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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Nehemiah, Chapter XIII].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC16012.HTM">Previous</A>]
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>N E H E M I A H</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XIII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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Nehemiah, having finished what he undertook for the fencing and filling
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of the holy city, returned to the king his master, who was not willing
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to be long without him, as appears
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>).
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But, after some time, he obtained leave to come back again to
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Jerusalem, to redress grievances, and purge out some corruptions which
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had crept in in his absence; and very active he was in reforming
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several abuses, which here we have an account of.
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I. He turned out from Israel the mixed multitude, the Moabites and
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Ammonites especially,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:1-3">ver. 1-3</A>.
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With a particular indignation, he expelled Tobiah out of the lodgings
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he had got in the court of the temple,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:4-9">ver. 4-9</A>.
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II. He secured the maintenance of the priests and Levites to them more
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firmly than it had been,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:10-14">ver. 10-14</A>.
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III. He restrained the profanation of the sabbath day, and provided for
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the due sanctification of it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:15-22">ver. 15-22</A>.
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IV. He checked the growing mischief of marrying strange wives,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:23-31">ver. 23-31</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ne13_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne13_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne13_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne13_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne13_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne13_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne13_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne13_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne13_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The People's Attention to Their Duty.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 444.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of
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the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and
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the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for
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ever;
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2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and
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with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse
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them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.
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3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they
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separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
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4 And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of
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the chamber of the house of our God, <I>was</I> allied unto Tobiah:
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5 And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime
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they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels,
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and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was
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commanded <I>to be given</I> to the Levites, and the singers, and the
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porters; and the offerings of the priests.
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6 But in all this <I>time</I> was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two
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and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the
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king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:
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7 And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that
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Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts
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of the house of God.
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8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the
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household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
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9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither
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brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat
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offering and the frankincense.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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It was the honour of Israel, and the greatest preservation of their
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holiness, that they were a peculiar people, and were so to keep
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themselves, and not to mingle with the nations, nor suffer any of them
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to incorporate with them. Now here we have,</P>
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<P>
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I. The law to this purport, which happened to be read <I>on that day,
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in the audience of the people</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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on the day of the dedication of the wall, as it should seem, for with
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their prayers and praises they joined the reading of the word; and
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though it was long after that the other grievances, here mentioned,
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were redressed by Nehemiah's power, yet this of the mixed multitude
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might be redressed then by the people's own act, for so it seems to be,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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Or, perhaps, it was on the anniversary commemoration of that day, some
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years after, and therefore said to be <I>on that day.</I> They found a
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law, that the Ammonites and Moabites should not be naturalized, should
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not settle among them, nor unite with them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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The reason given is because they had been injurious and ill-natured to
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the Israel of God
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>),
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had not shown them common civility, but sought their ruin, though they
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not only did them no harm, but were expressly forbidden to do them any.
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This law we have, with this reason,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+23:3-5">Deut. xxiii. 3-5</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. The people's ready compliance with this law,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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See the benefit of the public reading of the word of God; when it is
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duly attended to it discovers to us sin and duty, good and evil, and
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shows us wherein we have erred. Then we profit by the discovery when by
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it we are wrought upon to separate ourselves from all that evil to
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which we had addicted ourselves. They <I>separated from Israel all the
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mixed multitude,</I> which had of old been a snare to them, for the
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<I>mixed multitude fell a lusting,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+11:4">Num. xi. 4</A>.
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These inmates they expelled, as usurpers and dangerous.</P>
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<P>
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III. The particular case of Tobiah, who was an Ammonite, and to whom,
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it is likely, the historian had an eye in the recital of the law
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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and the reason of it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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For he had the same enmity to Israel that his ancestors had, the spirit
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of an Ammonite, witness his indignation at Nehemiah
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+2:10"><I>ch.</I> ii. 10</A>)
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and the opposition he had given to his undertakings,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+4:7,8"><I>ch.</I> iv. 7, 8</A>.
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Observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. How basely Eliashib the chief priest took this Tobiah in to be a
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lodger even in the courts of the temple.
