Digital Logos Edition
This commentary, published first in 1913 under the title Notes on the book of Nehemiah, draws from the book of Nehemiah a treasure trough of edifying notes and explanations, relevant for all believers regardless of era. Ironside’s straight-forward tone will be of great profit to those seeking a clear exposition of biblical truths. As he declares himself in the Prefatory Note, “[N]o attempt has been made to write for scholars or to produce a literary work. But in the simplest way, I have sought to emphasize important truths that are being neglected in many places where they need to be pressed more insistently than ever.”
Known best for his world-wide preaching ministry, H.A. Ironside’s commentaries on every book of the New Testament and of the Old Testament Prophets are considered by Tim LaHaye and Michael D. Stallard to be, “some of the warmest and most cherished devotional commentaries in the history of dispensationalism.” Derived from stenographic recordings of his sermons and later edited into book form, their style “is characterized by devotional exposition, the simple outline of complicated issues, a creative ability to provide fresh wording and illustrations aimed at warming the heart and changing the life, and a continuation of the heritage of simple Bible readings that were emphasized in the Niagara Bible Conferences of the late nineteenth century” (Lahaye, Stallard).
(from the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology)
Popular Bible teacher, evangelist, pastor, and author. Born in Toronto, Canada, “Harry” Ironside moved with his family to California in 1886. There at the age of fourteen he was converted and began to preach. After a brief period as a Salvation Army officer, Ironside resigned because he no longer accepted the holiness view of “entire sanctification.” He joined the Plymouth Brethren and started what would become a highly successful itinerant ministry of preaching and teaching. Though essentially self-taught, he was always in high demand as an expositor at Bible conferences and institutes. From 1925 to 1943, he served as a visiting professor at Dallas Theological Seminary. From 1930 to 1948 he was pastor of Moody Memorial Church in Chicago, a position that earned him considerable criticism from the Plymouth Brethren, who reject the idea of “one-man ministries” and of receiving a stipulated salary for preaching the gospel. During a preaching tour of New Zealand, Ironside suffered a fatal heart attack and was buried in Auckland in January, 1951.
In addition to his itinerant and pastoral ministries, Ironside is best known for his prolific literary output. He produced close to a hundred major books and pamphlets, mainly on expository and prophetic themes. Ironside was a major figure in the popularizing of dispensationalism among American evangelicals and for the most part followed the views of the Scofield Reference Bible.
“Fifthly, the word of God as a source of joy and refreshment.” (Page 93)
“ the second place, we hear the cry, ‘Bring the Book!’” (Page 90)
“It is rather the acknowledgement that the Author of the Book is the all-wise and all-sufficient One who has so given His Word as to make it a safe guide in every time of confusion.” (Page 90)
“The trowel is the Word used for edification, the sword is the Word used to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints.” (Page 60)
“But it is well not to retaliate, nor even to explain, but just to refuse the cowardly charge and leave results with God.” (Page 73)