CHAPTERXIII. 961 self and one hundred and fifty Jews at his own charge ; Nehem. v. 7 -19. 26. Q. In what manner did they worship God when the city was built ? A. On the first day of the seventh month all the people were gathered together in one street, and Ezra the priest and scribe read in the book of the law, and gave the sense of the words, that they might see their past sins and errors, and might be instructed to yield a more regular and exact obedience for time to come : and this being done, he blessed the great God, and all the people answered Amen, Amen ; Neh. viii. 1 -8. Note, It is a remark of Doctor Prideaux, that though Ezra's authority and government expired before this time, yet he went on as a skilful scribeof the law of God, to preach righteousness, to perfect the reformation, to gather the several parts of scripture together, to set forth correct copies of them and to bring all things in church and state to the rules thereof; and this lie did by the assistance of the next governor Nehemiah, doing the same things by his authority, which before he did by his own. 27. Q. How did they keep the feast of tabernacles ? A. By dwelling in booths made of branches of trees seven days together, as God had commanded by Moses, and they read in the book of the law every day of the seven, and explained it ; Verses 13-16. 28. Q. How did they keep a fast on the twenty fourth day of the seventh month ? A. One-fourth 'part of the clay they con- fessed their sins, and another fourth part they read in the book of the law, and then they entered into a covenant, with an oath to be the Lord's people, and the princes and the priests and the levites sealed it Nei. ix. and x. 1, 2. 29. Q. Howwere the people disposed of in their habita- tions ? A. The rulers dwelled at Jerusalem : The rest of the priests and the people cast lots to bring one in ten to dwell at Jerusalem, and nine parts in the other cities, that the land might be peopled ; Neh. xi. 30. Q. Howwas the wall 'of Jerusalem the holy city dedi- cated ? A. The levites came from all places to Jerusalem, and joined with the priests and the rulers in two large companies, and gave thanks and offered sacrifices, and sung the praises of God, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar of ; Neh. xii. 27-43. 31. Q. What further reformation did Nehemiah -bring in among the people ? A. He turned Tobiah tiie Ammonite out of his lodging in the temple which Eliashib the high-priest liad pre- pared for him ; lie established the portion of the fruits of the earth which belonged to the levites ; he forbid the profanation of the sabbath, by buying and selling, and bearing burdens ; and punished the Jews who married strange wives ; Neh. xiii. 4-29. eg3
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