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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Nehemiah, Chapter VIII].</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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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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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. VIII.</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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Ezra came up out of Babylon thirteen years before Nehemiah came, yet we
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have here a piece of good work which he did, that might have been done
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before, but was not done till Nehemiah came, who, though he was not
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such a scholar nor such a divine as Ezra, nor such a scribe in the law
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of his God, yet was a man of a more lively active spirit. His zeal set
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Ezra's learning on work, and then great things were done, as we find
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here, where we have,
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I. The public and solemn reading and expounding of the law,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:1-8">ver. 1-8</A>.
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II. The joy which the people were ordered to express upon that occasion,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:9-12">ver. 9-12</A>.
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III. The solemn keeping of the feast of tabernacles according to the
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law,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:13-18">
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ver. 13-18</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ne8_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne8_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne8_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne8_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne8_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne8_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne8_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne8_8"> </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 Explanation of the Law.</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 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man
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into the street that <I>was</I> before the water gate; and they spake
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unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which
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the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> had commanded to Israel.
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2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation
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both of men and women, and all that could hear with
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understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
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3 And he read therein before the street that <I>was</I> before the
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water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the
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women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the
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people <I>were attentive</I> unto the book of the law.
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4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they
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had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and
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Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his
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right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and
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Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, <I>and</I> Meshullam.
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5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for
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he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the
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people stood up:
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6 And Ezra blessed the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, the great God. And all the people
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answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed
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their heads, and worshipped the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> with <I>their</I> faces to the
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ground.
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7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub,
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Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan,
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Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the
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law: and the people <I>stood</I> in their place.
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8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and
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gave the sense, and caused <I>them</I> to understand the reading.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here an account of a solemn religious assembly, and the good
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work that was done in that assembly, to the honour of God and the
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edification of the church.</P>
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<P>
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I. The time of it was the <I>first day of the seventh month,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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That was the day of the <I>feast of trumpets,</I> which is called a
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<I>sabbath,</I> and on which they were to have a <I>holy
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convocation,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+23:24,Nu+29:1">Lev. xxiii. 24; Num. xxix. 1</A>.
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But that was not all: it was one that day that the altar was set up,
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and they began to offer their burnt-offerings after their return out of
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captivity, a recent mercy in the memory of many then living; in a
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thankful remembrance of that, it is likely, they had kept this feast
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ever since with more than ordinary solemnity. Divine favours which are
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fresh in mind, and which we ourselves have been witnesses of, should
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be, and usually are, most affecting.</P>
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<P>
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II. The place was in the <I>street that was before the water-gate</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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a spacious broad street, able to contain so great a multitude, which
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the court of the temple was not; for probably it was not now built
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nearly so large as it had been in Solomon's time. Sacrifices were to be
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offered only at the door of the temple, but praying, and praising, and
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preaching, were, and are, services of religion as acceptably performed
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in one place as in another. When this congregation thus met in the
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street of the city no doubt God was with them.</P>
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<P>
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III. The persons that met were all the people, who were not compelled
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to come, but voluntarily gathered themselves together by common
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agreement, as one man: not only men came, but women and children, even
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as many as were capable of understanding what they heard. Masters of
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families should bring their families with them to the public worship of
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God. Women and children have souls to save, and are therefore concerned
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to acquaint themselves with the word of God and attend on the means of
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knowledge and grace. Little ones, as they come to the exercise of
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reason, must be trained up in the exercises of religion.</P>
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<P>
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IV. The master of this assembly was Ezra the priest; he presided in
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this service. None so fit to expound and preach as he who was such a
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ready scribe in the law of his God.
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1. His call to the service was very clear; for being in office as a
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priest, and qualified as a scribe, the <I>people spoke to him to bring
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the book of the law</I> and read it to them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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God gave him ability and authority, and then the people gave him
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opportunity and invitation. Knowledge is spiritual alms, which those
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that are able should give to every one that needs, to every one that
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asks.
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2. His post was very convenient. He stood in a pulpit or tower of wood,
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<I>which they made for the word</I> (so it is in the original), <I>for
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the preaching of the word,</I> that what he said might be the more
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gracefully delivered and the better heard, and that the eyes of the
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hearers might be upon him, which would engage their attention, as
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+4:20">Luke iv. 20</A>.
