The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-11-16
NEHEMIAH'S
PRAYER
Sunday School Lesson for Nov. is, 1905
Specially Prepared for This Paper.
LESSON TEXT. T.-Nehemiah i:1-1i. Mem

TIME.-Nehemia heard of desolations
or Jerusalem In the month Chisleu, Novem-
Der or December, b. c. as, in twentieth year
| OF Artaxerxes, and thirteenth year after re-
turn OF Ezra He obtained permission to go
to Jerusalem in following March, B. G. 444.
PLACE.--susa, or Shushan, the chief of
the three capitals of Persian empire, 250
miles east Of Babylon.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES STUDY
the prayers of Abraham (Gen. 1s:23-Ss).
Jacob (Gen. 2s:10-22 compared with 35:s;
| 32:A-32. Moses (Ex. 32:11-14, 1896; 33:12-
20 Solomon q Kings s:12-ei Chron.
| 6:1-42). Elijah q Kings 1s:36-3S; 19a-1O.
Hezekiah lisa. H:14-2o; 1919. Daniel
| Dan. 9:3-2T
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
" 1. THE words Of Nehemiah"
Rather, the record of Nehemiah. This
superscription to this portion of Ezra.
Nehemiah was necessary to make
plain that what Immediately follows
is from the private. diary of Nehe-
miah. "Cbisleu:" The month corre-
spending with our December. "Twen-
tieth year." The twentieth year of
the reign of Artaxerxes.
v. 2. "One 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 :. were left of the
captivity" That is, Jews who had
been left in their native land when
others were carried into captivity.
v. 9. "In the province:" In Judea,
at this time, a province Of the Persian
empire. Great affliction and re-
proach:" They we're in pitlable con-
dition, and subject to the scorn Of their
neighbors. wall :. broken down."
Nebuchadnezzar had leveled the
walls when he burned the city 40
years before. However. II is likely
these men referred to a recent burn
ing Of walls which the returned exiles
were striving to rebuild ezra 4:12).
V. 4. when I 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 Il led to prayer
to 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.
"Fasted:" Abstinence from luxuries
is probably meant in this instance.
". 5. "I beseech thee" This prayer
is found to consist of alteration, con-
fession, pleading promises and petit
tlon. II is offered in reverence and
humility, and with strong faitn. 20.
Lord" ETC.: Note the titles of God
which Nehemiah uses, and how he
bases his plea upon the character and
nature of God. Great and terrible: "
God Is great enough to supply all orr
need. He is terrible to all that Is evil.
"Keepeth covenant" Fulfills the
gracious promises He has made as
Jehovah to His chosen people.
v. 6. "Mayest hear" Better,
"hearken unto" As his 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. Z. "Corruptly:" Wickedly.
Against thee" True repentance sor-
rows for sin, not because OF its conse-
quences, but because 1t is against God
Commandments, statutes, judg.
ments:" An inclusive phrase, viewing
Gods law from every point.
VS.. s. 9. The spirit Of many threat.
enings and promises is summed up in
these verses (Lev. 26:33.45; Deut
4:25.31; 30:1-5). Turn. keep do:'
The verbs, keep. dc. explain how to
return-that is, by keeping His will in
our hearts and doing 1t In our lives
v. 10. "Thou hast redeemed" This
refers specially to 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
to be used In bringing answer to his
prayer II God had need of him. THY
servants" All godly Jews were pray
, ing to the same intent. ''Desire:'
Better in Revised Version. delight to
fear Thy name" prosper Thy serv
anti" Nehemiah seems to have formed
the purpose to ask of the king leave
Of absence from court, and permission
to 20 to Jerusalem and rebuild Its
walls. This would seem unheard-oi
presumption on the part Of depend
ent. But recognizing that "the kings
| ta In, hn nf Asl IA.
prays God to prosper his undertak
ing "This man" The king. who
has not yet been named In the bool
of Nehemiah. 81 was the kings cup
bearer" The duty of a cupbearer was
to fll the royal wine cup, and. sup
porting 1t gracefully on three fingers
to hand 1t daintily to the royal master
Practical Points.
v. 3. Reproaches cast upon Christ
or upon His people are keenly felt b,
I both. Ps. 600.
V. 3. They only are safe who have
Almighty God for their protection
zech. 2;5,
God by persistence in prayer. Gen
! 1926.
| V. 7. We should not only confss,
; our general sinfulness, but SHOULD
! mention before God our specific sins
; John l:9.
t v. 8. God loves to have us plead Hi
promises. lisa. 1926.
"l'll die If you don't marry me -
IL. i. Il. L