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(1.) He was allied to Tobiah
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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by marriage first and then by friendship. His grandson had married
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Sanballat's daughter,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
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Probably some other of his family had married Tobiah's, and (would you
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think it?) the high priest thought the alliance an honour to his
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family, and was very proud of it, though really it was his greatest
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disgrace, and what he had reason to be ashamed of. It was expressly
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provided by the law that the high priest should marry <I>one of his own
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people,</I> else he <I>profanes his seed among his people,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+21:14,15">Lev. xxi. 14, 15</A>.
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And for Eliashib to contract an alliance with an Ammonite, a
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<I>servant</I> (for so he is called) and to value himself upon it,
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probably because he has a wit and a beau, and cried up for a fine
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gentleman
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+6:19"><I>ch.</I> vi. 19</A>),
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was such a contempt of the crown of his consecration as one would not
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wish should be told in Gath or published in the streets of Ashkelon.
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(2.) Being allied to him, he must be acquainted with him. Tobiah, being
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a man of business, has often occasion to be at Jerusalem, I doubt upon
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no good design. Eliashib is fond of his new kinsman, pleased with his
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company, and must have him as near him as he can. He has not a room for
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him stately enough in his own apartment, in the courts of the temple;
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therefore, out of several little chambers which had been used for
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store-chambers, by taking down the partitions, he contrived to make one
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great chamber, a state-room for Tobiah,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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A wretched thing it was,
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[1.] That Tobiah the Ammonite should be entertained with respect in
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Israel, and have a magnificent reception.
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[2.] That the high priest, who should have taught the people the law
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and set them a good example, should, contrary to the law, give him
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entertainment, and make use of the power he had, as overseer of the
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chambers of the temple, for that purpose.
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[3.] That he should lodge him in the courts of God's house, as if to
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confront God himself; this was next to setting up an idol there, as the
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wicked kings of old had done. An Ammonite must not <I>come into the
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congregation;</I> and shall one of the worst and vilest of the
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Ammonites be courted into the temple itself, and caressed there?
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[4.] That he should throw out the stores of the temple, to make room
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for him, and so expose them to be lost, wasted, and embezzled, though
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they were the <I>portions of the priests,</I> merely to gratify Tobiah.
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Thus did he <I>corrupt the covenant of Levi,</I> as Malachi complained
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at this time,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+2:8"><I>ch.</I> ii. 8</A>.
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Well might Nehemiah add
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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<I>But all this time was not I at Jerusalem.</I> If he had been there,
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the high priest durst not have done such a thing. The envious one, who
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sows tares in God's field, knows how to take an opportunity to do it
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when the <I>servants sleep</I> or are absent,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:25">Matt. xiii. 25</A>.
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The golden calf was made when Moses was in the mount.</P>
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<P>
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2. How bravely Nehemiah, the chief governor, threw him out, and all
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that belonged to him, and restored the chambers to their proper use.
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When he came to Jerusalem, and was informed by the good people who were
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troubled at it what an intimacy had grown between their chief priest
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and their chief enemy, it <I>grieve him sorely</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:7,8"><I>v.</I> 7, 8</A>)
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that God's house should be so profaned, his enemies so caressed and
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trusted, and his cause betrayed by him that should have been its
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protector and patron. Nothing grieves a good man, a good magistrate,
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more than to see the ministers of God's house do any wicked thing.
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Nehemiah has power and he will use it for God.
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(1.) Tobiah shall be expelled. He fears not disobliging him, fears not
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his resentments, or Eliashib's, nor excuses himself from interposing in
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an affair that lay within the jurisdiction of the high priest; but,
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like one zealously affected in a good thing, he expels the intruder, by
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casting forth all his household stuff. He did not seize it for his own
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use, but cast it out, that Tobiah, who it is probable was now absent,
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when he came again, might have no conveniences for his reception there.
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Our Saviour thus <I>cleansed the temple,</I> that the <I>house of
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prayer</I> might not be a <I>den of thieves.</I> And thus those that
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would expel sin out of their hearts, those living temples, must throw
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out its household stuff and all the provision made for it, strip it,
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starve it, and take away all those things that are the food and fuel of
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lust; this is, in effect, to mortify it.