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3. He had several assistants. Some of these stood with him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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six on his right hand and seven on his left: either his pulpit was so
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contrived as to hold them all in a row, as in a gallery (but then it
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would scarcely have been called a <I>tower</I>), or they had desks a
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degree lower. Some think, that he appointed them to read when he was
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weary; at least his taking them as assessors with him put an honour
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upon them before the people, in order to their being employed in the
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same service another time. Others who are mentioned
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>)
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seem to have been employed at the same time in other places near at
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hand, to read and expound to those who could not come within hearing of
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Ezra. Of these also there were thirteen priests, whose lips were to
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keep knowledge,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+2:7">Mal. ii. 7</A>.
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It is a great mercy to a people thus to be furnished with ministers
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that are apt to teach. Happy was Ezra in having such assistants as
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these, and happy were they in having such a guide as Ezra.</P>
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<P>
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V. The religious exercises performed in this assembly were not
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ceremonial, but moral, praying and preaching. Ezra, as president of the
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assembly, was,
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1. The people's mouth to God, and they affectionately joined with him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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He blessed the Lord as the great God, gave honour to him by praising
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his perfections and praying for his favour; and the people, in token of
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their concurrence with him both in prayers and praises, said, <I>Amen,
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Amen, lifted up their hands</I> in token of their desire being towards
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God and all their expectations from him, and <I>bowed their heads</I>
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in token of their reverence of him and subjection to him. Thus must we
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adore God, and address ourselves to him, when we are going to read and
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hear the word of God, as those that see God in his word very great and
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very good.
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2. God's mouth to the people, and they attentively hearkened to him.
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This was the chief business of the solemnity, and observe,
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(1.) <I>Ezra brought the law before the congregation,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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He had taken care to provide himself with the best and most correct
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copies of the law; and what he had laid up for his own use and
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satisfaction he here brought forth, as a good householder out of his
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treasury, for the benefit of the church. Observe,
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[1.] The book of the law is not to be confined to the scribes' studies,
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but to be brought before the congregation and read to them in their own
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language.
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[2.] Ministers, when they go to the pulpit, should take their Bibles
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with them; Ezra did so; thence they must fetch their knowledge, and
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according to that rule they must speak and must show that they do so.
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See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+17:9">2 Chron. xvii. 9</A>.
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(2.) He opened the book with great reverence and solemnity, <I>in the
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sight of all the people,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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He brought it forth with a sense of the great mercy of God to them in
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giving them that book; he opened it with a sense of his mercy to them
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in giving them leave to read it, that it was not a spring shut up and a
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fountain sealed. The <I>taking of the books, and the opening of the
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seals,</I> we find celebrated with joy and praise,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+5:9">Rev. v. 9</A>.
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Let us learn to address ourselves to the services of religion with
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solemn stops and pauses, and not to go about them rashly; let us
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consider what we are doing when we take God's book into our hands, and
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open it, and so also when we bow our knees in prayer; and what we do
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let us do deliberately,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+5:1">Eccl. v. 1</A>.
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(3.) He and others read in the book of the law, <I>from morning till
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noon</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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and they read <I>distinctly,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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Reading the scriptures in religious assemblies is an ordinance of God,
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whereby he is honoured and his church edified. And, upon special
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occasions, we must be willing to attend for many hours together on the
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reading and expounding of the word of God: those mentioned here were
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thus employed for six hours. Let those that read and preach the word
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learn also to deliver themselves distinctly, as those who understand
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what they say and are affected with it themselves, and who desire that
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those they speak to may understand it, retain it, and be affected with
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it likewise. <I>It is a snare for a man to devour that which is
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holy.</I>
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(4.) What they read they expounded, showed the intent and meaning of
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it, and what use was to be made of it; they gave the sense in other
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words, that they might <I>cause the people to understand the
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reading,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:7,8"><I>v.</I> 7, 8</A>.
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Note,
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[1.] It is requisite that those who hear the word should understand it,
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else it is to them but an empty sound of words,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:15">Matt. xxiv. 15</A>.
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[2.] It is therefore required of those who are teachers by office that
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they explain the word and give the sense of it. <I>Understandest thou
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what thou readest?</I> and, <I>Have you understood all these
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things?</I> are good questions to be put to the hearers; but, <I>How
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should we except someone guide us?</I> is as proper a question for them
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to put to their teachers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+8:30,31">Acts viii. 30, 31</A>.
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Reading is good, and preaching good, but expounding brings the reading
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and the preaching together, and thus makes the reading the more
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intelligible and the preaching the more convincing.
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(5.) The people conducted themselves very properly when the word was
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read and opened to them.
