salem was heard even afar off” (v. 43). Chapter 12 closes with a comment on the way in which tithes were col lected for the priests and Levites at this period, and how these men per formed their respective duties (w. 44-47). As has been indicated already in the book, even before the dedicatory service, Nehemiah was planning his return to Shushan. It is obvious that after the joyful event was over, he did go back to Persia and was gone for a length of time impossible now to determine (see 13:6). “On that day” refers to the day of Nehemiah’s return to Jerusalem after a lengthy absence. The events of chapter 13 take place a considerable time after the close of chapter 12. Upon Nehe miah’s return, he was grieved at what he found. His investigation next revealed that the tithes had not been regularly collected (v. 10). As a result the Levites, temple workers and musicians, had not been paid. Nehemiah “contended” about this matter with the rulers. It was their responsibility to see to the collection of the tith e s . A f te r sufficiently straightening them out, he sought the Levites and brought them back to their temple duties. Then he ap-
pointed four faithful men to take charge of the money and produce collected, and to distribute it equit ably among their brethren in the ministry. Another abuse soon detected by Nehemiah was the careless desecra tion of the Sabbath Day (w. 15-22). Once more Nehemiah contended with the nobles — the rulers — who had the responsibility for putting a stop to such practices. Very likely they had tolerated these illicit deeds be cause they enjoyed partaking of this fresh food themselves. Nehemiah re minded them that violation of the Sabbath was one of the principal sins which had previously brought down God’s judgment on the nation. Because of such transgressions their ancestors had been expelled from the land. As a temporary measure, Nehe miah had his own servants take charge of the superintending of the gates (v. 19). Later he commanded the Levites to take over this respon sibility. One case of an especially flagrant character was uncovered by Nehe miah (w. 28-31). A grandson of the high priest Eliashib had actually married a daughter of Sanballat, the governor of Samaria and great enemy of the Jews. Nehemiah says briefly but succinctly, “therefore I chased him from me.” Evidently this means that he altogether exiled the man from the land. “Remember me, 0 my God, for good.” This brief prayer at the very end of the book is “a characteristic termination of a book whereof one of the main features has been a con stant carrying to God of all the au thor’s cares, troubles, and difficul ties” (Pulpit Commentry, Vol. 7, p. 142). After a careful study of his book, we are left with a vivid im pression of Nehemiah as a man of strong convictions and of forceful character. His ministry was not that of a teacher, but of a fearless, in trepid leader and hard worker. 34
The main entrance to Marshburn Hall, Biola's new Alumni-Missions Building, has just re cently been completed. In addition to the clasrooms and offices there is a 250 seat auditorium named in honor of one of Biola's faithful Bible women. Miss Emily J. Alexander.
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