The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-11-29
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR DECEMBER 3. -
Subject: Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls OF
Jerusalem. Neh. w., 7-2o-Golden Text,
Natt. xvi, 4l-Menory Verses. 10. 90
documentary on the Days Lesson.

i. a conspiracy Tvs. Z, D..
Z. "Sanballat." An officer of the
Persian Government, holding a mill
tary command at Samaria. He was q
native of the land of Moab; therefore
his hatred to the Jews. '"Tobiah." A
descendant Of the hated race of Am
monites. "Arabians." Headed prob
ably by Goshen, and in league with
the Samaritans against the Jews. Read
&c. The building of the wall was con-
strued into a design to fortify them
selves and then revolt and become an
Independent State. ,"~Ashdodites." In
habitants of Ashdod, one of the great
cities of the Philistine plain. s. Con
spired." The enemies Of the Jews were
SO bitterly opposed to the rebuilding of
the walls that they employed every
form of opposition in their power.
II. Praying and watching Tvs. 9-11).
o. Nevertheless" Notwithstanding
the conspiracy and all other discour-
agements. MAD u prayer" Nehe-
miah was conscious that he was work
ing according to Gods will, and be
knew the source of power. "Set a
watch" Opposite to the place where
they were cncamped, probably on the
north side of the city. Faith and works
go together. Watching and praying.
weak when apart, a Gibraltar of
strength when united. 10. Judah
said" That is, the returned captives,
most Of whom were of the tribe of Ju-
dab. This verse expresses the despair
Of the little nation. Many of the peo-
pie had no heart for the, work; some Of
the mobiles were in correspondence
with the enemies B:17-19). Even the
high priest had relationship with hos
tile foreigners (Ammonites-Tobiah and
his son married Jewish women), and
gave them favors' Q3:4, 5, 28).
ACKNOWLEDGMENT" From the ex-
tent of the work, the fewness of the
laborers, and tie exhaustion of their
physical powers they seemed unable
to complete their task. Not able"
Their statements were probably cor.
rect, but their conclusion was wrong.
They were able to build the wall, and
they did it. II. Anniversaries said,
In this verse Nehemiah condenses the
hostile %utterances Of their enemies.
This would cause"a constant and dis.
hcarteniEg fear.
III. Precautions taken Tvs. 12-14).
IL. Jews which dwelt by them"
Those who dwelt among the Samari-
tans and other enemies and found out
their evil designs. They were anxious
to have their friends and kinsmen re-
turn to their homes and families. Ten
times" Equivalent to again and
again." "Ye must return" II. w
Leave the work and go home because
If the threatened danger. Is. Lower
places" Within the wall where it was
not yet raised to it's due height, and
therefore most liable to the eI.emies'
assault. Higher places" Where the
wall was finished and towers were set.
from whence they might shoot arrows
Or throw stones. This would show the
anemy that they were fully prepared
TOR their intended assault and would
give notice that their secret plan was
known. AFTER their families" In.
family groups, go that the men that
guarded the wall had their kinsmen
nearest them. Thus the soldiers need
not be distracted by anxiety for their
families for those whom they desired
TO defend were at hand. IA. BE not
We afraid" The pagan allies had
Joined their forces: their army was ad-
vancing and doubtless in, sight, and an
attack impending, when Nehemiah
made this short, stirring appeal. No
conflict followed, for. the enemy saw
from a distance that the whole people
awaited them in perfect order and
equipment: so they lost heart and
turned back. Remember the Lord"
The best OF all arguments for patriotic
courage.
". Working and watching Tvs. 10
2O). 10. 1--WE returned. all of us, to
the wall" Noble persistence in a good
purpose. The momentary withdrawal
from the work to be ready for the
Lords battle had neither changed their
purpose nor dampened their ardor.
1G. MY servants" Probably a spe-
cial band of men given as personal
guards. by either the King of Persia
or the people at Jerusalem. Half
wrought-half-held." This is no unu-
.sual thing. even in the present day IN
Palestine; people sowing their seed are
often attended by an armed man, to
prevent the Arabs from robbing them
of their seed; which they will not fail
to do if not protected. "HabergeonS."
An old English word. for coat-of-mal,
from halo" neck. and bergen ito
protect. "Rulers-behind." The chiefs
stood behind the laborers stationed at
different places along the wall, direct
ing and encouraging them, ready to
lead on the armed force if an attack
was made upon the laborerS.
II. They which builded." Masons,
bricklayers and the like. They that
bare burdens" The carriers OF mate
rial. IS. That sounded the trumpet
The workmen labored with a troWel in
one hand and a. sword in the other;
and as they were:>'far, removed from
each other. Nehemiah. who was night
and day on the spot, kept a trumpeter
by his side, so that on any intelligence
of 4 surprise being brought to him an
alarm might be Immediately sounded
ard assistance rendered to the most
distant detachment of their brethren.
10. 90. And l said" etc. BY these
ylsilant~ precautions the counSels OF the
enemy were defeated and the work
was carried OIL. God. when He has inn
portant public work to do, never fails
to raise up instruments for accomplish
ing it. The work was completed IN the
brief time of flfty"two Gays GID, end
ing the last Of September. The walls
must lave been three or four miles
lonr 10 reach around the city.
fzaIr GROWS on HANS Tongue.