Mexico Missouri message., 1917-11-15
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNMSOOOL
LESSON
By REV. p. B. FITZWATER, d. D.,
Teacher of English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago.)
Copyright, 1917, Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 1s
NEHEMIAH's PRAYER ANSWERED

It was four months after Nehemiah
learned of the desolatlon of Jerusalem
that he had the opportunity to make
known his request to the king. Just
why he did not test the kings atti-
tude toward him and his project
earlier, we have no information. Per-
haps there was no great function at
which he was called upon to minister
in this interval, or his turn Of serv-
ice had not arrived, or his duties were
so exacting that no opportunity was
afforded for him to unbosom his grief
to the king.
!. Nehemlah's Request to the King
wv. 1-8). ~ Its occasion, v. 1. AS
cup-bearer he was mlnisterlng before
the king. The cup-bearer was more
than a mere valet. He entered very
closely into the life's interests of the
king, so that the inner life and spirit
Of the cup-bearer was known. 1t was
expected Of such servants that they
manifest perfect happiness while in
the presence of the king. To appear
In his presence otherwise would likely
be to the displeasure of the king.
Nehemiah's sad countenance while
thus serving awakened the kings sus-
picion. The matter was serious for
Nehemiah was afraid under the cir
cumstances.
(2) The kings inquiry, v. 2. The
king perceived that Nehemiah's coun-
tenance was sad, though he was not
sick, and he knew that something ex-
traordinary had come into the life of
his cup-bearer.
(3) The effect upon Nehemiah, v. 2.
His heart was filled with fear. He did
not know but what this improperly
was so great as to cause his dismissal.
His fear was more than that of losing
his position; to be dismissed from be-
ing cup-bearer would mean the loss of
an opportunity to present his request
to the king; and, without the kings
sanction and aid, his enterprise would
fail.
(4) Nehemiah's tactful reply, v. 8.
He seeks to cOnciliate the king by
expressing a deep interest in the royal
life and person. He says: MAY the
king live forever" and then tells that
the cause of his grief was the desola-
ton of the city where his fathers
were buried.
(5) The contents of Nehemiah's re-
quest, Wv. 5-S. (a) To be sent to Judah
to build the walls of Jerusalem, Wv.
s, g. This request virtually meant to
be granted q leave of absence from
the Persian court and to be appointed
military governor of that part of the
kingdom of ArtaxerXes. The king, |
doubtless, saw that such move would |
be of particular benefit to his king
dom politically, owing to the strategic !
position of Jerusalem, between Baby |
Ion and Egypt. In the case of the
breaking out Of hostilities between
these powers, to have fortified city
in Palestine would be of immense i'm
portance. At the kings request, a
definite time was set for this leave of |
absence, V. 6. He remained in Jerusa-
lem for twelve years. A side light on
the kings gracious attitude toward
Nehemiah is given in this: "The |
queen also sitting by him." She is
was Esther.
(b) For letters to the governors be-
yond the river, V. 6. Doubtless the |
path of his journey was a dangerous
one, and the travellers safety depend |
ed upon having credentials from the
king. These letters were more than
mere credentials. They were orders
for actually conveying him and his
party to Judah. Ezra, years before,
had desisted from asking a band of
soldiers, but Nehemiah was free to !
ask such favor. 1t was right in both
cases, but not expedient in that of
Ezra. Many problems are clear, If
we distinguish between that which is
lawful and that which is expedient. |
(c) A letter Of requisition for sup
plies of timber, v. 8. This timber was
needed, first for the palace or castle,
that is, for the fortress near the tenn
pie; second, for the walls and gates
Of the city; and third, for the kings |
official residence.
II. Nehemlah's Request Granted, v.
8. Nehemiah was a tactful diplomat. |
He exercised sound sense and pru-
dence in all things, but he supremely
depended upon God and prayed for
Gods disposal Of the kings heart as
he made his request known, v. 4. The
king granted his request according
to the good hand of my God upon
me-" v. 8. He ascribes the success of
his undertaking to God.
III. Nehemiah's Journey to Jerusa-
lem, Wv. OIL. He journeyed from
Shushan to Jerusalem under the pro-
lection Of military escort. This was
Of double value: protection and safety.
When 1t was known that Nehemiah
was undertaking this work with the
consent Of the king, Sanballat and
Toblah were greatly grieved. It al
ways is grief to the enemy when
that which will further the interest