Nevertheless

Allen Webster

Topic(s): Bible Study

Every word from God is precious. David said, “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:17). Jesus said, “...Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). A good study often develops from a little concordance study of a single word found in various passages throughout the Bible. The word nevertheless is a case in point.

Nevertheless sometimes shows…

determination.

• God decided to let the children of Israel proceed to Canaan, but promised that He would nevertheless visit their sin upon them (Exodus 32:43).
• Israel later wanted to return to Egypt, and many started back, but Moses nevertheless kept the ark of God still (Numbers 14:44).
• The Kenites dwelt in a strong place, but nevertheless God would waste them (Numbers 24:22).
• The Jubusites made fun of David and felt secure in Jerusalem, nevertheless David's men took the city (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Chronicles 11:5)—because of determination.
• Solomon sinned and disappointed God, but nevertheless God was determined to leave David a “lamp” on the throne (1 Kings 15:4).
• Elisha wanted a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, and though it was a tall order, Elijah explain that if Elisha was determined enough, nevertheless it could be his (2 Kings 2:10).
• When God threatened Israel with captivity, and they laughed the messengers to scorn, nevertheless some were determined to be saved and fled to Judah (2 Chronicles 30:11).
• Nehemiah was threatened, but he nevertheless prayed to God, and kept building the wall (Nehemiah 4:9). His determination led to finishing it in a record fifty-two days.
• The false prophets prophesied peace, Jeremiah nevertheless told the people the truth (Jeremiah 28:5). He was determined to preach no matter the consequences.
• Jesus knew that He must die, but nevertheless He would finish His work before He did (Luke 13:32).
• Though it momentarily discouraged them, Jesus nevertheless told His disciples the truth (John 16:7).
• Though the Romans were strong, Paul nevertheless wanted them to grow (Romans 15:15).

disobedience.

• God had commanded Joshua and the children of Israel to completely destroy the Canaanites, “Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day” (Joshua 13:13; cf. 1 Samuel 8:19; 2 Kings 13:5; 1 Chronicles 21:4; Nehemiah 9:26; Psalm 78:36; John 1:13; Revelation 2:4).

a lack of faith.

When the spies came back, they gave a good report of the produce of the land, but then marred their re-cord by saying, “Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there” (Numbers 13:28; cf. Jos. 14:8; John 12:42; Acts 27:11).

a willingness to settle for less than God’s best.

God pictured His children having the Promised Land all to themselves and completely providing for their every need. Instead, the tribe of Naphtali was content to dwell “among” the “…Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land.…” They must have eased their consciences a bit by the following fact: “…nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them” (Judges 1:33; cf. 1 Kings 22:43; 2 Kings 23:9; 2 Chronicles 33:17). They had some taxes coming in, but it was far from what God wanted for them.

God’s patience with the wayward.

In the Dark Ages of the Judges, God’s people turned to sin and disbelief time and again, yet the Bible says, “Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them” (Judges 2:16; cf. 2 Chronicles 19:3; Nehemiah 9:31; Psalm 89:33; 106:8,44; Jeremiah. 5:18; Ezekiel 20:17; Acts 14:17).

disappointment over the sins of others.

“And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel” (1 Samuel 15:35).

dedication to God in the act of self-denial.

“And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD” (2 Samuel 23:16; cf. Psalm 73:23; Matthew 26:39; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 12:11; Luke 5:5) (It also sometimes shows self-restraint on the part of the evil, Esther 5:10.)

that circumstances forbid a good act.

“And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart. Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name” (1 Kings 8:18,19).

that inward realities are different from outward appearances (and vice versa, 2 Chronicles 15:17).

“But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the LORD all his days” (1 Kings 15:14; cf. 2 Kings 3:3; Psalm 49:12).

that sin’s consequences cannot be completely avoided.

“Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms…” (2 Chronicles 12:8).

that good advice has been discarded.

Pharoah Necho gave Josiah good advice, but he was so determined to fight that he nevertheless disguised himself, went into battle, and got killed (2 Chronicles 35:22; cf. Proverbs 19:21; Eccesiastes 9:16).

that even the strong cannot toy with sin and come away unscathed.

“Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin” (Nehemiah 13:26; 1 Corinthians 7:2).

that God hears and acts when we suffer.

“For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee” (Psalm 31:22; cf. 2 Corinthians 7:6; 2 Timothy 2:19).

that pride keeps one from undoing a wrong.

“And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her” (Matthew 14:9).

“I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).