Homilist Nehemiah 5:15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable to the people, and had taken of them bread and wine… I. WHOLESOME SELF-RESTRAINT. There is always a temptation to run with the multitude. It was particularly so with Nehemiah. 1. His superiors were evil. A man is fain to follow his employers or masters. 2. His surroundings were evil. A person gets his tone from his surroundings. 3. His temptations were to evil. He would have gained the applause of his fellows by sinning. 4. He was singular in his convictions, also almost alone in an idolatrous land. II. AN ALL-POWERFUL MOTIVE. "Because of the fear of the Lord." All the more powerful because unseen — the mightiest forces are those the eye cannot trace. The fear of the Lord is — 1. A safe .guide. It is sure to be right. 2. A powerful incentive. He has power to cast into hell, and He will reward. 3. A plain directive. The wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not err therein. Men who are independent in their purpose of rectitude .are, earth's true nobility. Learn to stand alone for the cause of truth. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God. |
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