The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1911-12-09
LESSON
Number X., International Series.
For Dec. 10.
NEHEMIAH AND HIS ENEMIES.
Senior Bsrean Lesson, Nehemiah vi.
Golden Text, the Lord 10 the Strength
Of My Life; Of Whom Shall ! 30
Afraid7 psalm xvii, ~


Of My Life; Of Whom Shall Be-
Afraid7 psalm xvii. ~
Verses 1-4.-Conspiracy defeated.
Nehemiah was more than match
for his enemies. They had tried open
opposition and had failed. Now they
resorted to measures Of fraud. but
they were not skilled manipulators.
Their methodsJ of attack were too pet
ty and pueri 10 to make any impress
sion. "No breach left therein" The
work on the walls was about complet-
ed. and all that remained to be done
was to "set up the doors upon the
gates" These were heavy doors COW
cred with bronze. They inserted on
pivots which were attached to the
gateway entrance Of stone and which
were constructed with roof and upper
chamber for the watchmen I'll Sam.
xviii, 24). This work had been post
poned owing to the time and expense
until the wall proper had been com
pleted. The enemy realized that their
last chance had come, but happily they
failed to improve It to their wicked ad-
vantage. "They thought to do me mis-
chief" A sudden change Of attitude
from enmity to warm friendship was
naturally suspected by the keen Nehe
miah. They invited him to confer
ence in zone Of the villages" outside
Of the city limits 'in the plain of Ono"
about twenty miles to the north of
Jerusalem and involving an absence of
several days. Their object was clear
ly to assassinate him, but with char
acteristic courtesy and firmness he re-
piled that such meeting was impos-
sible. why should the work cease?"
The urgency and Importance Of his
present undertaking We're such that
nothing must be allowed to interrupt
1t. -Four times" His determination
was at least equal to their persistency,
and he could not be moved.
Verses so. : Threatening set at
naught.
These men now became desperate
and thought to terrorize Nehemiah by
a report Of rumors ''among the hea-
then"-the surrounding nations. akd it
was moreover confirmed by "Gashmu"
Goshen the Arabian. Thou and
the Jews think to rebel" The speedy
work on the wall was interpreted ms
a step toward independence and the
re-establishment Of the kingdom of
Judah with Nehemiah as king. Thou
hast also appointed prophets" He was
charged with having employed men to
advocate his cause among the inhab-
itants Of the city. Reported to the
king" This open letter, unlike the
four sealed letters that had been sent,
was for the eye of Nehemiah and his
associates. One clause in 1t contained
the clear hint that they themselves
would report against him to Arta.
xerxes. "Come now therefor" This
was a mean trick. 1t reused Nehe-
miah's feelings. and he emphatically
denied all these false rumors. "Thou
felgnest them" He boldly gave. them
the lie. made us afraid" would
have made us afraid" Strengthen
thou my hands," He then fervently
prayed that God would give him cour.
age and endurance.
Verses 10-12.-Cowardice spurned.
1t is probable that Nehemiah visited
the prophet Shemaiah at this time for
counsel and encouragement. "Who
was shut up" He had shut himself
up to become warning by symbolical
action to Nehemiah. But he did not
succeed in working on his fears. He
suggested that they should meet to-
gether in the house Of God" with
closed doors and remain there that
night, at which time 1t was rumored
that his enemies would attempt to
take his life. Such course was cow
ardly and was decidedly rejected. II
will not go In" He would not hide
his cowardice under cover of religion,
even II 1t was to save his life. II
perceived that God had not sent him."
He saw that this prophet was not
speaking from God, for his advice was
unworthy. 1t was rather In keeping
with the cunning and deceit of ITO
biah and Sanballat," who had bribed
him to speak falsehood after having
failed in all their schemes.
Consecrated courage.
Nehemiah holly resented the coun-
sci Of the prophet because It would
compromise his self respect. Life is
Of no value without honor. and sue
cess Is failure II 1t Is achieved, at the
cost Of character. Your great bust
ness In life Is to be true to God and
to the trust which he has committed
to you regardless Of consequences.