Nehemiah 9

Chap. IX. Ver. 1—38. Israel observe a solemn fast, and renew their covenant with the Lord.—The (Revelation 5)Mr. Peters, a learned and judicious writer, has observed:—This chapter contains a solemn confession pronounced by the Levites for the people, on a day of fasting and humiliation, of God’s great goodness to them on the one hand, and their own backsliding, they, ‘eat the fat—drink the blood,’ and perverseness on the other. Some of the history of that people, raised an attitude of devotion, which appears in all that moving eloquence was suited to the great occasion; and at the same time, with all that chasteness and correctness of thought and expression, which so eminently distinguish writings of this sort from the wild. In recapitulating the miracles vouchsafed to their fathers in the wilderness, such as the pillar of a cloud by day and of fire by night, to conduct them; the manna, and the water from the rock, this as none of the least memorable of God’s mercies to them there: Thou gavest also thy good Spirit to instruct them.”

This instruction was conveyed, partly by the ministry of the prophets, and partly by the humbler instructions of the priests and Levites, whose duty it was to teach and to explain the divine law; but that the instructions of God’s good Spirit were not merely external, and, by the medium of public teachers, we may fairly infer from the Psalmist David: “Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God: thy Spirit is good.” ((Psalms 43:10).) Neither the teaching of priests or prophets, or even apostles, will have any saving effect on us, unless God’s good Spirit instruct the heart.

This is, indeed, a beautiful episode connected with a sense of our own unworthiness; we are most sensible of the former, the latter. When we justify God we “ Thou hast done right,

Notes on the verses

Chap. IX. Ver. 1. Of this month.—Namely, Tisri, the first month of the civil year, and the 7th of the ecclesiastical. The 1st day was the feast of trumpets. The feast of tabernacles began on the 14th, and ended on the 22d. On the 23d they separated from their heathen wives; and on the 24th kept a solemn fast, as is here stated.

Ver. 6. The host of heaven.—That is, the angelic host, (Genesis 32:2). (Luke 2:13), see Ver. 17. In their rebellion appointed a captain.—The omission of a Hebrew letter has greatly disturbed the sense of this text. If, instead of Bemarim, “in their rebellion,” we read Bemitsraim, “in Egypt,” the text will run thus; “they appointed a captain to return to their bondage in Egypt.”

So seven MSS. one edition, and the LXX. See (Numbers 14:4).

Ver. 25. So they did eat, and were filled, and became fat.—They became effeminate, fell under the power of luxury; got totally corrupted in their manners, sinned against all the mercies of God, and then were destroyed by his judgments.—Bagster.

Ver. 29. Witeatw the shoulder.—See margin. An allusion, perhaps, to the “bullock unaccustomed.” Emicott’s read, “* kingdom.” Micah 3:5.