Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-11-09
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER
LESSON TExT-Nebem;ab

LESSON TEXT-Nehemiah l.
GOLDEN OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES we a9'1,
we receive of him, because we keep is
commandments, and do these things t at
are pleasing in his sight, John S:22
Some twelve or fourteen years aft"r
the revival of the worship of Jehov' Il
under the administration of Ezra, No
hemiah led a company to Jerusalem o
restore the city walls and civil aurh"'-
ity. The walls and gates of the CIV
had lain in ruins ever since they wee
broken down by Nebuchadnezzar. u
this condition the remnant of the
Jews who had gone back to Jerusalem
were exposed to the dangers of a.
SaultS from the surrounding enemies.
Not only was this exposure detrimeh-
tai to the peace and comfort Of tie
people, but it was a matter of severe
reprOach to them ". 81. Nehemiah
was man of strong character. Though
occupying position Of high honor ali
responsibility in the very center OF
the great heather capitol, the desire tn
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
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 watered and kept alive
through vital communion with God in
prayer and study of His Holy Word.
l.. Nehemiah Learns of the Attic
ton and Reproach of the Returned
Remnant in Jerusalem (vv. 14).
1. The time ". y. 1t was in
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
/
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 un
fortunate. 1t is manly to weep with
those in distress, and to pray fol
those who have need. Jesus wept ovel
Jerusalem and prayed for his own
Nehemiah exhibited the spirit of true
patriotism. The aff1iction and shame
of his own people went close to hi:
own heart National and racial soil
darity constitutes the real basis O
patriotism. The reproach and affiic
ton of a nation is the reproach ant
affliction of every member thereof.
II. Nehemiah's Prayer for Israe
wv. 5-11). We are taught that in tn
Nehemiah in this early time practices
this New Testament direction. 1
study of his prayer is most helpful.
l. 1t was earnest ". ~. He faste
and prayed for several days. Whe
men are willing to desist from foo
and turn aside from their, occupation
to pray to God, they are unmistakabl
in earnest. This is true fasting. Mere
ly abstaining from food is not neceS
sarily fasting. 1t is when our heart
have entered into sympathy with Go
and his people and the desire for foo
is removed, that there is fasting whic
Is worth while.
2. The ground of (v. 81. He plea
covenant relationship and the faitl
fulness of God in keeping his covenan
1t is a good thing always in our pra!
ing to plead thus with God. He
; delighted when we come as childre
pleading for the things we need O
: the basis of our relationship to him.
8. Unself1sh ". g.. He has as h
supreme object the welfare of Israe
His personal interests were not a
fected, either for better or for wors
bv the condition of the Jews in Jer1
salem Many prayers do not coul
; with God because they are self-cente
ed. They display the utter selfishne:
of the one who offers them.
4. Penitent wv. 6, y. He acknow
: edges that the state of Israel was dJ
TO disobedience to Gods cOmman
ments and their corrupt dealings wit
God. So completely had he identifit
; himself with his people that. he inclu
ed himself with Israel as haviI
sinned.
: 3. The prayer of faith wv. 8, 9
He believed the word which God hi
spoken to Moses touching his willin
l ness to restore and bless his peopl
: though he was obliged to severe
Judge them. In our praying, we shou
be able to point to some definite proI
ise in Gods word, as we plead wi
him. Faith takes God at his wor
and holds him to it.
6. Definite wv. 10, 1O.
a. He pointed to the specific peopl
as those redeemed by Gods powerf
| hand.
| b. He asked that God would pre-
| .Jer his way and grant him mercy
! the sight of the king. This was
j part of wisdom on Nehemiah's pa
i Before going before men for consider
i ton of important interests, we shou
i ask God to prepare their hearts, so th
j they will listen sympathetically to o
i plea. This we should do in all thins
i and we can do it, when our own hear
il are right, and we see the good of OF
II ers and not that of ourselves. i
sl prayer was answered. The kl
sl granted his request as we shall see
81 Chapter 2.
81 Share 1t With Him.