The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1905-11-17
NEHEMIAH'S
PRAYER
Sunday School Lesson Tor Nov le. 1905
Specially PREPARED fer This Paper
Specially Prepared for This Paper.

or jerusalem IN the month Chiseu, NoVem-
Der or December. Il. c. AS. In twentieth year
OF Artaxerxes. and thirteenth year after re-
turn OF Ezra. lie obtained permission TO go
to Jerusalem IN following March. Il. G. So
PLACE.-Susa. or shushan. the chief 81
the three capitals OF Persian empire, 20
miles east Of Babylon.
SCRIPTURE EXPERIENCES. STUDY
the prayers OF Abraham (Gen. h.zS-sD
Jacob (Gen 2S.i0-22 compared with so.S'
80 2i-32). Moses eek S21l-l4. S0-S5; 1912.
~. Solomon q Kings S;i2-6l; 2 Chron
e1-49). Elijah q Kings 1865; g4-lO
Hezekiah lisa. Slf-O; sSl-O- Daniel
(Dan $3.50.
Comment and Suggestive Thought
V. /. THE words OF Nehemiah"
Rather. the record OF Nehemiah. This
superscription to this portion OF Ezra
Nehemiah was necessary 10 make
plain that what Immediately follows
Is from the private diary of Nehe
miah. "Chisleu:" The month CORE
spending with our December. "Twen.
tieth year." The twentieth year OF
the reign OF Artaxerxes.
" 2 zone Of my brethren" Ha
mani. an actual brother, whom he aft
erward appointed to position In Je
rusalem (Neh. 1920. Men g Judah:
Rev. Yer. "Men out OF judah" that
is, recently come from Judah and Je
rusalem. That were LETT OF the
captivity" That is, Jews VINO had
been left in their native land when
Others were carried into captivity.
V. 3. "In the province" In Judea,
at this time, a province OF the Persian
empire. Great affliction and re
proach:" They were in a pitiabie con
dition. and subject to the scorn OF their
neighbors. "Wall =. broken down"
Nebuchadnezzar had leveled the
walls when he burned the city 14O
years before. However. 1t is likely
these men referred to recent burn
ing of walls which the returned exilea
were striving to rebuild ezra 4:l2),
V. 4. when | heard" This recital
brought the condition OF the city
vividly before him. "Wept. mourned
tasted, prayed" After the oriental
fashion, Nehemiah gave free express
sion to his grief. But 1t led to prayer
TO the God who hears and answers
The most ancient part Of Jerusalems
wall still standing is. to this very day
a wailing place where Jewish patriots
lament the desolation of their loved
city. Certain days" Four months
Pasted" Abstinence from Injuries
Is probably meant in this instance.
". Il beseech thee" This prayer
Is found 10 consist OF alteration, con
fession, pleading promises and peti
ton. 1t is offered in reverence anC
humility. and with strong faith. 20
Lard etc: Note the titles OF Coo
which Nehemiah uses. and how HI
bases his plea upon the character anC
nature of Cod. Great and terrible;'
God is great enough to supply all oui
need He Is terrible TO all that Is evil
"Keepeth covenant" Fulhls th'
gracious promises He has made a.
, Jehovah TO His chosen people.
v. 6. "Mayest hear" Better
"bearken unto" AS his prayer wa
continuous. he would have God
hearkening continuous. DAY an
night" Nehemiah was persistent II
nrayer. "We have sinned:" The sin
OF his race weigh upon him as nj
own.
, v 7. "Corruptly:" Wickedly
AGAINST thee" True repentance sol
rows for sin. not because of its conse
ouences. but because it is against God
i commandments, statutes. judE
: ments:" An inclusive phrase, viewin
Gods law from every point.
VS. s. 9. The spirit of many threat
, enings and promises Is summed up 4
: these verses CLev. 26:33-45; Deu
|. 4.25-s1: 3O:1-5). Turn. keep do:
: The verbs, keep. do. explain how
I return-that is. by keeping His will ]
our hearts and doing il in our live
v. 10. Thou hast redeemed" Thi
refers specially to Gods redemption
His people from Egypt.
v IL. The prayer of Thy servant:
The use of this term may be taken Q
indication that Nehemiah stood read
TO be used in bringing answer to h
PRAYER IL God had need OF him. III
servants" All godly Jews were pra
ing to the same intent. Desire:
Retter in Revised Version, delight
fear Thy name" Prosper Thy ser
ant Nehemiah seems 70 have forme
the purpose to ask C: tie king lea'
OF absence from court, and permissic
10 60 to Jerusalem and rebuild
walls. This would seem unheard-
presumption on the part of a Deepen
ent. But recognizing that the kine
heart is in the hand of the Lord"
- prays God to prosper his underta
. ing. This man." The king, WI
!. has not yet been named in the boz
- OF Nehemiah. Il was the kings GU
= bearer" The duty OF cupbearer W
a TO I'll the royal wine cup. and. su
- porting IT gracefully on three fingel
:. 10 hand II daintily to the royal mast'
- Practical Points.
". 3. Reproaches cast upon Chr
or upon His people are keenly felt
both. Ps. G9:9.
r. v. 3. They only are safe who ha
an Almighty God for their protectiC
- | eorh Ok