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STUDIES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

—INTERNATIONAL S.S. LESSONS—

SUGGESTIVE THOUGHTS DESIGNED TO ASSIST THOSE OF OUR READERS WHO ATTEND BIBLE CLASSES WHERE THESE LESSONS ARE USED; THAT THEY MAY BE ENABLED TO LEAD OTHERS INTO THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL. PUBLISHED IN ADVANCE, AT THE REQUEST OF FOREIGN READERS.

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REBUILDING THE WALL OF JERUSALEM

I. QUAR., LESSON VIII., FEB. 19th, NEH. 4:9-23

Golden Text—”We made our prayer unto God, and set a watch against them.”—Neh. 4:9

In our last lesson we saw the earnestness of Nehemiah, and noted his appeal to the right quarter for guidance and help. His appeal to Artaxerxes was blessed of the Lord—his prayer was answered. He was granted permission to go to Jerusalem, and become its Governor, with authority to act in the name of the Persian monarch. Upon his arrival at Jerusalem his first work was to reconnoiter the walls of the city and lay out a plan for rebuilding them. He had awakened the zeal of all the people, and the work of rebuilding the wall was well advanced at the point where this lesson begins. The jealousy of the neighboring rulers was awakened by this activity, and they had come against Jerusalem to attack it and spoil and stop the work of repairs, fearing that, after all, it might succeed. This compelled Nehemiah and those who co-operated with him to divide their attention between building and defending. Their opponents were strengthened by “false brethren,” Jews from the surrounding country whose interest and sympathies were with these other peoples, who sought all they could to discourage the workers and to stop the work. But watching and praying and working they succeeded.

This lesson seems to enforce and exemplify the Apostle’s description of a true Christian course—”Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” It would be valuable to many of God’s people to-day, if it led them to resolve that they, like Nehemiah, would henceforth do with their might what their hands find to do.

The building of the wall, the opposition of enemies and relatives and so-called friends, and the necessity for fighting as well as building, furnish a good illustration of the experience of all who turn from sin to righteousness. They find the gates and fortresses of their nature weak and broken down. And the moment they start to repair and build up good character they find enemies within and without to hinder. Persecution and ridicule will first be used (as in the above case) and if these fail to overthrow the good resolutions force will be employed. There is no way of avoiding a battle if you would proceed with your character-building. Each must at least do as did this band—i.e., put on the armor and watch and pray and build.

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— February 1&15, 1893 —