means of instruction were useful in that day; nor are they less necessary in every place and age. People need, not only reproof for what is wrong, but direction in what is right. The Jews wept bitterly at the hearing of the law; but Nehemiah corrected their sorrow as ill-timed, and exhorted them to rejoice in God, who had done so great things for them. Let us observe, I. What reason we have to rejoice in the Lord— God is often said to rejoice over his peoplea; but the joy here spoken of must be