And God , who saw the desire of his heart , and knew the excellences with which he had endowed him, granted his request, and gave him the high honour of restoring the desolated city of his ancestors, and the pure worship of their God . On this account he has been considered by several as an expressive type of Jesus Christ , and many parallels have been shown in their lives and conduct . I have already, in several notes, vindicated him from all mercenary and interested views, as well as from all false notions of religion , grounded on human merit. For disinterestedness, philanthropy, patriotism, prudence , courage , zeal , humanity , and every virtue that constitutes a great mind , and proves a soul in deep communion with God , Nehemiah will ever stand conspicuous among the greatest men of the Jewish nation , and an exemplar worthy to be copied by the first patriots in every nation under heaven . Ezra and Nehemiah contain six hundred and eighty-eight verses.
Middle verse is chap.