Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-11-16
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER IS
NEHEMIAH's PRAYER ANSWERED .

1t was four months after Nehemi9
learned of the desolation of Jerusalem
that he had the opportunity to mafe |
known his request to the king. Ju
why he did not test the kings at1i- |
tude toward him and his PROJECT
earlier, we have no information. Pc
haps there was no great function It
which he was called upon to minister
IN this interval, or his turn of serr-
ice had not arrived, or his duties Were
so exacting that no opportunity was
afforded for him to unbosom his grief
to the king.
|. Nehemiah's Request to the King
wv. 1-S). G) Its occasion, V. 1. A )
cup-bearer he was ministering before
the king. The cup-hearer was more
than mere valet He entered very
closely into the life's interests of the
king, so that the inner life and spirit
of the cup-bearer was known. 1t 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
/
Nehemiah's sad countenance while
thus serving awakened the kings suS-
pisiOn. The matter was serious for
Nehemiah was afraid under the cir
cumstances.
(2) The kings inquiry, V. 2. The
king perceived that Nehemiah's cOun-
tenance was sad, though he was not
sick, and he knew that something ex-
traordinary had come into the life of
his cup-bearer.
(3) The effect upon Nehemiah. V. 2.
His heart was filled with fear. He did
not know but what this impropriety
was so great as to cause his dismissal.
His fear was more than that of losing
his position; to be dismissed from be-
ing cup-bearer would mean the loss of
an opportunity to present his request
to the king; and. without the kings
sanction and aid, his enterprise would
fail
(4) Nehemiah's tactful reply, V. 8.
| He seeks to cOnciliate the king by
expressing a deep interest in the royal
life and person. He says: MAY 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. This note of patriotism
met a response in the kings heart
causing him to inquire as to his wish.
(5) The contents of Nehemiah's re-
| quest, w. 5-S. (a) To be sent to Judah
! To Of w
5, 6. This request virtually meant to
be granted a leave of absence from
the Persian court and to be appointed
military governor of that part of the
kingdom of Artaxerxes. The king,
doubtless, saw that such a move would
be of particular benefit to his king
dom politically, owing to the strategic
position of Jerusalem, between Baby
Ion and Egypt. In the case of the
breaking out of hostilities between
these powers, to have a fortified city
in Palestine would be of immense i'm.
portance. At the kings request, q
definite time was set for this leave OF
absence, V. 6. He remained in Jerusa.
lem for twelve years. A side light or
|
Nehemiah is given in this: "The
queen also sitting by him" She is
not named, but in all probability il
was Esther. Her presence would EN-
bolden Nehemiah to ask, and infiu
ence the king in granting the request
She had come to the kingdom fol
such a time as this,'' Esther IA
(b) For letters to the governors be
yond the river v G. Doubtless tn,
path of his journey was dangerous
one, and the travellers safety depend
ed upon having credentials from tn
king. These letters were more thai
mere credentials. They were order
for actually conveying him and hi
party to Judah. Ezra, years before
had desisted from asking a band O
soldiers. but Nehemiah was free t
ask such a favor. 1t was right in bot
cases, but not expedient in that o
Ezra. Many problems are clear,
we distinguish between that which
lawful and that which is eXpedien1
(c) A letter of requisition for SUP
plies of timber, V. s. This timber wa
| needed, first for the palace or castle
| that is. for the fortress near the ten
| pie; second, for the walls and gate
| of the city; and third, for the king
| official residence.
| il. Nehemiah's Request Granted,
i s. Nehemiah was Il tactful diploma
Il He exercised sound sense and pr;
l dence in all things, but he supremel
Il depended upon God and prayed fO
4 God's disposal of the kings heart a
II he made his request known, V. 4. Th
II king granted his request "accordin
II to the good hand of my God upo
Il me-" V. 8. He ascribes the success {
Il his undertaking TO God. We shoul
II learn in all things to give to God th
II credit for our success.
II III. Nehemiah's Journey to Jerus;
II lem. w. Oil. He journeyed frol
Sbushan to Jerusalem under the prt
ii lection of a military escort. This wa
4 | of double value: protection and safet
i ! When it was known that Nehemia
I was undertaking this work with til
II consent of the king, Sanballat an
Il Tobiah were greatly grieved. It a
Il ways is grief to the enemy whe
q that which will further the intere'
a of God and his people is being mad
II to succeed. When he reached Jerus
u lem, he did not at once make his pu
II pose known. He waited for three day
ii and then viewed the situation at nigh
II 1t is wise to lay well ones plans al
II to have the work of the Lord well
81 hand before announcing your purpO'
y to the people. To disclose plans at Il
improper time means defeat of yol
purpose.