Nehemiah 9:19-27 - Homilies By J.s. Exell

The Divine description of a sinful life.

I. THAT THE SINFUL LIFE IS FAVOURED WITH THE DIVINE FORBEARANCE . The sins of the people were pride ( Nehemiah 9:16 ), disobedience ( Nehemiah 9:17 ), idolatry ( Nehemiah 9:18 ), murder ( Nehemiah 9:26 ), provocation, obduracy. "Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness" ( Nehemiah 9:19 ).

1 . This forbearance is merciful.

2 . This forbearance is considerate. In the wilderness it is so much needed.

3 . This forbearance is unrecognised. See the obduracy of sin.

II. THAT THE SINFUL LIFE IS FAVOURED WITH ALL THE BENEFICENT MINISTRIES OF HEAVEN . "The pillar of the cloud departed not from them" ( Nehemiah 9:19 ).

1 . The sinful life has light.

2 . The sinful life has guidance.

3 . The sinful life has spiritual instruction ( Nehemiah 9:20 ). See the ingratitude of sin.

III. THAT THE SINFUL LIFE IS SUSTAINED BY THE KIND PROVIDENCE OF GOD ( Nehemiah 9:21 ).

1 . Suitable.

2 . Continuous.

3 . Sufficient.

4 . Various. See the wilful blindness and ingratitude of sin.

IV. THAT THE SINFUL LIFE OFTEN EXPERIENCES GREAT TEMPORAL PROSPERITY AT THE HAND OF GOD ( Nehemiah 9:22 ).

1 . Possession.

2 . Multiplication.

3 . Conquest.

4 . Plenty. Yet the goodness of God does not lead to repentance.

V. THAT THE SINFUL LIFE IS ALSO DISCIPLINED BY AFFLICTIVE PROVIDENCES ( Nehemiah 9:27 ). In all this see the Divine effort to awaken the sinner.—E.