The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-11-15
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 10
NeHeMIAH's PRAYER ANSWERED

tolsi1N 1fNl- ASK ana u snail he
given unto you.-Matthew III.
II was four months after Nehemiah
learned OF the desolation 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-
hnps there was no great function at
which he was called upon to minister
In this interval. or his turn of sery-
Ice had not arrived. or his duties were
so eNncting that no opportunity was
afforded for him to unbosom his grief
to the king.
!. Nehemiah's Request to the King
wv. 1.St. Cd Its occasion, v. 1. As
Cup-hearcr he was ministcrlng before
the king. The cup-bcarer was more
than mere valet lie entered very
closely into the lifr's interests of the
king. So that the inner life and spirit
OF the cuphcarcr was known. II 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 10 the dlspleasure OF the king.
Nehemlnh's sad countenance while
thus serving awakened the kings sus-
picion. The matter was serious for
Nehemiah was afraid under the cir
cumstanccs.
(2) The kings inquiry. v. 2. The
king perceived that Nchemiah's coun-
tcnnncc was sad. though he was not
sick. and he knew that something ex-
traordInary had come into the life Of
his cup-bearcr.
f3) The effect upon Nehemiah, v. ..
His heart was filed with fear. He did
not know but what this improperly
was so great as 20 cause his dismissal.
His fear was more than that OF losing
his position Ia be dismissed from be-
Ing cup-hearer would mean the loss Of
nm opportunity to present his request
10 the king: and, without the kings
sanction and aid. his enterprise would
fall.
(D Nchcmlnhs tactful reply, v. 3.
lie s''kS W f'I'illUl' INV MUS ~
expressing deep interest In the royal
life and person. He says: 'Mny the
King live forever" and then tells that
the cause Of his grief was the desola-
tion Of the city where his fathers
were buried.
(5) The contents Of Nchemiah's re-
quest. w. IS. Cal To be sent to Judah
to build the walls Of Jerusalem. w.
2. O. This request virtually meant IN
be granted leave Of absence from
the Persian court and To be appointed
military governor Of that part Of the
kingdom Of Artaxcrxes. The king.
doubtless, saw that such n move would
he of particular benefit to his king
dom politically. owing tn the strategic
position Of Jerusalem. between Baby
Ion and Egypt. In the case OF the
breaking out OF hostilities between
these powers, to have n fortified city
in Palestine would be OF immense i'm
portance. At the kings request, n
definite time was set for this leave OF
absence, v. He remained In yerusa-
lem for twelve years. A si,!e light on
the kings gracious attitude toward
Nehemiah Is given In this: "The
queen also sitting by him." She Is
not named, but In all probability 1t
was Esther.
(b) For letters to the governors be-
You'd the river, v. O. 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 band OF
soldiers. but Nehemiah was free to
ask such favor. II was right In both
cases. but not expedient In that OF
Ezra. Many problems are clear, II
we distinguish between that which Is
lawful and that which Is expedient.
(c) A letter Of requisltiOn for sup
plies OF timber, v. 3. 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 tne CITY, unu tiiiu' ioh "V "'"s
official residence.
u. NehemIah's Request Granted, v.
8. Nehemiah was tactful diplomat.
lie exercised sound sense and pru-
dence In all things, but he supremacy
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 ascrlbes the success or
his undertaking to God.
~. Neheniah's Journey to Jerusa.
lem, w. OIL. lie Journeyed from
Shushan to Jerusalem under the pro-
lection of a military escort. This was
OF double value protection and safety.
When Il was known that Nehemiah
was undertaking this work with the
consent Of the king. Sanballat and
Tobiah were greatly grieyed. II al
WAYS Is grief 10 the enemy when
that which will further the interest
Of God and his people Is being made
10 succeed. when he reached Jerusa-
lem, he did not at once make his pur-