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(2.) The temple stores shall be brought in again, and the <I>vessels of
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the house of God put in their places;</I> but the chambers must first
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be sprinkled with the water of purification, and so cleansed, because
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they had been profaned. Thus, when sin is cast out of the heart by
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repentance, let the blood of Christ be applied to it by faith, and then
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let it be furnished with the graces of God's Spirit for every good
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work.</P>
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<A NAME="Ne13_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne13_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne13_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne13_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne13_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Abuses Rectified.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 434.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not
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been given <I>them:</I> for the Levites and the singers, that did the
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work, were fled every one to his field.
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11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house
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of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in
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their place.
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12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new
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wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
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13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the
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priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and
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next to them <I>was</I> Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah:
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for they were counted faithful, and their office <I>was</I> to
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distribute unto their brethren.
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14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my
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good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the
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offices thereof.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is another grievance redressed by Nehemiah.</P>
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<P>
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I. The Levites had been wronged. This was the grievance: their
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<I>portions had not been given them,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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Perhaps Tobiah, when he took possession of the store-chambers, seized
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the stores too, and, by the connivance of Eliashib, converted them to
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his own use. The complaint is not that they were not collected from the
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people, but that they were not given to the Levites, and the Levites
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were so modest as not to sue for them; <I>for the Levites and singers
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fled every one to his field.</I> This comes in as a reason either,
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(1.) Why their payments were withheld. The Levites were non-residents:
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when they should have been doing their work about the temple, they were
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at their farms in the country; and therefore the people were little
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inclined to give them their maintenance. If ministers have not the
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encouragement they should have, let them consider whether they
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themselves be not accessory to the contempt they are under, by the
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neglect of their business. Or rather,
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(2.) It is the reason why Nehemiah soon perceived that their dues had
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been denied them, because he missed them from their posts. "Where are
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the singers" (said Nehemiah); "why do not they attend according to
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their office, to praise God?" "Why, truly, they have gone every one to
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his country seat, to get a livelihood for themselves and their families
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out of their grounds; for their profession would not maintain them." A
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scandalous maintenance makes a scandalous ministry. The work is
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neglected because the workmen are. It was not long since the payment of
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the salaries appointed for the singers was put into a very good method
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+12:47"><I>ch.</I> xii. 47</A>);
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and yet how soon did it fail for want of being looked after!</P>
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<P>
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II. Nehemiah laid the fault upon the rulers, who should have taken care
|
|
that the Levites minded their business and had all due encouragement
|
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therein. This is required from Christian magistrates, that they use
|
|
their power to oblige ministers to do their duty, and people to do
|
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theirs. Nehemiah began with the rulers, and called them to an account:
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"<I>Why is the house of God forsaken?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
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|
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|
Why are the Levites starved out of it? Why did not you take notice of
|
|
this and prevent it?" The people <I>forsook the Levites,</I> which was
|
|
expressly forbidden
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+12:19,14:27">Deut. xii. 19; xiv. 27</A>);
|
|
|
|
and then the Levites forsook their post in the house of God. Both
|
|
ministers and people who forsake religion and the services of it, and
|
|
magistrates too who do not what they can to keep them to it, will have
|
|
a great deal to answer for.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He delayed not to bring the dispersed Levites to <I>their
|
|
places</I> again, and set them in <I>their stations</I> (as the word
|
|
is),
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
A Levite in his field (<I>clericus in foro--a minister keeping the
|
|
market</I>) is out of his station. God's house is his place, and there
|
|
let him be found. Many that are careless would do much better than they
|
|
do if they were but called upon. <I>Say to Archippus, Take heed to thy
|
|
ministry.</I></P>
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|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. He obliged the people to bring in their tithes,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
His zeal provoked theirs; and, when they saw the Levites at their work,
|
|
they could not for shame withhold their wages any longer, but honestly
|
|
and cheerfully brought them in. The better church-work is done the
|
|
better will church-dues be paid.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. He provided that just and prompt payment should be made of the
|
|
Levites' stipends. Commissioners were appointed to see to this
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
and they were such as <I>were accounted faithful,</I> that is, had
|
|
approved themselves so in other trusts committed to them, and so had
|
|
<I>purchased to themselves this good degree,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+3:13">1 Tim. iii. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Let men be tried first and then trusted, tried in the less and then
|
|
trusted with more. Their office was to receive and pay, to distribute
|
|
to their brethren in due season and due proportions.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VI. Having no recompence (it is a question whether he had thanks) from
|
|
those for whom he did these good services, he looks up to God as his
|
|
paymaster
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Remember me, O my God! concerning this.</I> Nehemiah was a man much
|
|
in pious ejaculations; on every occasion he looked up to God, and
|
|
committed himself and his affairs to him.
