The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1917-11-15
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 10
NEAEmIAH's PRAYER ANSWERED

LESSON TEXT-Nehemiah SILL.
GOLDEN TEXT-Ask and It shall be
given unto you.-Matthew ~.
1t was four months nfter 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 atti-
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.
I. Nehemlah's Request to the King
wv. 1-S). O Its occasion, v. 1. As
cup-bearer he was ministering before
the king. The cup-bearer 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
be to the displeasure Of the king.
Nehemiah's sad countenance while
thus serving awakened the kings gus-
picion. The matter was serious for
Nehemiah was afraid under the cir
cumstances.
(2) The kings inquiry, v. 2. Tho
king perceived that Nchemiah'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.
(S) The effect upon Nehemiah. '. 2.
His heart WINS filed with fear. He did
not know but what this improperly
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
fall.
az Nehemlnh's tactful reply. Y. 8.
He seeks to cOnciliate the king by
expressing 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-
quest. w. IS. (a) To be sent to Judah
to build the walls Of Jerusalem. w.
8. g. 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 Q 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 q fortified city
in Palestine would be of immense i'm
portance. At the kings request. Q
definite time was Get for this leave Of
absence. '. q. He remained IN Jerusa-
lem for twelve years. A side light on
the kings gracious attitude toward
Nehemiah In given In this: "The
oueen nlxo sittins nv him" she II
not named. but in all probability II
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