HOMILETICS. Vera. 1-4.-Provision for safety and numerical inc,rease. The wall being com- pleted and the gates set in their places, Nehemiah takes measures for the regular defence of the city, and for increasing its population. I. TnE GUARDING OF THE CITY-GATES he assigns to the gate-keepers of the temple, the singers, and the other Levites ; " that of the walls," to the general inhabitants in turn, some to keep watch at certain appointed posts, others before their own houses ; not only perhaps to be ready to rouse the city and rush to the walls or gates in case of attack from without, but to act as police against thieves or disorderly persons within. Over the whole he placed his brother Hanani, and Hananiah, who, as commander of the citadel, had had experience in managing similar matters. Of the latter he records, in explanation of his choice, that he was a faithful man who feared God more than many. II. THE INCREASE OF TllE POPULATION of the city was a matter of pressing import- ance ; for the ample space within the walls was very sparsely occupied with houses, and thinly inhabited. Before resolving, however, on the steps to be taken, it occurred to Nehemiah (and he regarded the suggestion as from God) to call a general assembly, that he might make a census of the population, as a basis for further measures. The result does not appear until eh. xi. Les8ons :-1. The strength and worth of a community lies in its living members. ·Walls are useless without men to defend them; a city feeble, tho1:1gh spacious, whose inhabitants are few. So a religious community may extend itself over a wide space, and erect numerous and costly places of worship, without adding to its real strength. Increase of converts should, therefore, be the chief aim of those who seek its good. 2. All the members of a community should be willing and ready to exert themselves for the common good. Each according to his capacity and oppor• tunity. Nor in times of pressure should any refuse to act because the duties assigned him do not belong to his ordinary functions. These porters, singers, and Levites undertook for the protection of Jerusalem duties quite outside their respective offices. It was not a time to stand upon their dignity or rights. For some reason they could best be spared for the work, and they <lid it. 3. Organisation, including rule and subordination, is essential to the welfare of a community. 4. It is a happy thing when men eminently God-fearing can be found for offices of trust and authority. In secular life such men are inv11luable. In the Church essential.
Ver. 2.-Uncommon excellence. "He wns a faithful man, and feared God above many." Nehemiah records this of Hananiab as bis reason for giving him, with Hanani, his own brother, "charge over Jerusalem." Perhaps be felt it necessary, on some account not specified, thus to justify the selection. l. THE CHARACTER HERE DESCRIBED. 1. Its elements. (1) Faithfulness. Upright- ness, integrity, strictness in performing promises, truthfulness. (2) Unusual piety. These hvo are closely related to each other. He who greatly fears God will be eminently faithful both to God and man. The piety which does not produce upright- ness is good for nothing. On the other hand, uprightness towards man, if allowed its proper development, will lead to uprightness towards God, and so to piety in all its branches. Where this is not the case ( of which the instances are innumerable) the quality of the uprightness is questionable. It can hardly include a love of right- eousness for its own sake. Rather is its basis the desire to stand well with men ; and as it regards not God, it has no claim upon him. 2. How it is produced. As all piety and goodness aro due to the grace of the Holy Spirit. unusual measures of them are to be ascribed to greater abundance of his sacred influences. But it is the human history of eminently godly men to which we now refer. To what, humanly '14 THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH. [clt. VII. 1-6,
!!peaking, may marked superiority in godliness and goodness be traced? Amongst their causes may be mentioned-(1) The careful teaching\ the excellent example, and holy influence of devotedly Christian parents. The nob est men of the Church have general!y sprung from homes of which piety was the pervading apirit; often from ver~· pious mothers. Let parents who profess godliness think of this. The Ch~r_ch looks to them to train for her Nehemiahs and Hananiahs. (2) Early reh~ous deci~ion. Those who be&i~ to se~v~ God late in life are little likely to a_ttam to special excellence. (3) D1~·ent spmtual self-culture. In reading, medita- tion, prayer, watchfulness, the practice of all good. (4) Early consecration to some special service. (5) Overwhelming sense of gratitude for conversion and forgive- ness after many years of godless living. 3. When such a character is especially interesting. When. as here, seen in men of high worldly position and command much occupied with secular affairs, and thrown much into the society of men of another spirit. II. THE EFFECTS WRICH SUCH A CHARACTER SHOULD PRODUCE. 1. Admiration. 2. Praise to God. 3. Confidence. Which should be shown, as by Nehemiah, in placing those who possess it in responsible positions. It is well when such men can be found for important posts, and are placed in them by those with whom the appoint- ment lies, instead of unworthy motives leading to the selection of less desirable men. 4. Imitation. To have such men within our sphere of observation increases our responsibility. We ought to be as they are. They show us what is attainable. 5. Commemoration. In some cases, at least. That their example may stimulate and encourage many to whom it would be otherwise unknown.