|
|
|
|
1. He here reflects with comfort and much satisfaction upon what he had
|
|
done for the house of God and the offices thereof; it pleased him to
|
|
think that he had been any way instrumental to revive and support
|
|
religion in his country and to reform what was amiss. What kindness any
|
|
show to God's ministers, thus shall it be returned into their own
|
|
bosoms, in the secret joy they shall have there, not only in having
|
|
done well, but in having done good, good to many, good to souls.
|
|
|
|
2. He here refers it to God to consider him for it, not in pride, or as
|
|
boasting of what he had done, much less depending upon it as his
|
|
righteousness, or as if he thought he had made God a debtor to him, but
|
|
in a humble appeal to him concerning his integrity and honest intention
|
|
in what he had done, and a believing expectation that he would not be
|
|
unrighteous to <I>forget his work and labour of love,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:10">Heb. vi. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe how modest he is in his requests. He only prays, <I>Remember
|
|
me,</I> not <I>Reward me--Wipe not out my good deeds,</I> not
|
|
<I>Publish them, Record them.</I> Yet he was rewarded and his good
|
|
deeds were recorded; for God does more than we are able to ask. Note,
|
|
Deeds done <I>for the house of God and the offices of it,</I> for the
|
|
support of religion and the encouragement of it, are good deeds. There
|
|
is both righteousness and godliness in them, and God will certainly
|
|
remember them, and not wipe them out; they shall in no wise lose their
|
|
reward.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_22"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Charge Respecting the Sabbath.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 434.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>15 In those days saw I in Judah <I>some</I> treading wine presses on
|
|
the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also
|
|
wine, grapes, and figs, and all <I>manner of</I> burdens, which they
|
|
brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified
|
|
<I>against them</I> in the day wherein they sold victuals.
|
|
16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish,
|
|
and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children
|
|
of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
|
|
17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto
|
|
them, What evil thing <I>is</I> this that ye do, and profane the
|
|
sabbath day?
|
|
18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all
|
|
this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath
|
|
upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.
|
|
19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began
|
|
to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should
|
|
be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after
|
|
the sabbath: and <I>some</I> of my servants set I at the gates, <I>that</I>
|
|
there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.
|
|
20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged
|
|
without Jerusalem once or twice.
|
|
21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge
|
|
ye about the wall? if ye do <I>so</I> again, I will lay hands on you.
|
|
From that time forth came they no <I>more</I> on the sabbath.
|
|
22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse
|
|
themselves, and <I>that</I> they should come <I>and</I> keep the gates, to
|
|
sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, <I>concerning</I>
|
|
this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is another instance of that blessed reformation in which Nehemiah
|
|
was so active. He revived sabbath-sanctification, and maintained the
|
|
authority of the fourth commandment; and a very good deed this was for
|
|
the house of God and the offices thereof, for, where holy time is
|
|
over-looked and made nothing of, it is not strange if all holy duties
|
|
be neglected. Here is,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. A remonstrance of the abuse. The law of the sabbath was very strict
|
|
and much insisted one, and with good reason, for religion is never in
|
|
the throne while sabbaths are trodden under foot. But Nehemiah
|
|
discovered even in Judah, among those to whom sabbaths were given for a
|
|
sign, this law wretchedly violated. His own eyes were his informers.
|
|
Magistrates who are in care to discharge their duty aright will as much
|
|
as may be <I>see with their own eyes,</I> and <I>accomplish a diligent
|
|
search</I> to find out that which is evil. To his great grief it
|
|
appeared that there was a general profanation of the sabbath, that holy
|
|
day, even in Jerusalem, that holy city, which was so lately dedicated
|
|
to God.
