صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

in the night will they come to slay thee. He thought Nehemiah would become contemptible by shutting himself up in the temple, or perhaps he intended to seize him there, and deliver him to his ene11 mies. And I said, Should such a man as I flee? I, who am a governor, who have hitherto showed courage, and ought to set an example of it; who have professed confidence in God, and have been assisted and defended hitherto ? and who [is there,] that, [being] as I [am,] would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in; I will still rely on God and on the fidelity and cou12 rage of the people. And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. It was probably told him by some true prophet that he was a tool of Sanballat, and pretendeď 13 to prophesy, not in order to secure, but to betray him. There fore [was] he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and [that] they might have [matter] for an evil report, that they might reproach me. His design was to make him sin against God, and dishonour himself, either by cowardice, or not daring to stand the accusations, that they might reproach him, as being 14 guilty of what they had charged him with. My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear. He did not think it fit as a judge to punish them, or complain of the neighbouring governors to the king of Persia; but he would have all know that he depended on the power of God alone to finish the work.

15

So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth [day] of [the month] Elul, in fifty and two days, This was very soon, but there is nothing incredible in it, considering their number, their zeal in the work, and that the wall was not entirely razed by the 16 Chaldeans, but only broken down in places. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard [thereof,] and all the heathen that [were] about us saw [these things,] they were much cast down in their own eyes, were discouraged and ashamed of their opposition: for they perceived that this work was wrought of 17 our God. Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and [the letters] of Tobiah came unto them. There was a number of false brethren among the Jews, 18 who kept correspondence with the enemy. For [there were] many in Judah sworn unto him, because he [was] the son in law of Shechaniah, the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah. The reason was, that he and his son had married daughters of Israelites : so dan 19 gerous were these marriages with foreigners. Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. [And] Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear. They had the impudence to take all occasions of praising him to Nehemiah's face, who knew

This was a noble reply; had he retired, the people would probably have dropped the work, or laid aside their arms, and then the enemy would have come and destroyed thei work and them.

1.

his wickedness; and they informed him of Nehemiah's schemes and intentions; and Tobiah wanted very much to make him de something to disgrace himself.

REFLECTIONS.

WE E are here taught, that great pretensions of friend.

ship, such as were made to Nehemiah, are not always to be depended upon. Their design seems to have been either to destroy or to disgrace him; their words were softer than oil, but treachery and war were in their heart. Let us not wonder if we meet with treacherous and designing men; and to prevent the ill consequences of deceit, let us join the wisdom of the serpent with the innocence of the dove.

2. The courage and steadfastness of Nehemiah is worthy the imitation of all christians, The answer he gave his enemies is very proper for us to give, when attacked by the temptations of Satan, or wicked men; he was employed in a great work. The business of religion is the most important work; let it not cease that we may go into bad company, or for the sake of compliment, or cergmony. Shall such persons as we are, flee, who profess the religion of Jesus, and are his by solemn engagements? we who have families that will be influenced by our example? Let us be resolute that we will neither do that which is evil, or decline that which is good, on account of any solicitation or importunity whatever.

3. When any attempts are made to weaken our hands, let us earnestly pray that God would strengthen them. This is a proper petition when we are entering upon duty, when surrounded by enemies, when temptations present themselves, especially at a time when iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxes cold. We have need of strength to stand resolute; it is a great comfort to reflect that God is able and willing to strengthen us; and that those who come to the throne of grace, shall find grace to help him in time of need.

4. How melancholy is it when the sacred character is abused to countenance deceit and mischief! some who pretended to be prophets of God, endeavoured to hinder his work, and to destroy his faithful servants. Too many, under the name of christian ministers, have told mischievous lies in the name of the Lord; have persecuted, and endeavoured to destroy, the best of men. Others, by pretending to extraordinary devotion and revelations from heaven, have deceived persons, who, like Nehemiah, have been remarkable for wisdom and goodness. Let us be cautious that we are not imposed upon; and try the spirits whether they are of God; for even Satan can put on the form of an angel of light.

5. Steadfastness and resolution in a good work will overcome all difficulties, and at last be crowned with success. Had Nehemiah been discouraged and intimidated by these various artifices, perhaps all the glory of Jerusalem had been injured; but his steadfastness brought the work to perfection. Let those who are desirous to

serve God themselves, and promote the interests of religion, be res olute in the good cause. Let no allurements draw them aside, let no threatenings or banters dishearten them; and let us all learn, from this example, to be steadfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor. xv. 58.

