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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Nehemiah, Chapter X].</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. X.</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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We have in this chapter a particular account of the covenant which in
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the close of the foregoing chapter was resolved upon; they struck while
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the iron was not, and immediately put that good resolve in execution,
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when they were in a good frame, lest, if it should be delayed, it might
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be dropped. Here we have,
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I. The names of those that set their hands and seals to it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:1-27">ver. 1-27</A>.
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II. An account of those who signified their consent and concurrence,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:28,29">ver. 28, 29</A>.
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III. The covenant itself, and the articles of it in general, that they
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would "keep God's commandments"
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:29">ver. 29</A>);
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in particular, that they would not marry with the heathen
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:30">ver. 30</A>),
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nor profane the sabbath, nor be rigorous with their debtors
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:31">ver. 31</A>),
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and that they would carefully pay their church-dues, for the
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maintenance of the temple service, which they promise faithfully to
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adhere to,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:32-39">ver. 32-39</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ne10_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne10_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne10_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne10_27"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne10_31"> </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 Sealing of the Covenant.</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 Now those that sealed <I>were,</I> Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the
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son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,
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2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
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3 Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah,
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4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
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5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,
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6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,
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7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
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8 Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: these <I>were</I> the priests.
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9 And the Levites: both Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of
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the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;
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10 And their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah,
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Hanan,
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11 Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah,
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12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
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13 Hodijah, Bani, Beninu.
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14 The chief of the people; Parosh, Pahath-moab, Elam, Zatthu,
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Bani,
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15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,
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16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
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17 Ater, Hizkijah, Azzur,
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18 Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,
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19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,
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20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
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21 Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,
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22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
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23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hashub,
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24 Hallohesh, Pileha, Shobek,
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25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
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26 And Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,
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27 Malluch, Harim, Baanah.
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28 And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the
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porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had
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separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of
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God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one
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having knowledge, and having understanding;
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29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into
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a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given
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by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the
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commandments of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> our Lord, and his judgments and his
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statutes;
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30 And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of
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the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:
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31 And <I>if</I> the people of the land bring ware or any victuals
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on the sabbath day to sell, <I>that</I> we would not buy it of them on
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the sabbath, or on the holy day: and <I>that</I> we would leave the
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seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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When Israel was first brought into covenant with God it was done by
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sacrifice and the sprinkling of blood,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+24:1-8">Exod. xxiv.</A>
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But here it was done by the more natural and common way of sealing and
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subscribing the written articles of the covenant, which bound them to
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no more than was already their duty. Now here we have,</P>
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<P>
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I. The names of those public persons who, as the representatives and
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heads of the congregation, set their hands and seals to this covenant,
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because it would have been an endless piece of work for every
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particular person to do it; and, if these leading men did their part in
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pursuance of this covenant, their example would have a good influence
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upon all the people. Now observe,
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1. Nehemiah, who was the governor, signed first, to show his
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forwardness in this work and to set others a good example,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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Those that are above others in dignity and power should go before them
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in the way of God.
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2. Next to him subscribed twenty-two priests, among whom I wonder we do
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not find Ezra, who was an active man in the solemnity
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+8:2"><I>ch.</I> viii. 2</A>)
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which was but the first day of the same month, and therefore we cannot
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think he was absent; but he, having before done his part as a scribe,
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now left it to others to do theirs.
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3. Next to the priests, seventeen Levites subscribed this covenant,
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among whom we find all or most of those who were the mouth of the
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congregation in prayer,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+9:4,5"><I>ch.</I> ix. 4, 5</A>.
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This showed that they themselves were affected with what they had said,
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and would not bind those burdens on others which they themselves
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declined to touch. Those that lead in prayer should lead in every other
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good work.
