_Howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing._ THE CURSE TURNED INTO A BLESSING This was just like God, whose name and nature are love. 1. The devil turns the blessing into a curse. When God created man He endowed him with the power of choice, made his will free, so that he might choose good... [ Continue Reading ]
_And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Elashib did._ THE RELIGIOUS REFORMER Remark-- I. The state of Jerusalem during Nehemiah’s absence. II. The reforms he achieved. 1. His purification of the temple. 2. His renewal of the observance of Divine ordinances. 3. His promoting... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then contended I with the rulers._ WORK AND WORSHIP Then the topic is not new. It is a question which propounds itself in every age. The particular aspect of the question we have to deal with at present is this, Why does the working man forsake the house of God? Many of the reasons given arise ou... [ Continue Reading ]
_Remember me, O my God, concerning this _ THE MERCY OF GOD CHIN ORIGIN OF THE REWARD OF GOOD WORKS Learn-- I. That to make provision for maintenance of God’s worship and the ministers thereof is a worthy work, and of high esteem and favour with God (1 Chronicles 29:17; Deuteronomy 12:19; 2 Kings 4... [ Continue Reading ]
_In those days I saw in Judah some treading wine presses on the Sabbath._ KEEPING THE SABBATH In reforming the evil of Sabbath desecration Nehemiah-- I. Contended with the nobles, or Jewish aristocracy. It was their trade that kept the marts open. Were they to hold aloof, the Sabbath-breakers wou... [ Continue Reading ]
_Spare me according to the greatness of Thy mercy._ NEHEMIAH’S APPEAL TO GOD’S 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 ha... [ Continue Reading ]
_Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things?_ SOLOMON 1. It may appear remarkable that one who fell so grievously should contribute at all to the Book of God, nor is there any other instance of the kind; but his sad history adds a peculiar weight of warning to his words; nor are there any... [ Continue Reading ]
_Remember me, O my God, for good._ SIMPLICITY AND POWER Consciousness of religion cannot be of necessity wrong, and it is only a false estimate of human nature with regard to God which enables men to take another view with regard to such sets. With boldness and without hesitation Paul says he has r... [ Continue Reading ]