Nehemiah 7:2-3 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man… It was a State appointment made on moral and religious grounds. Hananiah was put in "charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many." Without discussing in detail the merits of the principle, let us inquire, What would be its effects as a passport to office ? 1. In the first place, it would shut out atheists from the Legislature of the country. 2. It would exclude from power all immoral or ungodly persons. 3. Such recognition would show that the profession of religion is not incompatible with, nor a disqualification for, the duties of public life. 4. The appointment was on Scriptural lines. It was strikingly in accord with the advice of Jethro to Moses: "Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth hating covetousness, and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens." (T. Robson.) Parallel Verses KJV: That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. |
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