The Brinkley argus., 1917-11-16
INTERNATIONAL SUNDNS0lOOL
 LESSON By REV. P B. FITZWATER, D. D., Teacher of English Bible in the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.) Copyright 1917. Western Newspaper Union-)
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 18
NEHEMIAH's PRAYER ANSWERED

given unto you.-Matthew 77.
 It was four months after Nehemiah learned of the desolation of Jerusalem that he had the opportunity to make known his request to the king. Just why he did not test the kings attt- tude toward him and his project earlier, we have no information. Per haps there was no great function at which he was called upon to minister in this interval, or his turn of serv- ice had not arrived, or his duties were so exacting that no opportunity was afforded for him to unbosom his grief to the king.
 |. Nehenlah's Request to the King (vv. 1-S). (1) Its occasion, v. l. As. cup-bearer he was ministering before the king. The cup-bearer was more than a 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. It 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 be to the displeasure of the king. Nehemiah's sad countenance while thus serving awakened the kings sus- picion. 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. 3. 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- ton of the city where his fathers were buried.
 (5) The contents of Nehemiah's re- to build the walls of Jerusalem, w. 5, 6. This request virtually meant to he 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 lon and Egypt. In the case of the breaking out of hostilities between these powers, to have q fortified city in Palestine would be of immense i'm pOrtance. At the kings request, a. definite time was set for this leave of absence, V. 6. He remained in Jerusa lem for twelve years. A side light on the kings gracious attitude toward Nehemiah is given in this: '"The queen also sitting by him." She is not named, but in all probability it was Esther.
 (b) For letters to the governors be- yond the river, V. 6. Doubtless the path of his journey was a dangerous one, and the travellers safety depend ed upon having. credentials from the king. These letters were more than mere credentials They were orders for actually conveying him and his party to Judah. Ezra, years before, had desisted from asking band of soldiers, but Nehemiah was free to ask such a favor It was right in both cases, but not expedient in that of Ezra. Many problems are clear, if we distinguish between that which is lawful and that which is expedient.
 Co A letter of requisition for sup needed, first for the palace or castle, that is, for the fortress near the tenn pie; second, for the walls and gates of the city; and third, for the kings official residence.
 II. Nehemiah's Request Granted, V. 8. Nehemiah was a tactful diplomat. He exercised sound sense and pru- dence in all things, but he supremely depended upon God and prayed for Gods disposal of the kings heart as he made his request known, V. 4. The king granted his request according to the good hand of my God upon me-" V. 8. He ascrlbes the success of hls undertaking to God.
 III. Nehemlah's Journey to Jerusa- lem, w. 9-11. He journeyed from Shushan to Jerusalem under the pro- tection of a military escort. This was of double value: protection and safety. When 1t was known that Nehemiah was undertaking this work with the consent of the king, Sanballat and Tobiah were greatly grleved, It al- ways is a grief to the enemy when that which will further the interest of God and his people is being made