|
|
|
|
1. The husbandmen trod their wine-presses and brought home their corn
|
|
on that day
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
through there was an express command that <I>in earing-time, and in
|
|
harvest-time, they should rest</I> on the sabbaths
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+34:21">Exod. xxxiv. 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
because then they might be tempted to take a greater liberty, and to
|
|
fancy that God would indulge them in it.
|
|
|
|
2. The carriers <I>loaded their asses with all manner of burdens,</I>
|
|
and made no scruple of it, though there was a particular proviso in the
|
|
law for the cattle resting
|
|
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+5:14">Deut. v. 14</A>)
|
|
|
|
and that they should <I>bear no burden on the sabbath day,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+17:21">Jer. xvii. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. The hawkers, and pedlars, and petty chapmen, that were men of Tyre,
|
|
that famous trading city, <I>sold all manner of wares</I> on the
|
|
sabbath day
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>);
|
|
|
|
and the children of Judah and Jerusalem had so little grace as to buy
|
|
of them, and so encourage them in making our Father's day a day of
|
|
merchandise, contrary to the law of the fourth commandment, which
|
|
forbids the <I>doing any manner of work.</I> No wonder there was a
|
|
general decay of religion and corruption of manners among this people
|
|
when they <I>forsook the sanctuary</I> and <I>profaned the
|
|
sabbath.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The reformation of it. Those that are jealous for the honour of God
|
|
cannot bear to see his sabbath profaned. Observe in what method this
|
|
good man proceeded in his zeal for the sabbath.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. <I>He testified against those</I> who profaned it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>,
|
|
|
|
and again
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
He not only expressed his own dislike of it, but endeavoured to
|
|
convince them that it was a great sin, and showed them the testimony of
|
|
the word of God against it. He would not punish it till he had laid
|
|
open the evil of it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He reasoned with the rulers concerning it, took the nobles of Judah
|
|
to task, and contended with them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
The greatest of men are not too high to be told of their faults by
|
|
those whose proper office it is to reprove them; nay, great men should
|
|
be, as here, contended with in the first place, because of the
|
|
influence they have upon others.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) He charges them with it: <I>You do it.</I> They did not carry
|
|
corn, nor sell fish, but,
|
|
|
|
[1.] They connived at those that did, and did not use their power to
|
|
restrain them, and so made themselves guilty, as those magistrates do
|
|
who bear the sword in vain.
|
|
|
|
[2.] They set a bad example in other things. If the nobles allowed
|
|
themselves in sports and recreations, in idle visits and idle talk, on
|
|
the sabbath day, the men of business, both in city and country, would
|
|
profane it by their worldly employments, as more justifiable. We must
|
|
be responsible for the sins which others are led to commit by our
|
|
example.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He charges it upon them as an evil thing, for so it is, proceeding
|
|
from a great contempt of God and our own souls.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) He reasons the case with them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
and shows them that sabbath breaking was one of the sins for which God
|
|
had brought judgments upon them, and that if they did not take warning,
|
|
but returned to the same sins again, they had reason to expect further
|
|
judgments: <I>You bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the
|
|
sabbath.</I> Thus Ezra concluded, <I>If we again break thy
|
|
commandments, wilt not thou be angry with us till thou hast consumed
|
|
us?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+9:14">Ezra ix. 14</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. He took care to prevent the profanation of the sabbath, as one that
|
|
aimed only at reformation. If he could reform them, he would not punish
|
|
them, and, if he should punish them, it was but that he might reform
|
|
them. This is an example to magistrates to be heirs of restraint, and
|
|
prudently to use the bit and bridle, that there may be no occasion for
|
|
the lash.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He ordered the gates of Jerusalem to be kept shut from the evening
|
|
before the sabbath to the morning after, and set his own servants
|
|
(whose care, courage and honesty, he could confide in) to watch them,
|
|
that no burdens should be brought in on the sabbath day, nor late the
|
|
night before, nor early in the morning after, lest sabbath time should
|
|
be encroached upon,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that came in to worship in the courts of the temple were no doubt
|
|
admitted to pass and repass, but none that came to sell goods;
|
|
<I>they</I> were forced to <I>lodge without the city</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
where no doubt they wished the sabbath were gone, that they might sell
|
|
corn.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He threatened those who came with goods to the gates, who pressed
|
|
hard for entrance, telling them that, if they came again, he would
|
|
certainly lay hands on them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
and this deterred them from coming any more. Note, If reformers will
|
|
but put on resolution, more may be done towards the breaking of bad
|
|
customs than they can imagine. Vice connived at is indeed a daring
|
|
thing, and will bid defiance to counsel and reproof; but it may be made
|
|
cowardly, and will be so when magistrates make themselves a terror to
|
|
it. <I>The king that sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all
|
|
evil with his eyes.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) He charged the Levites to take care about the due sanctifying of
|
|
the sabbath, that they should cleanse themselves in the first place,
|
|
and so give a good example to the people, and <I>that they should</I>
|
|
some of them <I>come and keep the gates,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
Because he and his servants must shortly return to court, he would
|
|
leave this charge with some that might abide by it, that not only when
|
|
he was present, but in his absence, the sabbath might be sanctified.
