Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-02
for SUNDAY Scboob.
STAR LESSON FOR DECEMBER !,
BY Rev. !. E. Gilbert, DID,,

SECRETARY AMERICAN SOCIETY OF RErLGI, Us


COMMENTARIES his earnest prayer ioi
guidance and help. related In the lesson
of November 10. Nehemiah. at favorapie
opportunity. solicited and secured the
kings permission to go to the relief oi
Jerusalem. He carried with him letters IN
structing the keepers of the forest to fur
nish such timber as might be needed in the
proposed building. Shortly after his ar
rival he made an inspection of the city by
night, time when he would best be able
to judge It's defense. thus gaining per-
sonal knowledge of the actual conditions
The rulers of the city were then called to-
gether and urged to build the walls The
response was encouraging. The high
priest set the example, erecting the sheep
gate and consecratng 1t, and other priests
selected other sections, carrying forward
the work by easy stages on the cooperative
plan. Princes and the common people
united their labors with great unanimity
and with much Of the old-time devotion.
ENEMIES oversees 7-9.-During the
earlier sAges Of this work the builders We're
Knocked by their neighbors (verses I'D. AS
several previous attempts since the time OF
Zerubbabel had failed. they regarded this
as q foolish undertaking. But, as the walls
continued to rise, the reviling was turned
ballat, the chief Of the Samaritans, who
had been refused the privilege Of co-opera-
ton In the previous century QEzra iV:5).
and Tobiah, king of the Ammonites, who
had been for centuries enemies Of the Jews
Oil Kings. xxiv:N. led OF In this opposition.
A league was formed to fight against Jeru-
salem and prevent the completion of the
work. Four nations were joined - the
Samarltans, the Ammonites, the Arabians
end the Ashdodites-one on the north. one
on the south, one on the east and one on
the west thereby completely surrounding
the sacred city.
DEFENSE (verse 9)-This conspiracy
might have been expected psalm Ixxxiii:5).
1t has ever been the policy of the wicked
TO oppose the purpose Of the good Gohn
xv:9). Besides. IL the Jews prospered, the
surrounding peoples knew that their evil
doing would be exposed and their plans
would be frustrated psalm ii1-2). 1t is
probable, therefore, that Nehemiah and his
associates were neither surprised nor dis
heartened on account of this league, but
they addressed themselves at once to meas
ures of defense psalm xxvii:aD. Opposition
always brings out the true qualities Of
man, and it was so on this occasion. Two
methods were employed to meet the emer-
gency, I've have made our prayer unto
God" says the historian. This was the
most appropriate beginning One comes to
his best only by prayer Whatever result
there may be of his petitions he is strength
ened by laying hold on the infinite. But
prayer was supplemented by prudential
measures. Watchers were stationed by day
and by night upon the wall.
WEAKNESS (verse 1O).-It must not be
thought that all the Jews were courageous
and confident. The misfortunes of a CEN
fury could not be forgotten. Many, look
ing about them, found encouragement on
every hand. The ruins of the old walls and
of the buildings which their fathers had
occupied were scattered like rubbish, which
It appeared no one could remove. Besides,
the men of strength who had borne the
burdens. were becoming weak. unable
longer to raise the great stones even with
such machinery as they had, and deposit
them in their appropriate places. And
Judah, the foremost Of the tribes in whom
centered all hope Gen. xlix:10), from whom
Judah grew faint-hearted, confessed weak
ness and was ready to abandon the enter
prise If possible this condition was cause
Tor greater anxiety than the presence OF ex-
ternal foes Matt. x:3G).
2 INTRIGUE oversees 11-12).-Whle these
discouraging words were spoken within the
city the enemies without devised their
plans Of mischief. They determined not 10
attack the place. knowing that the result
would be uncertain, but to steal IN quietly,
distributing themselves about the city, and
at an appointed time or signal 10 rise up to-
gether and slaughter the people. This was
a favorite mode of warfare in ancient
times. To come unawares upon an adver-
sary and deal sudden and fatal blow was
a proof Of cunning rather than of bravery.
Fortunately this intrigue was freely dis
cussed by the enemy and became known
thereby TO the Jews who lived outside the
CITY, and they came In and reported to their
brethren what they had heard. 1t seems
also that they who gave this warning while
they did it in a friendly spirit, felt that the
city was in great peril.
COURAGE Oversees 12-1f.-A stout
heart beat in the breast of Nehemiah, and he
proved himself equal to the occasion. AS
a precaution against surprise from any foes