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4. Next to the Levites, forty-four of the chief of the people gave it
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under their hands for themselves and all the rest, chiefly those whom
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they had influence upon, that they would keep God's commandments. Their
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names are left upon record here, to their honour, as men that were
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forward and active in reviving and endeavouring to perpetuate religion
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in their country. The memory of such shall be blessed. It is observable
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that most of those who were mentioned,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+7:8-63"><I>ch.</I> vii. 8</A>,
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&c., as heads of houses or
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clans, are here mentioned among the first of the chief of the people
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that subscribed, whoever was the present head bearing the name of him
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that was head when they came out of Babylon, and these were fittest to
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subscribe for all those of their father's house. Here are <I>Parosh,
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Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
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<I>Azgad, Bebai, Bigvai, Adin, Ater, Hashum, Bezai, Hariph,
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Anathoth,</I> and some others in the following verses, that are all
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found in that catalogue. Those that have interest must use it for
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God.</P>
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<P>
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II. The concurrence of the rest of the people with them, and the rest
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of the priests and Levites, who signified their consent to what their
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chiefs did. With them joined,
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1. Their wives and children; for they had transgressed, and they must
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reform. Every one that had knowledge and understanding must covenant
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with God. As soon as young people grow up to be capable of
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distinguishing between good and evil, and of acting intelligently, they
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ought to make it their own act and deed to <I>join themselves to the
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Lord.</I>
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2. The proselytes of other nations, <I>all that had separated
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themselves from the people of the lands,</I> their gods and their
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worship, <I>unto the law of God,</I> and the observance of that law.
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See what conversion it; it is separating ourselves from the course and
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custom of this world, and devoting ourselves to the conduce of the word
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of God. And, as there is one law, so there is one covenant, one
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baptism, for the stranger and for him that is born in the land. Observe
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how the concurrence of the people is expressed,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
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(1.) <I>They clave to their brethren</I> one and all. Here those whom
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the court blessed the country blessed too! The commonalty agreed with
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their nobles in this good work. Great men never look so great as when
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they encourage religion, and are examples of it; and they would by
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that, as much as any thing, secure an interest in the most valuable of
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their inferiors. Let but the nobles cordially espouse religious causes,
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and perhaps they will find people cleave to them therein closer than
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they can imagine. Observe, Their nobles are called their
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<I>brethren;</I> for, in the things of God, rich and poor, high and
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low, meet together.
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(2.) They <I>entered into a curse and an oath.</I> As the nobles
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confirmed the covenant with their hands and seals, so the people with a
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curse and an oath, solemnly appealing to God concerning their
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sincerity, and imprecating his just revenge if they dealt deceitfully.
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Every oath has in it a conditional curse upon the soul, which makes it
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a strong bond upon the soul; for our own tongues, if false and lying
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tongues, will fall, and fall heavily, upon ourselves.</P>
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<P>
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III. The general purport of this covenant. They laid upon themselves no
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other burden than this necessary thing, which they were already obliged
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to by all other engagements of duty, interest, and gratitude--<I>to walk
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in God's law, and to do all his commandments,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
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Thus David swore that he would <I>keep God's righteous judgments,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:106">Ps. cxix. 106</A>.
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Our own covenant binds us to this, if not more strongly, yet more
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sensibly, than we were before bound, and therefore we must not think it
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needless thus to bind ourselves. Observe, When we bind ourselves to do
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the commandments of God we bind ourselves to do <I>all</I> his
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commandments, and therein to have an eye to him as the Lord and our
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Lord.</P>
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<P>
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IV. Some of the particular articles of this covenant, such as were
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adapted to their present temptations.
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1. That they would not intermarry with the heathen,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
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Many of them had been guilty of this,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+9:1">Ezra ix. 1</A>.
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In our covenants with God we should engage particularly against those
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sins that we have been most frequently overtaken in and damaged by.
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Those that resolve to <I>keep the commandments of God must say to evil
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doers, Depart,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:115">Ps. cxix. 115</A>.
