The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-11-16

Golden Text. James W., 16-Memory
Verses, 8, 9-Commentary OH the Days
Lesson.
I. Nehemiah hears of the distress in
Jerusalem Tvs. 1-3J. l. The words Of
Nehemiah" Rather the narrative OH
record. Son Of Hachaliah." Proba-
bly, the tribe Of Judah and of the royal
family of David. He was cupbearer
to King ArtaXerXes at Shushan. the
capital. This title implied that Nehe-
miah was councillor, statesman, cOur-
tier and favorite. For twelve years he
was Governor Of Judea, leading great
religious revival and rebuilding the
walls Of Jerusalem. At the end Of
twelve years he 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. The
Hebrew months varied according to
the moon. Twentieth year" or the
reign Of Artaxerxes Longimanus, who
reigned from B. C. 465 to 423. 1t was
under this king that Ezra was granted
letters to go to Jerusalem. 2. Han
AMI" His own brother. to whom he af-
terward gave the charge Of the gates
Of Jerusalem chapter 7:2). Game"
From Jerusalem to Shushan. Il asked
them" Respecting Jerusalem and its
people. That had escaped From
captivity. Which were left" The
word left" points more specifically to
such as survived the prosecutions to
which the community at Jerusalem
had been exposed.
3. I'm the province" OF Judea. now
province of the Persian empire.
Great affiiction and reproach." Their
subjection to Persia forced itself on
the Jews at every turn. The tribute
imposed on them was a heavy burden
to a 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. "WaI-down.'
The wall and houses had been de-
stroyed by Nebuchadnezzar more than
40 years before e 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 Ez-
ra's recent act in sending back to their
homes all the wives Of non-Jewish
races found in Jerusalem and Judea,
had attacked Jerusalem, and after
fierce struggles had broken down the
newly built walls and burned the gates.
II. Nehemiah prays for help Tvs. f.
III. 4. "Wept."n 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.
nd the sins which had brought them
to this low estate, which had not yet
been put away. Certain days" From
Chisleu to Nisan. four months, until
the king noticed his grief. "Fasted."
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 Sc
cretly formed of asking the royal per-
mission to 90 to Jerusalem.
5. "Beseerh Thee" The prayer Of
Nehemiah deserves critical study as a
model Of blended alteration. invocation,
confession. supplication and confident
appeal. Covenant and mercy" Cove
nant refers to Gods definite promises.
Mercy refers to His loving character.
which gives more than is pledged. g.
ar-atteptive-earso open" Let Thine
ear hear our confession and mercifully
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.
He withdrew from his court duties and
spent time in retirement in most sin
cere sorrow. Il and my fathers
house" Nehemiah had 4 clear sense
Of his identification with his people in
sin as in misery. {. Dealt very cor
ruptly.s Some Of these sins are men,
toned in Neh. 5:1-7. 10. IL; 1915; Ezra
OIL; - Chron. 3G:14-1I. Command
ments." The moral precepts by which
out lives should be regulated. Stat
uteS." What refers to tie rites aud
ceremonies Of thy religion. "Judg-
ments." The precepts Of justice rela-
tive to our conduct to each other.
S. IF ye transgress." This is not a
quotation. but a reference to the gen.
eral sense of various passages, such as
Lev. 26:27-3O; Deut. 2S:45-52. etc. The
fact that God had fulfilled His word of
threatening was q proof that He would
fulfill His word Of promise. Q. Turn
unto Me-" When we turn to sin God
turns to discipline; when We turn to
Righteousness, He turns to mercy.
Gather them" God had q place de-
voted to His people: this promise had
already been partially fulfilled.
10. "Tny servants" Who will de-
vote themselves to do Thy will. And
Thy people" With whom Thou hast
made covenant. They are the descend
ants Of those whom Thou hast deliv-
cred from Egypt. II. who desire"
True desires ire. l. Constant, not
fiasner strong and grow
ing. favor Of God and
ST Regard the means
sper-Thy servant"
ask of King ArtaI-
I go to Jerusalem
at He asked def.
nit-- ~ hat he wanted.
"Granf him Nehemiah prayed
chat ba ,pioSH,ea favor in the sight