The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1905-11-17

] TlME.-Neheniah heard OF desolanons
I OF Jerusalem IN the month Chisieu. Noyem-
Der or December. b. C. AS. IN twentieth year
/ OF Artsxer1es and thirteenth year after re-
| turn OF Ezra He obtained permission 70 60
10 Jerusalem IN following March. B. c. l4i.
PLACE.-Susa. or shushsn. the chief o.
/ the three capitals OF Persian empire, -
/ miles east OF Babylon.
| SCRIPTURE REFERENCES Study
| the prayers OF Abraham (Gen. 1890.
| Jacob Gen 2si0-22. compared with H3;
/ 52.24-3O. Moses (Er. S2il-4. so-55; c.iz-
/ 30. Solomon q Kings s:l2-si; 2 chron.
| sl-40. Elijah q Kings 1868; N;t-ltl.
/ HeEekiah asa. S7.ii-20; @I-9. Danis
/ (Dan. s.3-2O.
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.
V. 2. zone Of my brethren" Ha'
mani, an actual brother, whom he aft
erward appointed to position in Je-
rusalem (Neh. 7:2). Men Of Judah"
Rev. Yer. men out Of Judah" that
Is. recently come from judah and Je-
rusalem. THAT =. we're left OF the
captivity" That Is, Jews who had
been left in their native land when
others we're carried into captivity.
V. 3. In the province" In Judes.
at this time, province Of the Persian
empire. Great affection and re-
prosch:" They were in pitlable con
ditlon, and subject TO the scorn Of their
neighbors. wall .. broken down.
Nebuchsdnezzar had leyeled the
walls when he burned the city lao
years before. However, II Is likely
these men referred 10 recent burn
ing Of walls which the returned exiles
were striving to rebuild EZRA 4:l2).
V. 4. when I heard" This recital
brought the condition OF the city
viyldly before him. "Wept, mourned,
tasted, prayed" After the oriental
fashion, Nehemiah gave free express
sion 20 his grief But It led to prayer
10 the God who hears and answers.
The most ancient part Of Jerusalem's
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.
TASTED" Abstinence from luxuries
IS probably meant in this instance.
V. s. Il beseech thee" This prayer
Is found 10 consist OF alteration, con.
fession, pleading promises and petit
| ton. Il Is offered in reverence and
humility, and with strong faith. 20.
Lord" etc: Note the titles OF God
which Nehemiah uses, and how he
bases bis plea upon the character and
nature OF God. Great and terrible:" 4"
God is great enough to supply all our
need. lie IS terrible TO all that is evil
"Keepeth covenant" Fulhlls the
gracious promises He has made as
Jehovah to His chosen people.
V. 6. "Mayest hear" Better.
"hearken unto" AS bis prayer was
continuous, he would have Gods
hearkening continuous. DAY and
night" Nehemiah was persistent in
prayer 1--WE have sinned:" The sins
OF his race weigh upon him as his
/ own.
V. T. "Corruptly:" Wickedly
Against thee:" True repentance sor-
rows for sin, not because Of It's conse.
quences, but because II is against God.
Commandments, statutes, judg
ments:" An inclusive phrase. viewing
Gods law from every point
vs.. s, 3. The spirit Of many threat.
enings and promises IS summed up 10
these verses (LeN. 26:33-45; Deut
425-3i; 3O:1-5). Turn, keep do"
The verbs, keep. do. explain how to
return-that is. by keeping His Will in
our hearts and doing II in our lives
V. 10. Thou hast redeemed" This
PETERS specially 10 Gods redemption OF
His people from Egypt
v II. The prayer Of Thy servant
The use OF this term may be taken as
indication that Nehemiah stood ready
10 be used IN bringing answer TO his
prayer II God had need Of him. Thy
servants" All godly Jews we're pray
I ing 10 the same intent "Desire:"
Better in Revised Version. delight tc
fear Thy name" Prosper Thy sery
anti" Nehemiah seems 10 have formed
/ the purpose 10 ask OF the king leave
of absence from court, and permission
10 20 10 Jerusalem and rebuild rs
walls. This would seem unbeardoi
presumption on the part OF depend
ent But recognizing that "the kings
| heart Is IN the hand OF the Lord" be
prays God 10 prosper his undertak
ing. This man" The king, wht
has not yet been named In the boob
OF Nehemiah. Il was the kings cup
bearer" The duty Of cupbearer was
10 an the royal wine cup. and. sup
porting Il gracefully on three fingers.
10 hand lt dalntily TO the royal master.
Practical Points.
D. Y. 3. keprodchts cast upon AuIiht
or upon His people are keenly felt BY
both. Ps 500.
! V. 3. They only are safe who have
Almighty God for their protection
Zech. 2:5.
V. s. We show true faith and honor
God by persistence in prayer. Gen.
1926.
V. 7. We should not only confess
our general sinfulness. but should
mention before God our specific sins
| John lie.
VS.. God loves 70 have US plead Hii
promises. Isa- f3.2S.
No matter how long you have bad
the cough; lit hasn't already developed
into consumption DR.. Woods Norway