The Glenwood post., 1923-06-07
LESSON FOR JUNE 10
NEHEMIAH. THE BOLD BUILDER

.
LESSON TExT-Nehemiah 4N-15
GOLDEN TEXTBe ye not afraid of
them. remember the Lord.-Nehemiah
4:A.
PRIMARY ToPIc-The Man Who Was
Not Afraid.
JUNIOR ToPIc-How Nehemiah Built
the Wall.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR ToP1,j
How Nehemiah Got Things Done.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Nehemiah. an Example for Men of At
fairs.
Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the
Persian king. While performing his
duty as cupbearer. he learned of the
distress of his brethren in Jerusalem,
Having secured a leave Of absence
from the Persian court and credentials
from the king. he journeyed to Jerusa-
lem. After resting three days without
disclosing his purpose to anyone, he
made a survey of the walls by night.
Having thus obtained first-hand infor-
nation. he called the representatives
of the Jews together and said, LET u
build the walls Of Jerusalem"
!. Preparation for the Building
(Chap 81.
The division of labor in this project
shows Nehemiah's administrative abil-
ity. A wise distribution Of labor makes
difficult tasks easy. Note some out
standing features Of this great work:
1. Stress Laid Upon Indifference
$3.50. In administrative tasks it IL
just that unfaithfulness should BE-
pointed out. Such action will be a
warning to some and encouragement to
others. in that 1t shows the integrity
of the director
2. Help Rendered by Women e :12).
Perhaps Shallum had no sons to aid
him. 1t was fine thing for the wom-
en- to help. even In building wall.
when there were no men to do 1t.
8. Stress Laid Upon Earnestness
e :2O). If one knows that his faithful
ness will be recognized. he will earnest
ly pursue his tasks.
4. Every One Built Over Against His
Own House (3:1O. 23. 2S). No incen-
tive to eXertion is quite so strong as
that which concerns ones own family.
8. Certain Guilds Of Men Undertook
Certain Work (3:S, 81. 32) Wise ad-
ministration sometimes calls for such
alignment of efforts Men of the same
class and craft will surely work better
together.
II. Hindrances Encountered (4:1-
8:14.
l. Scoffing Of Sanballat and Tobiau
(4:1-6; ct. 2:19. 20). The opposers os
Gods servants usually begin by hurI-
ing at them shafts of ridicule. They
called the Jews feeble folk and as.
serted that the tread of prowling fox
would break down their stone wall.
2. Conspiracy for Sudden Attack
(4:7-9. When the enemy saw tina.
the work was actually succeeding they
changed from ridicule to an attempt
to throw the workmen into panic
When the enemy cannot succeed BY
scoffing they resort to intimidation.
8. Conspiracy With the Jews a $40
29). They sought By means Of the
Jews from the outside to discourage
their brethren by showing that the
task was hopeless and that at any time
they were subject to q sudden and Sc
cret attack.
4. Greed and Oppression Of the
Rulers 5:1-13). The Jews of that
day, like the profteers of our time,
took advantage of the poor and op-
pressed them so that they mortgaged
their land and sold their daughters
into slavery. Nehemiah boldly rebuked
them for their crimes and ordered q
restoration to be made, exacting an
oath of them that they would fulfll
their promises.
8. Plot to Take Nehemiah's Life
(6:1-14. When Sanballat and Tobiah
failed in every way they sought by
craft to get Nehemiah away that they
might kill him.
III. The Wall Completed (6 1877 ~.
So energetically did they pursue
their tasks that in fifty-two days the
wall was completed. When the enc.
mics heard that in spite Of all their
schemes the work was actually fln
ished they were detected, for they per
ceived that the work was of God.
We may learn from this:
/. That Gods children are assailet
by enemies but in view Of Romani
1881 they should not fear.
2. That when attacked by enemiei
we should pray 40. Their faitf
was accompanied by wise precaution
ing: ~ Set watch "A :9). (2) Mer
were permitted to be with their fami
lies (4:13) and thus would fight bet
TOR (2) Half worked and hal,
watched, all armed for battle "a :1o)
az They worked with sword In on,
hand (4:1D. (5) They slept in theil
clothes In readiness :23). Praye
and faith are not slothful or inactive.