The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1917-11-08


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 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 it was a matter of severe
reproach to them ". 81. Nehemiah
was a man of strong character Though
occupying a 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 it is pos
sible to be true to God regardless of
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 watered and kept alive
through vital communion with God in
prayer and study of His Holy Word.
I. Nehemiah Learns of the Attic
ton and Reproach of the Returned
Remnant in Jerusalem wv. 1-4).
1. The time ". y. 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 wv. 2, 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 aff1iction and reproach.
8. 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
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
L
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 Attic
ton of a nation is the reproach and
affliction of every member thereof.
II. Nehemiah's Prayer for Israel
wv. 5-11). We are taught that in the
midst of affection, we should pray.
Nehemiah in this early time practiced
this New Testament direction. A
study of his prayer is most helpful.
1. 1t 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 are Enthusiastically
In earnest. This is true fasting
2. The ground of ". 81. He plead
covenant relationship and the faith
fitness of God in keeping his covenant.
1t is good thing always in our pray
ing to plead thus with God. He is
delighted when we come as children
pleading for the things we need on
the basis of our relationship to him.
8. Unselfish ". 81. He has as his
supreme object the welfare of Israel.
His personal interests were not af-
'ected, either for better OF for worse,
~ the condition of the Jews in Jeru-
salem. Many prayers do not count
With God because they are self-cen-
cred.
4. Penitent wv. g. y. He acknowl-
edges that the state of Israel was due
O disobedience to Gods command
nents and their corrupt dealings with
Tod. So completely had he identified
limself with his people that he includ-
ID himself with Israel as having
inned.
5. The prayer of faith wv. 8, 81.
lie believed the word which God had
poken to Moses touching his willing
less to restore and bless his people,
hough he was obliged to severely
Judge them. In our praying, we should
e able to point to some definite prom
Sc in Gods word, as we plead with
i'm. Faith takes God at his word,
nd holds him to it.
6. Definite wv. 10, 1D.
a. He pointed to the specific people,
S those redeemed by Gods powerful
and.
b. He asked that God would pros
err his way and grant him mercy in
he sight of the king. This was
art of wisdom on Nehemfah's part.
efore going before men for considera-
on of important interests, we should
SIX God to prepare their hearts, so that
hey will listen sympathetfcally to orr