and under circumstnnces so impressive. Observe, thnt in seeking God'A mercy towards sinners we ought ever to acknowledge their ill deserts, and his justice in the punishment of their sins. IV. Powerful PLEAS. 1. The name of God (ver. 5). The repreRentation of God with which he commences is virtually a plea. "Thou hast shown thyself to be all- powerful, faitLful, merciful ; act once more according to thy nature, and thy r'lgard for thy servants." 2. The promise of God (vers. 8, 9). Nehemiah recognises that the threat to scatter the people had been fulfilled, and in effect prays that the pro- mise to restore may be fulfilled also. "Do as thou hast snid." 3. The relation of Israel to God. "'l'hy servants," "fay people." 4. His former exercise of pr:rwer on their behalf. "Whom thou hast redeemed," &c. Referring to the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (comp. Isa. Ii. 9-11, and the Christian parallel, Rom. viii. 32). 5. The description of persons uniting in the prayer (ver. 11). Not only Nehemiah, but many others were praying for the returned Jews. It was (I) united prayer (2) of godly men-" thy servant," "thy servants, who desire [delight] to £ear thy name." 6. Nehemiah's own perseverance in the prayer (ver. 6). "The prayer which I pray before thee now, day and night." V. A PARTICULAR REQUEST (ver. 11 ). Purposing to apply to the king for a com- mission and all facilities for leading bis brethren out of their difficulties, and feeling bow much depended on his obtaining bis request, he begs him in whose hand is tl,e heart of kings (Prov. xxi. 1) to grant success. It is remarkable that this is the only specific request. The prayer he and all good Jews were offering (vers. 6-11) is r,ot set forth. For his own part, he may have seen that the one thing needed for tl,e relief of his brethren was a ruler and leader of character, authority, and capacity, armed with sufficient powers from the monarch, and that this was the one thing· to pray £or at present. His willingness to be their leader evinced the sincerity of his concern for them. His prayer made manifest the humble dependence on Divine aid with which he was looking forward to the responsibilities of the enterprise he honed to undertake. Ver. 10.-A powerful plea wi,th God. "Now these are thy servants," &c. I. When such an appeal is SUITABLE. When praying £or a Cburch-(1) declining (2) divided, (3) distressed, or ( 4) persecuted. II. The NATURE of the appeal. It is an appeal to God's (1) relation to his people- a relation he has himself established; (2) love £or them; (3) regard for his own honour as involved in their welfare (Deut. ix. 26-29; Jer. xiv. 21); (4) pity in view of their condition; (5) past deeds on their behalf-showing kindness; a pledge of more; manifesting purposes not yet completed. The appeal is suitable for individual Christians, praying for themselves (see Ps. cxix. 94).
Ver. 11.-.IJelight in fearing God. "Thy servants, who desire [delight] to fear thy name." If the English version be correct, this description of God's servants reminds us how largely their religion in this world consists of" desire," They have real piety, but are dissatisfied with their attainments, and aspire to better things. Their desire is, however, to be carefully distinguished from that of many who sub- stitute occasional good wishes £or actual piety. The real Christian's desire impels him to the diligent use of all those means by which a higher life is reached. He "exercises himself unto godliness;" and what he attains he employs in spiritual and moral living. But the word used rather sig-nifies "delight," expressing the pleasure which God's servants feel in their religion. The text then indicates- !. The NATURE of their fear of God. Such fear as is a delight. Not, therefore, mere dread-the fear which" hath torment" (1 John iv. 18). Not the fear of a slave, not the dread of the feeble towards a capricious mighty tyrant, or of the guilty towards a just ruler; but reverence-that fear which consists with confidence and love, and is blended with them. II. The OBJECT of their fear. "Thy name." The manifested nature of God. God as revealed by his works and word ; his perfections ; his relations to the univer~e-to good men and bad ; his authority. All are adapted to awaken rever- enct', nnd do awaken it in his servants. THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH. [en. 1. 1-11
III. Their !'LEASURE in its. exerci~e. ~ .. Whence it arises. Fron~ the ~elt _ri~htness and harmony of such fear Wlth their position towards God; the satisfaction 1t unpo.rts to the(r conscience; the evidence and promise which it gives of Divine favour; the elevating and sanctifying power it exerts; the defence it supplies ao·ainst 0 sin nnd its consequences. 2. How it will be shown. By frequent conscious exercise of such fear in _devout thought and acts of worship ; by yielding to its practical influence, in producmg a service abundant, joyous, and persevering. When religion is a delight 1t ~-m not be stinted, nor likely to decline. Finally, if the fear of God's name be delightful, how much more the faith, hope, and love which the g·ospel inspires.