Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-11-30
THE SUNDAY ISCH00L
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR DECEMBER 3
Subject: Nehemiah Rebuilis tho Walls Of
Jerusalem, Nch. iv., 7-2O-Golden Text,
Matt. XVII, 4l-MenOry Verses, 10. 20
documentary on the Days Lesson.


Jerusalem. Nch. w., 7-2O-Golden Text,
Matt. XVII, 4l-Memory Verses, 10. 20
documentary on the Days Lesson.
l. A conspiracy Tvs. Z, g.
! Z. "Sanballat." An officer of the
| Persian Government, holding mill
tary command at Samaria. He was a
native of the land of Moab; therefore
his hatred to the Jews. "Tobiah." A
descendant of the hated race of Am
monites. "Arabians." Headed prob
ably by Goshen, and in league with
the Samaritans against the Jews. Read
66. The building of the wall was con-
strued into design to fortify them
selves and then revolt and become an
Independent State. "Ashdodites." In
habitants of Ashdod, one of the great
cities of the Philistine plain. s. Con
spired" The enemies Of the Jews were
so bitterly opposed to the rebuilding Of
the walls that they employed every
form of opposition in their power.
III. Praying and watching Tvs. Old.
0. Nevertheless" Notwithstanding
the conspiracy and all other discOur-
agements. made our prayer" Nehe-
miah was conscious that he was work
ing according to Gods will, and he
knew the source of power. "Set
watch" Opposite to the place where
they were encamped. probably on the
north side of the city. Faith and works
90 together. Watching and praying.
weak when apart, Gibraltar of
strength when united. 10. Judah
said" That is, the returned captives.
| >r Of tbn f,iha nf
dab. This verse expresses the despair
of the little nation. Many of the peo-
pie had no heart for the work; some OF
the mobiles were in correspondence
with the enemies U:17-19. Even the
hiSh priest had relationship with hos
Tile foreigners Ammonites-Tobiah and
his son married Jewish women), and
gave them favors Q3:4. 5, 2S).
"Stren ngth-decayed." From the ex-
tent of the work, the fewness of the
laborers. and the exhaustion of their
physica! powers they seemed unable
to complete their task. Not able"
Their statements were probably cor
rect, but their conclusion was wrong.
They were able to build the wall, and
they did it, II. "Adversaries sad.'
In this verse Nehemiah c0ndenses the
hostile utterances of their enemies.
! IhiS would cause Il constant and dis
heartening fear.
III. Precautions taken Tvs. 12-l4.
-. Jews which dwet by them"
Those who dwelt among the Samari.
tanS and other enemies and found out
their evil designs. They were anxious
to have their friends and kinsmen re-
turn to their homes and families. "Ten
times" Equivalent to again and
again" "Ye must return R. W
Leave the work and go home because
of the threatened danger. 13. Lower
| places" Within the wall where it was
not yet raised to its due height. and
therefore most liable to the enemies
assault. "IIigher places Where the
wall was finished and towers were set
from whence they might shoot arrows
or throw stones. This would show the
enemy that they were fully prepared
for their intended assault and would
give notice that their secret plan was
known. after their families In
family groups, so that the men that
guarded the wall had their kinsmen
nearest them. Thus the soldiers need
not be distracted by anxiety for their
families. for those whom they desired
to defend were at hand. IA. BE not
We afraid" The pagan allies had
Joined their forces: their army was adj.
vancing and doubtless in sight, and an
attack impending. when Nehemiah
made this short, stirring appeal. No
conflict followed. for the enemy saw
from a distance that the whole people
awaited them in perfect order and
equipment so they lost heart and
turned back. Remember the Lord"
The best of all arguments for patriotic
courage.
". Working and watching Tvs. 10
20D. Ii. I'VE returned, all Of us, to
the wall" EODle persistence in a good
purpose. The momentary withdrawal
from the work to be ready for the
Lords battle had neither changed their
purpose nor dampencd their ardor.
1G. "NIy servants" Probably spe-
cial band of men given as personal
guards, by either the King of Persia
or the people at Jerusalem. "Half-
wrought-half-he This is no unu-
sual thing. even in the present day in
Palestine: people sowing their seed are
often attended hy an armed man, TO
prevent the Arabs from rObSlng them
of their seed. which they will not fail
to do if not protected. "HabergeonS
An old English word for coat-Of-mail.
from "halo" meck) and bergen ito
protect, "Ruers-behind." The chiefs
stood behind the laborers stationed at
/ different places along the wall. direct
ing and encouraging them, ready to
lead on the armed force if an attack
was made upon the laborers.
II. "They which builded." Masons,
bricklayers and the like. They that
bare burdens" The carriers Of mate
rial IS. "That sounded the trumpet"
The workmen la, 'ored with trowel IN
one hand and sword in the other;
and as they were far removed from
each other, Nehemiah, who was night
and day on the spot, kept a trumpeter
by his side. so that on any intelligence
of surprise being brought to him an
alarm might be Immediately sounded
and assistance rendered to the most
distant detachment of their brethren.
10. 20. "And l said" etc. BY these
vigilant precautions the counsels OF the
enemy were defeated and the work
was carried on. God, when He has I'M
portant public work to do, never fails
to rnse up Instruments for accomplish
ing It. The work was completed In the
! brief time of fifty-twO days 6.15), end
ing the last of September. The walls
must have been three or four miles
long to reach around the city.