The Louisiana populist., 1894-10-05
The Purposes of God, and the
Opportunities Of Man.
TEXT:

First, let us notice the resemblance o.
our condition to-day, and the condition
of the Jews in the days OF Nehemiah
The apostle Peter tells us that judgment
begins at the house of God, so we be
lieve il was with Israel God had gra
ciously blessed and prospered them in
many ways.
1st. He blessed them with pure gov.
ernment
end. He blessed them morally and
religiously.
3rd He blessed them financially,
and they became a mighty nation. but
they departed from the divine laws OF
Jehovah, and mingled with the heath
ems, contrary to the will of God, an5
the result was, God withdrew his pro-
tecting power from around them, and
subjected them 20 their enemies, who
soon Overthrew them in every sense
above mentioned. Their country was
invaded by their enemies, and the first
thing that befei Israel was the cOrrup-
ton of their government or political
rule, then they began to rob them of
their wealth.
And when they were reduced to a
helpless condition they were forced to
yield to the political rule Of their oppo-
sing nations, which soon resulted in
their enslavement. Their native land
became dilapidated. The walls of their
city (Jeruselam) torn down, the temple
destroyed, and the precious vessels o.
worship removed, and the few that were
allowed to remain in Palestine were op-
pressed to the very greatest extent.
But God had man in reserve in the
person of Nehemiah to redeem his peo-
pie. But while we believe it was the
purpose Of God to redeem Israel, we al
SO believe man was required to avail
himself of the opportunity, and become
instrumental in his redemption, and
We find that Nehemiah and his people
did this
When Hanani visited Nehemiah in the
Kingdom of Artaxerxes, and informed
him OF the condition Of Jeruselam and
the Jews thereabouts, his very soul was
stirred within him for his people.
Now, let US notice what this man of
God did, and it should be an example to
us all. He went to the Lord with the
whole matter i'm earnest prayer, he also
confessed his and his peoples faults.
God hears his prayers, and in answer to
the same, gives him favor in the eyes of
King Artaxerxes, who grants him privi-
Iege to go back to Palestine to the as
sfstance of his brethren Let us note
the manner in which this man first en-
tered the work, he did it secretly by
night. He viewed out the work when
no one knew of his purpose.
Then he called the Jews t9gether and
laid the matter before them, thea they
were organized, for the work being laid
of Systematically. and assigned to the
people according to their situation, and
each one worked over against his door;
so builded they, and the walls were join
ed together unto the half thereof, for
the people had a mind to work.
Now let us take notice OF this fact,
that when a good work is designed, Sa-
tan with his emissaries do all they can
to hinder it.
We find it was the case in the work of
Nehemiah and his people. When Sandal
lat and Tobiah. the Arabians. the Ammo
mites and Ashdodites heard that the
walls of Jeruselam was made up, and
that the breaches began to be stopped,
then they were very worth, and cor
spired all Of them together to come and
fight against Jeruselam, and to hinder
the work. The first thing they did how
ever, was to try to stop the work by
ridicule, they made light Of the Jews.
What can these feeble Jews do? they
are too weak to accomplish anything,
they are weak numerically, weak finan-
oially and weak politically, and if they
do work it will amount to nothing,
but will sson come to naught, it will be
so weak that If fox were to climb up
on it, it would fall. But the people paid
no attention to their ridicule, but con-
tinued in the work, strengthening their
Hands for the occasion.
Thenext thing the enemy did was to
try to deceive the people by inviting
Nehemiah to meet them on the plain of
Ono, to take counsel with them
Now let us note the answer OF this
man of God, and it should also be q les
son to us. He says This is great
work that ! am engaged in, SO that 1
cannot leave is. Why should the work
cease while leave it to come down to
theef When they failed by deception,
then we hear their hideous threats. But
Gods people were ssganized with well
matured mind 10 work: SO the work was