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Nehemiah 7:63-65 – Wonders from the Word – When In Doubt Leave It Out
My High School English teacher often said of commas, “When in doubt, leave it out.” She didn’t realize she was also affirming a great hermeneutical principle to apply to Biblical authority. When members of the remnant tried to prove their priesthood, “These searched for their entries in the genealogical records, but they could not be found.” It’s not that they were specifically forbidden by name that they could not serve; but there was no mention of their names showing they could. “So they were disqualified from the priesthood.” They were not allowed to serve despite their sincere desire to, because there was no record proving they could serve with God’s approval. “The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest who could consult the Urim and Thummin” (Nehemiah 7:63-65). The Urim and Thummin was used to determine God’s will; which for us is found in the Scriptures. If one day they discover they had been mistaken, they would change their mind and practice. Until then, their attitude was not, “It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.” Their attitude was, “When in doubt, leave it out.”
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