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[1.] With great reverence. When Ezra opened the book <I>all the people
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stood up</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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thereby showing respect both to Ezra and to the word he was about to
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read. It becomes servants to stand when their master speaks to them, in
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honour to their master and to show a readiness to do as they are
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bidden.
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[2.] With great fixedness and composedness. They <I>stood in their
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place</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>);
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several ministers were reading and expounding at some distance from
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each other, and every one of the people kept his post, did not go to
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hear first one and then another, to make remarks upon them, but stood
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in his place, that he might neither give disturbance to another nor
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receive any disturbance himself.
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[3.] With great attention and a close application of mind: <I>The ears
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of all the people were unto the book of the law</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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were even chained to it; they heard readily, and minded every word. The
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word of God commands attention and deserves it. If through carelessness
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we let much slip in hearing, there is danger that through forgetfulness
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we shall let all slip after hearing.</P>
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<A NAME="Ne8_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne8_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne8_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne8_12"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>9 And Nehemiah, which <I>is</I> the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest
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the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all
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the people, This day <I>is</I> holy unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> your God; mourn not,
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nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of
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the law.
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10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink
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the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is
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prepared: for <I>this</I> day <I>is</I> holy unto our Lord: neither be ye
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sorry; for the joy of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> is your strength.
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11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your
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peace, for the day <I>is</I> holy; neither be ye grieved.
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12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and
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to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had
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understood the words that were declared unto them.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We may here observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. How the people were wounded with the words of the law that were read
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to them. The law works death, and speaks terror, shows men their sins,
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and their misery and danger because of sin, and thunders a curse
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against every one that continues not in every part of his duty.
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Therefore when they heard it they <I>all wept</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
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it was a good sign that their hearts were tender, like Josiah's when he
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heard the words of the law. They wept to think how they had offended
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God, and exposed themselves, by their many violations of the law; when
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some wept all wept, for they all saw themselves guilty before God.</P>
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<P>
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II. How they were healed and comforted with the words of peace that
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were spoken to them. It was well that they were so much affected with
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the word of God, and received the impressions of it; but they must not
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yield unduly to their mourning, especially at this time, because the
|
|
day was holy to the Lord; it was one of the solemn feasts, on which it
|
|
was their duty to rejoice; and even sorrow for sin must not hinder our
|
|
joy in God, but rather lead us to it and prepare us for it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
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|
1. The masters of the assembly endeavoured to pacify them and encourage
|
|
them. Now Nehemiah is brought in, and not before, in this chapter; he
|
|
took notice of the people's weeping. Ezra was pleased to see them so
|
|
affected with the word, but Nehemiah observed to him, and Ezra
|
|
concurred in the thought, that it was now unseasonable. This day was
|
|
holy (it is called <I>a sabbath,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+23:24">
|
|
Lev. xxiii. 24</A>),
|
|
|
|
and therefore was to be celebrated with joy and praise, not as if it
|
|
were <I>a day to afflict their souls.</I>
|
|
|
|
(1.) They forbade the people to <I>mourn and weep</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Be not sorry</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>hold your peace, neither be you grieved,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Every thing is beautiful in its season; as we must not be merry when
|
|
<I>God calls to mourning,</I> so we must not frighten and afflict
|
|
ourselves when God gives us occasion to rejoice. Even sorrow for sin
|
|
must not grow so excessive as to hinder our joy in God and our
|
|
cheerfulness in his service.
|
|
|
|
(2.) They commanded them to testify their joy, to put <I>on the
|
|
garments of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness.</I> They allowed
|
|
them, in token of their joy, to feast themselves, to eat and drink
|
|
better than on other days, <I>to eat the fat and drink the sweet;</I>
|
|
but then it must be,
|
|
|
|
[1.] With charity to the poor: "<I>Send portions to those for whom
|
|
nothing is prepared</I> that your abundance may supply their want, that
|
|
they may rejoice with you and their loins may bless you." Christ
|
|
directs those that make feasts to invite their poor neighbours,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+14:13">Luke xiv. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
But it is especially the duty of a religious feast, as well as of a
|
|
religious fast, to <I>draw out the soul to the hungry,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+58:7,10">Isa. lviii. 7, 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
God's bounty should make us bountiful. Many will eat the fat and drink
|
|
the sweet themselves, even to excess, that will never allow portions,
|
|
nor scarcely crumbs, to the poor, who may read their own doom in the
|
|
parable of the rich man,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+16:19-31">Luke xvi. 19</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c. But such know not, or consider not, what God gave them their
|
|
estates for. Observe, We must not only give to those that offer
|
|
themselves, but send to those that are out of sight. <I>The liberal
|
|
devises liberal things,</I> and seeks objects of charity.
