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. 9:25), 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. 3.), and in the free-will offerings of the people (Neh. 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. 13:6), 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. 6:15) were invaluable in this respect. The public and daily reading of the law, and united worship of the people (Neh. 8.); the full and thorough confession of national sin, and separation from the Gentiles and surrounding heathen (Neh. 9.); the holy determination to cleave to the Lord and return to the written Word (Neh. 10.), 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. 11., 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, 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.