A man of public spirit.
I. THAT HE HAS MORE REGARD FOR THE PUBLIC WELFARE THAN FOR PERSONAL REMUNERATION. "Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor" (Nehemiah 5:14).
II. THAT HE HAS MORE REGARD FOR NECESSARY REFORMS THAN FOR TRADITIONAL CUSTOMS. "But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people" (Nehemiah 5:15). Men are chargeable to their fellows—
1. In the state.
2. In morals.
3. In society.
4. In the family.
5. In the Church.
Men have often to pay and suffer for their governors.
III. THAT HE HAS MORE REGARD FOR POPULAR LIBERTY THAN FOR OPPRESSIVE EXACTIONS. "Yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God" (Nehemiah 5:15, Nehemiah 5:18). Nehemiah would not allow the few to oppress the many; he made his servants work (verse 16).
IV. THAT HE HAS MORE REGARD FOR EARNEST INDUSTRY THAN FOR LUXURIOUS INDOLENCE. "Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall" (verse 16).
1. Personal work.
2. Continuous work.
3. Effective work.
4. A good example.
V. THAT HE HAS MORE REGARD FOR WISE BENEFICENCE THAN FOR A MEAN POLICY. "Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people" (verse 18).
VI. THAT HE HAS MORE REGARD FOR THE DIVINE BENEDICTION THAN FOR HUMAN PRAISE. "Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people" (verse 19).
1. The Divine contemplation of man.
2. The beneficent regard of God for man.
3. God will reward those who aid his people.
4. The measure of the Divine favour not according to what we have done, but according to what Christ has done in, by, and for us.—E.
Nehemiah
Nehemiah 5 - nehemiah-5 - worlddic.com