|
|
|
|
[2.] It must be with piety and devotion: <I>The joy of the Lord is your
|
|
strength.</I> Let it not be a carnal sensual joy, but holy and
|
|
spiritual, the <I>joy of the Lord,</I> joy in the goodness of God,
|
|
under the direction and government of the grace of God, joy arising
|
|
from our interest in the love and favour of God and the tokens of his
|
|
favour. "This joy will be your strength, therefore encourage it; it
|
|
will be your strength, <I>First,</I> For the performance of the other
|
|
duties of the feast." The more cheerful we are in our religious
|
|
exercises the more we shall abound in them. <I>Secondly,</I> "For all
|
|
that which you have to do in conformity to the law of God which has
|
|
been read to you." Holy joy will be oil to the wheels of our obedience.
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> "For the resisting of your enemies that are plotting
|
|
against you." The joy of the Lord will arm us against the assaults of
|
|
our spiritual enemies, and put our mouths out of taste for those
|
|
pleasures with which the tempter baits his hooks.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The assembly complied with the directions that were given them.
|
|
Their weeping was <I>stilled</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>)
|
|
|
|
and they <I>made great mirth,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, We ought always to have such a command of every passion as that,
|
|
however it may break out, it may soon be restrained and called in again
|
|
when we are convinced that it is either unreasonable or unseasonable.
|
|
<I>He that has such a rule as this over his own spirit is better than
|
|
the mighty.</I> Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) After they had wept they rejoiced. Holy mourning makes way for
|
|
holy mirth; those that <I>sow in tears shall reap in joy;</I> those
|
|
that tremble at the convictions of the word may triumph in the
|
|
consolations of it.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The ground of their joy was very good. They made mirth, not
|
|
because they had the fat to eat and the sweet to drink, and a great
|
|
deal of good company, but because they had <I>understood the words that
|
|
were declared to them.</I> note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] To have the holy scriptures with us, and helps to understand them,
|
|
is a very great mercy, which we have abundant reason to rejoice in.
|
|
Bibles and ministers are the joy of God's Israel.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The better we understand the word of God the more comfort we shall
|
|
find in it; for the darkness of trouble arises from the darkness of
|
|
ignorance and mistake. When the words were first declared to them they
|
|
wept; but, when they understood them, they rejoiced, finding at length
|
|
precious promises made to those who repented and reformed and that
|
|
therefore there was hope in Israel.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ne8_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne8_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne8_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne8_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne8_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ne8_18"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Joy of the People.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 444.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>13 And on the second day were gathered together the chief of
|
|
the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto
|
|
Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
|
|
14 And they found written in the law which the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> had
|
|
commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in
|
|
booths in the feast of the seventh month:
|
|
15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their
|
|
cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and
|
|
fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and
|
|
palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as
|
|
<I>it is</I> written.
|
|
16 So the people went forth, and brought <I>them,</I> and made
|
|
themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in
|
|
their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the
|
|
street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of
|
|
Ephraim.
|
|
17 And all the congregation of them that were come again out of
|
|
the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since
|
|
the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the
|
|
children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.
|
|
18 Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he
|
|
read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven
|
|
days; and on the eighth day <I>was</I> a solemn assembly, according
|
|
unto the manner.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The people's renewed attendance upon the word. They had spent the
|
|
greatest part of one day in praying and hearing, and yet were so far
|
|
from being weary of that new moon and sabbath that the next day after,
|
|
though it was no festival, the chief of them came together again to
|
|
hear Ezra expound
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
which they found more delightful and gainful than any worldly pleasure
|
|
or profit whatsoever. Note, The more we converse with the word of God,
|
|
if we rightly understand it and be affected with it, the more we shall
|
|
covet to converse with it, and to increase in our acquaintance with it,
|
|
saying, <I>How sweet are thy words unto my mouth!</I> Those that
|
|
understand the scriptures well will still be desirous to understand
|
|
them better. Now the priests and the Levites themselves came with
|
|
<I>the chief of the people to Ezra,</I> that prince of expositors,
|
|
<I>to understand the words of the law,</I> or, as it is in the margin,
|
|
<I>that they might instruct in the words of the law;</I> they came to
|
|
be taught themselves, that they might be qualified to teach others.
