Uncommon excellence.
"He was a faithful man, and feared God above many." Nehemiah records this of Hananiah as his reason for giving him, with Hanani, his own brother, "charge over Jerusalem." Perhaps he felt it necessary, on some account not specified, thus to justify the selection.
I. THE CHARACTER HERE DESCRIBED.
1. Its elements.
2. How it is produced. As all piety and goodness are due to the grace of the Holy Spirit, unusual measures of them are to be ascribed to greater abundance of his sacred influences. But it is the human history of eminently godly men to which we now refer. To what, humanly speaking, may marked superiority in godliness and goodness be traced? Amongst their causes may be mentioned—
3. When such a character is especially interesting. When, as here, seen in men of high worldly position and command, much occupied with secular affairs, and thrown much into the society of men of another spirit.
II. THE EFFECTS WHICH SUCH A CHARACTER SHOULD PRODUCE.
1. Admiration.
2. Praise to God.
3. Confidence.
Which should be shown, as by Nehemiah, in placing those who possess it in responsible positions. It is well when such men can be found for important posts, and are placed in them by those with whom the appointment lies, instead of unworthy motives leading to the selection of less desirable men.
4. Imitation. To have such men within our sphere of observation increases our responsibility. We ought to be as they are. They show us what is attainable.
5. Commemoration. In some cases, at least. That their example may stimulate and encourage many to whom it would be otherwise unknown.
HOMILIES BY J.S. EXELL