Nehemiah 5 - Introduction
_A.M. 3559. B.C. 445._ The poor complain of being oppressed by the rich, Nehemiah 5:1. Nehemiah removes the oppression, Nehemiah 5:6. He sets an example of compassion on the poor, Nehemiah 5:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
_A.M. 3559. B.C. 445._ The poor complain of being oppressed by the rich, Nehemiah 5:1. Nehemiah removes the oppression, Nehemiah 5:6. He sets an example of compassion on the poor, Nehemiah 5:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
_There was a great cry of the people_, &c. Of the poor against their rich brethren, who had oppressed them; for though the people in general were cured of their idolatry by their captivity, yet they were not cured of their other sins, but loved strange women, as we read before in the book of Ezra; a... [ Continue Reading ]
_We, our sons, and our daughters, are many_ Which indeed is in itself a blessing, but to us is turned into a curse. The families that were most necessitous were most numerous. Those who have great families and little substance must learn to live by faith in God's providence and promises: and those w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Because of the dearth_ Not long before this, there had been a great scarcity of corn through want of rain, which God had withheld as a punishment for the people's taking more care to build their own houses than his temple, as we read Haggai 1:9. And, in this time of scarcity the rich had no compass... [ Continue Reading ]
_We have borrowed money for the king's tribute_ Which was laid upon them all, Ezra 4:13; Ezra 7:24. Houbigant renders the last part of this verse, _for the king's tribute on our lands and vineyards._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren_ We are of the same nature, nation, and religion with them; nor is there any other difference between us, but that they are rich and we are poor; and yet they treat us as if we were beasts or heathen, forgetting both humanity and God's law, Deuteron... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then I was very angry_ Grieved exceedingly at this sin of the nobles. _Then I consulted with myself_ I restrained the emotions of my mind, being afraid to do any thing in a fit of anger or vexation and coolly considered, and deliberated with myself, what was best to be done. _And I rebuked the nobl... [ Continue Reading ]
_We, after our ability, have redeemed our brethren_ Nehemiah and his predecessors had used their utmost interest and power with the kings of Persia, that their brethren might be redeemed from bondage, whereby they had been restored both to their liberty and to their own country. And it is probable t... [ Continue Reading ]
_It is not good that ye do_ Though you get money by it, you contract guilt, and expose yourselves to the displeasure of God; _ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God?_ Certainly you ought, for you profess religion and relation to him; and if you do walk in his fear, you will neither be covetous... [ Continue Reading ]
_I likewise, and my brethren_ In office; who are employed with me in the government of this people; _and my servants_ In my name and for my use; _might exact of them money and corn_ As a just recompense for our pains and care for the public good, to which we wholly devote ourselves, even to the negl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Restore their land_, &c. Give them up their mortgages, put them again in possession of their estates, remit the interest, and give them time to pay the principal. _I pray you_ Though he had authority to command, _yet, for love's sake, he rather beseeches. Also the hundredth part of the money_ Requi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then said they, We will restore them_ Namely, the houses and lands; _and require nothing_ Demand no interest. Thus he got a promise from them, and proceeded afterward to bring them under the obligation of an oath to do as they had promised. _Then I called the priests_ As witnesses; that the oath be... [ Continue Reading ]
_Also I shook my lap_ The extreme parts of my garment, which I first folded together, and then shook it and scattered it asunder. This was one form of swearing then in use. _So God shake every man from his house,_ &c. Thus he represented, by an external sign, as the manner of the prophets often was,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Moreover, from the time that I was appointed governor_ He had mentioned his own practice, as an inducement to the nobles not to burden the poor, no, not with just demands; and he here relates more particularly what his practice was, not through pride or vain glory, but to excite both his successors... [ Continue Reading ]
_The former governors_ Not Ezra, who was no governor, nor Zerubbabel, but others between him and Nehemiah, whom he forbears to name; _were chargeable unto the people_ How chargeable they had been, and how dear the country had paid for the benefit of their government, the people well knew. It is no n... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yea, also I continued in the work_ Overseeing, directing, and encouraging the workmen, which was my whole business; and this at my own cost. _Neither bought we any land_ Of our poor brethren, whose necessities gave abundant opportunities of enriching myself by good bargains. _And all my servants we... [ Continue Reading ]
_There were at my table a hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers_ Not only Jews of the inferior sort, for whom meaner provisions might have sufficed; but also their rulers, for whom better provision was to be made; who resorted to him upon all occasions, either to pour out their complaints to him,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now that which was prepared for me daily, &c., was one ox,_ &c. “It is evident,” says Dr. Dodd, “from the great and daily expenses of Nehemiah, here mentioned, that either he had large remittances from the Persian court, besides his own estate, to answer them; or that he did not continue at Jerusal... [ Continue Reading ]
_Think upon me, my God, for good_ As I have done thy people good for thy sake, so do me good for thine own sake, for thou art pleased, and hast promised, graciously to reward us according to our works, and to mete to men the same measure which they mete to others. Thus he shows that he expected his... [ Continue Reading ]