NEHEMIAH by F. D. Starr

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 24, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 34.

NEHEMIAH.

By F. D. Starr

BY F. D. STARR.

THIS is a companion book to the book of Ezra. The work of restoration commenced under Ezra was carried on by Nehemiah. A very conspicuous feature of this book is the frequency with which the writer makes use of the pronoun “I.” The book is comparatively short, and yet in it this personal pronoun is employed more than one hundred times. On this account some have considered Nehemiah as being rather egotistical. But we can hardly regard him as being egotistical in the ordinary acceptance of the term. At all events, he wrote by inspiration, and this would be hardly consistent with the idea of egotism.

It is true the writer does not show the retiring disposition of the beloved disciple John, who, when speaking of himself in that interesting incident recorded in John 21:20-24, fails to use the first person at all, but simply speaks of himself, in the third person, as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Neither does Nehemiah use the language of the Apostle Paul who tells us in 2 Corinthians 12 that he knew a man in Christ many years before, who was caught up to the third heaven. That man was himself.

There is plainly quite a difference between this style of discourse and that of Nehemiah. But the one wrote by inspiration as well as the other. Inspiration does not set aside personal identity. The author and his peculiarities are discernable in the productions of his pen or voice, tho he writes or speaks as he is moved by the Holy Spirit. “The books of the Bible present a wide contrast in style, as well as diversity in the nature of the subjects unfolded.” “The treasure was intrusted to earthen vessels,

yet it is, none the less, from heaven.” “Great Controversy” Preface.

We see this diversity displayed in the wonders of creation, all around us. One exclaims, “O Lord, how manifold are Thy works!” The unlimited variety in which we see the works of God displayed is one of the most striking proofs of the wisdom and benevolence of our beneficent Creator. The unblushing red of the peony, or the crimson rose, is in wide contrast to the meek tints of the humble lily, yet He who is Himself the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley is glorified by the one as well as by the other, and both beautifully declare His wisdom, power, and goodness.

So the persistent and wonderful diversity which is manifest in the human species, as well in the mental as in the physical aspect, is to the praise and pleasure of God. No one is to think that, because a brother’s ways and ideas are so different from his, he can not work with him or tolerate him. He is not to condemn him on that account, but be thankful that his own deficiencies are supplied by the opposite qualities of some one else. My brother’s way may be just as good as mine, tho it be not at all my way.

Nehemiah relates that he was greatly distressed over the unwelcome tidings that came to him concerning the reverses that had overtaken his countrymen in their efforts to rebuild Jerusalem. The Persian monarch, Artaxerxes, discovering the change in his appearance, said to him: “Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart.” The Septuagint reads: “This is nothing but wickedness of heart.” It seems the king interpreted the agitation of mind that was evinced by the changed countenance of Nehemiah, to be due to some plot that the young cupbearer was fostering in his mind to assassinate the ruler, a wicked scheme similar to that mentioned in Esther 2:21–23. No wonder that Nehemiah was, as he says, “very sore afraid,” when suspected of so base a project. But the king, being assured that it was on account of the misfortunes that had come upon his people in Judea, that Nehemiah was so troubled, granted him permission to return to the city of his father’s sepulchers to take charge of the work of restoration in the holy metropolis.

The various experiences through which this young reformer with his companions passed, are very interesting to read, and can but inspire zeal and courage in the hearts of those who are engaged in a work of restoration on the walls of Zion to-day. Are we willing to suffer for Christ’s sake the reproach, ridicule, and deprivation that these repairers of the breach endured? How cutting the scornful words, “Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.” How trying the experience to labor hard all day and stand guard by night.

The importance which was given to the matter of physical cleanliness is shown in Neh. 4:23, where it is stated: “None of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.” The German version reads, “Every one omitted bathing.”

In whichever way this is to be understood, it shows what an essential matter ablution was thought to be. It was a great deprivation to have to go without bathing, on account of the sleepless vigilance that must be maintained.

The tenacity with which the servant of God stuck to the work in hand furnishes a good example for us to follow to-day. “I am doing a great work, so that I can not come down; why should the work cease, whilst I leave it and come down to you?” Neh. 6:3. How often some matter of trifling importance, or some snare of the enemy, allures the laborer away from his trust, and so the work is greatly hindered, and his own soul imperiled! The only safe way is to stick to the work given us to do. Chapter nine deserves special study. The goodness of God in His dealings with Israel is forcibly brought out, “Thou . . . gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments; and madest known unto them thy holy Sabbath.”

The same work is now being done in the final messages of warning that are going to the world. God is now making known His holy Sabbath that has so long been hidden from the people. Those who engage in this work are repairers of the breach the same as were Nehemiah and his associates in days of old. Isa. 58:11, 12.

A good lesson on the proper manner of reading is found in Neh. 8:8: “So they read in the book of the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” This is indeed reading with the spirit and with the understanding, the only manner pleasing to Him who will be worshiped “in spirit and in truth.” In this way is this book, as well as the whole Bible, to be read.