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use of a departure from God that His protecting care had been withdrawn and that the children of Abraham had been scattered in foreign lands； and they determined to seek His mercy and to pledge themselves to walk in His commandments。 Before entering upon this solemn service； held on the second day after the close of the Feast of Tabernacles； they separated themselves from the heathen among them。
As the people prostrated themselves before the Lord；
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confessing their sins and pleading for pardon； their leaders encouraged them to believe that God； according to His promise； heard their prayers。 They must not only mourn and weep； and repent； but they must believe that God pardoned them。 They must show their faith by recounting His mercies and praising Him for His goodness。 〃Stand up；〃 said these teachers； 〃and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever。〃
Then from the assembled throng； as they stood with outstretched hands toward heaven； there arose the song：
〃Blessed be Thy glorious name； Which is exalted above all blessing and praise。 Thou； even Thou； art Lord alone； Thou hast made heaven； the heaven of heavens； with all their host； The earth； and all things that are therein； The seas； and all that is therein； And Thou preservest them all； And the host of heaven worshippeth Thee。〃
The song of praise ended； the leaders of the congregation related the history of Israel； showing how great had been God's goodness toward them； and how great their ingratitude。 Then the whole congregation entered into a covenant to keep all the commandments of God。 They had suffered punishment for their sins； now they acknowledged the justice of God's dealings with them and pledged themselves to obey His law。 And that this might be 〃a sure covenant；〃 and be preserved in permanent form； as a memorial of the obligation they had taken upon themselves； it was written out； and the priests； Levites； and princes signed it。 It was
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to serve as a reminder of duty and a barrier against temptation。 The people took a solemn oath 〃to walk in God's law； which was given by Moses the servant of God； and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord； and His judgments and His statutes。〃 The oath taken at this time included a promise not to intermarry with the people of the land。
Before the day of fasting ended； the people still further manifested their determination to return to the Lord； by pledging themselves to cease from desecrating the Sabbath。 Nehemiah did not at this time； as at a later date； exercise his authority to prevent heathen traders from coming into Jerusalem； but in an effort to save the people from yielding to temptation； he bound them； by a solemn covenant； not to transgress the Sabbath law by purchasing from these venders； hoping that this would discourage the traders and put an end to the traffic。
Provision was also made to support the public worship of God。 In addition to the tithe the congregation pledged themselves to contribute yearly a stated sum for the service of the sanctuary。 〃We cast the lots；〃 Nehemiah writes； 〃to bring the first fruits of our ground； and the first fruits of all fruit of all trees； year by year； unto the house of the Lord： also the first…born of our sons； and of our cattle； as it is written in the law； and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks。〃
Israel had returned to God with deep sorrow for backsliding。 They had made confession with mourning and lamentation。 They had acknowledged the righteousness of
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God's dealings with them； and had covenanted to obey His law。 Now they must manifest faith in His promises。 God had accepted their repentance； they were now to rejoice in the assurance of sins forgiven and their restoration to divine favor。
Nehemiah's efforts to restore the worship of the true God had been crowned with success。 As long as the people were true to the oath they had taken； as long as they were obedient to God's word； so long would the Lord fulfill His promise by pouring rich blessings upon them。
For those who are convicted of sin and weighed down with a sense of their unworthiness； there are lessons of faith and encouragement in this record。 The Bible faithfully presents the result of Israel's apostasy； but it portrays also the deep humiliation and repentance； the earnest devotion and generous sacrifice； that marked their seasons of return to the Lord。
Every true turning to the Lord brings abiding joy into the life。 When a sinner yields to the influence of the Holy Spirit； he sees his own guilt and defilement in contrast with the holiness of the great Searcher of hearts。 He sees himself condemned as a transgressor。 But he is not； because of this； to give way to despair； for his pardon has already been secured。 He may rejoice in the sense of sins forgiven； in the love of a pardoning heavenly Father。 It is God's glory to encircle sinful； repentant human beings in the arms of His love； to bind up their wounds； to cleanse them from sin； and to clothe them with the garments of salvation。
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Chapter 57
Reformation
Solemnly and publicly the people of Judah had pledged themselves to obey the law of God。 But when the influence of Ezra and Nehemiah was for a time withdrawn； there were many who departed from the Lord。 Nehemiah had returned to Persia。 During his absence from Jerusalem； evils crept in that threatened to pervert the nation。 Idolaters not only gained a foothold in the city； but contaminated by their presence the very precincts of the temple。 Through intermarriage； a friendship had been brought about between Eliashib the high priest and Tobiah the Ammonite； Israel's bitter enemy。 As a result of this unhallowed alliance； Eliashib had permitted Tobiah to occupy an apartment connected with the temple； which heretofore had been used as a storeroom for tithes and offerings of the people。
Because of the cruelty and treachery of the Ammonites and Moabites toward Israel； God had declared through
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Moses that they should be forever shut out from the congregation of His people。 See Deuteronomy 23：3…6。 In defiance of this word； the high priest had cast out the offerings stored in the chamber of God's house； to make a place for this representative of a proscribed race。 Greater contempt for God could not have been shown than to confer such a favor on this enemy of God and His truth。
On returning from Persia； Nehemiah learned of the bold profanation and took prompt measures to expel the intruder。 〃It grieved me sore；〃 he declares； 〃therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber。 Then I commanded； and they cleansed the chambers： and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God； with the meat offering and the frankincense。〃
Not only had the temple been profaned； but the offerings had been misapplied。 This had tended to discourage the liberalities of the people。 They had lost their zeal and fervor； and were reluctant