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2. That they would keep no markets on the sabbath day, or any other day
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of which the law had said, <I>You shall do no work therein.</I> They
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would not only not sell goods themselves for gain on that day, but they
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would not encourage the heathen to sell on that day by buying of them,
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no not victuals, under pretence of necessity; but would buy in their
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provisions for their families the day before,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
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Note, Those that covenant to keep all God's commandments must
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particularly covenant to keep sabbaths well; for the profanation of
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them is an inlet to other instances of profaneness. The sabbath is a
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market day for our souls, but not for our bodies.
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3. That they would not be severe in exacting their debts, but would
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observe the seventh year as a year of release, according to the law,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
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In this matter they had been faulty
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+5:1-19"><I>ch.</I> v.</A>),
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and here therefore they promise to reform. This was the acceptable
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fast, to <I>undo the heavy burden,</I> and to <I>let the oppressed go
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free,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+58:6">Isa. lviii. 6</A>.
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It was in the close of the day of expiation that the jubilee trumpet
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sounded. It was for the neglect of observing the seventh year as a year
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of rest for the land that God had made it enjoy its sabbaths seventy
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years
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:35">Lev. xxvi. 35</A>),
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and therefore they covenanted to observe that law. Those are stubborn
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children indeed that will not amend the fault for which they have been
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particularly corrected.</P>
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<A NAME="Ne10_32"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne10_33"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne10_34"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne10_35"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne10_36"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne10_37"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne10_38"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ne10_39"> </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>The Renewal of Sacred Rites.</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>32 Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly
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with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of
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our God;
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33 For the showbread, and for the continual meat offering, and
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for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new
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moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy <I>things,</I> and for the
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sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and <I>for</I> all the
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work of the house of our God.
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34 And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the
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people, for the wood offering, to bring <I>it</I> into the house of
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our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year
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by year, to burn upon the altar of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> our God, as <I>it is</I>
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written in the law:
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35 And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the
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firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the
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house of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>:
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36 Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as <I>it
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is</I> written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of
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our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests
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that minister in the house of our God:
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37 And <I>that</I> we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and
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our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and
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of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our
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God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same
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Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
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38 And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites,
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when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the
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tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers,
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into the treasure house.
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39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall
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bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil,
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unto the chambers, where <I>are</I> the vessels of the sanctuary, and
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|
the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and
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|
we will not forsake the house of our God.
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|
</FONT></P>
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<P>
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|
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Having covenanted against the sins they had been guilty of, they
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|
proceed in obliging themselves to revive and observe the duties they
|
|
had neglected. We must not only <I>cease to do evil,</I> but <I>learn
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|
to do well.</I></P>
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<P>
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|
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I. It was resolved, in general, that the temple service should be
|
|
carefully kept up, that the work of the house of their God should be
|
|
done in its season, according to the law,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>.
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|
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Let not any people expect the blessing of God unless they make
|
|
conscience of observing his ordinances and keeping up the public
|
|
worship of him. Then it is likely to go well with our houses when care
|
|
is taken that the work of God's house go on well. It was likewise
|
|
resolved that they would never <I>forsake the house of their God</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>),
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|
|
|
as they and their fathers had done, would not forsake it for the house
|
|
of any other god, or for the high places, as idolaters did, nor forsake
|
|
it for their farms and merchandises, as those did that were atheistical
|
|
and profane. Those that forsake the worship of God forsake God.</P>
|
|
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|
<P>
|
|
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II. It was resolved, in pursuance of this, that they would liberally
|
|
maintain the temple service, and not starve it. The priests were ready
|
|
to do their part in all the work of God's house, if the people would do
|
|
theirs, which was to find them with materials to work upon. Now here it
|
|
was agreed and concluded,
|
|
|
|
1. That a stock should be raised for the furnishing of God's table and
|
|
altar plentifully. Formerly there were treasures in the house of the
|
|
Lord for this purpose, but these were gone, and there was no settled
|
|
fund to supply the want of them. It was a constant charge to provide
|
|
show-bread for the table, two lambs for the daily offerings, four for
|
|
the sabbaths, and more, and more costly, sacrifices for other
|
|
festivals, occasional sin-offerings, and meat-offerings, and
|
|
drink-offerings for them all. They had no rich king to provide these,
|
|
as Hezekiah did; the priests could not afford to provide them, their
|
|
maintenance was so small; the people therefore agreed to contribute
|
|
yearly, every one of them, the third part of a shekel, about ten pence
|
|
a-piece for the bearing of this expense. When every one will act, and
|
|
every one will give, though but little, towards a good work, the whole
|
|
amount will be considerable. The tirshatha did not impose this tax, but
|
|
the people made it an ordinance for themselves, and charged themselves
|
|
with it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:32,33"><I>v.</I> 32, 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. That particular care should be taken to provide wood for the altar,
|
|
to keep the fire always burning upon it, and wherewith to boil the
|
|
peace-offerings. All of them, priests and Levites as well as people,
|
|
agreed to bring in their quota, and cast lots in what order they should
|
|
bring it in, which family first and which next, that there might be a
|
|
constant supply, and not a scarcity at one time and an overplus at
|
|
another,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus they provided the fire and the wood, as well as the lambs for the
|
|
burnt-offerings.
