The Arvada enterprise., 1917-11-08
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNlXSQl00L
LESSON
LESSON FOR November II
(HY REV. P. b. FITZWATNR, D. d,
Teacher Of English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute OF Chica9o.)
(CopyriGht, 1917. Western Newspaper Union J

LESSON TExT-Nehemiah !.
GOLDEN Observation-Disclosures We ask.
We receive OF him. because We keep his
commandments. and DO these things that
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 tho city walls and civil author
ity. The walls and gates Of the city
had lain in ruins ever since they wcre
broken down by Nebuchadnexzar. In
this condition the remnant Of tho
Jews who had gone back to Jerusalem
were exposed to the dangers Of as
saults from the surrounding enemies.
Not only was this exposure detrimen-
tai to the peace and comfort Of the
people, but 1t was a matter Of severe
reproach to them ". 81. Nehemiah
was man Of strong character. Though
occupying position Of high honor and
responsibility in the very center Of
the great heather capitol. the desire to
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 a man
to thus stand, his life must be rooted
in Christ. and these roots-our faith
must be watcred and kept alive
through vital communion with God In
prayer and study Of His Holy Word.
I. Nehemiah Learns Of the Affile-
tIon and Reproaeh Of the Returned
Remnant In Jerusalem wv. 1-4).
/. The time ". ~. It was In
winter month. November or December.
in the Goth year Of Artnxerxcs. He
was engaged in the performance Of his
accustomed duties as cup-bearer to
the king. when the news cnme to him
Of the deplorable condition Of Jeru.
salem and the remnant who had gono
there.
2. The occasion Of tvv. 2. 81. The
visit Of Nehcmiah's brother and certain
men Of Judah made 1t 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 afiiiction and rcproach.
3. The effect upon Nehemiah ". ~.
He was greatly moved by the story Of
the distress Of his brethren. Though
occupying a position Of honor. and en-
joying 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.
dcns in prayer to God. This 10 the
proper way to sympathixe with the un.
fortunate. It II manly to weep with
those In distress. and to pray for
those who have need. Jesus wept over
Jerusalem and prayed for his own.
Nehemiah exhibited the spirit Of true
patriotism. Tho afliction and shame
Of his own people went close to his
own heart. National and racial SOIL
darity constitutes the real basis Of
patriotism. Tho reproach and ailiic-
ton Of nation II the reproach and
afiiiction Of every member thereof.
II. Nshsmlah's Prayer for lsrssl
wv. b-11). We are taught that in the
midst Of afiiction. We should pray.
Nehemiah In this early time practiced
this New Testament direction. A
study Of his prayer II most helpful.
/. II was earnest ". ~. 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 arc Enthusiastically
In earnest. This Ii true fasting.
2. The ground Of ". o.. He plead
covenant relationship and the faith.
fulncss Of God In keeping his covenant.
II Is a good thing always In our pray.
INK TO plead thus with God. He ID
delighted when We come an children
pleading for the things We need on
the basis Of our relationship to him.
3. Unselnsh ". o.. He has a. his
supreme object the welfare Of Israel.
His personal interests were not af-
fectcd. either for better or for worse.
BY the condition Of the Jews In Jeru.
salem. Many prayers do not count
with God because they arc self.cen.
tered.
4. Pcnitcnt wv. o. ~. He acknowl.
edges that the state Of Israel was duo
10 dlsobcdicncs 10 Gods command
mcntS and their corrupt dealings with
God. 80 completely had he Identified
himself with his people TINT he includ-
I'd himself with Israel ~ having
sinncd.
o. The prayer Of faith (vv. q. o..
Hc believed tho word which God had
spoken 10 Moses touching his willing
ncss 10 restore and bless his people.
though he was obliged 10 severely
Judge them. In our prnying. wa should
he able 10 point t0 nome definite prom
ise In Gods word. ns VIZ plead with
him. Faith 'nkcs God ut his word,
and holds him 10 II.
6. Definite tyv. 10. ~.
o. lie pointed 10 the specific people.
~ those redeemed by Gods powerful
hnnd.
b. He asked TINT God would pros
per his wny md grant him mercy In
the sight Of tho king. This wns .
pnrt Of wisdom on Nchcminh's part.