For the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware ,.... The Tyrians particularly, Nehemiah 13:16 lodged without Jerusalem once or twice; one sabbath day or two, not being able to get into the city, such strict watch and care being taken to keep the gates shut; this they did, hoping the Jews would come out to them and buy their goods, though they were not admitted to bring them within the city. read more
So the merchants - lodged without Jerusalem - They exposed their wares for sale on the outside of the walls. read more
The blessing of God on an active life founded upon his word. I. THE TRUE RELIGIOUS REFORMATION , both negative and positive. 1. Abuses must be vigorously attacked and cleansed away. The house of God has to be purified of strangers. The neglect of discipline a terrible evil. Unfaithful ministers the curse of the Church. The "mixed multitude" is no strength to Jerusalem, but weakness. The observance of the sabbath. To the Jew a typical commandment, which represented... read more
Sabbath-breaking suppressed. A promise to observe the sabbath was one of the articles of the solemn covenant recorded in Nehemiah 10:1-39 . We read here how it was violated by some of the people, and how Nehemiah put a stop to their practices. I. THE PROFANATION OF THE SABBATH WHICH PREVAILED . 1. Among country Jews (verse 15). Nehemiah, visiting the country, saw the people labouring as on other days, and brining their produce to Jerusalem for sale. That they... read more
The sabbath day. Among other deplorable departures from the Law of the word, Nehemiah found on his return to Jerusalem that his countrymen had fallen into flagrant disregard of the sabbath. It was a most serious defection, demanding a most vigorous reform. We look at what he found-and what he wrought. I. A SERIOUS DELINQUENCY . The law of the sabbath ( Exodus 20:8-11 ; Exodus 31:13-17 ; Numbers 15:32-36 ) was openly defied. Husbandmen were treading their wine-presses and were... read more
The merchants lodged without . The merchants could not leave their wares unguarded; and the wares not being admitted into the town, they were obliged to camp out. Thus a crowd was collected about the gates, and a disturbance and excitement caused, which was unsuitable for the sabbath. To prevent this, Nehemiah threatened to arrest the merchants, whereupon the practice was given up (verse 21). read more
Nehemiah 13:20-21. The merchants, &c., lodged without Jerusalem In the open field, (as appears by the next verse,) where, perhaps, they pitched their tents, and opened their packs, hoping to sell their wares on the sabbath day to the country people, though they could not get admittance into Jerusalem. Then I testified against them, and said, I will lay hands on you I will punish you and seize your goods. For this was a temptation to covetous or needy Jews, that lived in or near the... read more
Nehemiah’s later reforms (13:4-31)After serving twelve years as governor of Jerusalem, Nehemiah returned to Persia for a period (see 5:14; 13:6). During his absence the religion of the Jews deteriorated, while the Jews’ old enemies, Sanballat and Tobiah, gained some influence in Jerusalem. The high priest Eliashib was especially blameworthy in this. He allowed a member of the high priestly family to marry the daughter of Sanballat (see v. 28), and gave permission to Tobiah to live in one of the... read more
Obtenha o versículo bíblico diário todos os dias na sua caixa de entrada!
Leia no celular
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 13:15-22
Here is another instance of that blessed reformation in which Nehemiah was so active. He revived sabbath-sanctification, and maintained the authority of the fourth commandment; and a very good deed this was for the house of God and the offices thereof, for, where holy time is over-looked and made nothing of, it is not strange if all holy duties be neglected. Here is, I. A remonstrance of the abuse. The law of the sabbath was very strict and much insisted one, and with good reason, for religion... read more