Read Scripture In A Year: November 18

(Neh 5:1) Nowe there was a great crie of the people, and of their wiues against their brethren the Iewes.

(Notes Reference) And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives (a) against their brethren the Jews.

(a) Against the rich who oppressed them.

(Neh 5:2) For there were that said, We, our sonnes and our daughters are many, therefore we take vp corne, that we may eate and liue.

(Notes Reference) For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, [are] many: therefore we take up (b) corn [for them], that we may eat, and live.

(b) This is the complaint of the people, showing the extremity they were brought to.

(Neh 5:3) And there were that saide, We must gage our landes, and our vineyardes, and our houses, and take vp corne for the famine.

(Neh 5:4) There were also that said, We haue borowed money for the Kings tribute vpon our landes and our vineyardes.

(Notes Reference) There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's (c) tribute, [and that upon] our lands and vineyards.

(Neh 5:5) And nowe our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, and our sonnes as their sonnes: and lo, we bring into subiection our sonnes and our daughters, as seruants, and there be of our daughters nowe in subiection, and there is no power in our handes: for other men haue our landes and our vineyardes.

(Notes Reference) Yet now our flesh [is] as (d) the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and [some] of our daughters are brought unto bondage [already]: neither [is it] in our power (e) [to redeem them]; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

(d) By nature the rich are no better than the poor.

(e) We are not able to redeem them, but out of poverty are forced to sell them to others.

(Neh 5:6) Then was I very angrie when I heard their crie and these wordes.

(Neh 5:7) And I thought in my minde, and I rebuked the princes, and the rulers, and saide vnto them, You lay burthens euery one vpon his brethren: and I set a great assemblie against them,

(Notes Reference) Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye (f) exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great (g) assembly against them.

(f) You press them with usury, and seek to bring all thing into your hands.

(g) Both because they should be moved with pity seeing how many were oppressed by them, and also hear the judgment of others, who should be witnesses of their dealings with their brethren.

(Neh 5:8) And I said vnto them, We (according to our abilitie) haue redeemed our brethren the Iewes, which were solde vnto the heathen: and will you sell your brethren againe, or shall they be solde vnto vs? Then helde they their peace, and could not answere.

(Notes Reference) And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be (h) sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing [to answer].

(h) Seeing God has once delivered them from the bondage of the heathen, shall we make them our slaves?

(Neh 5:9) I said also, That which ye do, is not good. Ought ye not to walke in the feare of our God, for the reproche of the heathen our enemies?

(Notes Reference) (i) Also I said, It [is] not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the (k) reproach of the heathen our enemies?

(i) Meaning, Nehemiah.

(k) Who by this occasion will blaspheme the Name of God, seeing that our actions are no better than theirs.

(Neh 5:10) For euen I, my brethren, and my seruants doe lende them money and corne: I pray you, let vs leaue off this burden.

(Neh 5:11) Restore, I pray you, vnto them this day their landes, their vineyardes, their oliues, and their houses, and remit the hundreth part of the siluer and of the corne, of the wine, and of the oyle that ye exact of them.

(Notes Reference) Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth [part] of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, (l) that ye exact of them.

(l) Which you take from them for the loan.

(Neh 5:12) Then said they, We will restore it, and will not require it of them: we will doe as thou hast said. Then I called the Priestes, and caused them to sweare, that they shoulde doe according to this promise.

(Neh 5:13) So I shooke my lappe, and said, So let God shake out euery man that wil not perfourme this promise from his house, and from his labour: euen thus let him be shaken out, and emptied. And all the Cogregation said, Amen, and praised the Lord: and the people did according to this promise.

(Neh 5:14) And from the time that the King gaue me charge to be gouernour in the lande of Iudah, from the twentieth yeere, euen vnto the two and thirtieth yeere of King Artahshashte, that is, twelue yeere, I, and my brethren haue not eaten the bread of the gouernour.

(Notes Reference) Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, [that is], twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the (m) bread of the governor.

(m) I did not receive the portion and diet which the governors who were before me exacted, in which he declares that he rather sought the wealth of the people than his own convenience.

(Neh 5:15) For the former gouernours that were before me, had bene chargeable vnto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, besides fourtie shekels of siluer: yea, and their seruants bare rule ouer the people: but so did not I, because of the feare of God.

