Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-01-13
sUNDAY.sCHooL LESSON.
The Mission of Nehemiah; Nehemiah

ne MISSION or Nehemlan Nehemiah
2: is; Sunday, January 10.
The people of Judea were in affliction
and reproach the walls of Jerusalem
were still broken down and the gates
destroyed. So the inhabitants were at
the mercy of the surrounding tribes.
How low they had fallen is apparent
from the fact that there is no history of
them whatever for seventy years. The
news of their sad condition reached the
ears Of Nehemiah at Shushan, the winter
residence of the Persian king, in the
twentieth year of Artaxerxes-B. c.
445). Nehemiah, like Daniel, had found
favor in sight of the king, and held the
high Office of cup bearer to him. The
news was brought to him by his brother
Hanani and other Jews, and caused him
such anguish that he wept and tasted
for days, and prayed to God to incline
the kings heart to grant his desire to
help his brethren. At last favorable
opportunity offered itself, on an occasion
when the king observed his sadness.
Nehemiah explained its cause, and OBJ
tanned leave of absence for fixed time,
with letters to the governors west of
Euphrates to aid his journey. and to
Asaph. the keeper of the kings forest,
to supply him with timber in building
the gates of the temple and city. In
addition to the story of the lesson and
| its connection, we add few notes. In
preparation OF these articles we have
made use of Smith, Benson, and few
other authors, and give this general
credit in place of marked quotations
a. Artarernes King of Persia. son
of Xerxes and grandson of Darius. The
Temple was began by order of Cyrus,
finished during the reign of Darius, re-
paired and furnished by Artaxerxes.
Had not been before time sad: His posi-
tion as cup-bearer to the king required
that he should be cheerful. (2.) Then
I a0as very sore afraid: He felt that he
might have incurred the displeasure of
the king and would not be so likely to
grant his desire. (3.) Let the king Hve
.foreUer: A common form of address used
In speaking to the king. The citv: Je-
rusalem. My fathers sepmlchres: This
looks as if Nehemiah was of royal
descent, as only kings were usually bur-
led in the city of Jerusalem. a. He
prayed to the God of heaven: Silently
in his mind, as he stood before the king,
he asked God to direct his thoughts and
words, and to incline the kings heart to
grant his request. o. Send me unto
Judah: Commission him to 60 and re-
build the walls of Jerusalem so that its
inhabitants would not be at the. mercy Of
its enemies. [6.) The queen also sitting
By him: Probably this was queen Esther,
who being Jewess and interested in the
prosperity of her people. promoted his
request. Co., So 1t pleased the king to
send me: Having told the king how
long he desired to be absent, the king
permitted him to 60. 1t is not likely
that he asked to be gone the twelve years
mentioned in chap. !: IA and 10:
but Tor q 9I.V. sO. PO.iVu, ivus UuVuSu u
build the walls which he finished il
6fty-two days after he arrived at Jeru
salem. After which, it is likely, he re
turned to Shushan, according to his ap
pointment, and that the king sent hin
back as his governor for twelve years
(8.) Keeper Of the kings forest: TIL
forest of Lebanon, fomous for choic
trees for building purposes. Of the pal
ace: The kings palace which adjoine,
the temple. TEACHER.