The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-11-01
THE SABBATH SCHOOL,
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER S.

CONNECTING LINES. Ezra gave us a his.
tory OF the first restoration Of the Jewish
people after the Babylonish captivity and
OF the building OF tbs second temple. Neh-
emiah came into Judea about thirteen
gears later than Ezra, and succeeded him
In the governm snt there. In this book we
have further account OF their settlement
In Jerusalem, the building Of the wall of
the city, and also OF some reforms brought
about.
1. "The words OF Nehemiah" Rather
the narrative or record. "son Of Hacha-
liah." Probably Of the tribe Of Judah and
OF the royal family Of David. "He was cup
bearerto King Arta1erxes at Shushan, the
capital. This title implied that Nehemiah
was counsellor. statesman, courtier and
favorite. For twelve years he was Gov
ernor OF Judea, lending great religious
revival and rebuilding the walls OF Jerusa.
lem. At the end OF twelve years he went
back to Persia, but after time he again
returned to Jerusalem and effected some
reforms there. After Nehemiah we read of
no more governors appointed over Judee
by the Persian kings; but their affairs seem
to have been left to the management OF the
high priests. Nehemiah Is the last histori-
cal book OF the Old Testament that was
written" month Chisleu." Ninth month,
corresponding to the end Of November and
the beginning Of December. Twentieth
year." OF the reign Of Ar:axerxes Longl-
manus, who reigned from B. @. 465 to 423.
1t was under this king that. Ezra was.
granted letters to go to Jerusalem.
2. "Hanani." His own brother, to whom
OF Jerusalem. Chap. 7:2. "Came." From
Jerusalem to shushan. ri asked him."
Respecting Jerusalem and its people.
Jews that had escaped" Survived all the
dangers to which the new settlement OF
Jerusalem had been exposed.
8. "In the province" OF Judea, now q
province OF the Persian empire. "Great
afatction and reproach." Their subsection
to Persia forced itself on the Jews at every
turn. The tribute imposed on them was
heavy burden to poor people. Jewish re-
cruits had doubtless been forced into the
Persian armies. The country was pillaged
IN open day, and many Jews were carried
into slavery by nightly surprises, while the
corpses Of murdered men were often found
on the road. "The wall Of Jerusalem also
Is broken down." The waIl and houses
had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar
more than 140 years before G. Kings 25:10),
and their rubbish still lay In sight. They
were partially rebuilt at one time. Ezra
4:12. The neighboriDg races, infuriated at
the rejection OF their friendly offers Of as.
sistance by Zerubbabel, years before, and
still more so by Ezra's recent act in send
Ing back to their homes all the wives OF
non.Jewish races found in Jerusalem and
Judea, and attacked Jerusalem, and after
fierce struggles had broken down the new
ly-built walls and burned the gates. Neh.
BILLS.
4. II sat down and wept." Perhaps now
for the first time deep, keen sense OF his
peoples woes came over his soul.
"Mourned." Over the condition of his
people, the desolation of the Holy City, the
reproach upon the name Of God, ard the
sins which had brought them to this low
estate, which had not yet bsen put away.
"Certain days" From Chlsleu to Nissan,
four months, until the king noticed his
grief. TASTED" token Of the genuine
ness OF his sorrow. "Prayed." In earnest,
protracted prayer that God would favor
The purpose which he seems to have secret
ly formed OF asking the royal permission to
go to Jerusalem.
No such permit had ever yet been grant,
I'D since its destruction by Nebuchadnsz-
sar. The proclamation OF Cyrus authorized
only the rebuilding Of the temple.
s. Covenant and mercy" Covenantre-
iers to God's definite promises. Mercy re-
more than is pledged.
6. EAR attentive. eyes open." Let
Thine ear hear our confession, and merci-
fully pardon. Let Thine eye behold our
suffering and send speedy succor. "Day
and night" His grief was doubtless
increased at the thought that all this evil
existed in spite Of Ezra's work. He with
drew from his court duties and spent
time,in retirement In most sincere sorrow.
His prayer was oft repeated In the course
Of these days Of separation and mourning,
nj ~ ho pfyt pf
usual hours Of daily prayer. ~ and my
fathers house." Nehemiah had clear
sense of his identilcations with his people
In sin as In misery.
7. "Have dealt corruptly." Some Of
these sins are mentioned In Neh. SILT, 10,
II; 10; Is; Ezra 81; Chron. 36:14.17.
"Thy commandments" The moral pre-
cepts by which our lives should be regu-
lated. Statutes" What refers to the
rites and cerem onies OF thy religion.
Judgments" The precepts OF justice
relative to our conduct to each other.
8. "Ifye transgress." This fs not quo
sense OF various passages, such as Lev.
26:27-3O; Deut. 2S:45:52. The fact that
God had fulfilled His word Of threatening
was proof that He would fulfill bis word
OF promise.
9. "But II ye turn unto Me-" When we
turn to sin God turns to discipline; when
We turn to righteousness, He turns to
mercy. "Yet will gather them" God
had place devoted to His people, and
when they were content to dwell there he
gave them liberty and rights there.
10. "These are Thy servants" Who Will
devute themselves to do Thy will. "And
Thy people" With whom Thou hast = ade
covenant. They are the descendants OF
those whom Thou hast delivered from
Egypt; "to whom Thou hast given victories
by Joshua, by Samson, by Deborah; and
caused to overthrow the Assyrlan army"
All their history shows the great care God
hus given them.
II. "Who desire to fear Thy name. True
desires are: l. Constant, not flashes. =.
Hearty, strong and growing. 3. Include
the favor of God and spiritual grace. 4.
Regard the means OF salvation. prosper
Thy servant this day." He had In nina 10
ask of King Artaxerxes that he might 60
to Jerusalem and help his, people. He
nsked definitely for exactly what he wanted.
Mercy in the sight OF this mnn"-the king.
Nehemiah had decided that to remove the
reproach Of Jerusalem he must go there IN
person. That to do 80 he must obtain the
kings permission. To get mis- permission
he must be in special favor with him. u
was the kings cupbearer." An important
officer, having charge of the wines OF the
royal household, standing by the kings
side at meals, and tasting the wine, to see
that 1t was not poisoned.
"Teachings." Love for Gods cause
should prompt US to inquire after its IN.
terests. When God's peop pie suffer we suffer
with them. The wisest course to take IN
times of sorrow is to seek place Of prayer.
We should never blame God for calamitles
GOOD WHEAT FROM THE YUKON