McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1917-11-09
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNDNYS0IOOL
LESSON
tBy REV. Z. Ii. FITZWATER, u. D.,
Teacher OF English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute of ChicaRo1
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER II
7 LESION TEXT Nebem,ah


Some twelve or fourteen years after
the revival Of the worship Of Jehovah
under the administration Of Ezra, Ne
hemiah led company to Jerusalem to
restore the city walls and civil author
ity. The walls and gates of the city
had lain in ruins ever since they were
broken down by Nebuchadnezzar. In
this condition the remnant Of the
Jews who had gone back to Jerusalem
were exposed 10 the dangers of as
saults from the surrounding enemies
Not only was this exposure d2trimcn-
tai to the peace and comfort of the
people, but II was n matter of severe
reprOach to them ". -. Nehemiah
was a man of strong character Though
occupying position of high honor and
responsibility in the very center of
the great heather capitol, the desire &c
honor God was uppermost in his heart.
He is an example to all young men,
demonstrating to them that 1t Is pos
sible TO be true to God regardless of
the environment In which he may be
compelled to live. In order for man
to thus stand. his life must be rooted
In Christ, and these roots-our faith
must be watered and kept alive
through vital communion with God in
prayer and study of His Holy Word.
|. Nehemiah Learns of the Attic
ton and Reprocch of the Returned
Remnant in Jerusalem wv. LAY.
l. The time ". ~. 1t was in a
winter month, November or December,
in the Goth year of Artaxerxes. He
was engaged in the performance of his
accustomed duties as cup-bearer to
the king, when the news came to him
Of the deplorable condition of Jeru-
salem and the remnant who had gone
there.
2. The occasion of ivy. 2, ~. The
visit of Nehemiah's brother and certain
men Of Judah made it possible for him
to inquire concerning the state Of the
remnant and the conditions of Jeru-
salem. They informed him that they
were in great affection and reproach.
3. The effect upon Nehemiah ". ~.
He was greatly moved by the story of
the distress of his brethren. Though
occupying q position of honor, and en-
ioying all that heart could desire, he
keenly took the misfortune of his
brethren to heart. He not only shed
tears of sympathy, but took these bur
dens in prayer to God. This is the
proper way to sympathize with the I'M
fortunate. 1t is manly to weep with
those in distress, and to pray for
those who have need. Jesus wept over
Jerusalem and prayed for his own.
Nehersiah exhibited the spirit of true
patriotism. The nfIiiction and shame
of his own people went close to his
own heart. National and racial soli
darity constitutes the real basis Of
patriotism. The reproach and aflic-
ton of a nation is the reproach and
affection of every member thereof
II. Nehemish's Prayer for Israel
(vv. 5-11). We are taught that in the
midst of ,afIliction. we should pray.
Nehemiah in this early time practiced
this New Testament direction. A
study of his prayer is most helpful.
l. 1t was earnest ". AZ. He tasted
and prayed for several days. When
men are willing to desist from food
and turn aside from their occupations
to pray to God, they are Enthusiastically
in earnest. This is true fasting. Mere
ly abstaining from food is not neces-
sarily fasting. 1t is when our hearts
have entered into sympathy with God
and his people and the desire for food
is removed, that there is fasting which
Is worth WHILE
Q. The ground of ". 81. He plead
covenant relationship and the faith
fulness of God In keeping his covenant.
1t is a good.thing always in our pray
ing to plead thus with God. He is
delighted when we come as children
for the things we need on
the basis of our relationship to him.
3. Unselflshi ". 81. He has as his
supreme object the welfare of Israel.
His personal interests were not af-
fected, either for better or for worse.
by the condition of the Jews In Jeru-
salem. Many prayers do not count
with God because they are self-center-
ed. They display the utter selfshncss
of the one who offers them.
a. Penitcnt wv. 6, y. He acknowl-
edges that the state of Israel was due
TO disobedience to Gods command
raents and their corrupt dealings with
Sod. So completely had he identified
himself with his people that he includ-
ed himself with Israel as having
5. The prayer of faith wv, 8. %.
He believed the word which God had
spoken to Moses touching his willing \
ness to restore and bless his people,
though he was obliged to severely
Judge them. In our praying, we should
be able TO point to some definite prom
&c in Gods word, as we plead with
lim. Faith takes God at his word.
md holds him to II.
9. Definite wv. 10. ~.
a. He pointed to the specific people
Is those redeemed by Gods powerful
land.
b. He asked that God would pros
Der his way and grant him mercy In
he sight OF the king. This was a
art Of wisdom on Nehemiah's part.
Before going before men for considera.
ion Of important interests. we should
lsk God to prepare their hearts, so that
hey will listen sympathetically to our
flea. This we should do in all things,
ind we can do It, when our own hearts
ire right. and we see the good of 9TH
rs and not that of ourselves. His
prayer was answered. The king
rrn Mod his rpoupsf ne we shall 500 In