A good collection.
The conclusion of the document found by Nehemiah, being chiefly an account of the gifts of the returned people towards the cost of rebuilding the temple and restoring its services.
I. THE OBJECT OF THE COLLECTION. The restoration of the temple and its services lay very near their hearts. It was the chief object of their return to Palestine (Ezra 1:5), and would be regarded by them, and justly, as the surest foundation, under God, of their unity and prosperity—of their welfare at once as individuals, families, and a state. Equally concerned should we be for the erection of churches and the maintenance of public worship, and for like reasons.
II. THE LIBERALITY DISPLAYED. Very considerable, if we bear in mind their general poverty, the recentness of their return, and the many demands upon their resources which their re-settlement in the land would make.
III. THE UNION OF ALL CLASSES IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE COLLECTION, They were well led by the Tirshatha, Zerubbabel, who was well followed by "some of the chief of the fathers." The rest of the people contributed according to their means. It seems, however, from the words "some," etc; that, as usual, there were some that did not contribute; yet these may have been among the loudest to express their pleasure that so good a collection had been made. With this exception, we have here a model collection.
1. It was well started. Much depends on this. The many take their ideas of what is needful and fitting from their leaders, and are fired by their ardour, or chilled by their coldness.
2. All classes contributed. The rich as well as the poor, the poor as well as the rich. Neither can be spared, neither should be passed over. Not the rich, for a few of them can easily give as much as all the rest, and for their own sake they need to be generous in their gifts (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Not the poor, for to give to God's cause is a privilege which they should delight to share, and the aggregate of their smaller gifts may equal or exceed that of the larger contributions of the wealthy.
3. All contributed voluntarily (see Ezra 2:68—"freely").
4. All appear to have contributed liberally.
IV. THEIR SUBSEQUENT SETTLEMENT IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CITIES. Which they could effect with a good conscience and cheerful hope of God's blessing, after having first shown their zealous care for the establishment of his worship.
HOMILIES BY R.A. REDFORD