The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-11-10
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNDAXSQlOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOX NOVEMBER II
By REV. p. b. F1TZWATER, d. D.,
Teacher OF English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON TExT-Nehemiah I

: commandments, and do these things tn,
are pleasing in his sight, John 3:22.
Some twelve or fourteen years afte
the revival of the worship of Jehova
under the administration of Ezra, Ne
hemiah led company to Jerusalem t
restore the city walls and civil author
ity. The walls and gates of the cit,
had lain in ruins ever since they wer
broken down by ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. II
this condition the remnant of tn,
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 il was 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 suppermoSt in his heart.
lie Is an example to all young men.
demonstrating to them that it is pos
slDle to be true to God regardless of
the environment I'm 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 watPred and kept alive
through vital communion with God in
prayer and study of His Holy Word.
]. Nehemiah Learns of the Attic
ton and Reproach of the Returned
Remnant in Jerusalem wv. Ia.
L. The time ". u. 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 wNJ had gone
there. Il
z. The occasion of wv. 9, 81. 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 affliction and reproach.
8. The effect upon Nehemiah ". AZ.
He was greatly moved by the story of
the distress of his brethren. Though
occupying position of honor, and en-
toying all that heart could desire, he
keeniy 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 un-
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.
Nehemiah exhibited the spirit Of true
patriotism. The affection and shame
Of his own people went close to his
own heart. National and racial soil
darity constitutes the real basis of
patriotism. The reproach and affiic-
ION OF nation is the reproach and
affection of every member thereof.
". .Nehemiah's Prayer for Israel
wv. 5-1D. We are taught that in the
midst of affection. we should pray.
Nehemiah In this early time practfced
his New Testament direction. A
tudy of>his prayer is most helpful.
L. 1t was earnest ". AZ: He. fasred
md prayed for several days. When
men are willing to desist from food
md turn aside from their occupations I
o pray TO God. they are Enthusiastically
n earnest. This Is true fasting. Mere I
Y sustaining from food is not neces- :
arily fasting It Is when our hearts .
ave entered into sympathy with God
nd his people and the desire for food =,
removed. that there is fasting which !.
!, worth while. a
=. The ground Of ". 81. He plead
ovenant relationship and the faith :
illness of God in keeping his covenant
is good thing always In our pray
X to plead thus with God. He is a
elighted when we come as children &
leading for the things we need on X
he basis of our relationship to him.
3. Unselfish ". 81. He has as his Y
,preme object the welfare of Israel. +.
lis personal interests were not af.
'cted. either for better or for worse.
the condition Of the Jews in Jeru- u
lem. Many prayers do not count y
18th God because they are self-center- n
!. They display the utter selfishness =
the one who offers them. e.
A. Penitent tvv. 6. y. He acknowl.a b,
ges that the state of Israel was due G,
disobedience to Gods command. 40
pnts and their corrupt dealings with
I'd. SO completely had he identified :,
mself with his people that he includ- :.
himself with Israel as having -
med.
5. The prayer Of faith wv. 8. o.. pil
believed the word which God had Al
oxen to Moses touching his willing.
IS to restore and bless his people. be
,ugh he was obliged TO severely 20,
ige them. In our praying. we should
able to point to some definite prom
In Gods word. as we plead with a
n. Faith takes God at his word. no
! holds him to 1t. 10,
!. Definite {vv. 10, 11). f,
!. He pointed to-the specific people. tut
those redeemed by Gods powerful the
Id.