Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-11-16
! THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER I9.
Subject: Nehemiah's Prayer, Neh. t., LII
-Golden Text. James ", 16-Me,nory
Verses, 8, documentary on the Days
LeaaOn.

|
-Golden Text. James W, 16-Memory
| Verses, 8, O-COmmentary on the Days
| Lesson.
| l. Nehemiah hears of the distress in
| Jerusalem Tvs. 1-3). 1. "The words Of
Nehemiah" Rather the narrative on
record. "Son of Hachalah." Proba.
bly, the tribe Of Judah and of the royal
! family of David. He was cupbearer
to King ArtaxerXes at Shushan, the
capital. This title implied that Nehe-
miah was councillor statesman, cour-
tier and favorite. For twelve years he
was Governor of Judea. leading great
; religious revival and rebuilding the
walls Of Jerusalem. At the end Of
twelve years he went back to Persia.
but after time he again returned to
| Jerusalem and effected some reforms
there. Month Chisleu." Ninth month,
| corresponding to the end of November
and the beginning of December. The
Hebrew months varied according to
the moon. "Twentieth year" OF the
reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus, who
reigned from B. G. 4ti5 to 423. 1t was
under this king that Ezra was granted
letters to 90 to Jerusalem. 2, Han.
ami" His own brother. to whom he af
terward gave the charge of the gates
of Jerusalem chapter 7:2), Game"
From Jerusalem to Shushan. II asked
them" Respecting Jerusalem and its
people. THAT had escaped From
captivity. (Which were left" The
word left" points more specifically to
such as survived the prosecutions to
which the community at Jerusalem
had been exposed.
8. "In the province" OF Judea, now
province Of the Persian empire.
Great atfiction and reproach." Their
subjection to Persia forced itself OH
the Jews at every turn. The tribute
imposed on them was heavy burden
to poor people. Jewish recruits had
doubtless been forced into the Persian
armies. The country was pillagcd in
open day. and many Jews We're carried
into slavery by nightly surprises. while
the corpses of murdered men were Of
ten found on the road. "Wall--down."
The wall and houses had been de-
stroyed by NebuchadneZZar more than
40 years before (2 Kings 25:1O), and
| their rubbish still lay in sight. They
We're partially rebuilt ut one time (Ezra
4:12). The neighboring races. infur-
lated at the rejection of their friendly
offers of assistance by Ierubbabel,
years before, and still more so by EZ-
ra's recent act in sending back to their
homes all the wives Of non-JewiSh
races found in Jerusalem and Judca.
had attacked Jerusalem, and after
fierce struggles had broken down the
newly built walls and burned the gates.
III. Nehemiah prays for help Tvs. 4
~. /. "Wept." Perhaps now for the
first time deep keen sense OF his pco-
| pies 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.
and the sins which had brought them
to this low estate. which had not yet
been put away. Certain days" From
Chisleu to NiSan. four months, until
the king noticed his grief. "Fasted."
A token Of the genuineness Of his sor-
row. prayed" In earnest, protract-
ed prayer that God would favor the
purpose which he seems to have Sc
cretly formed Of asking the royal per-
mission to go to Jerusalem.
). "Beseech Thee" The prayer OF
Nehemiah deserves critical study as
model of blended alteration, invocation,
confession. supplication and confident
appeal covenant and mercy Cove
nant refers to Gods definite promises.
Mercy refers to His loving character.
which gives more than is pledged. q.
Observation-Disclosures OPEN Let Thine
! ear hear our confession and mercifully
pardon. Let Thine eye behold our suf-
fering 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 withdrew from his court duties and
spent time in retirement in most sin
cere sorrow II and my fathers
house" Nehemiah had q clear sense
of his identification with his people in
sin as in misery. Z. Dealt very cor
ruptly." Some of these sins are men,
| toned in Neh 5:1-7, 10. II; 1915; Ezra
| Oh; 2 Chron. 36:14-17. Command
ments." The moral precepts by which
| out lives should be regulated. "Stat-
utes." What refers to the rites and
ceremonies of thy religion. "Judg-
ments." The precepts of justice rela-
| tive to our conduct to each other
s. "If We transgress." This is noc
| quotation, but reference to the gem
| eral sense Of various passages. such as
| Lev. 26:27-3O; Deut. 2S:45-52, etc. The
fact that God had fulfilled His word OF
threatening was proof that He would
fulfill His word of promise. 0. "Turn
unto Me-" When We turn to sin God
turns to discipline; when we turn to
righteousness, He turns to mercy.
"Gather them" God had a place de-
voted to His people; this promise had
already been partially fulfilled.
10. "Thy servants" Who will dt-
vote themselves to do Thy will. "And
Thy people" With whom Thou hast
made covenant They are the descend
ants Of those whom Thou hast deliv-
cred from Egypt. II. who desire"
True desires are: 1. Constant not
flashes. 2. Hearty. strong and grow
ing. g. Include the favor Of God and
spiritual grace. 4. Regard the means
of salvation. "Prosper-Thy servant"
He had in mind to ask of King Artax-
erxes that he might go to Jerusalem
and help his people. He asked def
nitely for exactly what he wanted.
"Grant him mercy" Nehemiah prayed
that he might have favor in the sight
of the king "King's cupbearer" An
important officer, having charge of the
wines of the royal household, standing