Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-06-07
LESSON FOR JUNE 10
NEHEMIAH, THE BOLD BUILDER

NEHEMIAH, The BOLD BUILDER
LESSON TExT-Nehemiah 4:s-15.
GOLDEN TExT-Be ye not afraid OF
them. remember the Lord.--NehemiaI
Ala
PRIMARY ToP1c-The Man who Wa.
Not Afraid
JUNIOR ToPIc-How Nehemiah Built
the WALL
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIu
How Nehemiah Got Things Done.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
-Nehemiah, an Example for Men Of AT.
fairs.
Nehemiah was cupbearer to the
Persian king. While performing his
duty as cupbearer, he learned of the
distress of his brethren in Jerusalem.
Having secured 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 survey of the walls by night.
Having thus obtained first-hand infor-
nation, he called the representatives
OF the Jews together and said, LET us
build the walls of Jerusalem"
J. 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.
!. Stress Laid Upon Indifference
(3:5). In administrative tasks 1t is
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 Is :12).
Perhaps Shallum had no sons to aid
him. 1t was a fine thing for the wom-
en- to help, even In building a wall,
when there were no men to do it.
3. Stress Laid Upon Earnestness
q :20). 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 t3:10, %, 2S). No incen-i
tive to exertion is quite SO strong as
that which concerns ones own family.
5. Certain Guilds Of Men Undertook
Certain Work t8:s, 81, 1927. Wise adj
ministration sometimes calls for such
alignment of efforts. Men Of the same
class and craft will surely work better
together.
II. HIndrancesS Encountered (4:1-
GID.
1. Scoffing Of Sanballat and Tobiah
(4:1-8; CT 2:10, 2o). The opposers Of
Gods servants usually begin by hurl-
ing at them shafts of ridicule. They
called the Jews feeble folk and as
serted that the tread of a prowling fox
would break down their stone wall.
2. Conspiracy for Sudden Attack
(4:7-9). When the enemy saw that
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.
3. Conspiracy With the Jews (4:1O-
23). 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 We're subject to sudden and Sc
cret attack.
4. Greed and Oppression of the
Rulers GLIB. The Jews OF that
day, like the profiteers of our time
took advantage Of the poor and OPP
co hof fr<,I
their land and sold their daughters
into slavery. Nehemiah boldly rebuked
them for their crimes and ordered a
restoration to be made, exactfng an
oath of them that they would fulfill
their promises 8
g. Plot to Take Nehemiahs 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 (6:15-7:4).
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 fin
ished they were detected, for they per-
ceived that the work was of God.
We may learn from this:
l. That Gods children are assailed
by enemies, but in view Of Romans
1871 they should not fear.
2. That when attacked ky enemies
we should pray (4:9). Their faith
was accompanied by wise precaution-
ing: ID Set watch (4:0). ~ Men
were permitted to be with their fami-
lies (4:13) and thus would fight bet
ter. 90 Half worked and half
watched, all armed for battle (4:16).
"a They wor'-ed with sword in one
hand (4:17) - They slept in their
clothes in readiness (4:23). Prayer
and faith are not slothful or inactive.