An influential congregation.
Account of a smaller gathering than that recorded in the first part of the chapter, but likely from its character to be equally or more fruitful of good.
I. THE MEETING CONVENED (Nehemiah 8:13).
1. The congregation. Select; consisting of the principal heads of houses, priests, and Levites.
2. Their design. To study the law with a view to the better understanding of it.
3. Their teacher. The ablest doctor of the day.
II. THE DISCOVERY MADE (Nehemiah 8:14, Nehemiah 8:15). The law of the feast of tabernacles. Perhaps, although it had been kept on the first return from Babylon, it had been omitted in recent troublous times, or some important particulars had been neglected for want of instruction in the law. Now they come face to face with the original precepts.
III. THE OBEDIENCE RENDERED (Nehemiah 8:16-18). The chiefs doubtless proclaim the law to the people (Nehemiah 8:15), and these obey it. So the feast was kept—
1. By each and all.
2. With exactness. Such as had not been known since the days of Joshua.
3. With gladness.
4. With daily reading of the book of the law. It was thus a very pleasant and profitable week.
Lessons:—
1. The value of well-instructed rulers and ministers of religion. Especially of such as are well instructed in Holy Scripture. An ignorant clergy is one of the greatest evils, and scarcely less a clergy learned in everything but the Bible, the teaching of whose truths is their main business. "They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." But it is an omen of good when pastors and teachers are diligent students of the word, availing themselves of the assistance of the ablest scholars of the time, and thus becoming "instructed unto the kingdom of heaven," "able to teach others also."
2. The careful student of God's word is rewarded by important discoveries. He will find truths, precepts, and promises which are new to him, or come with all the freshness and force of a new revelation, to correct his beliefs or his conduct, or to give him new comfort and joy. The Bible is an inexhaustible mine of eternal treasures. It will repay the constant study of a life.
3. A condition of external peace and settlement is eminently favourable to the study and general practice of God's law. These Jews could turn their serious attention to the instructions and ordinances of their law now that they were safe from the assaults of their enemies. We cannot be too thankful in this view for the quiet times we enjoy, nor too earnest in promoting to the utmost of our power the peace and mutual good will of all nations.
4. God is to be worshipped and his ordinances observed according to his own directions.
5. The celebration of Divine ordinances promotes, and should be with, gladness. The gladness of gratitude for Divine favours, the joy of a good conscience which obedience brings, the joy of mutual love and fellowship, the joy of hope, etc. Happy the people who thus unite in the service of God.
HOMILIES BY W. CLARKSON