The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1918-08-10

"And it came to pass, when Our enemies
heard that it was known unto us, and God had
brought tl sir counsel to nought, that we re-
turned all of us to the wall, every one unto his
work.
TO- The mammonites also cause Nehemiah
much anxiety = Chapter 5:1-o:
'And there was great cry of the people and
of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
For there were that said, We, our sons, and
our daughters are many: therefore we take up
corn for them, that we may eat, and live.
"Some also there were that said, We have
mortgaged Our lands, vineyards, and houses,
that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.
There wereaso that said We have borrowed
money for the kings tribute, and that upon
our lands and vineyards.
"Yet now Our flesh is as the flesh of our
brethren Our children as their children: and, 10,
we bring into bondage Our sons and our daugh-
tiers to be servants, and some of our daughters
are brought unto bondage already: neither is it
in our power to redeem them; for other men
have our lands and vineyards.
"And | was very angry when | heard their
cry and these words.
"Then I consulted with myself, and I re-
buked the mobiles, and the rulers, and said unto
them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother.
And | set great assembly against them
"And said unto them, We after our ability
have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which
were sold unto the heathen; and will We even
sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto
us? Then held they their peace, and found
nothing to answer.
"Also said, 1t is not good that ye do: ought
ye not to walk in the fear of Our God because
of the reproach of the heather Our enemies? ?"
H. Having miserably failed in every respect,
Neheniah's enemies next propose a COM
PROMISE get-together meeting in one of
the villages in the plain of Ono" what
word that is, "Ono! p Chapter 6 IA:
Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and
Tobiah, and Goshen the Arabian, and the rest
of Our enemies heard that I had builded the
wall, and that there was no breach left therein:
Though at that time had not set up the doors
upon the gates;)
"That Sanballat and Gesham sent unto me,
saying, Come, let us meet together in some one
of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they
thought to do me mischief.
And | sent messengers unto them, saying,
| am doing great work. so that cannot come
down: why should the work cease, whilst
leave it, and come down to you?
"Yet they sent unto me four times after this
ner."
H. At last, Nehemiah's enemies resort to let
ter writing, in which letters many lies are
forged = Chapter 6, 5-14, 17-19:
Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in
like manner the fifth time with an open letter
in his hand
WHEREIN written, 1t is reported among
the heather, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and
+ha TO obo1. fo+
buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their
king, according to these words.
And thou hast also appointed prophets to
preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is
king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to
the king according to these words Come now
therefore, and let us take counsel together.
"Then | sent unto him, saying, There are
no such things done as thou sayest but thou
feignest them out of thine own heart.
"For they all made us afraid, saying, Their
hands shall be weakened from the work, that
it be not done. Now therefore, O God,
strengthen my hands.
"Afterward | came unto the house of
Shemaah the son of Delaiah the son of
Mehetabeel, who was shut up and he said, Let
us meet together in the house of God, within
the temple, and let us shut the doors of the
temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea,
in the night will they come to slay thee.
And [ said, Should such man as / flee?
and who is there, that, being as I am, would
go into the temple to save his life? I will not
go in.
And, 10, perceived that God had not sent
him; but that be pronounced this prophecy
against me- for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired
him.