The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-12-01
Nehemiah RebuiIds
Walls of Jerusalem
Sunday School Lesson Tor Dec. 3,I9O5
Specially Prepared for This Paper
Specially Prepared for This Paper.

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DRY verses 10, 20.
GOLDEN TEXT.-"Watch and pray
| Matt 26:41.
TIME.-After his four months journey
! to Jerusalem. Nehemiah spent three days
examining the conditions in the city, and
] following this % days were spent in repair
ing the wall.
PLACE-Shushan and Jerusalem.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES. The
Mind to. Work.-The Tabernacle. Eek. So 20
| 20; 36:1-7. Hezekiah. Chron. 29:3O-S6; 81 a
II Josiah. Chron. 34:S-l2; 35:S Zerub-
babel, Ezra 3:5. In the New Testament
Mark 12:41-4i; Cor. S;l2 1868.
The Leaders Leading Tabernacle, Eek
s5:T. 2s Mum. Z Solomons Temple, /
Chron. 2S:29; Chron. "a. Hezekiah, 2
! Chron. 29:20-36. Josiah. Chron. BALI, 20
80; S5:71l. Paul. Rom 15:25-2s; Cor. 40.
In Spite Of Opposition from Sneers and
Ridicule.-Joseph, Gen. S7:l9, 20. David, /
Sam. 17:2S, etc; Sam. 5:6-S Christ Matt
1S:54-57; Mark 15:16-2O; Luke S:52-a. Dis
ciples Acts 2:12-15.
From Slander-David. Sam. 6:l2-2S.
jeremiah, Jer. BILLIE; Ss1-6. Jews, Esther
S:S, 3; Christ, Matt 9:3J; 1853. stephen,
Acts 6:l1-15: Paul. Acts "a SIS.
From scouragement.-Israe in Egypt,
Elk 51O-23; Israel in the Wilderness, Mum.
13:26-14:5. Elijah, l Kings 19:4-lS.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
V. Z. "Sanballat:" The leader of the
Samaritan community. "Tobiah:"
An Ammonite. The Arabians:
Arabs Of the desert. "Ashdodites:
Philistines from Ashdod, a city on
the Mediterranean coast All these
natural foes of one another united for
the purpose of attacking the Jews.
When any good work is undertaken
Satan's allies for the time unite to re-
sist it,
V. 8. "Conspired: Meaning ito
breathe together" as singers may be
said to breathe in unison. 1t is the
word used for any secret treachery.
ITO come and fight" They arranged
to make an attack upon the city. ITO
hinder it," Rev. Yer, cause con-
fusion therein" To terrify the timid,
and discourage those already disaf-
fected.
V. 8. Made our prayer d.. set a
watch" Work and prayer were
united, as the blades of a pair of
scissors. Watchfulness without prayer
is presumption, and prayer without
watchfulness is mockery. Because
of them" Rather, lover against
them" Opposite to the point at which
attack was looked for.
V. 10. Nehemiah enumerates his
three sources of encouragement %
Workers became weary and disheart-
ened, or were in secret sympathy with
the enemy ". 10). (2) The enemy
boosted, threatened and planned to
surprise them (v. ID. CD Jews Of
neighboring towns came repeatedly
with tales of the plots of the enemy,
and tried 20 draw away their towns
men who were assisting (N. ~.
V. Il. Our adversaries said" etc.
The plan Of the adyersaries seems to
have been to watch and surprise, rath-
er than TO make an open attack.
V. u. (which dwelt . said"
Those Jews who resided in neighbor-
ing towns came repeatedly to tell
workers in Jerusalem of the threats
and plans of the enemy, and to ex-
hort, their fellow-townsmen to return
for the protection of their own homes.
V. Is. Therefore: SO many diff
compelled IN part TO suspend his
building operations, and now showed
his ability as a general in preparing
for defense.
V. II. Looked" Inspected the
guards Rose up" Stood 10 order
the forces, as he saw the enemy ap-
preaching. Remember the Lord"
/ iC
rely wholly upon God. and for the
present occasion the thought that God
is great and terrible" to His foes
and the foes of His people would be
a most stimulating one.
V. 10. when our enemies heard,
etc. The enemies, finding themselves
unable TO take the city unawares,
seemed for a time to abandon their
purpose. God had brought their
counsel TO naught: Vain are the
cOunsels Of those who plot against
God Cps. 2:1-D.
" 1G My servants" The gov
errors bodyguard, which probably
consisted of a large company of slaves
he had brought from Susa.
V. 10. OWOIu SlIutu ny HIS oluC'
This weapon was used for fighting an
enemy at close range, and could be
borne at the side, and yet not hinder
the work of the builders
V. 10. Mobiles and rulers" He
seems to have given places of promi-
hence to recognised leaders among the
people, and to have endeavored to arouse
the patriotism and keep up the energy
of those that might encourage their
followers.
" 90. 'In what place resort
thither:" The agreement was that
when the trumpet should be heard,
work was to stop Immediately and all
gather to the point whence it sound
ed, prepared for battle. A Divine
promise was connected with the use
Of the trumpet in battle (Num 1920.
It's blast therefore, reminded the com.
batants that God was with them.
Practical Points.
V. S. Not all the forces Of earth
and hell can overthrow what God up.
dc-Dc OBJ