(Neh 5:16) But rather I fortified a portion in the worke of this wall, and we bought no lande, and all my seruants came thither together vnto the worke.

(Neh 5:17) Moreouer there were at my table an hundreth and fiftie of the Iewes, and rulers, which came vnto vs from among the heathen that are about vs.

(Neh 5:18) And there was prepared daily an oxe, and sixe chosen sheepe, and birdes were prepared for me, and within ten dayes wine for all in abundance. Yet for all this I required not the bread of the gouernour: for the bondage was grieuous vnto this people.

(Notes Reference) Now [that] which was prepared [for me] daily [was] one ox [and] six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of (n) all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.

(n) While at other times they had by measure, at this time they had most liberally.

(Neh 5:19) Remember me, O my God, in goodnesse, according to all that I haue done for this people.

(Neh 6:1) And when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall, and that there were no more breaches therein, (though at that time I had not set vp the doores vpon the gates)

(Notes Reference) Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and [that] there was no (a) breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)

(a) That is, that they were joined together, as in (Neh 4:6).

(Neh 6:2) Then sent Sanballat and Geshem vnto me, saying, Come thou that we may meete together in the villages in the plaine of Ono: and they thought to doe me euill.

(Neh 6:3) Therefore I sent messengers vnto them, saying, I haue a great worke to doe, and I can not come downe: why should the worke cease, whiles I leaue it, and come downe to you?

(Notes Reference) And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I [am] doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: (b) why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

(b) Meaning, that if he obeyed their request, the work God had appointed would cease: showing by this that we should not commit ourselves to the hands of the wicked.

(Neh 6:4) Yet they sent vnto me foure times after this sort. And I answered them after the same maner.

(Neh 6:5) Then sent Sanballat his seruant after this sorte vnto me the fift time, with an open letter in his hand,

(Neh 6:6) Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu hath sayd it, that thou and the Iewes thinke to rebel, for the which cause thou buildest the wall and thou wilt bee their King according to these wordes.

(Notes Reference) Wherein [was] written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith [it, that] thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these (c) words.

(Neh 6:7) Thou hast also ordeyned the Prophets to preach of thee at Ierusalem, saying, There is a King in Iudah: and nowe according to these wordes it shall come to the Kings eares: come now therefore, and let vs take counsell together.

(Notes Reference) And thou hast also appointed (d) prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, [There is] a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.

(d) You have bribed and set up false prophets, to make yourself king, and so to defraud the king of Persia of that subjection which you owe to him.

(Neh 6:8) Then I sent vnto him, saying, It is not done according to these wordes that thou sayest: for thou feynest them of thine owne heart.

(Neh 6:9) For all they afrayed vs, saying, Their handes shalbe weakened from the worke, and it shall not be done: nowe therefore incourage thou me.

(Neh 6:10) And I came to the house of Shemaiah the sonne of Delaiah the sonne of Mehetabeel, and he was shut vp, and he said, Let vs come together into the house of God in the middes of the Temple, and shut the doores of the Temple: for they will come to slay thee: yea, in the night will they come to kill thee.

(Notes Reference) Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who [was] (e) shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.

(e) As though he would be secret, to the intent that he might pray to God with greater liberty, and receive some revelation, which in him was only hypocrisy.

(Neh 6:11) Then I said, Should such a man as I, flee? Who is he, being as I am, that would go into the Temple to liue? I will not goe in.

(Notes Reference) And I said, (f) Should such a man as I flee? and who [is there], that, [being] as I [am], would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.

(f) He did not doubt that God was able to preserve him and knew that if he had obeyed this counsel he would have discouraged all the people: thus God gives power to his to resist false prophecies, though they seem to have great probability.

(Neh 6:12) And loe, I perceiued, that God had not sent him, but that he pronounced this prophecie against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

(Neh 6:13) Therefore was he hyred, that I might be afrayde, and doe thus, and sinne, and that they might haue an euill report that they might reproche me.

(Neh 6:14) My God, remember thou Tobiah, and Sanballat according vnto these their workes, and Noadiah the Prophetesse also, and the rest of the Prophets that would haue put me in feare.

