In this sixteenth book of Holy Scripture, Old Testament history closes. Certain remnants were indeed permitted to gather once more in the land of their fathers, and build their ruined city and temple, but they do so under Gentile authority. "The times of the Gentiles" cover that long and sad phase of Israel's history which, commencing with the transference of regal power from Judah to Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 2), runs on till its utter destruction by the Ancient of Days (Dan. 7), and the resumption of power and the government of the world by Israel in millennial glory.
The previous book records the ecclesiastical history of the returned Judah-remnants; this unfolds their civil condition in the city and land of their fathers; hence it is the counterpart to that of Ezra, and historically comes after it.
Nehemiah occupied a very important and highly honorable post in the Persian court, namely, cupbearer to Artaxerxes the king. Having heard, upon inquiry, sad accounts of his brethren in captivity, and of Jerusalem's utter desolation—her walls broken down and her gates burned with fire—he gave himself to prayer, fasting, weeping, and confession of his own and the people's sin. This was a moral condition of soul truly acceptable to God, who thereupon disposed the heart of the Persian monarch to grant the needful authority for the rebuilding of the city (Neh. 2). The reconstruction of the city occupied a period of seven hebdomads, or 49 years, (Dan. 9:2525Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. (Daniel 9:25)), a time of bitter opposition and severe trial to the Jews. Nehemiah was also appointed Tirshatha, or Governor of Judea. The hearty and willing service of all classes of the people—priests, levites, rulers, goldsmiths, apothecaries, merchants, daughters, and others—in building up the walls and gates (Neh. 325Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall, and the tower which lieth out from the king's high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh. (Nehemiah 3:25).), and in the free-will offerings of the people (Neh. 7:70-7270And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments. 71And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver. 72And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests' garments. (Nehemiah 7:70‑72)), is a beautiful example of the energy of faith. The perseverance in the work of the Lord in "the troublous times" of Dan. 9:25, in spite of the opposition and artifices of the crafty heads of the Samaritans, Sanballat and Tobiah, display the power of faith which, when set on God, and deriving its strength from the consciousness that His glory and interests are ours, is more than a conqueror over the whole power of the enemy.
The twelve years' administration of Nehemiah, previous to his return to the Persian Court (Neh. 13:66But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: (Nehemiah 13:6)), was characterized by great diligence in the correction of abuses. Usury and oppression were strongly put down, and restitution of mortgaged lands and property enforced. The genealogy of the nobles, rulers, and people was carefully verified by registry. No doubt the chronicles drawn up during the captivity (1 Chron. 6:1515And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the Lord carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. (1 Chronicles 6:15)) were invaluable in this respect. The public and daily reading of the law, and united worship of the people (Neh. 86And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. (Nehemiah 8:6).); the full and thorough confession of national sin, and separation from the Gentiles and surrounding heathen (Neh. 96Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee. (Nehemiah 9:6).); the holy determination to cleave to the Lord and return to the written Word (Neh. 106Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, (Nehemiah 10:6).), Nehemiah, the Governor, and Ezra, the Priest, zealously co-operating in establishing and settling all, both sacred and secular, according to the law of Moses (Neh. 116All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men. (Nehemiah 11:6)., 12.)make up a scene most touching to behold, and one most fruitful in lessons to the remnant people of these times. On Nehemiah's return to Jerusalem from Persia (Neh. 13:6, 76But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: 7And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. (Nehemiah 13:6‑7)) evils of an ecclesiastical and civil kind were most sternly dealt with. Thus closes the last historical notice of Judah till the coming of the Son of God in grace. Work and fighting are characteristic features of the book.
GENERAL DIVISIONS.
1.-Nehemiah's spiritual exercises and his commission to rebuild the ruined city. Neh. 1.
2.-God with the people in their services and labors; opposition without and within overcome, for God was with them. Neh. 3-6.
3.-Obedience to the written Word of God, the ground of blessing and basis of action; all arranged and regulated according to the law of Moses. Neh. 7-13.