Nehemiah
was the Persian king's cup-bearer. When God has work to do, he will never want
instruments to do it with. Nehemiah lived at ease, and in honour, but does not
forget that he is an Israelite, and that his people are in distress. He was
ready to do them all the good he could; and that he might know how best to do
them good, he makes inquiries about them.
Point one: We should inquire
especially concerning the state of the church and the gospel. Every Jerusalem
on this side of heavenly will have some defect, which will require the help and
services of its friends. Nehemiah's first application was to God, that he might
have the fuller confidence in his application to the king. Our best pleas in
prayer are taken from the promise of God, the word on which he has caused us to
hope. Other means must be used, but fervent prayer of a righteous man is what
is needed most.
Point two: Communion with God
will best prepare us for our dealings with men. When we have intrusted our
concerns to God, the mind is set at liberty; it feels satisfaction and
composure with all the difficulties
Point three: Through grace, faith
had set up the altar, and the Gentiles had had nothing to do with it, except by
the voluntary service God had placed in them; but when the city is to be
rebuilt, it is the governor appointed by the Gentiles who holds the prominent
place, God having touched the heart of these Gentiles leads them to favour His
people. We see in Nehemiah himself a heart touched with the affliction of his
people, a precious token of the grace of God; and He who had produced
this feeling has the king's heart to grant Nehemiah all he desired for the good
of the people and of Jerusalem.
Some biblical scholars believe Nehemiah was a
priest. They refer to the author of the Maccabees, 2 Macc. 1: we are told that
he offered sacrifice.
Nehemiah's
station at the court of Persia was as the king's cup-bearer. Kings and great
men probably looked upon it as a piece of state to be attended by those of
other nations. By this place at court he would be the better qualified for the
service of his country in that post for which God had designed him - a place of
great trust, as well as of honour and profit. Nehemiah can teach about being
humble and modest, and slow to speak of our own importance.
1.
That when God has work to do, he will never want instruments to do it with.
2.
That those whom God designs to employ in his service will find out proper ways
both to be fit for it and the call to it.
3.
That God has his remnant in all places; even in king’s palaces.
4.
That God can make the courts of princes sometimes nurseries and sometimes
sanctuaries to the friends and patrons of the church's cause.
The
holy seed was miserably trampled on and abused, in great affliction and
reproach, insulted upon at all occasions by their neighbours, and filled with
the scorning of those that were didn’t care that the holy city was exposed and
in ruins. The wall of Jerusalem was still broken down, and the gates were, as
the Chaldeans left them, in ruins. This made the condition of the inhabitants
both very despicable under the abiding marks of poverty and slavery, and very
dangerous, for their enemies might when they pleased make an easy prey of them.
The
temple was built, the government settled, and a work of reformation brought to
some head, but here was one good work yet undone; this was still wanting. This
is the security of God’s people – this is another reminder to today’s Church of
this responsibility.