(Notes Reference) My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the (g) prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.

(g) Grief caused him to pray against such, who under the pretence of being the ministers of God, were adversaries to his glory, and went about to overthrow his Church, declaring also by this that where there is one true minister of God, the devil has many hirelings.

(Neh 6:15) Notwithstanding the wall was finished on the fiue and twentieth day of Elul, in two and fiftie dayes.

(Notes Reference) So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth [day] of [the month] (h) Elul, in (i) fifty and two days.

(h) Which was the sixth month and contained part of August, and part of September.

(i) After I had sent Sanballat his answer.

(Neh 6:16) And when all our enemies heard thereof, euen all the heathen that were about vs, they were afraid, and their courage failed them: for they knew, that this worke was wrought by our God.

(Neh 6:17) And in these dayes were there many of the princes of Iudah, whose letters went vnto Tobiah, and those of Tobiah came vnto them.

(Notes Reference) Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many (k) letters unto Tobiah, and [the letters] of Tobiah came unto them.

(k) Thus the Church of God always has enemies within itself, which is more dangerous than outward and professed enemies.

(Neh 6:18) For there were many in Iudah, that were sworne vnto him: for he was the sonne in lawe of Shechaniah, the sonne of Arah: and his sonne Iehonathan had the daughter of Meshullam, the sonne of Berechiah.

(Neh 6:19) Yea, they spake in his praise before me, and tolde him my wordes, and Tobiah sent letters to put me in feare.

Passage 2: Joel 1

(Joe 1:1) The worde of the Lord that came to Ioel the sonne of Pethuel.

(Notes Reference) The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.

The Argument - The Prophet Joel first rebukes those of Judah, that being now punished with a great plague of famine, still remain obstinate. Secondly, he threatens greater plagues, because they grow daily to a more hardness of heart and rebellion against God in spite of his punishments. Thirdly, he exhorts them to repentance, showing that it must be earnest, and proceed from the heart, because they had grievously offended God. And in doing this, Joel promises that God will be merciful, and not forget his covenant that he made with their fathers, but will send his Christ, who will gather the scattered sheep, and restore them to life and liberty, even though they seem to be dead.

(Joe 1:2) Heare ye this, O Elders, and hearken ye all inhabitantes of the land, whether such a thing hath bene in your dayes, or yet in the dayes of your fathers.

(Notes Reference) Hear this, ye (a) old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath (b) this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?

(a) Signifying the princes, the priests, and the governors.

(b) He calls the Jews to the consideration of God's judgments, who had now plagued the fruits of the ground for the space of four years, which was because of their sins, and to call them to repentance.

(Joe 1:3) Tell you your children of it, and let your children shew to their children, and their children to another generation.

(Joe 1:4) That which is left of ye palmer worme, hath the grashopper eaten, and the residue of ye grashopper hath the canker worme eaten, and the residue of the canker worme hath the caterpiller eaten.

(Joe 1:5) Awake ye drunkards, and weepe, and howle all ye drinkers of wine, because of the newe wine: for it shalbe pulled from your mouth.

(Notes Reference) Awake, ye (c) drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.

(Joe 1:6) Yea, a nation commeth vpon my lande, mightie, and without nomber, whose teeth are like the teeth of a lyon, and he hath the iawes of a great lyon.

(Notes Reference) For (d) a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth [are] the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.

(d) This was another plague with which God had punished them when he stirred up the Assyrians against them.

(Joe 1:7) He maketh my vine waste, and pilleth off the barke of my figge tree: he maketh it bare, and casteth it downe: ye branches therof are made white.

(Joe 1:8) Mourne like a virgine girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.

(Notes Reference) Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the (e) husband of her youth.

(e) Mourn grievously as a woman who has lost her husband, to whom she has been married in her youth.

(Joe 1:9) The meate offring, and the drinke offring is cut off from the House of the Lord: the Priests the Lords ministers mourne.

(Notes Reference) The meat offering and the drink offering is (f) cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD'S ministers, mourn.

(f) The signs of God's wrath appeared in his temple, in so much that God's service was discontinued.

(Joe 1:10) The fielde is wasted: the lande mourneth: for the corne is destroyed: the new wine is dried vp, and the oyle is decayed.

