The Washington herald., 1917-12-01
and VIII Not Fear What Man Shall To Me---1eb 1876
Sunday School Lesson
NEHEMIAH REBUILDS THE
WALL OF JERUSALEM

La. Golden Text. Heb. 10; 9Th Verse.
"The Lord is my helper. and will
not fear what man shall do to me-"
| Observation-Disclosures had reached
Jerusalem with full authority from
King Artexerxes. to rebuild the walls
Of the city. and make other extensive
repairs.
I He arrives and after resting three
days makes an investigation Of the
conditions in and about the city.
He examines the walls by night SO
that he might not arouse the oppo-
sition Of the Jews, or the suspicion
of the enemies.
Conditions were found to be even
greater than he had supposed. but he
| was not on that account discouraged.
for he believed that he had undertake
en- a divinely appointed task.
Topic-(Opposition.)
I. Tested Loyalty and Devotion.
1t was exasperating news to San
ballat that Nehemiah had come from
Shushan to Jerusalem with a COM
mission from the king to rebuild the
walls of the city. He and his friends
had at first thought 1T impossible
! that Nehemiah would attempt to re-
pair and restore the city.
When they found the work pro-
crossing, they gave vent to their
wrath in SCOTS and ridicule. Sandal
lat was most irritating to Nehemiah,
and taunted him bitterly. He sought
, in every way to check the work by
| abuse Of its official leader.
He combined open opposition with
mockery. AS his custom was, Nehe-
miah betook himself to the Divine
Comforter and poured out there his
wounded feelings in prayer.
The good work of Nehemiah was in
serious danger from the craft and
violence of its foe. and from the faint
hearts of its friends.
There were enemies without and
difficulties within. Tobiah with 9TH
ers was acquainted with the internal
state OF Jerusalem. Through his in
| fiuence much evil was wrought.
He showed contempt for the efforts
Of Nehemiah. He ridiculed the plans
Of the people and kept up a constant
intrigue with those within. who were
disappointed. His pleas of friendship
were a greater detriment than the
! threats of enmity. They were far
more likely to weaken the forces than
| the foes.
I Geshon>was a characteriess man: he
brought false charges against Nehe-
miah, as one who had misled and
was only wanted TO set up a kingdom
and to become Independent of the CEN
| trail power of Shushan.
| He was a most dangerous man to
/ 49, ha onr,ld
insinuate that unprincipled motives
were back of Nehemiah's efforts.
From sneers and taunts his enemies
laid plots and compromises to over
throw his work by force.
| Nehemiah was so absorbed In the
restoration that the enthusiasm of his
patriotic purpose quickened the hearts
Of the people with an energy that
never let go until the work was done.
! IL Met skill and perseverance.
! Having set his hand to the work.
! Nehemiah judiciously employed every
I man calculated to promote it.
He first sought Divine direction.
then employed the means upon which
he implored Divine blessing. In no
other way could the work have pro-
gressed and been successfully COM
pleted in so short a time
Nehemiah resisted his foes by press
ing all of his people into service. by
! inspiring them with confidence IN
God, by insisting that there bel no
parleying with the enemy. 1t was
necessary to present a bold front to
| them, and also to be soldiers as well
as builders.
Only by zeal. diligence and unity
could they hope. under the blessing
Of God, to encircle Jerusalem with
walls and bulwarks.
Recognizing their weakness and de-
pendence and regardless of discour-
agements they prayed. They COM
bined prayer and watchfulness with
precept and example. AS difficulties
| thickened Nehemiah's courage rose,
his capacity became more evident and
his ability to sway the many was I'M
| questioned. Full OF confidence and
resolutions he inspired others with
like feeling.
There was thoroughness amid dis
lcouragements and oposition. Conse-
Grafton, zeal and activity. dilligent use
OF appointed means, fortitude and per-
severence with entire dependence
upon the blessing OF God, character
lied the builders in their efforts to
Iupbuild their sacred city.
Nehemiah acted as architect, gen.
eral, diplomatist The contempt OF
the Samaritans was wholly misplaced
The wall grew rapidly under the busy
hands nerved and stimulated as they
were to do their best.
Jerusalem was to be no longer down
trodden or in ruins. Samaria, her
rival, and Sanballat, her opponent
were effectually shut of. Clearing
away the rubbish was weary task
entailing much toll and little show
of progress for a time.
1 Gods help encouraged exertion
The builders and their secular work
in religious spirit they not only be-
gun well, but they persevered to the
end of their work.
III. Proper leadership inspires.
Our God shall fight for US. is one
theme that we can find in verse 90
This should be the keynote Of thie
lesson. We should remember that our
God shall lead US. 1t is said that
Alexander the Great, was strollins
jamong the tents of his soldiers on the
eve of a great battle. hearing some
Of his men engaged in conversation
in one of the tents, he stopped to lis
ten. The men were losing courage
and heart, and said SO, as they de-
lplored their insufficiency for the task
of the morrow. He slipped up to the
door Of the tent, and swinging back
the canvas said, Remember that
Alexander is with you" This in
spired them so that the battle was a
great victory.
The Christian has far greater one
than Alexander who says, ''Lo. I an
with you always, even unto the enc
of the world"