|
|
Then there is likely to be a reformation, in this and other respects,
|
|
when magistrates and ministers join their forces. The courage, zeal,
|
|
and prudence of Nehemiah in this matter, are here recorded for our
|
|
imitation; and we have reason to think that the cure he wrought was
|
|
lasting; for, in our Saviour's time, we find the Jews in the other
|
|
extreme, over-scrupulous in the ceremonial part of
|
|
sabbath-sanctification.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. He concludes this passage with a prayer
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>),
|
|
|
|
in which observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The petitions: <I>Remember me</I> (as the thief on the cross,
|
|
<I>Lord, remember me</I>); that is enough. God's thoughts to us ward
|
|
are very precious,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+40:5">Ps. xl. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
He adds, <I>Spare me.</I> So far is he from thinking that what he had
|
|
done did properly merit a reward in strict justice that he cries
|
|
earnestly to God to <I>spare him,</I> as Jeremiah
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+15:15"><I>ch.</I> xv. 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Take me not away in thy long-suffering</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:24"><I>ch.</I> x. 24</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Correct me not in anger,</I> and
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+17:17"><I>ch.</I> xvii. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Be not a terror to me.</I> Note, The best saints, even when they do
|
|
the best actions, stand in need of <I>sparing mercy;</I> for <I>there
|
|
is not a just man that doeth good and sinneth not.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The plea: <I>According to the greatness</I> (or multitude) <I>of
|
|
thy mercies.</I> Note, God's mercy is what we must depend upon, and not
|
|
any merit of our own, when we appear before God.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne13_31"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Dismissal of Strange Wives.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 434.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>23 In those days also saw I Jews <I>that</I> had married wives of
|
|
Ashdod, of Ammon, <I>and</I> of Moab:
|
|
24 And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and
|
|
could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the
|
|
language of each people.
|
|
25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote
|
|
certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear
|
|
by God, <I>saying,</I> Ye shall not give your daughters unto their
|
|
sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.
|
|
26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet
|
|
among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of
|
|
his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even
|
|
him did outlandish women cause to sin.
|
|
27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to
|
|
transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?
|
|
28 And <I>one</I> of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the
|
|
high priest, <I>was</I> son in law to Sanballat the Horonite:
|
|
therefore I chased him from me.
|
|
29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the
|
|
priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the
|
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Levites.
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30 Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the
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|
wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;
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31 And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the
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firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here one instance more of Nehemiah's pious zeal for the
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|
purifying of his countrymen as a peculiar people to God; that was the
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thing he aimed at in the use of his power, not the enriching of
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|
himself. See here,</P>
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<P>
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I. How they had corrupted themselves by marrying strange wives. This
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|
was complained of in Ezra's time, and much done towards a reformation,
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+9:1-10:44">Ezra ix. and x.</A>
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|
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But, when the unclean spirit is cast out, if a watchful eye be not kept
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|
upon him, he will re-enter; so he did here. Though in Ezra's time those
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|
that had married strange wives were forced to put them away, which
|
|
could not but occasion trouble and confusion in families, yet others
|
|
would not take warning. <I>Nitimur in vetitum--we still lean towards
|
|
what is forbidden.</I> Nehemiah, like a good governor, enquired into
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|
the state of the families of those that were under his charge, that he
|
|
might reform what was amiss in them, and so heal the streams by healing
|
|
the springs.