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. Though, on the first day, Ezra's humility had set them <I>on his
|
|
right hand and on his left, as teachers with him</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:4,7"><I>v.</I> 4, 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
yet now, they being by trial made more sensible than ever of their own
|
|
deficiencies and his excellencies, on the second day their humility set
|
|
them at Ezra's feet, as learners of him.
|
|
|
|
2. Those that would teach others must themselves receive instructions.
|
|
Priests and Levites must be taught first and then teach.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The people's ready obedience to the word, in one particular
|
|
instance, as soon as they were made sensible of their duty therein. It
|
|
is probable that Ezra, <I>after the wisdom of his God that was in his
|
|
hand</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+7:25">Ezra vii. 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
when they applied to him for instruction out of the law on the second
|
|
day of the seventh month, read to them those laws which concerned the
|
|
feasts of that month, and, among the rest, that of the feast of
|
|
tabernacles,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+23:34,De+16:13">Lev. xxiii. 34; Deut. xvi. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Ministers should preach not only that which is true and good, but that
|
|
which is seasonable, directing to the <I>work of the day in its
|
|
day.</I> Here is,
|
|
|
|
1. The divine appointment of the feast of tabernacles reviewed,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:14,15"><I>v.</I> 14, 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>They found written in the law</I> a commandment concerning it.
|
|
Those that diligently search the scriptures will find those things
|
|
written there which they had forgotten or not duly considered. This
|
|
feast of tabernacles was a memorial of their dwelling in tents in the
|
|
wilderness, a representation of our tabernacle state in this world, and
|
|
a type of the holy joy of the gospel church. The conversion of the
|
|
nations to the faith of Christ is foretold under the figure of this
|
|
feast
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+14:16">Zech. xiv. 16</A>);
|
|
|
|
they shall come to <I>keep the feast of tabernacles,</I> as having here
|
|
no continuing city. This feast was to be proclaimed in all their
|
|
cities. The people were themselves to fetch boughs of trees (they of
|
|
Jerusalem fetched them from the mount of Olives) and to make booths, or
|
|
arbours, of them, in which they were to lodge (as much as the weather
|
|
would permit) and to make merry during the feast.
|
|
|
|
2. This appointment religiously observed,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:16,17"><I>v.</I> 16, 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Then we read and hear the word acceptably and profitably when we do
|
|
according to what is written therein, when what appears to be our duty
|
|
is revived after it has been neglected.
|
|
|
|
(1.) They observed the ceremony: <I>They sat in booths,</I> which the
|
|
priests and Levites set up in the courts of the temple; those that had
|
|
houses of their own set up booths on the roofs of them, or in their
|
|
courts; and those that had not such conveniences set them up in the
|
|
streets. This feast had usually been observed
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+5:3,Ezr+3:4">2 Chron. v. 3; Ezra iii. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
but never with such solemnity as now since Joshua's time, when they
|
|
were newly settled, as they were now newly re-settled in Canaan. That
|
|
man loves his house too well that cannot find in his heart to quit it,
|
|
awhile, in compliance either with an ordinance or with a providence of
|
|
God.
|
|
|
|
(2.) They minded the substance, else the ceremony, how significant
|
|
soever, would have been insignificant.
|
|
|
|
[1.] They did it with gladness, with <I>very great gladness,</I>
|
|
rejoicing in God and his goodness to them. All their holy feasts, but
|
|
this especially, were to be celebrated with joy, which would be much
|
|
for the honour of God, and their own encouragement in his service.
|
|
|
|
[2.] They attended the reading and expounding of the word of God during
|
|
all the days of the feast,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
They improved their leisure for this good work. Spare hours cannot be
|
|
better spent than in studying the scriptures and conversing with them.
|
|
At this feast of tabernacles God appointed the law to be read once in
|
|
seven years. Whether this was that year of release in which that
|
|
service was to be performed
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+31:10,11">Deut. xxxi. 10, 11</A>)
|
|
|
|
does not appear; however they spent all the days of the feast in that
|
|
good work, and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, as God had
|
|
appointed, in which they finished the solemnity the twenty-second day
|
|
of the month, yet did not separate, for the twenty-fourth day was
|
|
appointed to be spent in fasting and prayer. Holy joy just not
|
|
indispose us for godly sorrow any more than godly sorrow for holy
|
|
joy.</P>
|
|
|
|
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