Nehemiah 13:30-31 - Homiletics

Nehemiah: his character and works.

In these words Nehemiah briefly recalls the services he had recently rendered to the community, concluding with one more prayer that God would remember him. We may suitably conclude with a more general survey of his character and works.

I. HIS CHARACTER . His natural abilities were of a superior order: his sagacity, forethought, power of organisation and management, warmth of feeling, power to inspire and rule others, calm consideration in laying his plans, vigour and determination in executing them, etc. But in a homily we think rather of the moral and spiritual. The narrative presents him to us as eminent for—

1. Piety. This was at the basis of his character, and guided and animated his whole life. It appears in his—

2. Patriotism. An ardent longing for the welfare of Israel, and willingness to do and endure anything for its promotion ( Nehemiah 2:10 ). In the case of an Israelite, piety and patriotism could unite in a degree difficult to maintain in the case of others; the nation being, as no other, God's people, owing to him its existence, laws, etc; and set apart by him as his special organ and for his special praise.

3. Disinterestedness. Seeking no personal end, receiving no salary as governor, but gladly devoting his own fortune to the service of the people ( Nehemiah 5:10 , Nehemiah 5:14-18 ).

4. Impartiality. Rebuking wealthy men, rulers and priests, as freely as the common people; enforcing the rights of the latter as zealously as those of the former ( Nehemiah 5:7-13 ; Nehemiah 13:11 ).

5. Courage. In facing difficulties and opposition, and correcting offenders in high places ( Nehemiah 4:9 , sol.; Nehemiah 6:11 ; Nehemiah 13:8 , Nehemiah 13:28 ).

6. Perseverance. In prosecuting his work, and beginning again when it was partially undone through his absence.

II. THE SERVICES HE RENDERED TO HIS PEOPLE .

1. The strengthening of Jerusalem. He saw this to be the great necessity which must be supplied, if anything else were to be done effectually and permanently for the good of the nation. To this end he—

2. Reformation of religion and morals. He sought to reconstitute the nation on the basis of the Divine law. He believed that "righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" ( Proverbs 14:34 ). He therefore—

Altogether a remarkable man, raised up by God at a critical period to do a great work for Israel, and, through that nation, for mankind. Let us—