Nehemiah 3:12 - Homiletics

Family zeal in good work.

"He and his daughters." Some take "daughters" here in the sense which it bears in Nehemiah 11:25 , Nehemiah 11:27 , viz; "villages (regarded as the daughters of the town or district to which they belong), and would read, "it" ( i.e. the half-part, or district, of Jerusalem) "and its villages." If, however, we take the word "daughters" in the sense of women, they present us an instance of a father and his daughters uniting in a good work. Probably the daughters had independent means. They remind us of the numerous instances in which piety and public spirit animate families —parents and their sons and daughters uniting in works of Christian usefulness. Such families are the strength of congregations. Union of a family in Christian work—

I. INDICATES GOOD AND EFFECTUAL EDUCATION . It shows that the parents have trained their children in piety and zeal, taught them to take an interest in the work of the Lord: and set them the example; and that the children have yielded to the influence thus exerted, imbibing the spirit of their parents, and imitating their deeds. Parents should early associate their children with them in good works, teaching and enabling them to give to the cause of Christ and to the poor, etc. Young people, who have if only a small income of their own, should devote part of it to the good of others, and should employ part of their time in doing good.

II. FORMS A SACRED FAMILY BOND . Sanctifies the natural ties; binds parents and children in a holy fellowship.

III. ELEVATES FAMILY LIFE . Supplying objects of common interest, topics for conversation, subjects for prayer, employments, occasions of mutual encourage-merit and help, all tending to uplift the thought% affections, motives, and aims above the region of self-interest, worldliness, and vanity: and thus form noble characters.

IV. INCREASES AND EXALTS FAMILY HAPPINESS . NO other pursuits in common, however innocent or laudable, can supply pleasures equal to those which spring from common consecration to the service of God and man.

V. PREPARES YOUNG PEOPLE FOR HIGHER AND LARGER SERVICE . Thus supplying the Church with a succession of well-qualified workers. Such families are the best nurseries, not only for the Church, but for the ministry and the missionary work.

VI. AIDS IN INSURING AND PREPARING FOR FAMILY REUNION IN THE HEAVENLY HOME . Let parents then resolve with Joshua, "As for me and my house , we will serve the Lord." Let sons and daughters heartily co-operate with fathers and mothers in executing this resolution.