The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-12-05
1890 IMPROVED "~"~0V""
UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
CUNDAyg
CCHOOL Lesson
BY REV p. B. FITZwATER. D. D.
Member OF Faculty Moody Bible
Institute Of Chicago.
G Western Newspaper Union.
Lesson for December s
NEHEMIAH REBUILDING THE
WALL OF JERUSALEM

Wall VT VIII SFN=G"
LESSON TEXT-Nehemiah 4:s-s, 1921.
GOLDEN TEXT-The people had a
mind to work. Nehemiah AS.
PRIMARY TOPIC-When Friends
Work Together.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Tear-w work.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
TOPIC-Team- Work.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
TOPIC - Cooperation in Religious
Work.
|. Nehemlah's Mission to Jerusalem
(Neh. -.
While performing his official duty
as cupbearer to the Persian king, Ne
hemlah learned of the distress Of his
brethren at Jerusalem. The walls Of
the city were broken down, Its gates
burnt, and the remnant of the cap
tives were in great affliction and re-
proach. This news greatly moved
him. He definitely asked God to give
the king a favorable attitude toward
his project. In answer to his prayer
he was granted a leave Of absence
from the Persian court and credentials
from the king. He journed to Jeru-
salem and made a survey Of the city
by night without disclosing his pur-
pose to anyone. Having thus obtained
frst-hand information, he called the
representatives of the Jews together
and said Let US build the walls Of
Jerusalem"
II. Preparation for the Building
(Neh. 81.
The division of labor In this project
displayed Nehemiah's administrative
ability. A wise distribution Of labor
makes difficult tasks easy. Observe
some outstanding features Of his ad-
ministrative work.
1. He laid stress upon indifference.
In administrative tasks 1t Is proper
that unfaithfulness should be pointed
out. Such action serves as a warning
to the unfaithful and encouragement
to the faithful.
.. Help rendered by the women ".
12). It Is a fine thing for the women.
to take hold even in building wall
when there are no men to do 1t,
8. Stress laid upon earnestness Of
some ". 20). Recognition of fidelity
will spur one on to faithful perform
ance Of his task.
4. Every one built over against his
own house wv. 10, %, 2S). There is
no incentive for exertion quite so
strong as that which concerns a mans
own family.
5. Certain guilds of men undertook
certain work wv. s, 81, 32). Wise ad-
minstration sometimes calls for such
alignment of efforts. Men of the same
class and occupation usually work best
together.
III. Hindrances Encountered al
GID.
l. Soothing of Sanballat and Tobiah
(4:1-G; CT. 2:19, 20). The oppressors
of Gods servants frequently begin by
hurting shafts of ridicule at them.
. Conspiracy for a sudden attack
(4:7-9). When the enemy saw tho
work was actually succeeding, they
changed from ridicule to an attempt to
throw the workmen into a panic.
3. Conspiracy with the Jews (4:10-
23). They sought, by means of the
Jews from the outside, to discourage
those on the inside.
A. Greed and oppression Of the rich
GLIB.
The Jews Of that day, like the prof
iteers of our day, took advantage of
the poor and oppressed them so that
they mortgaged their land and even
sold their daughters into slavery.
s. Scheme to take Nehemiah's life
(6:1-1D. When Sanballat and Tobiah
failed in every other way, they craftily
sought to get Nehemiah away that they
might kill him.
~. The Wall Completed (6:15-7 ~.
So energetically did they pursue
their tasks that In fifty-two days the
wall was completed. When their enc
mics saw that In spite of all their
schemes the work was actually com
pleted, they were cast down, for they
perceived that the work was of God.
Upon the completion Of the work,
Nehemiah set his brother to rule over
Jerusalem and gave instructions as to
the opening and closing Of the gates
of the city. May we learn from this:
1. That though Gods children are
besought by enemies they should not
fear
2. When beset by enemies we should
pray 40.
a. They set a watch a :9).
b. Men were permitted to be with
their families alb and would thus
fight better.
c. Half worked and half watched,
all armed for battle.
d. They worked with sword In one
hand (4:17.
e. They slept in their clothes, ready
for attack 1929. Genuine faith is
always accompanied with precaution-
airy means.
Looking Heavenward
Mystical more than magical, Is that
communion of soul with soul, both
looking heayenward. here. nronarIv