the tex_t give a graphic description of this interesting scene. The Levites who bad been d1sperBed through the province were "sought out of all their places" (ver. 27) 11~d the "sons of the singerB gathered themselves together 11 (ver. 28) from "th~ v1lla&"es round about Jerusalem'>, (ver. 29). It was a day of sacred joy, when glad- ness 1_n the L?rd rose to enthusiasm, and could only be poured forth in song nnd Bhoutin_g. First, however, came the solemn ceremony of purification (ver. 30) the sprinklmg of "water of separation "-a" purification for sin" (Num. xi.x. 9_'13). This was sprinkled on the (1) priests and Levites themselves, (2) on the people and (3) 0n the wall: everything was to be "clean" and "holy unto the Lord.' Then cai:ne the two~old_ processi_on ("yers._ 31-40). In two divisions, starting from the same pomt, and gomg m opposite directions, they traversed the walls, Nehemiah heading one half of the princes of the people, and Ezra the other half· in both cases pre- ceded by the "thanksgiving companies" (ver. 31), which played and sang as they marched. They met near the entrance to the temple (ver. 40), and there joined in the utterance of public praise, singing "loud thanksgivings to their God" (ver. 42). Then came "great sacrifices'' (ver. 43) offered on the brazen altar by the priests, the people, during the procession and after the sacrifices, rending the air with shouts of great joy, women and children joining in the general gladness, "so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off" (ver. 43). The whole scene suggests thoughts to us of- I. OcrR PURIFICATION OF OURSELVES. If we ask, What is there in Christianity that answers to the purification of themselves and of the people by the priests under Jude.ism? (ver. 30), we answer that there are two ways in which we are now me.de clean. 1. "By the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ II we are "cleansed from all iniquity." We are "justified by hie blood" (Rom. v. 9) . .Applying to our own souls' need the propitiatory work of our Redeemer, we ourselves are "me.de whole 11 in the sight of God ; "we are washed, ... we are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus" (1 Cor. ,i. 11 ). 2. By deliberate separation of ourselves to the service of God. Kot the withdrawal of ourselves from the relationships in which we are called to stand or from the active duties which await our energy and skill, but the separa- tion of our souls from the evil which is in the world, and a full dedication of our powers and our lives to the service of our Saviour. Thus are we purified. II. THE ACCEPTABLENESS OF OUR WORK. The wall which had been built was purified as well as the builders (ver. 30). Our work which we have wrought for God and man needs to be made clean, pure, acceptable. It is thus rendered-I. Through the work of the Divine Mediator. We ask acceptance of all we have done for Jesus' sake. 2. By the spirit of consecration we show in its execution. (1) By entering upon it with a pure desire to hono?r Christ and bless o~r brethren. (2) By d~~g it_in a spirit of thorough loyalty to him and sympathy with them, (3) By ascnbmg its success, when completed, to his gracious guid11:nce and_ help. . III. OcrB JOY. The joy of the Jews on this occasion was (1) occasioned by a sense of deliverance and security; was (2) sanctified by gratitude and de"9"otion: they "gave thanks in the house of God" (v~r- 40), and " offered great sacrifices" (ver. 43) ; and it was (3) general and contag10us:. 1t extended to all claes~s and ages, and went far and wide beyond the city walls-it was "heard afar off 1 (ver. 43), Such should be the characteristics of our Christian joy ; it also should-(1) De kindled in the heart by our deep sense of redemption _az:id security t~rough Jesus C~rist our Saviour. (2) Be sanctified by much thankeg1vmg and devotion. Gladness IB never so pure and safe as when it takes the fonn of gratitude, and goe~ into the house of God to worship there. (3) Extend to all those below us-the children, the servants, &c.; and all around us-be felt "afar off."-C.
EXPOSlTION. ex:ercilled the office of governor for twelve CHAPTER XIII. yeal'II, from D.o. 444 to u.c. 432, Nehemiah NEHEMI..AH's EFFOR'l',B FOR THE REFORM had had occasion to viBit the Persian court' o, JIKL]GION (eh. xiii 1-31). After having either to consult Artax:erxes personally on OH. XIII, 1-31.] THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH. 139