The Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 2:12-20

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The way to view and repair ruined fortunes.

I. The way to VIEW ruined fortunes. "And viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down" (Nehemiah 2:13). There are broken fortunes in the Church, in business, and in the home; let us see how we are to regard them.

1. Thoughtfully. Nehemiah made a careful inspection of the ruined city.

2. Religiously. "What God hath put in my heart to do at Jerusalem" (verse 12).

3. Conscientiously. "Which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire" (verse 13). Nehemiah did not try to persuade himself that the city was in a better state than it really was; he saw things in their right aspect.

4. Independently. "And the rulers knew not whither I went" (verse 16). Nehemiah was animated by a strong purpose.

5. Cautiously. "And I arose in the night" (verse 12).

6. Reproachfully. We must look on our broken fortunes as a reproach to us.

7. Hopefully.

II. The way to REPAIR ruined fortunes.

1. Energy must be awakened. "Come and let us build up the wall."

2. Providence must be recognised. "The hand of my God which was good upon me."

3. Circumstances must be utilised. "As also the king's words that he had spoken unto me."

4. Mutual co-operation must be effected. "So they strengthened their hands for this good work."

5. Scorn must be withstood (verses 9-20).—E.

Nehemiah 2:19, Nehemiah 2:20

Religion and ridicule.

I. That religion is often made the subject of RIDICULE. "They laughed us to scorn."

1. Its doctrines are ridiculed. Men laugh at the supernatural.

2. Its enterprise is ridiculed. Men scorn the idea of a world-wide moral conquest.

3. Its agencies are ridiculed. "Is not this the carpenter's son?"

4. Its experiences are ridiculed. "Much learning doth make thee mad." This ridicule is

"Will ye rebel against the king?" Christ was despised and rejected of men.

II. The REPLY which religion should make to ridicule.

1. That it is often wise to reply to ridicule. "Then answered I them."

2. That religion must meet ridicule by expressing confidence in God. "The God of heaven, he will prosper us."

3. That religion must meet ridicule by determination which cannot be moved by it. "Therefore we his servants will arise and build."

4. That religion must meet ridicule by denying its right or ability to interfere. "But ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem."

5. That religion must meet ridicule by declaring it alien to the high privileges of the truth. It has no portion in Jerusalem. This is the ideal reply to derision.—E.

Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah

Nehemiah 3

Nehemiah 2 - nehemiah-2 - worlddic.com

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