Nehemiah 3

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. III.—It is a hopeful appearance when ministers are most forward in every good word and work; and when they undertake and go through their work with much solemn prayer and dependance on God. And it is very encouraging when multitudes of all ranks, tradesmen, ladies, nobles, and commons, unanimously concur in promoting the work of the Lord in an orderly manner. But how honourable is it if, like the men of Jericho, Gibeou, Mizpah, Zanoah, and the commons of Tekoah, we prefer the public interests to our own private concerns! or if, like the Tekoites and Merimoth, we help our brethren after finishing our own share! When the work is the Lord’s cannot be too zealously affected; and every person, if he be but hearty, may do something in it. None are so little as to be useless; and none are so high as to be above it. And it is highly disgraceful, even for the greatest, to shift or neglect what God calls them to do in his church. 4