NEH 13:31
Referensi Silang:
{i} kayu api {i}
	/TB  Neh 10:34 
{j} yang pertama. {j}
	/TB  Neh 10:35-36 
{k} Allahku, ingatlah {k}
	/TB  Kej 8:1 
	Lihat TSK - sumber "Kej 8:1"
	/TB  Neh 1:8 
	Lihat TSK - sumber "Neh 1:8"
==TSK==
* the wood.
	. 10:34
* Remember.
	. 14,22 Ps 25:7 26:8,9 106:4 Lu 23:42



           CONCLUDING REMARKS ON THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH.

Of Nehemiah, the author and principal actor in the events
recorded in this book, the Jews speak as one of the greatest men
of their nation.  His concern for his country entitles him to
the character of the first patriot that ever lived.  Descended,
according to some, of the family of Aaron, or according to
others, of the tribe of Judah and allied to the royal family of
David, in the course of Divine Providence, he was a captive in
Babylon:  but there his excellences were so apparent, that he
was chosen by the Persian king to fill an office the most
respectable and the most confidential in the whole court.  Here
he lived in ease and affluence:  he lacked no good thing; and
here he might have continued to live, in the same affluence, and
in the same confidence; but he could enjoy neither, so long as
he knew his people distressed, the sepulchres of his fathers
trodden under foot, the altars of his God overturned, and his
worship either totally neglected or corrupted.  He sought the
peace of Jerusalem; prayed for it; and was willing to sacrifice
wealth, ease, safety, and even life itself, if he might be the
instrument of restoring the desolations of Israel.  And God, who
saw the desire of his heart, and knew the excellences with which
he had endowed him, granted his request, and gave him the high
honour of restoring the desolated city of his ancestors, and the
pure worship of their God.  The opposition of Sanballat and the
Samaritans, and the firmness and zeal with which he repelled
their insults and ineffectual efforts cannot be read without the
liveliest emotions; and will afford to the latest times, a noble
and animating example of distinguished patriotism, united with
the sincerest devotion to the interests of religion.  The virtue
and piety of this great and good man, appear with equal lustre
in the numerous and important reformations he effected.  He
relieved the people from their hardships and oppressions, by
abolishing the harsh and usurious practices of the nobles and
rulers; gave up his own revenue, as governor of the province,
for the benefit of the people; and, as a further means of
conciliating their affections, exhibited an example of the most
princely hospitality.  As the best security for good morals, and
the better observance of the laws of God, he re-established the
offices of public worship, and prevented the profanation of the
sabbath, which had arrived at a shameful excess; he furnished
the returned captives with authentic registers, and enabled
them, in the best manner possible, after so long and calamitous
an interval, to trace the genealogies, and claim the inheritance
of their respective families; and further, he accomplished the
separation of the Jewish people from the mixed multitude, with
which they had been incorporated, and annulled the numerous
marriages which they had made with heathens and idolaters of
every description.  For disinterestedness, philanthropy,
patriotism, prudence, courage, zeal, humanity, and every virtue
that constitutes a great mind, and proves a soul in deep
communion with God, Nehemiah will ever stand conspicuous among
the greatest men of the Jewish nation; and an exemplar worthy of
being copied by the first patriots in every nation under heaven.