Some of my servants set I at the gates— It seems as if matters were come to such a pass, that Nehemiah could not trust the common porters of the gates, and therefore appointed some of his own domestics, who he knew would neither be careless nor corrupted, to see that the gates were kept shut, and all traffic prohibited. He, however, appointed the Levites afterwards to this office, Nehemiah 13:22 because he not only thought that by virtue of their character they would meet with more deference and respect than his domestic servants; but also because he resolved, when he and his servants were gone from Jerusalem, to have the watch continued, till the vile custom of admitting dealers into the city on the sabbath-day should be quite abolished. See Bishop Patrick.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, Nehemiah's back was scarcely turned, before great abominations crept in, which called for his speedy return, and required all his zeal and authority to redress.
1. The people had joined in affinity with strangers, Ammonites and Moabites, in direct opposition to the divine injunctions, Deuteronomy 23:3-5. This portion, therefore, of God's law he caused to be read to them; and, convinced of their sin and duty, they separated themselves from these sinful connections. Note; (1.) The people of God must keep from evil company, if they would avoid the ways of wickedness. (2.) When God's word convinces us of sin, we cannot be too eager to get rid of the serpent from our bosom.
2. The high-priest himself had led the way to the evil, and been the chief in the transgression, having contracted affinity with Tobiah, an avowed enemy of God's people, and in direct opposition to the express command. Not content with this, he had received him into the temple; fitted up for him a noble apartment, by casting down the partitions of the store-chambers; and he, who ought not to be admitted into the congregation, has his abode in the midst of the very sanctuary. But no sooner did Nehemiah, at his return, gain a knowledge of this vile transaction, than, with holy indignation, he set himself to dispossess the usurper, and restore these hallowed chambers to their proper use; grieved that a priest, a high-priest too, should bring such dishonour upon his high vocation. Tobiah is instantly ejected; his goods, as polluted, cast out of the temple; the chambers cleansed from the pollution which they had contracted from such profane intrusion, by the water of purification; and the vessels and stones, which had been removed, again deposited in their appointed places. Note; (1.) The higher a man's station, and the holier his office, the more scandalous are his sins. (2.) No dignity must plead exemption from rebuke. They who sin before all, should be put to shame before all. (3.) When we would cleanse the temple of our hearts, the world's stuff and the most precious iniquities must be cast out with abhorrence. (4.) Unless our hearts be sprinkled with atoning blood, they never can be prepared for the reception of the sacred treasures of divine grace.
2nd, One corruption generally makes way for another; and the high-priest's ill example could not but have the worst influence on the people.
1. The tithes had not been given to the Levites: either they were embezzled, or the people neglected to bring them in; the consequence of which was, that the Levites were forced to seek a maintenance from their farms, instead of the temple; or, perhaps, their attention to their worldly concerns, and neglect of their divinely-appointed service, occasioned the evil. The people might well judge that they deserved not to eat what they refused to earn.
2. Nehemiah expostulates with the magistrates hereupon, for suffering such abuse, whose care it should have been to see the service observed, and the due provision made for the ministers of the sanctuary. He, therefore, summons the Levites to return to their post; engages the people to pay their just dues; and appoints faithful men to make an equitable distribution of them, that so there might be no want nor interruption in the sacred service. Note; (1.) Negligent pastors should be admonished to take heed to their ministry. (2.) When the workman shews himself worthy of his hire, his maintenance will be no longer counted burdensome.
3. He looks up to God for that reward which he did not expect from man; not claiming it, indeed, as a matter of merit, but begging God's favourable acceptance of his well-meant duty; and God is not unrighteous, to forget our works of faith and labours of love; they shall be remembered to the everlasting comfort of God's people.
3rdly, Another grievous offence is here remarked and remedied.
1. The sabbath had been greatly polluted, in opposition to the most express commands. They trod their wine-presses, gathered in their corn, worked their beasts of burden, trafficked in the markets, bought and sold, and turned the Lord's day into a day of merchandize; the consequence of which conduct could not but be fatal to the manners of the people, and beget a total neglect of God and religion. Note; Irreligious neglect of the Lord's day is the proof of an abandoned temper, and the way to perdition of body and soul.
2. Nehemiah zealously set himself to reform so gross a profanation. He severely rebuked the people who committed the evil, and remonstrated against the rulers who connived at it; admonishing them of the dire effects of such a conduct in their fathers, and warning them of the aggravated guilt that they incurred, and the wrath that they provoked. Note; (1.) Public sins deserve sharp rebukes. (2.) Connivance at sin in others makes us partakers with them in guilt. (3.) The kindest office we can do to our neighbour is, to endeavour to convince him of his danger, and pluck him as a brand from the burning.
3. While he used the arguments of persuasion as a good man, he employed the power with which he was invested as a magistrate, to restrain the open transgression of God's law. On the approach of the sabbath, at evening, he commanded the city gates to be shut, and guarded by his own servants till the next evening, when the sabbath ended; and during this time no burdens might enter, and only those be admitted who came to worship. Note; (1.) Magistrates must not bear the sword in vain. (2.) If the laws were faithfully put in execution, though it could not convert men's hearts, yet open vice must hide its head. (3.) When faithful ministers co-operate with active magistrates, much may be hoped from their united labours.
4. He cries to God for a gracious remembrance in this thing, and for that mercy without which his duty would destroy him. Though we may rejoice in our services, as evidences of our fidelity, we must renounce all self-dependance, casting our souls as sinners on God's free mercy to us in Christ Jesus.