The Pulpit Commentary — Nehemiah — Section 64

hie hands, i. e. to give him vigour and courage to complete his undertaking, ri.nd keep the people stedfnst in the work until it was done. The paragraph suggest8- 1. 'fhe persistence of the onernies of Christ in their opposition to his cause. His work in the individual, or in the Church as a whole. Now violence, and now crafc is used; at one time flattery, at another calumny; now open enmity, and then pre- tended friendship; to-day appeal to hopes, to-morrow to fears. Leaders in thr, Church are particularly assailed, as the officers of an army in battle. 2. Their frequent unscrupulousness. Inventing, for instance, as here, false reports, and sometimes repeating them until they believe them. But we need be the less sur- prised at this when we watch controversies amongst Christians themselves, and observe how ready they are to believe and repeat any slander concerning those they oppose, and t~ put obviously false constructi~ns ~n. their words ar:d de~ds. "3. The manner in which they are to be met. (1) By s1mphc1ty and godly sincenty. Harm- less as doves.'' (2) By wariness and wisdom. "Wise as serpents." (3) By firm refusal. (4) By steady persistence in Christian life and work, every fresh stage of which as here furnishes additional defence against the foe. (5) By prayer. 4. The liability of th~ best men to be slandered. Even in respect to their noblest actionR; for many cannot understand nobleness, and enemies will not believe it of those they hate. Hence the beet deeds may be ascribed to the worst motives. We should, therefore, be slow to believe evil reports, especially respecting men otherwise irreproachable. Rather than hastily receive them as true, we should suspect that they have originated in ignorance or malice. Ver. 3.-Hindrances repelled. 11 I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down." This reply of N ehemiab to hie subtle enemies is worthy of adoption by us in relation to all that would hinder us in Christ's service. . In giving them this turn, we may employ the words II come down," used here of locality, in the sense of descending to a lower mental or moral level. I. WHO MAY WELL ADOPT THESE WORDS. 1. All Christians. (1) In relation to their spiritual culture, the working out of their own salvation, which is indeed "a great work." (2) In relation to their special calling in life. Which is to each bis "great work "-that which must occupy most of hie time and thought and toil; that in which he is especially to glorify God. (3) In relation to any work of Christian benevolence in which each may be engaged. 2. Those who occupy positions of peculiar responsibility. Whether in secular life or in the Church. Statesmen ; parents, the nurture and training of whose families is " a great work ; '' ministers of religion ; all on whom others depend for guidance, &c. II. To WHOM, AND OF WHAT, THEY MAY BE EMPLOYED. To all who would tempt us-1. Into obvious sin. 2. Into whatever practice would hinder us in our duty. What is right for one may be wrong for another, because it would hinder him in his Christian life or work. Each must judge for himself what would be a hindrance to him. Let every one "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," intent supremely on serving God and ser-ving his generation according to the will of God, 11.nd all inferior things will be seen in their true light, and take their proper place. Let every one also leave bis fellow Christiane to order their lives according to their own judgment of what is right 11.nd good for them. He, however, who would live greatly for great ends must often say as to pursuits, amusements, gratifications of taste, social intercourse, &c., lawful or laudable in others, 11 I am doing," &c. III. THE REASONABLENESS OF THE WORDS AS THUS EMPLOYED. Concentration of mind and energy is essential to success in all important pursuits, and is adopted by 11.ll who determine to succeed. Whatever would hinder, however tempting, bas to be resolutely renounced. The same concentration and self-denial are required in the Christian life, and are the more imperative and reasonable on account of the great- ness of its aims and the peculiar perils which attend it. In conclusion-I. The sentiment of the text may be misapplied. As when (if such cases muy be supposed possible) a pastor II cannot come down " from his studies to visit the sick or the poor, or to give counsel to the inquiring or the perplexed ; or parents II cannot come down " from o.ny other employment, secular or spiritual, to care properly for the good of their children ; or the contemplative and studious Christian II cannot come down" to NEHEMIAH. -,  66 THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH. [en. vr. 1-10.