The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1905-11-15
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER i9.

-Colden Text. James W., f6- Memory
Verses, =, 9--Conmeniary on the Days
Lesson.
L. Nehemiah hears of the distress in
Jerusalem (vs. 1-3). /. "The words OF
Nehemiah.' Rather the narrative on
record. 'Son of Hnchalah" probg-
bly, the tribe Of Judah and of the royai
FAMILY of David. He was cupbenrer
to King Artaxcrxes at Shushau. the
capital. This title implied that Nele.
miah was a councillor statesman cour-
tier and favorite. For twelve years he
was Governor of Judea. leading n rreat
religious revival aud rebuilding the
walls of Jerusalem. At the end OF
twelve years be 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. Tho
Hebrew months varied according TO
the moon. Twentieth year" or The
reign of Artaxerxes Longlmanus. who
reigned from Il. G. 465 to 423. II was
under this king that Ezra was granted
letters to 20 to Jerusalem. = Han
AM" His own brother. 10 whom he af
terward gave the charge of the gates
OF Jerusalem (chapter 10 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 specificaliy to
such as survived the prosecutions to
which the community at Jerusalem
had been exposed.
3. I'm the province" or Judea. now
province of the Persian empire.
Great affliction and reproach." Their
subJection to Persia forced itself OH
the Jews at every turn. The tribute
imposed on them was n heavy burden
TO poor people. Jewish recruits had
doubtless been forced into the Persian
armies. The country was pillaged in
open day. and many Jews were carried
into slavery by nightly surprises. while
the corpses Of murdered men were Of
ten found on the road. "Wal,-down."
The wall and houses had been de-
Stroyed by Nebuchadnezzar more than
14O years before q Kings 25:1O). and
their rubbish still lay in sight. They
were partially rebuilt at one time ezra
4:12). The neighborlng races. infur-
lated at the rejection of their friendly
offers of assistance by Zerubbabel,
years before. and still more so by En-
ra's recent act in sending back TO their
homes all the wives of non-Jewlsh
races found in Jerusalem and Judea.
had attacked Jerusalem. and after
fierce struggles had broken down the
newly built walls and burned the gates.
III. Nehemiah prays for help Tvs. A.
III. 4. "Wept" Perhaps now for the
first time deep, keen sense of his peo-
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 vet
been put away. Certain days" From
Chisleu to Nisan. four months. until
the king noticed his grief TASTED"
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 se-
cretly formed of asking the royal per-
mission to go to Jerusalem
.. "Beseech Thee" The prayer OF
Nehemiah deserves critical study as a
model of blended alteration. invocation.
confession. supplication and confident
appeal. Covenant and mercy" Cove
=.
Mercy refers to His loving character.
which gives more than is pledged g.
observation-disclosures open" Let Thine
ear hear our confession and merclfully
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.
a Nyt he ,l,,t
spent time in retirement in most sin
cere sorrow. Il 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
D:1; Chron. 36:14-1T. Command
ments." The moral precepts by which
out lives should be regulated. "Stat-
ntes." What refers to the rites and
OF thy religion. "Judg-
ments." The precepts of justice rela-
tive to our conduct to each other.
s. IF We tranSgress." This is not
quotation. but reference to the gen
eral sense of various passages, such as
Lev. 26:27-30; Deut. 2S:45-52 etc. The
fact that God had fulfilled His word of
was proof that He would
fulfill His word of promise. .. "Turn
unto Me-" When we turn TO sin God
turns to discipline; when we turn to
He turns 20 mercy.
'Gather them God had q place de-
voted to His people; this promise had
already been partially fulfilled.
10. Thy servants Who will de-
vote themselves TO do Thy will And
Thy people" With whom Thou hast
made covenant. They are the descend
lnts of those whom Thou hast deliv-
cred from Egypt. II. who desire"
True desires are: 1. Constant. not
iashes. 2. Hearty, strong aud grow
ng. 3. Include the favor OF God and
,plritual grace. 4. Regard the means
# salvation. "Prosper-Thy servant"
lie had in mind to ask of King Artax-
'rxes that he might go TO Jerusalem
nd help his people. He asked defl-
lltely for exactly what he wanted.
Grant him mercy" Nehemiah prayed
hat he might have favor in tho sight
f the king. "Kings cupbearer." IN
Important officer. having charge Of the
vines of the royal household. standing
y the kings side at meals. and sip
ing from the cup to proY- that 1t was
ot poisoned.