1

[ocr errors]

CHAP. VII.

Which is principally taken up with the register of the people. "OW it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and 2 the Levites were appointed, That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem : 3 for he [was] a faithful man, and feared God above many. And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar [them] and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one [to be] over 4 against his house. Now the city [was] large and great but the people [were] few therein, and the houses [were] not builded.

5

And my God put info mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein, 6 These [are] the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchad nezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to 7 Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city; Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, [I say,] of the men of the people of Israel [was 8 this ; The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred 9 seventy and two. The children of Shephatiah, three hundred 10 seventy and two. The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and 11 two. The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua 12 and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred [and] eighteen. The 13 children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. The 14 children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five. The children 15 Zaccai, seven hundred and three score. The children of Binnui, 16 six hundred forty and eight. The children of Bebai, six hur 17 dred twenty and eight. The children of Azgad, two thousand 18 three hundred twenty and two. The children of Adonikam, six 19 hundred three score and seven. The children of Bigvai, two 20 thousand three score and seven. The children of Adin, six hun21 dred fifty and five. The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety 22 and eight. The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and

28 eight. The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four. 24 25 The children of Hariph, an hundred and twelve. The chil 26 dren of Gibeon, ninety and five. The men of Bethlehem and 27 Netophah, an hundred four score and eight. The men of Ana28 thoth, an hundred twenty and eight. The men of Bethazma29 veth, forty and two. The men of Kirjathjearim, Chephirah, 30 and Beeroth, seven hundred forty and three. The men of Ra 31 mah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one. The men of Mich. 32 mas, an hundred and twenty and two. The men of Bethel and 33 Ai, an hundred twenty and three. The men of the other Nebo, 34 fifty and two. The children of the other Elam, a thousand two 35 hundred fifty and four. The children of Harim, three hundred 36 and twenty. The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and 37 five. The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred 38 twenty and one. The children of Senaah, three thousand nine 39 hundred and thirty. The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of 40 the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three. The 41 children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two. The children of 42 Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven. The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.

43 The Levites the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, [and] of 44 the children of Hodevah, seventy and four. The singers: the 45 children of Asaph, an hundred forty and eight. The porters : the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, an hundred thirty and eight.

46 The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Ha47 shupha, the children of Tabbaoth, The children of Keros, the 48 children of Sia, the children of Padon, The children of Lebana, 49 the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai, The children 50 of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, The

children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Ne51 koda, The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the chil52 dren of Phaseah, The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, 53 the children of Nephishesim, The children of Bakbuk, the chil54 dren of Hakupha, the children of Harhur, The children of 55 Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha, The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Ta56 mah, The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.

57 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, 58 the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida, The children 59 of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel, The

children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of GO Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon. All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, [were] three 61 hundred ninety and two. And these [were] they which went up [also] from Telmelah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer but they could not shew their father's house, nor their 62 seed, whether they [were] of Israel. The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two.

63

And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took [one] of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their 64 name. These sought their register [among] those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were 65 they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood [up] a priest with Urim and Thummim. 66 The whole congregation together [was] forty and two thou67 sand three hundred and three score, Beside their man servants and their maid servants, of whom [there were] seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven and they had two hundred forty and 68 five singing men and singing women. Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six their mules, two hundred forty and 69 five: [Their] camels, four hundred thirty and five six thousand seven hundred and twenty asses.

70 And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, 71 fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments. And

[some] of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two 72 hundred pounds of silver. And [that] which the rest of the people gave [was] twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pounds of silver, and three score and seven priests' garments. 73 So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and [some] of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel [were] in their cities.

CHAP. VIII.

The solemn manner in which the law was read and attended to; the orders given the people to express an holy joy on this occasion; and their solemn observation of the feast of tabernacles. last clause of chapter vii. should have been the beginning of this.

1

A

The

ND when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities, and all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the spacious street that [was] before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe; presented him with their pious entreaty, desiring him to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel, and which was required to be read every seventh year at the 2 feast of tabernacles, Deut. xxxi. 9, 10. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month, before the feast of tabernacles began; they set about this good work on the new moon, or feast of 3 trumpets. And he read therein before the street that [was] beVOL. IV.

H

« السابقةمتابعة »