Definition: And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told [it] to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nehemiah 2:16. It’s a really important part of understanding how God works and how He chooses to be involved in people's lives. Here's a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse tells us that the leaders of Israel were unaware of where Nehemiah was going, what he was doing, or even who he was talking to about it. It’s like they were completely lost and didn’t know about his activities. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And the rulers knew not whither I went…” – This means the leaders of Israel weren't aware of where Nehemiah was traveling or what he was accomplishing. They were operating in the dark, without knowing the full scope of his work. "...or what I did." – He wasn’t sharing his plans, his efforts, or even his intentions with anyone. He was keeping things a secret. “Neither had I as yet told [it] to the Jews…” - This is key. He hadn't revealed his mission or purpose to the people of Israel. He wasn’t letting them know why he was working so hard. "...nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.” – This is a really significant detail. He hadn't told anyone about his specific tasks or challenges. He wasn’t sharing his progress with those in power, who were involved in the construction of the walls and rebuilding efforts. What does this tell us about God? This verse speaks to several important things: God’s Sovereignty: It shows that God is working in secret, quietly and powerfully. He's not always making his plans known to everyone. Trusting Inwardly: Nehemiah was operating in a private sphere, trusting in God to guide him. He wasn't seeking public recognition or acclaim. God’s Care for His People: It highlights that God is involved in every aspect of our lives, even when we don’t realize it. He’s working behind the scenes, quietly and diligently. In short, this verse emphasizes God’s plan and His deliberate actions, often unseen by those who are unaware of them. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of Nehemiah 2? Give a slightly more detailed example of what he was doing?