Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this as well, O my God, and show me mercy according to Your abundant loving devotion. Sermons I. A SERIOUS DELINQUENCY. The law of the sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11; Exodus 31:13-17; Numbers 15:32-36) was openly defied. Husbandmen were treading their wine-presses and were bringing corn into the city, and were lading asses on that day of sacred rest (ver. 15); all kinds of fruit were also carried in and sold (ver. 15). Tyrian traders were allowed to bring in and sell their fish and "all manner of ware" (ver. 16). The sacred character of the day was set at naught, and was fast disappearing. Persian rulers, Samaritan neighbours, Phoenician traders, had prevailed over Jewish principles, and the sabbath was most seriously threatened. There needed - II. A VIGOROUS REFORM. Nehemiah set himself to change the whole aspect of affairs. He (1) remonstrated energetically - he "contended with the nobles of Judah" (ver. 17), charging them with bringing this about - "What evil thing is this that ye do?"- by their guilty connivance, and prophetically threatening them with the wrath of God for their sin (ver. 18); (2) caused the gates to be shut some time before, and to remain shut till some time after, the commencement and conclusion of the sacred day (ver. 19): he set his own servants (some of his own retinue), on whom he could most reckon, to see that this order was impartially carried out; (3) not only obliged those who came to sell to remain outside all the day, but threatened to apprehend them if they did this again (vers. 20, 21); and (4) enlisted the sympathy and aid of the Levites, that, when he was recalled and his own servants were withdrawn, they might maintain what he now instituted. These energetic measures succeeded; they had an immediate effect (ver. 21), and they appear to have had a permanent influence, as, from this time, we have reason to think that the Jews became scrupulous, even to a fault, on this question of sabbath observance. Nehemiah's reform was admirable and effective because - (a) It was bold and impartial. He confronted and reproached the nobles as well as the traders and salesmen. (b) It was energetic and full of action. He used magisterial rights; not exceeding his authority, but using it, and acting in harmony with the powers of his commission and the law of God. (c) It was anticipative of future wants. He prepared for a time when he would not be there, and when other men like-minded would be prepared to continue his work (ver. 22). Concerning the observance of the sabbath or the Lord's day by ourselves, we may remark that it is - I. OBVIOUSLY THE WILL OF GOD THAT WE SHOULD KEEP IT. We know that - 1. It was sanctified from the very beginning of our race (Genesis 2:2, 3). 2. It was included in the religious and moral statutes given by God to Moses, as if it belonged to that which is permanent and perpetual (Exodus 20.). 3. It was insisted upon by the prophetic voice, and declared to be decisive of national prosperity or decline (Jeremiah 17:19-27; Isaiah 58:13, 14) - the prophets being the upholders of the moral in preference to the formal and ceremonial. 4. It was declared by the Lord Jesus Christ to be "made for man" (Mark 2:27). 5. It was continued in the shape of the Lord's day after the resurrection (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10); these incidental notices pointing to a general apostolical observance. II. MANIFESTLY REQUISITE FOR BODILY AND SPIRITUAL WELFARE. 1. Bodily; for man and beast live longer and work better with than without it. 2. Spiritual; for without the spiritual refreshment and revival of sabbath services, more especially in these days of absorbing work and care, the light of life would burn even more dim and faint, until it went out into darkness. All those who hate (spiritual) death may well love and guard and use it well. Our duty in regard to it is - (1) To avail ourselves of the bodily rest it brings, and to see that others have the same advantage - our children resting from their lessons, servants (domestic and public) resting from their toil. (2) To make it a day of special spiritual privilege, including (a) worship-drawing nigh to God; (b) instruction - enlightenment, edification, the "beholding the beauty of the Lord and inquiring in his temple;" and (c) inspiration - fresh determination, invigorated resolution that as for us and our household we will serve the Lord Christ. - C.
Spare me according to the greatness of Thy mercy. The bird which soars the highest builds the lowest nest. The more a man is lifted up in communion with Heaven the deeper is his abasement in his own eyes. The holiest are the humblest. Those who bear most fruit have least "confidence in the flesh." How interesting to observe that, though the conceptions of believers under the old dispensation respecting the exact mode of salvation were dim, yet they themselves clung as earnestly to the mercy of the Lord as more privileged believers do now!(Hugh Stowell, M. A.) (Hugh Stowell, M. A.) I. An .appeal to God's approbation. Nehemiah often makes appeals of this kind. This was an appeal to God — 1. From man's judgment. He had engaged in an undertaking which was likely enough to appear contemptible in the eyes of his Persian acquaintance. But what then? It was for God's honour, and therefore he despises this shame, casting himself upon the approbation of God. This principle it was that influenced Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Paul. It is the principle of faith rendering an unseen God visible. Such men look for a future " recompense of reward" promised by Him who cannot lie. 2. From man's enmity. While one party satisfied themselves with despising, there was another party in Jerusalem itself who hated and opposed his proceedings. It is in reference to their enmity that the appeal of the text is made. Modern enmity. 3. From man's ingratitude. It was here that he found his greatest trial. How painful, when the very persons whom in God's name he sought to benefit were cold, reluctant, unfeeling! Nehemiah's was no solitary ease. You find in connection with this appeal — II. A CONTRITE PRAYER FOR GOD'S FORGIVENESS. 1. After all he has done for God's service, Nehemiah cannot forget that there is a load of original and actual sin, recorded against him for which no subsequent obedience can make satisfaction. 2. He finds even his religious actions so stained with sin that though he may appeal from man, he cannot make them a plea for merit before God. 3. He casts himself, with a steadfast faith, on the free grace and covenanted mercies of the Lord. Application: If the despised believer may thus appeal from man to God, what hope can there be for those who compel him so to do? (Joseph Jowett, M. A.) People Artaxerxes, Balaam, Eliashib, Hanan, Israelites, Joiada, Levites, Mattaniah, Pedaiah, Sanballat, Shelemiah, Solomon, Tobiah, Tobijah, Tyrians, ZaccurPlaces Ammon, Ashdod, Babylon, Jerusalem, MoabTopics Commanded, Gates, Greatness, Guard, Holy, Kindness, Levites, Love, Loving, Mercy, O, Order, Purify, Remember, Sabbath, Sanctify, Spare, ThemselvesOutline 1. Upon the reading of the law, separation is made from the mixed multitude.4. Nehemiah, at his return, causes the chambers to be cleansed. 10. He reforms the offices in the house of God; 15. the violation of the Sabbath; 23. and the marriages with the strange wives. Dictionary of Bible Themes Nehemiah 13:22 7416 purification 5242 buying and selling 5345 influence Library Sabbath Observance'In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. 16. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The True Manner of Keeping Holy the Lord's Day. Two Famous Versions of the Scriptures The Last Days of the Old Eastern World The Formation of the Old Testament Canon Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath. Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act. Ezra-Nehemiah Links Nehemiah 13:22 NIVNehemiah 13:22 NLT Nehemiah 13:22 ESV Nehemiah 13:22 NASB Nehemiah 13:22 KJV Nehemiah 13:22 Bible Apps Nehemiah 13:22 Parallel Nehemiah 13:22 Biblia Paralela Nehemiah 13:22 Chinese Bible Nehemiah 13:22 French Bible Nehemiah 13:22 German Bible Nehemiah 13:22 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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