(Notes Reference) The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: (g) the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth.

(g) All comfort and substance for nourishment is taken away.

(Joe 1:11) Be ye ashamed, O husband men: howle, O ye vine dressers for the wheate, and for the barly, because the haruest of the fielde is perished.

(Joe 1:12) The vine is dried vp, and the figge tree is decayed: the pomegranate tree and the palme tree, and the apple tree, euen all the trees of the fielde are withered: surely the ioy is withered away from the sonnes of men.

(Joe 1:13) Girde your selues and lament, ye Priests: howle ye ministers of the altar: come, and lie all night in sackecloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meate offring, and the drinke offring is taken away from the house of your God.

(Notes Reference) (h) Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.

(h) He shows that the only means to avoid God's wrath, and to have all things restored, is true repentance.

(Joe 1:14) Sanctifie you a fast: call a solemne assemblie: gather the Elders, and all the inhabitants of the land into the House of the Lord your God, and cry vnto the Lord,

(Joe 1:15) Alas: for the day, for the day of the Lord is at hand, and it commeth as a destruction from the Almightie.

(Notes Reference) Alas for the day! for the (i) day of the LORD [is] at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

(i) We see by these great plagues that utter destruction is at hand.

(Joe 1:16) Is not the meate cut off before our eyes? and ioy, and gladnesse from the house of our God?

(Joe 1:17) The seede is rotten vnder their cloddes: the garners are destroyed: the barnes are broken downe, for the corne is withered.

(Joe 1:18) How did the beasts mourne! the herdes of cattel pine away, because they haue no pasture, and the flockes of sheepe are destroyed.

(Joe 1:19) O Lord, to thee will I crie: for the fire hath deuoured the pastures of the wildernesse, and the flame hath burnt vp all the trees of the fielde.

(Joe 1:20) The beasts of the fielde cry also vnto thee: for the riuers of waters are dried vp, and the fire hath deuoured the pastures of the wildernes.

(Notes Reference) The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the (k) fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.

(k) That is, drought.

Passage 3: 1 Thessalonians 5

(1Th 5:1) Bvt of the times and seasons, brethren, yee haue no neede that I write vnto you.

(Notes Reference) But (1) of the times and the (a) seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

(1) The day that God has appointed for this judgment we do not know. But this is sure, that it will come upon men when they are not expecting it.

(a) See (Act 1:7).

(1Th 5:2) For ye your selues knowe perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall come, euen as a thiefe in the night.

(1Th 5:3) For when they shall say, Peace, and safetie, then shall come vpon them sudden destruction, as the trauaile vpon a woman with childe, and they shall not escape,

(1Th 5:4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkenes, that that day shall come on you, as it were a thiefe.

(Notes Reference) (2) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

(2) Returning to exhortations, he warns us who are enlightened with the knowledge of God, that it is our duty not to live securely in pleasures, lest we be suddenly taken in a dead sleep in pleasures. But contrary to this we are to have an eye to the Lord, and not allow ourselves to be oppressed with the cares of this world, for pleasures are fitting for the darkness of the night, and having an eye to the Lord is fitting for the light.

(1Th 5:5) Yee are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, neither of darkenesse.

(1Th 5:6) Therefore let vs not sleepe as do other, but let vs watch and be sober.

(1Th 5:7) For they that sleepe, sleepe in the night, and they that be drunken, are drunken in the night.

(1Th 5:8) But let vs which are of the day, be sober, putting on the brest plate of faith and loue, and of the hope of saluation for an helmet.

(Notes Reference) (3) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

(3) We must fight with faith and hope, and therefore we should certainly not lie snoring.

(1Th 5:9) For God hath not appointed vs vnto wrath, but to obtaine saluation by the meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ,

(Notes Reference) (4) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

(4) He urges us forward by setting a most certain hope of victory before us.

(1Th 5:10) Which died for vs, that whether we wake or sleepe, we should liue together with him.

(Notes Reference) (5) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

(5) The death of Christ is a pledge of our victory, for he died so that we might be partakers of his life of power, indeed even while we live here.

(1Th 5:11) Wherefore exhort one another, and edifie one another, euen as ye doe.

