The Works of

Rev. Prof. Dr. F.N. Lee

30 August

Who would go into the temple to save his life?

Nehemiah 6:11

‘The words of Nehemiah…. “I sat down and wept…certain days and fasted and prayed before the God of Heaven and said: ‘I beseech You, O LORD God of Heaven, the great and terrible God that keeps Covenant and mercy for them that love Him and observe His Commandments!'”… And I said: “Should such a man as I, flee? And who is there that, being (a non-priest) as I am, would go into the Temple to save his life? I will not go in!”‘ Nehemiah 1:1-5 & 6:11.

The Book of Nehemiah narrates the experiences of that cup-bearer of the Persian king Artaxerxes. Nehemiah was sent twice as Governor to Jerusalem in 445 and 433 B.C. He zealously endeavoured to restore the ruined city, to rebuild its fallen walls and gateways, to restore his fathers’ sepulchres, and to practise public religion with exceptional religiosity and fasting and prayer. His Book was compiled from the memoirs of Nehemiah by the author of Chronicles (apparently Ezra).

Nehemiah was at Susa in Elam at the winter residence of the Persian court. There, a report reached him regarding the ruined condition of Jerusalem and its people. He, on his own initiative, was appointed Governor of the province of Judaea by the king. He was granted a royal rescript to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forests, commanding that Nehemiah be furnished with sufficient supplies of timber. On arriving in Jerusalem, having satisfied himself as to the ruinous condition of the city walls, he began the task of rebuilding them. With the aid of the entire population drawn from the outlying villages, he successfully accomplished his undertaking within two months.

Nehemiah was in vain threatened by his enemies and their false rumours about his so-called rebellion against the king — and also plagued by hired false-prophets. But he remained unmoveable. When threatened with death, should he proceed — he replied (Nehemiah 6:11): “Should such a man as I, flee? And who is there that — being (a non-priest) as I am — would go into the Temple to save his life? I will not go in!” For the gates of the city walls had not yet been attached (Nehemiah 7:1), thus inviting his assassination — should he proceed.. Yet he said that if he should enter the Temple to save his life — that would be against God’s will. So he said: “I will not go in!” For he was a man of action! As a non-priest not allowed to enter the Temple, Nehemiah refused to do so. His answer testifies to his pride before man, and his humility before God.

The Book of the Law was read by Ezra in the presence of Nehemiah, before the people in solemn assembly. The Covenant was sealed, and the people pledged themselves to observe its obligations. Nehemiah had an attractive personality. He was a gifted and accomplished man, endued with religious zeal. He was of good and righteous character, and very ambitious to make his nation happy. He left behind him the walls of Jerusalem, as a long-lasting monument to himself.

Calvin says in his Institutes IV:12:16: “Fasting…is a sign of humiliation and has a more frequent use in public than among private individuals…. Whenever supplication is to be made to God on any important occasion, it is befitting to appoint a period for fasting and prayer… Such was the fast of Nehemiah (1:4), when with…intense zeal he prayed to God.” Indeed, the non-priest Nehemiah would not go into the temple — even to save his life!