The Pulpit Commentary — Nehemiah — Section 8

for his Church in the care he awakens in the hearts of such as are able to render her nluable service. Especially let us be grateful for and to the Lord Jesus, who from an incalculably loftier position than Nehemiah's regarded us in "our low estate" with loYe and pity, and came down to save us by the sacrifice of himself. Ver. 5.-Love and obediena. "God that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments." We have here- I. Two CHARACTERISTICS OF Goo's PEOPLE. 1. Love to God. Old Testament piety i~ sometimes wrongly represented as though it consisted mainly in a strict observance of outward rules, from fear, with little or no love. The "first commandment," and many of the Psalms, not to speak of other Scriptures, should have precluded such an idea. A just conception of Old Testament religion is not to be obtained from the Pharisees. God is presented in the Old Testament as an object of love on account of (1) his character; (2) his works of creation and providence; (3) his redemption of Israel from Egypt. and constant goodness to them; (4) his special favour to the true Israel, "those who love him," &c. Much more, doubtless, are the manifesta- tions of God in Christ adapted to awaken and nourish love to him. 2. Observance of his commandments. This includes obedience and watchful care (" observe") to obey; and therefore to obtain the knowledge of them, avoid or overcome tempta- tions to neglect or disobedience, and to secure the grace needful for knowing anq doing them ( see Ps. crix.,passim). 3. The combinatwn of the two. They are essen- tial to each other, and act and re-act for each other's growth. Obedience without love is as nothing. (1) Love to God necessarily produces obedience. It includes delight in hi~ rule, reverence for his authority. It is love for his character, and therefore for those excellences which are "commanded because they are right." It will work confidence in the wisdom and goodness of such laws as rest simply on his authority, "right because they are commanded." The obedience of love will be spiritual-not the mere service of the letter-prompt, joyful, universal, constant, and persevering. Lo~e will give strength for difficult duties, and to overcome all temptations to disobey. (2) Obedience is a necessary evidence of love. No professions, know- ledge, orthodoxy, devotional excitements, or gifts of money are sufficient without it (Matt vii. 21; John xiv. 21 ; 1 John v. 3). II. TREIB BLESSEDNESS. 1. They enjoy the frieruiship of "the great and terrible God." 2. They experience his 1nercy andfaithfitlness. To keep his covenant with them is to keep mercy. Vers. ~11.-.A godly patriot:s prayer. Nehemiah's prayer; the substance of the prayers which he offered day and night for a considerable period. It is in varioUB respects a model for our intercessions. In it are- L Lowly and trustful ADORATION. He addresses God as "Jehovah," the self- existent, i=utable, and everlasting, the God of Israel; "God of heaven," he who dwells and reigns in heaven, and thence rules the earth; "the great God," infinite in all his perfections, filling heaven and earth with his presence, exalted above all ; "the terrible God," to be dreaded by his foes and revered by his friends ; " that keepeth," &c., faithful to his engagements, merciful, and kind; yet discriminating, showing his truth and mercy to those who love and obey him. By these representa- tions Nehemiah at once nxpresses and increases his own reverence and confidence in approaching God on behalf of his people. II. Earnest ENTREATY (vers. 5, 6, 8, 11). "I beseech thee." "Let thine ear be attentive," &c. Earnestness and importunity necessary to success in prayer (Luke xi. 8). ill Humble CONFESSIONS (vers. 6, 7). Of the sins not only of the people in general, but of his family and himself. It is easy to confess the sins of others, but may conduce to self-flattery. The holiest men will be deeply conscious of their own sins, and of their part in the sins of the community, and ready to associate them- selves with others in th~ confession of sin. In his confessions Nehemiah mentions the aggravations of the guilt of Israel's sins. They were committed-(1) By Israel, a people so favoured. (2) Against God. (3) Against specific commandments, statutes, and judgments, ( 4) given by Moses, so distinguished a "servan~" of God, on. r. 1-11.J THE BOOK OF NEREMIAR.