Evening star., 1923-06-09

Nehemiah stands out as the first
great layman in the history Of Judah
who freely sacrificed himself and his
fortune for the glory of Jehovah and
his country. 1t could be said of him,
as it was Of Moses. that "he chose TO
suffer with the people of God rather
than to enjoy the pleasures for a sea
SON" over seventy years had passed
since the Jewish people had been car
ried into captivity by the Babylonian
army. During that period many OF
them had attained positions of power
and aff1uence in the country that
Abraham had left in response to the
call of Jehovah. The pious Jews in
exile never forgot Jerusalem or the
home of their fathers. The spirit that
marks Zionism was prevalent among
the leaders in the captivity. Babylon s
overthrow by the Persians resulted in
the way being opened for many OF
them 10 return to Jerusalem, where
they established the national life
and resumed the worship of Jehovah
IN the temple.
Although $4,000 had returned under
Zerubbabel, with the approval of
Cyrus the stories of their condition
that reached their brethren i'm Persia
were full of discouragement. They
poverty and despair. The walls were
still in ruins and the burnt gates had
not been rebuilt, so that they pos
sessed no defense against the raids OF
their enemies. They found themselves
exposed to danger, especially when
they tried to keep themselves sepa-
rate. maintain the temple worship free
from the contamination of the pagan
rites. preserve the sacredneSs of the
Sabbath and the other distinctive
practices Of their faith. The story
that Hanani, one of the pioneers, who
had followed Zerubbabel in his ef-
forts to restore the national life and
resume the worship of the temple. told
his brother Nehemiah, the cup bearer
of Serxes, gripped the patriot. The
graphic picture of his countrym ems
weakness and peril moved Nehemiah
to seek the direction of the Lord as
TO what ought to be done to relieve
their desperate situation. We are apt
to reverse his method. We too otter
decide ourselves what ought to be
done and then ask Gods blessing upon
our program.
Prayer is the key to success. TIL.
secret of Nehemiah's life is found II
his communion with God. If one
Will study his prayer he will 1earI
something of his source of power
He placed his faith for Divine help II
the promises of Jehovah, that h
quoted as he sought help for hi,
stricken countrymen.
one of Gods ways Of answering
our prayers is for Him to demand
that We put ourselves back of oul
prayers. Nehemiah's petition re
suited in the Lord giving 10 him
call to personal service. There upor
his knees Jehovah gave to the youne
statesman vision Of the true condi
tion of the brethren in Jerusalem az
we'll as the cause of their despair an,
its correction. Nehemiah heard tht
call of God as he prayed. He arose
from his communion with the Lore
determined that he would give III
his life of ease in the court and TAX,
up the dangerous enterprise in obedi
ence to the call of duty and of Je.
hovah
Nehemiah's season OF fasting anc
prayer showed itself in his face
Xerxes. who had been defeated BY
the Greeks in the battles of Their.
mopylae and Salamis. noticed the
change in his cupbearer's counter
ance. 1t was against the law fol
the cupbearer, who was responsible
for the kings life, or any member
of the court TO appear in manner
that would bring displeasure to tn,
ruler Xerxes' inquiry gave Nehe
miah an opportunity to plead for j.;
"frman," that would permit him Il
go to Jerusalem and relieve the condi
ton of his countrymen. His reques
met with Xerxes' approval.
Armed with the courts authorit,
and with faith in God, Nehemiah. ac
companied by his loyal guard and hi
retinue of slaves, followed the path
he went out from Ur in response L
Gn6'c call Nehemiah nrOhah1v