Nehemiah 9:7
Thou art the Lord the God, who diddest choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Caldees, and gauest him the name of Abraham: Nehemiah 9:7 (KJV)
The book of Nehemiah is set in the period when Israel was returning from exile in Babylon and rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah, the cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, led the effort to restore the city. In Nehemiah 9 the people gathered to repent of their sins and to recount God’s faithfulness throughout their history.
God’s choice of Abram is highlighted in this verse. It acknowledges that God chose Abram (later Abraham) and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldees, recalling the calling recorded in Genesis 12:1‑3 where God promised to make him a great nation and to bless him. This choice is presented as an act of grace and divine election, showing that God takes the initiative to call individuals for His purposes.
The reference to Ur of the Chaldees points to the ancient Mesopotamian city in what is now southern Iraq. Although Abram was living in Haran when God called him, his family had previously been taken from Ur (Genesis 11:31). The fact that God chose Abram from this background underscores His sovereignty and power to select anyone, regardless of circumstance, for His divine plan.
The verse also notes that God gave Abram the name Abraham. This name change, recorded in Genesis 17:5, means “father of a multitude” and signifies the covenant promise that Abraham would become the father of many nations. The new name represents a new identity and calling for Abraham.
Application: Nehemiah 9:7 reminds believers of God’s sovereignty in choosing and calling individuals for His redemptive purposes. Just as God chose Abraham, He continues to call believers today. The passage encourages us that God can use anyone, regardless of background, to accomplish great things for His glory, and it calls us to embrace our new identity in Christ and walk in the calling God has placed upon our lives.
In conclusion, Nehemiah 9:7 emphasizes God’s choice of Abram, His act of bringing him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and the giving of the name Abraham. The passage highlights God’s sovereignty, His ability to choose individuals for His purposes, and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, urging us to recognize and live out our identity and calling in Christ.
