(9) В¶ And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
Tirshatha means governor. And here Nehemiah presided in that capacity. But what I particularly request the Reader to observe with me is, the effect the reading of the Lord's holy law had upon the people. Certainly we may conclude that their tears were both tears of sorrow for sin, and of joy in God's mercy. And as the law, without an eye to Jesus as the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth, could never minister joy to any poor sinner; I venture to believe that some, at least, of this assembly were enabled by faith to look beyond the law, and behold him to whom the law acted as a schoolmaster. And if so, what a precious view, is here held forth to the church concerning faith in Christ. The Reader will be pleased to observe that I do not speak decidedly upon this point. I rather use caution. I only say, that if Nehemiah, or Ezra, or any of the people, were enabled by the Lord so to do, what an interesting glimpse of Jesus was here afforded; and how charmed must have been the soul of every faithful believer present.