(Notes Reference) (6) Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

(6) We must not only watch ourselves, but we are also bound to stir up, and to strengthen and encourage one another.

(1Th 5:12) Nowe we beseeche you, brethren, that ye acknowledge them, which labour among you, and are ouer you in the Lord, and admonish you,

(Notes Reference) (7) And we beseech you, brethren, to (b) know them which labour among you, and are over you in the (c) Lord, and admonish you;

(7) We must have consideration of those who are appointed to the ministry of the word, and the government of the church of God, and who do their duty.

(b) That you acknowledge and take them for such as they are, that is to say, men worthy to be greatly esteemed of among you.

(c) In those things which pertain to God's service: so is the ecclesiastical function distinguished from civil authority, and true shepherds from wolves.

(1Th 5:13) That yee haue them in singular loue for their workes sake. Bee at peace among your selues.

(Notes Reference) And to esteem them very highly in love for (d) their work's sake. (8) [And] be at peace among yourselves.

(d) So then, when this reason ceases, then must the honour cease. (8) The maintenance of mutual harmony, is to be especially guarded.

(1Th 5:14) We desire you, brethren, admonish them that are out of order: comfort ye feeble minded: beare with the weake: be pacient toward all men.

(Notes Reference) (9) Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are (e) unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all [men].

(9) We must have consideration of every man, and the remedy must be applied according to the disease.

(e) That keep not their rank or standing.

(1Th 5:15) See that none recompense euil for euil vnto any man: but euer follow that which is good, both toward your selues, and toward all men.

(Notes Reference) (10) See that none render evil for evil unto any [man]; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all [men].

(10) Charity ought not to be overcome by any injuries.

(1Th 5:16) Reioyce euermore.

(Notes Reference) (11) Rejoice evermore.

(11) A quiet and appeased mind is nourished with continual prayers, giving regard to the will of God.

(1Th 5:17) Pray continually.

(1Th 5:18) In all thinges giue thankes: for this is the will of God in Christ Iesus toward you.

(Notes Reference) In every thing give thanks: for this is the (f) will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

(f) An acceptable thing to God, and such as he approves well of.

(1Th 5:19) Quench not the Spirit.

(Notes Reference) (12) Quench not the Spirit.

(12) The sparks of the Spirit of God that are kindled in us, are nourished by daily hearing the word of God: but true doctrine must be diligently distinguished from false.

(1Th 5:20) Despise not prophecying.

(Notes Reference) Despise not (g) prophesyings.

(g) The explaining and interpreting of the word of God.

(1Th 5:21) Try all things, and keepe that which is good.

(1Th 5:22) Absteine from all appearance of euill.

(Notes Reference) (13) Abstain from all (h) appearance of evil.

(13) A general conclusion, that we waiting for the coming of Christ, do give ourselves to pureness in mind, will, and body, through the grace and strength of the Spirit of God.

(h) Whatever has but the very show of evil, abstain from it.

(1Th 5:23) Nowe the very God of peace sanctifie you throughout: and I pray God that your whole spirite and soule and body, may be kept blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ.

(Notes Reference) And the very God of peace (i) sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(i) Separate you from the world, and make you holy to himself through his Spirit, in Christ, in whom alone you will attain to that true peace.

(1Th 5:24) Faithfull is hee which calleth you, which will also doe it.

(Notes Reference) (14) (k) Faithful [is] he that calleth you, who also will (l) do [it].

(14) The good will and power of God is a sure strengthening and encouragement against all difficulties, of which we have a sure witness in our calling.

(k) Always one, and ever like himself, who indeed performs whatever he promises. And an effectual calling is nothing else but a right declaring and true setting forth of God's will: and therefore the salvation of the elect, is safe and sure.

(l) Who will also make you perfect.

(1Th 5:25) Brethren, pray for vs.

(Notes Reference) (15) Brethren, pray for us.

(15) The last part of the epistle, in which with most authoritative charge he commends both himself and this epistle to them.

(1Th 5:26) Greete all the brethren with an holy kisse.

(1Th 5:27) I charge you in the Lord, that this Epistle be read vnto all the brethren the Saintes.

(1Th 5:28) The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ be with you, Amen. [The first Epistle vnto the Thessalonians written from Athens.]