Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 December 1911 — OLD TESTAMENT TIMES BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE-STUDIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OLD TESTAMENT TIMES BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE-STUDIES

GO-LABORERS WITH GOD. Nehemiah iv—Dec. 3. ‘lVat ch ye, stand fast in the faith; quit you ike men; be strong.’’—l Corinthians avi, 13. "T EHEMIAH’S PRAYER for Jerusalem and the holy interests centered there continued / for months before the answer suddenly came. The king, whom he served as confidential secretary, made a banquet, the queen being present as well as Nehemiah and others. Everybody was smiling and joyous, attired in their silks and jewels, but the King noticed that his trusted secretary had a sadness which showed through his smiles. Finding that he was not ill he said that it must be a trouble of heart and inquired as to what it was. it was a dangerous moment for Nehemia b. for the

kings of that time were quite autocratic and capricious. The sadness might have been construed to mean a loss of interest in the king and his affairs, or a hundred things disapproved for such an occasion

of rejoicing. “Why is thy counteN e h e m i a h’s mw* gads ” prayer instantly went up to God for wisdom to know how to answer, for be did not receive the wisdom at once, although he had prayed beforehand. He knew that the Almighty could bear his desires of heart, uttered or unexpressed. He received the needed wisdom for a wise and successful reply which did not offend the King but enlisted his interest. He told the King that his sadness of heart was because the home of his fathers was ruined. The result was that the King appointed him special governor of Judea with full authority to attend to the work and to call upon the goveq*ors of surrounding provinces for aid if necessary. Wisdom Shown by Methods.

That Nehemiah was a wise man and no mere dreamer was evidenced in the practical methods he employed. A man of wealth, he probably financed his own expedition, aside from the retinue of soldiers, etc., furnished by the King. A four months’ journey brought them to Jerusalem.

He perceived the necessity for great caution, as enemies were on every hand as anxious to hinder them as he was anxious for success.

Nehemiah joined in the work with the others, his accompanying servants participating also, His spirit of zeal was an inspiration to the discouraged people, who took heart and hope began to thrive. Then came discouragement and opposition from the enemies. The higher the walls grew the more diffi-

cult it was to place the stones and mortar, and the more stones built into the wall the fewer suitable ones remained amongst the rubbish. It was a time of testing of faith and loyalty to God,, Trials and difficulties are permitted to come

to all of God’s people for just such testings. The overcomers are developed through various experiences for the Divine service. “Stand Fast In the Faith.” It may be asked why Nehemiah’s faithfulness and courage were tested, and what reward was his. We reply that a reward of character-develop-ment follows every good endeavor. The reward of those who lived faithfully in Nehemiah’s time differs-essen-tially from the reward of the faithful amongst the followers of Jesus. The latter are promised a share with the Master in His glorious Messianic Kingdom. “Fear not. little flock, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the" Kingdom.’’ “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne.” But Nehemiah could have no share in these Kingdom promises because he lived before the call to the Kingdombefore Pentecost. He and others of his time who displayed faithfulness and loyalty are not personally mentioned by St. Paul in Hebrews xi. but they are undoubtedly included in the list. Of them the Apostle declared. “They had this testimoriy, that they pleased God.” St Paul declares that they will receive their reward—a share in the earthly phase of the Kingdom, after the Church shall first have received her share with the Redeemer in the heavenly phase of the Kingdom, for “they without us shall not be made perfect, God haying in reservation some better thing for us.”—Hebrews xi. 38-40. St Paul’s words in our text teach the same great lesson of the necessity for character development on the part of all who might hope to be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ their Lord. They must watch as well as pray, thev ®ust “stand fast in the faith" against the various oppositions of the world, the flesh and the Adversary. They must acquit themselves like men. “strong in [he Lord and in the power of His might.” They must be strongly developed by trials, difficulties and obstacles overcome.

Nenemiah collects money.