuilding walls, homes, and ultimately temple worship. • Isaiah 54:16—“Behold, I have created the craftsman… to forge weapons for his work.” The Lord supplies talent needed to secure and beautify the land He returns to His people. Restoration Extends into the New Testament • Lod (Lydda) reappears when Peter heals Aeneas (Acts 9:32-35)—a testament that the once-desolate town thrives centuries later under God’s ongoing plan. • The same land that displays covenant faithfulness in Nehemiah hosts gospel expansion in Acts, bridging old and new covenant blessings. Takeaways for Today • God keeps His promises down to specific locations and names. • Restoration is not abstract; it is tangible—families, towns, skills, and livelihoods reclaimed. • The Lord values every tribe and calling, from warriors to craftsmen. • What He pledges in His Word, He fulfills in His timing, inviting His people to trust, settle, and serve. |
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