Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Nehemiah
Book: Nehemiah
Chapter: 1
Overview:
Nehemiah's distress for the misery of
Jerusalem, His
Prayer.
-
Nehemiah was the Persian
King's
Cup-bearer. When
God has work
to do, he will never want instruments to do it with.
Nehemiah
lived at ease, and in honour, but does not forget that he is an
Israelite, and that his brethren are in distress. He was ready
to do them all the good offices he could; and that he might know
how best to do them a kindness, he makes inquiries about them.
We should inquire especially concerning the state of the
Church
and religion. Every
Jerusalem On this side the heavenly one will
have some defect, which will require the help and services of
its friends.
Nehemiah's first application was to
God, that he
might have the
Fuller confidence in his application to the
King.
Our best pleas in
Prayer are taken from the promise of
God, the
Word On which he has caused us to
Hope. Other means must be
used, but the effectual fervent
Prayer of a righteous
Man avails
most.
Communion with
God will best prepare us for our dealings
with men. When we have intrusted our concerns to
God, the mind
is set at liberty; it feels satisfaction and composure, and
difficulties vanish. We know that if the affair be hurtful, he
can easily hinder it; and if it be good for us, he can as easily
forward it.