|
|
|
|
3. That all those things which the divine law had appointed for the
|
|
maintenance of the priests and Levites should be duly paid in, for
|
|
their encouragement to mind their business, and that they might not be
|
|
under any temptation to neglect it for the making of necessary
|
|
provision for their families. Then the work of the house of God is
|
|
likely to go on when those that serve at the altar live, and live
|
|
comfortably, upon the altar. First-fruits and tenths were then the
|
|
principal branches of the ministers' revenues; and they here resolved,
|
|
|
|
(1.) To bring in the first-fruits justly, the first-fruits of their
|
|
ground and trees
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+23:19,Le+19:23">Exod. xxiii. 19; Lev. xix. 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
the first-born of their children (even the money wherewith they were to
|
|
be redeemed) and of their cattle,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+13:2,11,12">Exod. xiii. 2, 11, 12</A>
|
|
|
|
(this was given to the priests,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+18:15,16">Num. xviii. 15, 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
also the first-fruits of their dough
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+15:21">Num. xv. 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
concerning which there is a particular order given in the prophecy
|
|
concerning the second temple,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+44:30">Ezek. xliv. 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) To bring in their tenths likewise, which were due to the Levites
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:37"><I>v.</I> 37</A>),
|
|
|
|
and a tenth out of those tenths to the priest,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>.
|
|
|
|
This was the law
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+18:21-28">Num. xviii. 21-28</A>);
|
|
|
|
but these dues had been withheld, in consequence of which God, by the
|
|
prophet, charges them with <I>robbing him</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:8,9">Mal. iii. 8, 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
at the same time encouraging them to be more just to him and his
|
|
receivers, with a promise that, if they brought the <I>tithes into the
|
|
store-house,</I> he would <I>pour out blessings upon them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
This therefore they resolved to do, that there might be meat in God's
|
|
house, and plenty in the store-chambers of the temple, where the
|
|
vessels of the sanctuary were,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:39"><I>v.</I> 39</A>.
|
|
|
|
"We will do it (say they) <I>in all the cities of our tillage,</I>"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+10:37"><I>v.</I> 37</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>In all the cities of our servitude,</I> so the LXX., for they were
|
|
servants in their own land,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ne+9:36"><I>ch.</I> ix. 36</A>.
|
|
|
|
But (as Mr. Poole well observes), though they paid great taxes to the
|
|
kings of Persia, and had much hardship put upon them, they would not
|
|
make that an excuse for not paying their tithes, but would render to
|
|
God the things that were his, as well as to Cæsar the things that
|
|
were his. We must do what we can in works of piety and charity
|
|
notwithstanding the taxes we pay to the government, and cheerfully
|
|
perform our duty to God in our servitude, which will be the surest way
|
|
to ease and liberty in God's due time.</P>
|
|
|
|
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