Nehemiah 8:9-10 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said to all the people… The first work of the Holy Spirit is to convince of sin, but that is by no means His only work. It is only in preparation for another and more blessed work. I. WHAT IS MEANT BY THE JOY OF THE LORD. 1. Much is said of the joy of the Lord in sacred Scriptures; sometimes the Lord Himself is said to rejoice over His people; of Christ it is said, "For the joy that was set before Him," so also in prospect of His death, He rejoiceth over the truly repentant sinner. When the Lord assures His people of their salvation from every danger and every enemy, He says," The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty, He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy." In like manner they also are exhorted to joy in Him: "Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King." Indeed, the gospel itself is a gospel of joy. As such it was announced by the angel to the shepherds: "Behold I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." And we find that the preaching of that gospel was a matter of joy to the poor sinners to whom it was sent. Philip, we are told in the Acts, "went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them," and the consequence was that there was great joy in that city. Now we shall find that their joy arose from a threefold source — 1. What the Lord had done for them. The Lord had brought them back from a miserable and degrading captivity. He had brought them from under the yoke of Babylon; they had been protected and delivered in a more marvellous manner; they were restored to Zion, the city of their solemnities; the king's heart had been softened towards them, and under his authority and protection they were obtaining a secure settlement in their own land. Surely this was a cause for joy. When they looked at the difficulties that stood in their way, and the steps by which the Lord had led them, they could not but rejoice. 2. What the Lord would do for them. Why, even before they took possession of the land of Canaan, while they were under the guidance of Moses, and under the Lord's special care in the wilderness, in the foresight of their future dangers and sins, the Lord had declared, even in their greatest straits and most pressing difficulties, though those very straits and difficulties were occasioned by their sins, that He would never forget His covenant, and would still receive them with mercy (Leviticus 26:40-45). 3. That the people understood all this. When Ezra read in the book of the law of God, he did it "distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading" (ver. 8). II. ITS HAPPY EFFECTS. When Nehemiah called upon the people thus to joy in the Lord, he told them at the same time what effect it would produce in them. It would be their strength. 1. It will support the Christian under all difficulties. This world is not one of ease and prosperity to the children of God. 2. It will sustain him in all his temptations. 3. Encourage him for the performance of all duties. It will make duties which without it would be burdensome and irksome, pleasant. 4. It will encourage him in prayer. He who has the joy of the Lord for his strength, does not live upon his joy, nor upon his strength. His life is in the Lord, and in proportion as he lives upon Him, he has joy and strength both in and from the Lord. 5. Incite him to hold on to the end. He who has the joy of the Lord for his strength will not rest in present attainments. The joys that are in store for the people of God are far greater than those already tasted. (1) How greatly are many people mistaken as to the nature of true religion. (2) Learn what you should be anxious to obtain. No man can joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ till he has received the atonement. (3) What a vast difference between the empty joys of the world and the solid joys of the gospel! (G. Maxwell, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. |
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