Evening star., 1922-09-02
Sunday School Lesson

mon hatred of the followers of Je-
hovah had a wonderful power in
uniting former foes. Among them
were Arabians. Ammonites, Ashdo-
dites and others who conspired to
prevent the rebuilding of the wall
Many Of these in the northern part
had been imported, into the land by
the Assyrians. The Arabians were at
home in the desert. The Ammonites
came from east of the Jordan north of
Moab. The people from Ashdod were
citizens of an important city south
west of Jerusalem. while the Samari-
tans We're a mixed race, whose home
is still at Sychar, or modern Nabulus.
Nehemiah strengthened the people by
calling them to put their trust in God
through prayer. SO that in His power
they could push the work to sue
cessful conclusion.
When ridicule did not stop their
efforts to rebuild the wall, the enemies
of Jerusalem ''breathed together" in
a conspiracy that sought to prevent
the completion of the walls that would
serve as protection for Jerusalem
against them when they tried to
make raid upon the city. Nehemiah
in the hour of possible peril from
their enemies urged them to remember
that the, building was Gods work and
that He would fight their battles.
Like Abraham. Moses. Elijah. David
and all the other heroes of Israel.
Nehemiah was a man of faith and
prayer. He waited upon God for help.
He watched the movements of the
enemies so that he could not be sur
priced. He pushed the work accord
ing to his plan. Every man had his
task All worked in cooperation.
| ready to assist one another in any
peril.
He mastered the difficulties as they
| arose. He gave encouragement to the
I nnQ hV h ie,
faith and confidence in Jehovah. He
outguessed the spies and traitors so
that he could not be surprised. He
shamed the Jews who entered the city
and tried to persuade the members of
the working force to quit by pointing
out that they could not fail for God
would fight their battles and make
them conouerors.
Although he trusted in Jehovah
Nehemiah did not fail to use precau-
ton, so that he was prepared to re-
sist the foe at any moment or place.
The progress of the work was not
stopped. although the force was di-
vided into workers and fighters. Every
man became a soldier as well as
worker. Under the pressure of con-
slant danger the wall was built, be-
cause the people had mind to work
1t was due to the leadership of Ne
| hemiah. as well as his strategy. that
the people co-operated and built the
wall oI lHe city 10 prevent 1urther
war and insure peace.
The building of the wall of Jerusa-
| lem was symbolical of the task which
has been assigned to us in this hour.
Workers of the world have been
dreaming dreams of a new day, where
in all success shall rebound to the
public as well as to private gain, and
the effort of each individual shall be
sweetened and strengthened by the
sense of having performed service
| to mankind. The spirit of Nehemiah
is needed If that hour is to come in
| the world. 1t places a responsibility
upon all Christians of every creed and
church to help remove the spirit of
discord, division and disagreement
among men. 1t calls for us to help
develop individual characters that
ness and sin.
Our work must be carried on in the
presence Of our enemies and under
the attacks of ridicule. threats and
fear. We will need the self-restraint.
steadfastness. sympathy. prudence,
decision, courage and energy that
marked the career of Nehemiah. He
victory Is a faith in God, fellows ship in
prayer and the faithfulness of effort.
The promised presence of Christ Jesus
with His followers and His gift of the
Holy Spirit inSures our triumph. Our
God will fight for u.s. if we remain
! loyal to Him and strive to advance
His kingdom among men by conse-
to build human character and the city
not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens. We have tested leader.
He has sanctified labor by His life of
toll. Let US follow Christ Jesus
unitedly to victory.