THE KING’S BUSINESS
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we do by praying in the name of Christ. Nehemiah’s specific petition was for favor before the king (v. 11). This prayer was granted (ch. 2:8). We can always obtain favor before any man by appealing to God for it (Prov. 21:1). ( 6 ) Nehemiah’s prayer was intensely earnest. Note the
repeated, “I beseech thee” (vs. S, 8 , 11 ). Earnest prayer is always prevailing prayer (Jer. 29:13; Acts 12:5 R. V.; Luke 22:44; Heb. 5:7). (7) Nehemiah met the condi tion of prevailing prayer. He “delighted to fear” Jehovah’s “name” (cf. Ps. 37:4; 1 John 3:22).
LESSON OUTLINE
(1 ) Nehemiah’s Depression, vs. 1-4. “The words of Nehemiah,” were they also the words of God? 2 Tim. 3:16. On what period do these dates in Ezra and Nehemiah bear? Dan. 9:25. Were Nehemiah’s circumstances com fortable? 1 : 1 , 11 . Did he yet sympathize with his poor brethren ? v. 2 . In what state were they at Jerusalem? v. 3. How does Nehemiah describe the situa tion later? Neh. 2:13-16. What class of people reproached them? Neh. 2:19. When Nehemiah got the sad news, what did he do? v. 14. (2 ) Nehemiah’s Confession, vs. 5-7. How did he address God in his prayer? v. 5. Who was Jehovah? Ex. 3:14; 6:2, 3. Was He the God of heaven? Gen. 1:1. Was He great and terrible? Ex. 19:18, 19. •How will He show Himself such by and by? Rev. 6:14-17. How are we permitted iby the Gospel to address this great and terrible God? Matt. 6:9. Why did he call Him “covenant keep ing?” Gen. 12:7; 26:1-4; 28:10-15; Ex. 6:4. On what Scripture is verse 5 based? Ex. 20 : 6 . What word in verses 5 and 11, indicates the earnestness of his prayer? Has God got eyes and ears? John 4:24. What did Nehemiah mean by the terms? Ps. 86 : 6 ; 94:9.
On what ground could he confess his brethren’s sins? 1 Cor. 12:12, 26. Did he confess his own when he con fessed those o f others? Where do we find a very striking exam ple of such confessing? Dan. 9:3-14. Had they done so “very corruotlv?” Ter 7:21-28. J Where had God spoken of scattering them? Deut. 28:64. Where did He promise to restore them? Deut. 30:1-6. Was the fulfilment of the threat assur ance of fulfilment of the promise? (3 ) Nehemiah’s Intercession, vs. 4-10. For whom did he make intercession? v. 11 . What did he say God’s servants desired to do? , What specific and personal request did he make? v. 11 . Was that request granted? 2:4-8. miah’s heart was in Jerusalem. 2 . They escaped from Babylon, but not from “affliction and reproach.” 3. The wall of the New Jerusalem will be - incombustible. (Rev. 21:18). 4. God’s fasts are feasts (Zee. 8 T 9 ) 5. It is good to fast if it feasts the other fellow. (Isa. 58:6, 7). Never fast unless your care exceeds your appetite. 7. Fast if you feel like it, but it is no good unless you feel. & FasU f you want to -b u t you don’t have Wept,” “fasted,” “ 6 . 9. prayed? 1 Mid courts and mid palaces” Nehe- ,
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