Zeal for God's House Expressed in a Holy Resolution not to Forsake It
Matthew Clarke. Nehemiah 10:39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, to the chambers… I. A RESOLUTION WELL BECOMING CHRISTIANS THEMSELVES. This resolution comprehends the following particulars : 1. That we will never cast off the profession of our faith, nor make a defection from the truth and ways of the gospel, for any cause, nor upon any account whatsoever. 2. That we will not neglect the ordinances of Divine worship, nor be wanting in our attendance on them whenever we are called, and have an opportunity of appearing before God in His house. (1) Jesus Christ, as Lord of His own house, has appointed divers ordinances to be observed. (2) There must be an assembly of people meeting together for the public administration of these holy ordinances. (3) There must be some proper and convenient places appointed and agreed upon for such religious assemblies where they can be had. (4) There are particular times and seasons for the holding these religious assemblies. (5) There are certain persons whose work and duty it is to go before others in these holy administrations. 3. That we will promote as far as in us lies the interests of religion, and spread the kingdom of Christ in the world. II. IT IS NOT ONLY LAWFUL, BUT MAY BE USEFUL AND EXPEDIENT FOR CHRISTIANS IN SOCIETIES TO ENGAGE THEMSELVES TO GOD, AND THE DUTIES THEY OWE TO HIM AND ONE ANOTHER. III. OFFER REASONS BOTH FOR MAKING THIS RESOLUTION AND OBLIGING OURSELVES TO MAKE IT GOOD. 1. Because it is God's house. (1) To forsake God's house would be to forsake our own mercies. (2) To leave this house is to forsake the place which God Himself hath chosen and where He delights to dwell. (3) To forsake this house is to forsake God Himself. We cannot quit the inheritance of the Lord but in effect we go and serve other gods. 2. Because our particular good is lodged in the public interest. 3. This is the noblest way of imitating the great God Himself, and conforming to the example of our blessed Saviour. 4. This makes men real blessings to the world. Such men really are the strength and security of a nation. For their sakes God sometimes preserves others from those judgments which their crying sins would otherwise pull down upon their guilty heads. Sodom had been preserved for the sake of ten righteous men, could so many have been found in the place. 5. This will be our rejoicing and comfort another day. Application: Having made this resolution, we must oblige ourselves to make it good. Because of the inconstancy and deceitfulness of our hearts. Such engagements will help to fix us more firmly in the interests of religion, and make us more successful in resisting all temptations to apostasy. Hereby we are rendered more capable of serving the interests of religion. A force when united becomes the stronger. The joint concurrence of many gives a great advantage to a design, and a better prospect of success. (Matthew Clarke.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God. WEB: For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the wave offering of the grain, of the new wine, and of the oil, to the rooms, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests who minister, and the porters, and the singers. We will not forsake the house of our God.