Middletown transcript., 1917-11-10
INTERNATIONAL
SUyDEySCIlOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER II
(By REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute Of Chicago.)
Copyright, 1917. Western Newspaper Union.)

| are pleasing In his sight, John S:22.
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 matter Of severe
reprOach to them ". -. Nehemiah
was man of strong character. Though
occupying 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 1t is pos
sible to be true to God regardless of
the environment in which he may be
| compelled to live. In order for 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 AffIic-
tion and Reproach of the Returned
Remnant In Jerusalem wv. 1-D.
l. The time ". ~. 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 (vv. 2, -. 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 affliction and reprOach.
8. The effect upon Nehemiah (v. -.
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 for
those who have need. Jesus wept over
Jerusalem and prayed for his own.
Nehemiah exhibited the spirit Of true
patriotism. The affliction 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 afflIc-
ton Of a nation Is the reproach and
affection of every member thereof.
II. Nehemiah's Prayer for Israel
wv. 5-1D. We are taught that in the
midst of affliction, we should pray,
Nehemiah in this early time practiced
this New Testament direction. A
study Of his prayer is most helpful.
1. It was earnest ". A.. 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 unmistakably
in earnest. This is true fasting Mere.
ly abstaining from food is not neces.
sarily fasting. It is when our hearts
have entered into sympathy WITH Goo
and his people and the desire for fOoc
is removed, that there is fasting which
Is worth while.
2. The ground Of ". 81. He plead
covenant relationship and the faith
fulness Of God in keeping his covenant
1t Is a good thing always in our pray.
ing to plead thus with God. He IL
delighted when we come as children
pleading for the things we need on
the basis of our relationship to him.
8. Unselfish ". g.. He has as his
supreme object the welfare of Israel
His personal interests were not af
fected, either for better or for worse
by the condition of the Jews in Jeru.
salem. Many prayers do not count
with God because they are seff-ceEter
ed. They display the utter selfshness
Of the one who Offers them.
4. Penitent wv. 6, y. He acknowl
edges that the state of Israel was due
to disobedience to Gods command
ments and their corrupt dealings witt
God. So completely had he identified
himself with his people that he includ
ed himself with Israel as having
sinned.
S. The prayer Of faith wv. 8, o.
He believed the word which God hat
spoken to Moses touching his willing
ness to restore and bless his people
though he was obliged to severely
Judge them. In our praying, we should
be able to point to some definite prom
ise in Gods word, as we plead witt
him. Faith takes God at his wor0
and holds him to 1t.
6. Definite wv. 10, 11).
a. He pointed to the specific people
as those redeemed by Gods powerful
hand.
b. He asked that God would pros
per his way and grant him mercy II
the sight Of the king. This was
part Of wisdom on Nehemiah's part
Before going before men for considera
ton of important interests, we shoult
ask God to prepare their hearts, so tha'
they will listen sympathetically to ou,
plea. This we should do In all things
and we can do it, when our own heart,
are right, and we see the good of 9th /
ers and not that Of ourselves. His
prayer was answered. The kin1