p. 22 | The Spirit of Nehemiah by E. A. Sutherland

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Apr 22, 1902

The Spirit of Nehemiah

By E. A. Sutherland

(Concluded)

The building of the walls of Jerusalem reacted on the people in a wonderful manner. In other words, the courage and unrelenting zeal of Nehemiah and his servants aroused the people, and led to a great religious revival and reformation.

The people had heretofore grown negligent in the study of the Scriptures. The revival began by turning them to the law of Moses. A great company of the people—men, women, and children—gathered about Ezra and the Levites, and for hours, even the fourth part of the day, they listened to the reading of the law, and the teaching of the Levites. In the general decay the Levites had been deprived of their work, but now they stood before the congregation as their God-appointed teachers. The reading was followed by confessions, the putting away of sin, and the worship of God. Nehemiah 8 and 9.

This revival was followed by a most thorough reformation—a change in customs, practices, and manner of living. The beginning of this reformation consisted in putting every man in his proper position; that is, priests took up the work allotted to them, and the Levites began again the work appointed to them in the law of Moses. No sooner was this done, than a covenant was entered into stipulating that henceforth Jews would sever all connection with the heathen, for they had intermarried, and much of their trouble was a result of this (Neh. 6:18); they would observe the Sabbath according to the law; and, as was necessary when the priests and Levites took up their work, the whole company of Jews pledged themselves to the support of this religious work. The financial support of the work called for a well-regulated system of offerings, which were divided as follows:—

1. They charged themselves "yearly with a third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God" (Neh. 10:32); that is, the people were taxed to keep up the church expenses.

2. They made this covenant concerning the first fruits: "To bring the first fruits of our ground, and the first fruits of all trees, year by year, . . . unto the priests." "And that we should bring the first fruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God." Verses 35-37.

3. They paid the tithe to the Levites; for it is written: "That we should bring . . . the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage." Verse 37. The Levites then paid a tithe of the tithe into the Lord's treasury, to help in the support of the priesthood. Verse 38.

Much of the distress and weakness in Jerusalem prior to the coming of Nehemiah, was due to the fact that the "covenant of Levi" had been violated.

Nehemiah recognized this as a fact, and as a part of his reform, renewed the covenant of Levi, placing the Levites in their proper places, and arranging for their support from the tithes. The people, having followed Nehemiah in the work of building, although that had called for sacrifice, although that had tested their loyalty, although they had been asked to work long hours, and work with arms girded to their sides,—when they had done all this, they were ready to follow the Lord's plan for the support of the work and for the evangelization of the world. This was a great reformation, and grew out of the great revival that was brought about by the enthusiasm of one man, Nehemiah, who knew that the God of Israel would help him build the walls of Jerusalem.

But this was not the end of the work. Upon investigation it was found that Eliashib, the high priest, was related to Tobiah, and that the high priest had allowed Tobiah to have access to the Lord's treasury. As might have been supposed, the Lord's money had been misappropriated, and during Nehemiah's absence this evil was carried to such an extent that "the portion of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field." Neh. 13:4-10.

On his return, Nehemiah found out how matters were being conducted. "Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place." And immediately the people brought again their tithes and their offerings. Verses 11-13. Those who had proved untrue were cast out of office, and faithful men were placed in charge.

There is a significance in the prayers offered by Nehemiah on these occasions: "Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof." Verse 14. "I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves. . . . Remember me, O my God, concerning this also." Verse 22.

Without doubt the book of Nehemiah is especially applicable at this time. The present condition of the church is vividly portrayed in this description of the Jews. The reforms needed to-day are identical with the reforms wrought through the instrumentality of Nehemiah. As the building of the walls of Jerusalem was a test in the days of Nehemiah, so the selling of "Christ's Object Lessons" has been made a test for the people of God to-day. Faithfulness then brought about a revival and a reformation; faithfulness to-day will bring about a revival and a reformation. The reformation needed to-day is precisely the same as that called for in Nehemiah's time,—Bible study, Sabbath observance, separation from the world, proper support of the ministry, a recognition of the work of the Levites; in other words, a renewal of "the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites."

God has given to his church a test which will effectually separate between the active servants of Jehovah and those who are followers in name only. This, we are told, is in the sale of "Christ's Object Lessons."

"And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in." Isa. 58:12.

E. A. SUTHERLAND.