The Pulpit Commentary — Nehemiah — Section 11

Nehemiah comes from the king's presence to see his countrymen from JeruRalem. Under the righteous government of God we shall find that the same virtues wil\ conduct us to sufficiency, contentment, honour, prosperity. III. WE HAVE ONE UNFAILING RESOURCE IN TIME OF TROUBLE (vers. 2, 3). Evil tidings come to Nehemiah in his prosperity and cloud his life (vers. 2, 3). Certain of his countrymen bring tidings from Jerusalem which are most distressing to him. The city of God is" in great affliction and reproach" (ver. 3); its" wall is broken down;" its "gates are burned with fire" (ver. 3). There are those who would hardly allow their day's enjoyment to be disturbed if they heard of the most terrible calamities. In nothing is our spirit more clearly shown than in the way in wh1cn we receive tidings of the welfare or misfortune of others. Nehemiah was a large- hearted, sympathetic man. He entirely forgot his own comfortable prosperity in the adversity of hie race ; to him the sufferings of hie people were his own misfor- tunes. Under these circumstances Nehemiah had recourse to (1) two Orie:ntal sources of relief: he (a) gave himself up to formal lamentation-he " sat down and wept, and mourned certain days" (ver. 4); and (b) he fasted (ver. 4). These expressions of grief were national, Oriental; to him they were therefore natural and helpful. We may weep, we may abstain from food because appetite is killed by sorrow ; but it is not natural, and therefore not right, for us to affect the tokens of grief which belong to other times or other peoples. But Nehemiah had also recourse to (2) one universal source of comfort. He "prayed before the God of heaven" (ver. 4). He took his sorrow to the throne of grace, to the " God of all comfort ; " he presented himself with aching heart to him who alone can " bind up the broken heart." This refuge in time of trouble is not Jewish, nor Oriental; it is human, universal, unfailing. In every clime and every age the stricken spirit can go to God, pour out its woe to heaven, and find calm and comfort in the sympathy of the unchangeable Friend. " God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble " (Ps. xlvi. I). " Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest " (Matt. xi. 28).-C. Vers. 1-11.-God and his people. We may notice here four things :-The state of the Jews that had escaped who were left of the captivity. The position and character of Nehemiah. The prayer which was mingled with the lamentation. The practical aim and purpose which followed the prayer. .All are based upon the one foundation of the special gracious relation of God to his covenant people. We may therefore distinguish the following practical points in this chapter:- 1. An illustration of THE DIVINE METHOD and character in dealing with those who are the objects of special regard. 1. Faithfulness. The Jews suffered because they rebelled. They suffered still because they still needed discipline. They were " in great affliction and reproach II that they might be taught to seek help of God. They had no walls to their city that they might be labourers together with God in rebuild- ing them. They were surrounded with opponents that their holiness might be maintained, their zeal and constancy developed and tried, their victory made manifest. 2. Forbearance and compassion. A remnant left. The burning bush unconsumed. The " day of small things II in which the Spirit of God reveals his might, full of promise. Eminent saints are more sought after and more appreciated at such times. II. A conspicuous example of RELIGIOUS CHARACTER. Nehemiah. 1. Found in a palace, in a heathen palace, in a king's cupbearer. Resistance to temptation. Culti- vation of faith in unfavourable circumstances. A friend made of the mammon of unrighteousness. A testimony borne to the superiority of the man of God, as in the case of Daniel and his associates. Mercy granted in the sight of the heathen. 2. Deep feeling of brotherhood with Goa:s people. A tender heart. An inquiring mind. An unselfish regard for the condition of those afar off. Anxious concern that God's glory should be seen in his Church. 3. Strong faith. Keeping hold oi Divine promises, looking for their fulfilment, troubled by delay, turning from external facts to God. 4. Prayerfulness and humiliation before God. " He sat down and kropt, and mourned for days, and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven." rhere is no emergency in which the man of faith loses sight of his great resource in ~tting himself and his desires before God. When he does so, he will not be 8 THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH. [cR. I. 1-11.