The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1922-09-02
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
NEHEMIAH REBUILDS THE
WALLS OF JERUSALEM.
Nehemiah 3:I-7:4.

1
and no entrance save through the big
gates. But before powder came into
use and cannons were made all cities
were surrounded thus by walls. Some
times these walls were twenty and
thirty feet high and from five to ten
or more feet thick. The walls of Jeru-
salem were so wide that great chariots
could pass each other on the top of
them.
| Jerusalem was n great center. 1t
was a stragetic point. The religion OF
Judah and also the life o fits inhabi-
tants were in constant danger from
the heather nations by which she was
surrounded. And being a strategic
point, no permanent national recon-
struction, therefore, was possible until
salem had been protected thus by these
walls but the foes had now torn them
down and destroyed the defenses and
during the captivity the whole city lay
open to attack Many good causes lie
open to attack in this way from evil
sources and We like Nehemiah are
called upon to build a defense. We
should reconstruct in this our day to
protect the faith of our fathers.
Opposition to the Reconstruction -
Well did you eyer see good cause but
that 1t had its antagonists. There is
generally some one around to oppose
or say it cannot be done. And Nehe-
miah also had opposition. Sanballat
the Toronto and Tobiah the Ammonite
determined to oppose him. You know
that when Jerusalem fell and the Jews
were carried away these Ammonites
and Moabites, and ETC., had rejoiced,
for they believed that hence forth the
land would be theirs. Therefore every
step of tho reconstruction was con-
tested and every returning Jew was
their enemy. They had interfered thus
with Ezra and been o constant bother
to the returning exiles. Now it was
good for these Jews to return and il
was evil for these tribes to contest
them but whenever any evil is disturb.
ed by good people it is certain to do al
possible to interfere with the success
of the good.
Careful Planning. Nehemiah ar
rived safely, and went about quietly t.
see what was needed and to plan tn,
best way Of taking up this task. HI
did not at first announce what was hi:
purpose in coming but went out with
a few men in the night to study the
situation. He then called together the
rulers of the city and addressed them
He told them how that the king was
touched with their condition and had
given him authority to repair 1t. He
reminded them of the opposition and
how he would need their help and CO.
operation in this undertaking. He also
urged them to put their trust in God
and work diligently These two were
moved by his appeal and cried out
Let us arise and build" But the
heather enemies had received the news
also and began at once to conceive OF
a plan to thwart this forward move
ment. They see that a wrong, interpre-
tation can be put upon the words OF
Nehemiah. SO they cry out, what is
this thing ye do? VIII we rebel against
! the king%
Need of Cooperation - all went to
work. In general each man repaired
over against his own home. The part
| nerest for him to reach was what he
could best handle. In the Scriptures
are the names of certain of those who
labored on these walls thus their
names are immortalized by this useful
service. Laying stones in wall was
no doubt an unusual way Of gaining
name in the Sacred writings but that
was a religious task. 1t was patriotic
too. Many man has become famous
for doing less than this. All could moi
be mentioned but we know they did
their share. and were honored by our
God, and that counts after all.
The enemies were stirred to great
indignation. Perhaps some were poor
masons, maybe some were inexperi.
enced for Tobiah said in mockery
Even that they build, If fox go up
he shall even break down their WALL
But scorn did not stop these loyal men
1t hurt them no doubt but made them
work the better. The opposition be
came stronger until each must worl
and watch.
Working and Watching. - He hat
each OF the builders arm themselves
and half worked while half stood
ready with weapons to protect them
A trumpeter stood by the side of Nehe
miah to give the alarm should troubl,
arise. In this world we are in figh
and must put on the armor Of God tC
fight the frey darts OF evil.