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|
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|
1. He enquired whence they had their wives, and found that many of the
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|
Jews had <I>married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>),
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|
|
|
either because they were fond of what was far-fetched or because they
|
|
hoped by these alliances to strengthen and enrich themselves. See how
|
|
God by the prophet reproves this,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+2:11">Mal. ii. 11</A>.
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|
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|
<I>Judah has dealt treacherously,</I> and broken covenant with God, the
|
|
covenant made in Ezra's time with reference to this very thing; he has
|
|
<I>profaned the holiness of the Lord</I> by <I>marrying the
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|
daughter</I> (that is, the worshipper) <I>of a strange god.</I>
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|
|
|
2. He talked with the children, and found they were <I>children of
|
|
strangers,</I> for their <I>speech betrayed them.</I> The children were
|
|
bred up with their mothers, and learned of them and their nurses and
|
|
servants to speak, so that they could not speak the Jews' language,
|
|
could not speak it at all, or not readily, or not purely, but <I>half
|
|
in the speech of Ashdod,</I> or Ammon, or Moab, according as the
|
|
country was which the mother was a native of. Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Children, in their childhood, learn much of their mothers.
|
|
<I>Partus sequitur ventrem--they are prone to imitate their
|
|
mothers.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) If either side be bad, the corrupt nature will incline the
|
|
children to take after that, which is a good reason why Christians
|
|
should not be unequally yoked.
|
|
|
|
(3.) In the education of children great care should be taken about the
|
|
government of their tongues, that they learn not the language of
|
|
Ashdod, any impious or impure talk, any corrupt communication.</P>
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|
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|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. What course Nehemiah took to purge out this corruption, when he
|
|
discovered how much it had prevailed.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He showed them the evil of it, and the obligation he lay under to
|
|
witness against it. He did not seek an occasion against them, but this
|
|
was an iniquity to be punished by the judge, and which he must by no
|
|
means connive at
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Shall we hearken to you,</I> who endeavour to palliate and excuse
|
|
it? No, it is an evil, a great evil, it is a <I>transgression against
|
|
our God, to marry strange wives,</I> and we must do our utmost to put a
|
|
stop to it. You beg that they may not be divorced from you, but we
|
|
cannot hearken to you, for there is no other remedy to clear us from
|
|
the guilt and prevent infection."
|
|
|
|
(1.) He quotes a precept, to prove that it was in itself a great sin;
|
|
and makes them swear to that precept: <I>You shall not give your
|
|
daughters unto their sons,</I> &c., which is taken from
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+7:3">Deut. vii. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
When we would reclaim people from sin we must show them the sinfulness
|
|
of it in the glass of the commandment.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He quotes a precedent, to show the pernicious consequences of it,
|
|
which made it necessary to be animadverted upon by the government
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things?</I> The falls of
|
|
great and good men are recorded in order that we may take warning by
|
|
them to shun the temptations which they were overcome by. Solomon was
|
|
famous for wisdom; there was no king like him for it; yet, when he
|
|
married strange wives, his wisdom could not secure him from their
|
|
snares, nay, it departed from him, and he did very foolishly. He was
|
|
beloved of God, but his marrying strange wives threw him out of God's
|
|
favour, and went near to extinguish the holy fire of grace in his soul:
|
|
he was king over all Israel; but his doing this occasioned the loss of
|
|
ten of his twelve tribes. You plead that you can marry strange wives
|
|
and yet retain the purity of Israelites; but Solomon himself could not;
|
|
even <I>him did outlandish women cause to sin.</I> Therefore let him
|
|
that <I>thinks he stands take heed lest he fall</I> when he runs upon
|
|
such a precipice.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He showed himself highly displeased at it, that he might awaken them
|
|
to a due sense of the evil of it: <I>He contended with them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
They offered to justify themselves in what they did, but he showed them
|
|
how frivolous their excuses were, and argued it warmly with them. When
|
|
he had silenced them he <I>cursed them,</I> that is, he denounced the
|
|
judgments of God against them, and showed them what their sin deserved.
