The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1911-11-25
SUNDAYS ESS0A
Number Ix.-Fourth Quarter, For
Now 26.-Nehemiah's Prayer.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.
Senior Bsrean Lesson, Nsh. i-0oIdsn
Text. the EHsetual Fsrvsnt Prayer Of
. Righteous Man AvaiIsth Much,
Jas. ', te-Ths Lesson Explained.

Text. the Efsotusi Fsrvsnt Prayer Of
Righteous Man AvaiIsth Much,
Jas. " te-Ths Lesson Explained.
Verses 1-4.-Bad News.
The exiles In Babylon had watched
the course of events In Jerusalem with
anxiety and were eager to receive
news from home, more especially as
there were no regular means Of com
munication between the colony In
Babylon and the remnant In Palestine.
Nehemiah, the son of Hachaliah," so
distinguished from other men who
bore this same name. was 'cupbearer
to the king" Artaxerxes Longimanus.
This was a position Of trust. His chief
duty was to taste the wine upon tue
palm of his hand before 1t was handed
to the king as a proof that-it had not
been poisoned. The cupbearers were
privileged characters and were favor
ties Of the king. Nehemiah, though
Jew, was thus honored. like Daniel
and his three companions, who occu-
pied high places in the kingdom OF
Babylon. "The month Chisleu." This
was the ninth month in the Jewish
calendar, arranged after the exile, as
Nissan was the first .onth about April.
Both are Pabylonian names. "Shusan
the palace" This was Susa, the winter
residence of the Persian king, situated
on the east Of the Persian gulf. and
the former capital of the kingdom of
Elan. "Hanani. one Of my brethren"
probably an own brother or cousin.
"Jews that had escaped" This does
not refer only to the pitiful remnant
who had Ceen left behind by Nebu-
chadnezzar, but also to the bands OF
exiles who had returned under Zerub-
babel and Ezra. "In great affiiction
and reproach." The condition of the
inha bitants and the city was truly de-
plorable. Their enemies, who were
composed Of the Samaritans, Ammon-
ties, Moabites and Edomites. had de-
molished the newly built wall and left
the helpless people exposed to pillage
and plumber. II sat down and wept."
Nehemiah was overwhelmed with grief
when he heard of this fearful distress,
and he gave himself to fasting and
prayer, assured that his one hope was
In God.
Verses 5-7.-The Prayer Of Confession.
Nehemiah was man Of training and
ability, but he did not rely on his gifts
and position alone to further the inter
ests Of his people. 1t is true that the
enemy from without had done an evil
work. but he had been too careful a
student of his nations history not to
know that the greatest enemy Of his
people had been their own sins. 1.-The
God Of heaven" This title of God Is Of
Persian origin. but the thought Of Je-
hovah as the one who "keepeth cove
nant and mercy" loving Kindness"
belonged peculiarly to the people Of
Israel Deut. vii. 0; Kings Will. %:
Elk. Xxx, o.. God Is true to his PROM
ises Judg. II. 1; Ps. lxxxix. 3N. The
misery Is that We are not faithfully re-
sponsive, but yield to the sins of DISC
bedience. which produce the fruits sof
unrighteousness and desolation. Nehe-
miah took OH himself to confess the
sins of the children Of Israel" and he
associated himself with them In the
guilt Of the nation. 1t was a fearful
record Of wrongdoing, followed by re-
proach and retribution. I'VE have
dealt very corruptly against thee"
The voices Of the prophets from Amos
to Zechariah had expressed the violent
dealing and the .inexcusable offenses Of
the people. Commandments'-th
which has been imperatively demand
ed. "Statutes"-the more specific di.
rections. "Judgments"-the judicial
decisions. These three words sum up
the full content Of the law Of God ps.
XIX, 119; Deut. vi. 1; VII, IL; II, H..
Thy servant Moses"-the authorita-
tive lawgiver who had first proclaimed
the law to Israel.
Verses S-11.--The Prayer Of Suppl
cation.
He was fully aware Of the nations
departure from the truths OF Jehovah.
but he appealed earnestly to the divine
grace and loving kindness. May there
be a turning Of the tide which will
restore the chosen people to the place
Of Gods choice, even to Jerusalem
and the temple. concerning which
place God had said, MY name shall
be there" Il Kings wifi. 2N. Redeem
ed by thy great power" The reference
is to the notable deliverance from
Egypt, which was an earnest of sub
sequent acts Of salvation Compare
Eek. xxxii. III. The present condi-
ton Of the people was one of virtual
slavery. enslaved by their passions,
subjected by the strong hand of their
jealous enemies, a prey to discourage
ment and crippled for the lack or
proper leadership. Nehemiah is willing
to do all in his power to restore ma
tional prosperity. but he is also con
6dent that nothing effectual can be
accomplished without God, hence the
force of this prayer. Let now, thine
ear be attentive" May On answer be
given to Lis petition. Grant him
mercy in the. sight of this man" 20
that the king may look with favor OF
Nehemiah and give him the desires OF
his heart in regard to his plans for
Jerusalem. & %wr;ss