按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Provision was also made to support the public worship of God。 In addition to the tithe the congregation pledged themselves to contribute yearly a stated sum for the service of the sanctuary。 〃We cast the lots；〃 Nehemiah writes； 〃to bring the first fruits of our ground； and the first fruits of all fruit of all trees； year by year； unto the house of the Lord： also the first…born of our sons； and of our cattle； as it is written in the law； and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks。〃
Israel had returned to God with deep sorrow for backsliding。 They had made confession with mourning and lamentation。 They had acknowledged the righteousness of
668
God's dealings with them； and had covenanted to obey His law。 Now they must manifest faith in His promises。 God had accepted their repentance； they were now to rejoice in the assurance of sins forgiven and their restoration to divine favor。
Nehemiah's efforts to restore the worship of the true God had been crowned with success。 As long as the people were true to the oath they had taken； as long as they were obedient to God's word； so long would the Lord fulfill His promise by pouring rich blessings upon them。
For those who are convicted of sin and weighed down with a sense of their unworthiness； there are lessons of faith and encouragement in this record。 The Bible faithfully presents the result of Israel's apostasy； but it portrays also the deep humiliation and repentance； the earnest devotion and generous sacrifice； that marked their seasons of return to the Lord。
Every true turning to the Lord brings abiding joy into the life。 When a sinner yields to the influence of the Holy Spirit； he sees his own guilt and defilement in contrast with the holiness of the great Searcher of hearts。 He sees himself condemned as a transgressor。 But he is not； because of this； to give way to despair； for his pardon has already been secured。 He may rejoice in the sense of sins forgiven； in the love of a pardoning heavenly Father。 It is God's glory to encircle sinful； repentant human beings in the arms of His love； to bind up their wounds； to cleanse them from sin； and to clothe them with the garments of salvation。
（669）
Chapter 57
Reformation
Solemnly and publicly the people of Judah had pledged themselves to obey the law of God。 But when the influence of Ezra and Nehemiah was for a time withdrawn； there were many who departed from the Lord。 Nehemiah had returned to Persia。 During his absence from Jerusalem； evils crept in that threatened to pervert the nation。 Idolaters not only gained a foothold in the city； but contaminated by their presence the very precincts of the temple。 Through intermarriage； a friendship had been brought about between Eliashib the high priest and Tobiah the Ammonite； Israel's bitter enemy。 As a result of this unhallowed alliance； Eliashib had permitted Tobiah to occupy an apartment connected with the temple； which heretofore had been used as a storeroom for tithes and offerings of the people。
Because of the cruelty and treachery of the Ammonites and Moabites toward Israel； God had declared through
670
Moses that they should be forever shut out from the congregation of His people。 See Deuteronomy 23：3…6。 In defiance of this word； the high priest had cast out the offerings stored in the chamber of God's house； to make a place for this representative of a proscribed race。 Greater contempt for God could not have been shown than to confer such a favor on this enemy of God and His truth。
On returning from Persia； Nehemiah learned of the bold profanation and took prompt measures to expel the intruder。 〃It grieved me sore；〃 he declares； 〃therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber。 Then I commanded； and they cleansed the chambers： and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God； with the meat offering and the frankincense。〃
Not only had the temple been profaned； but the offerings had been misapplied。 This had tended to discourage the liberalities of the people。 They had lost their zeal and fervor； and were reluctant to pay their tithes。 The treasuries of the Lord's house were poorly supplied； many of the singers and others employed in the temple service； not receiving sufficient support； had left the work of God to labor elsewhere。
Nehemiah set to work to correct these abuses。 He gathered together those who had left the service of the Lord's house； 〃and set them in their place。〃 This inspired the people with confidence； and all Judah brought 〃the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil。〃 Men who 〃were counted faithful〃 were made 〃treasurers over the treasuries；〃 〃and their office was to distribute unto their brethren。〃
671
Another result of intercourse with idolaters was a disregard of the Sabbath； the sign distinguishing the Israelites from all other nations as worshipers of the true God。 Nehemiah found that heathen merchants and traders from the surrounding country； coming to Jerusalem； had induced many among the Israelites to engage in traffic on the Sabbath。 There were some who could not be persuaded to sacrifice principle； but others transgressed and joined with the heathen in their efforts to overcome the scruples of the more conscientious。 Many dared openly to violate the Sabbath。 〃In those days；〃 Nehemiah writes； 〃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。 。 。 。 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。〃
This state of things might have been prevented had the rulers exercised their authority； but a desire to advance their own interests had led them to favor the ungodly。 Nehemiah fearlessly rebuked them for their neglect of duty。 〃What evil thing is this that ye do； and profane the Sabbath day？〃 he sternly demanded。 〃Did not your fathers thus； and did not our God bring all this evil upon us； and upon this city？ yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath。〃 He then gave command that 〃when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath；〃 they should be shut； and not opened again till the Sabbath was past； and having more confidence in his own servants
672
than in those that the magistrates of Jerusalem might appoint； he stationed them at the gates to see that his orders were enforced。
Not inclined to abandon their purpose； 〃the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice；〃 hoping to find opportunity for traffic； with either the citizens or the country people。 Nehemiah warned them that they would be punished if they continued this practice。 〃Why lodge ye about the wall？〃 he demanded；
673
〃if ye do so again； I will lay hands on you。〃 〃From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath。〃 He also directed the Levites to guard the gates； knowing that they would command greater respect than the common people； while from their close connection with the service of God it was reasonable to expect that they would be more zealous in enforcing obedience to His law。
And now Nehemiah turned his attention to the danger that again threatened Israel from intermarriage and association with idolaters。 〃In those days；〃 he writes； 〃saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod； of Ammon； and of Moab： and their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod； and could not speak in the Jews' language； but according to the language of each people。〃
These unlawful alliances were causing great confusion in Israel； for some who entered into them were men in high position； rulers to whom the people had a right to look for counsel and a safe example。 Foreseeing the ruin before the nation if this evil were allowed to continue； Nehemiah reasoned earnestly with the wrongdoers。 Pointing to the case of Solomon； he reminded them that among all the nations there had risen no king like this man； to whom God had given great wisdom； yet idolatrous women had turned his heart from God； and his example had corrupted Israel。 〃Shall we then hearken unto you；〃 Nehemiah sternly demanded； 〃to do all this great evil？〃 〃Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons； nor take their daughters unto your sons； or for yourselves。〃
As he set before them God's commands and threatenings； and the fearful judgments visited on Israel in the
674
past for this very sin； their consciences were aroused； and a work of reformation was begun that turned away God's threatened anger and brought His approval and blessings。
There were some in sacred office who pleaded for their heathen wives； declaring that they could not bring themselves to separate from them。 But no distinction was made； no respect was shown for rank or position。 Whoever among the priests or rulers refused to sever his connection with idolaters was imme