|
|
He then picked out some of them that were more obstinate than the rest,
|
|
and fit to be made examples, and <I>smote them</I> (that is, ordered
|
|
them to be beaten by the proper officers according to the law,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+25:2,3">Deut. xxv. 2, 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
to which he added this further mark of infamy that he <I>plucked off
|
|
their hair,</I> or cut or shaved it off; for it may so be understood.
|
|
Perhaps they had prided themselves in their hair, and therefore he took
|
|
it off to deform and humble them, and put them to shame; it was, in
|
|
effect, to stigmatize them, at least for a time. Ezra, in this case,
|
|
had plucked off his own hair, in holy sorrow for the sin; Nehemiah
|
|
plucked off their hair, in a holy indignation at the sinners. See the
|
|
different tempers of wise, and good, and useful men, and the divers
|
|
graces, as well as divers gifts, of the same Spirit.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. He obliged them not to take any more such wives, and separated those
|
|
whom they had taken: <I>He cleansed them from all strangers,</I> both
|
|
men and women
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
and made them promise with an oath that they would never do so again,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus did he try all ways and means to put a stop to this mischief and
|
|
to prevent another relapse into this disease.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. He took particular care of the priests' families, that they might
|
|
not lie under this stain, this guilt. He found, upon enquiry, that a
|
|
branch of the high priest's own family, one of his grandsons, had
|
|
married a daughter of Sanballat, that notorious enemy of the Jews
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+2:10,4:1"><I>ch.</I> ii. 10; iv. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
and so had, in effect, twisted interests with the Samaritans,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
How little love had that man either to God or his country who could
|
|
make himself in duty and interest a friend to him that was a sworn
|
|
enemy to both. It seems this young priest would not put away his wife,
|
|
and therefore Nehemiah <I>chased him from him,</I> deprived him,
|
|
degraded him, and made him for ever incapable of the priesthood.
|
|
Josephus says that this expelled priest was Manasseh, and that when
|
|
Nehemiah drove him away he went to his father-in-law Sanballat, who
|
|
built him a temple upon Mount Gerazim, like that at Jerusalem, and
|
|
promised him he should be high priest in it, and that then was laid the
|
|
foundation of the Samaritans' pretensions, which continued warm to our
|
|
Saviour's time.
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+4:20">John iv. 20</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>Our fathers worshipped in this mountain.</I> When Nehemiah had thus
|
|
expelled one that had forfeited the honour of the priesthood he again
|
|
posted the <I>priests and Levites every one in his business,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
It was no loss to them to part with one that was the scandal of their
|
|
cloth; the work would be done better without him. When Judas had gone
|
|
out Christ said, <I>Now is the Son of Man glorified,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+13:30,31">John xiii. 30, 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here are Nehemiah's prayers on this occasion.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He prays, <I>Remember them, O my God!</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
"Lord, convince and convert them; put them in mind of what they should
|
|
be and do, that they may come to themselves." Or, "Remember them to
|
|
reckon with them for their sin; remember it against them." If we take
|
|
it so, this prayer is a prophecy that God would remember it against
|
|
them. Those that defile the priesthood despise God, and shall be
|
|
lightly esteemed. Perhaps they were too many and too great for him to
|
|
deal with. "Lord" (says he), "deal thou with them; take the work into
|
|
thy own hands."
|
|
|
|
(2.) He prays, <I>Remember me, O my God!</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+13:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
The best services done to the public have sometimes been forgotten by
|
|
those for whom they were done
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+9:15">Eccl. ix. 15</A>);
|
|
|
|
therefore Nehemiah refers it to God to recompense him, takes him for his
|
|
paymaster, and then doubts not but he shall be well paid. This may well
|
|
be the summary of our petitions; we need no more to make us happy than
|
|
this: <I>Remember me, O my God! for good.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
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