The Pulpit Commentary — Nehemiah — Section 29

Vers. 19, 20.-Reli,gi,on and ri,dicuk. I. That religion is often made the subject of RIDICULE. "They laughed us to scorn.'' 1. Its doctrines are ridiculed. Men laugh at the supernatural. 2. Its enterprise is ridiculed. Men scorn the idea of a world-\\;de moral conquest. 3. Its agencies are ridiculed. "Is not this the carpenter's son?" 4. Its experiences are ridiculed. "Much learning doth make thee mad." This ridicule is (1) envious; (2) imbecile; (3) contemptuous ; ( 4) ignorant; (5) libellous. " Will ye rebel against the king? " Christ was despised and rejected of men. II. The REPLY which religion should make to ridicule. 1. That it is often wise tc reply to ridicule. "Then answered I them." 2. That religion must meet ridicule by expressing confidence in God. "The God of heaven, he will prosper us." 3. That religion must meet ridicule by determination which cannot be moved by it. "Therefore we his servants will arise and build." 4. That religion must meet ridicule by denying its right or ability to interfere. " But ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem." 5. That religion must meet ridicule by declaring it alien to the high privileges of the truth. It has no portion in Jerusalem. This is the ideal reply to derision.-E. EXPOSITION. this designation is wanting, he for the most CHAPTER IIL part supplies its place by some other, so II.I! COMMENCEMENT OF THE WORK, AND definitely to mark out the person intended. ARRA.__",GE]l[E},'T OF THE WORKING PARTms, With this general purpose of doing honour WITH THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO SUPERIN- to the deserving is combined the wish gra- TE!.'DED THE BUILDING ( eh. iii). The especial phically to place the whole scene before the object of this chapter seems to be the render- reader. This is done by means of e. profusion ing of honour where honour was due-the of topographical details. Nehemiab takes putting on record of the names ·of the men us along the entire circuit of the wall-shows who boldly came to the front on this occa- us "the tower of Meah," "the tower of sion, sacrificed their ease to their duty, and Hananeel," "the fish gate," "the old go.te," exposed themselves to a threatened hostile "the throne of the governor," "the broad attack (eh. iv. 8---20). Though Nehemiah's wall," " the tower of the furnaces," " the eloquence had carried over to him the bulk valley gate," "the dung gate," "the gate of of the =tion (eh. ii 18), it had not carried the fountain," "the pool of Siloam," "the the whole. There were those who refused kin.g's garden," "the· stairs," "the sepul- to take any part in the work-even though chres of David," "the pool that was made," it was "the work of their Lord" (eh. iii 5) "the armoury," "the tower that lay out," -and these laggards were of the "noble" "Opbel," "the horse gate," "the gat.e class. The more credit wu therefore due to Miphkad," "the sheep gate," and "the the head men who chose the better part, ascent of the corner"-exhibits to us the supported Nehemiah with zeal, and, sword party at work in each place, repairing a in hand (eh. iv. 17), either worked themselves portion of the wall, or rebuilding a gateway or superintended the workers. Nehemiah -notes the zeal of those who, completing records the names of thirty-eight such per- the piece first assigned to them rapidly, BODS, and in thirty cases adds to the name then undertook e. second piece (vcrs. 11, 19, of the individaal that of his father. Where 21, 24 &c.), and altogether gives us a en. Ill. 1--32.] THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH. 27