The Pulpit Commentary — Nehemiah — Section 65

~·orl~s of active benevolence, or even to diligence in his secular calling. 2. The Fenhment may be pushed too far. Human nature cannot bear a perpetual strain ; is not the better for incessant concentration on even the highest subjects and pursuits. ·we need variety. Recreation (truly such) is as much a duty as serious occupation. Sin is always to be renounced, but not always are we to refuse to " come down " to lighter matters than those of our main business in life. The highest life we can reach will be not hindered, but promoted, by a wise descent to lower things; and that not only because of the relief thus gained, but because the highest principles can be ex_ercised and nourished by employment in the smallest matters. 3. To all tempt- ations to real neglect of our work the words of the text should be perseveringly applied. Like Nehemiah, let us to every renewed temptation "answer after the same manner." Ver. 9.-Prayerfor st:rmgth. "Now therefore, 0 God 0• strengthen my hands." Another instance or Nehemiah's prayexfulness. In every difficulty he calls upon God, and not in vain. Thus he obtains strength, and teaches us where to seek it, with Assurance of finding it. The manner in which the prayer is recorded is noticeable. He does not say, Then I offered this prayer, &c., but abruptly writes down the prayer itself. It seems as if, while recording the events of those times, he lived them in imagination and feeling over again; and so, experiencing the old anxiety, he half unconsciously prayed and wrote the old prayer as a present supplication to God. I. WHAT WILL INCITE THE CHRISTIAN TO SUCH A PRAYER. 1. .A g·reat and good undertaking. Such as God approves. 2. Dependence of others engaged in the enterprise on our lead and spirit. Influence which our weakness would have on them. 3. Great difficulties in the work. 4. Great opposition to it. 5. Feebleness of fellow workers. In numbers, ability, zeal, courage. Fear of their defection. 6. Depression of spirit arising from these or other causes. 7. Strong desire to accom- plish the work notwithstanding. , II. How THE PRAYER llliY BE ANSWERED. 1. By the gift of internal strength (see Ephes. iii. 16). This may be given direct from heaven, or through the medium of encouragement from men (see eh. ii. 18). 2. By affording better external assist- ance. More and better helpers, or more favourable circumstances. Finally, some have good reason to offer this prayer with special emphasis on its last two words. They are strong in the bead, and have strong emotions, but are weak in the hands for giving or doing. Unhappily, those who most need thus to pray are least disposed to do so. Ve?'ll. 10-19.-.Enemies withtn. I. FALSE PROPHETS. Who prostituted their office by hiring themselves to the enemies without. For they " loved the wages of unright- eousness." 1. One tempted him to break the law by fleeing into the holy place, and shutting himself up there, where no one but a priest or Levite might enter. This he did on the pretence that Nehemiah's life was in danger (ver. 10); and he hoped that the governor, consenting to the proposal, would bring himself into disgrace with the people, and so lose his influence with them (ver. 13). Nehemiah was preserved from this peril at once by his magnanimity and hie reverence for the law (ver. 11). .And if not immediately, he afterwards perceived the true source and motives of the proposal (vers. 12, 13). 2. Others, by other unrecorded means, endeavoured to excite his fears (ver. 14). Perhaps by pretended messages from heaven. II. TREACHEROUS NOBLES (vers. 17-19). These, some of whom were allied to Tobiah by marriages, maintained an active correspondence with him, and sought to influence Nehemiah in his favour. They had many confederates. Probably Nehe- miah's refa1rming zeal, which had already restrained their avarice, and was likely to proceed to other measures distasteful to them, fostered their disaffection. Ill. THE RAPID COMPLETION OF THE FORTIFICATIONS, NOTWITHSTANDING ALL OPPOSI• TION (ver. 15). IV. THE IMPRESSION WHICH THIS MADE ON THE EXTERNAL FOES, AND OTHER PEOPLES AROUND (ver. 16). 1. Great mortification. Disappointment, envy, despair of the 1uccesH of further opposition. 2. Perception of God's hand. l"rom this paragraph we leam-1. The peculiar danger to any community of internal OH. VI, 1-1\1.] THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH. 67