prophets and kings-第99节
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united his petitions with holy endeavor； putting forth earnest； prayerful efforts for the success of the enterprise in which he was engaged。 Careful consideration and well…matured plans are as essential to the carrying forward of sacred enterprises today as in the time of the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls。
Nehemiah did not depend upon uncertainty。 The means that he lacked he solicited from those who were able to bestow。 And the Lord is still willing to move upon the hearts of those in possession of His goods； in behalf of the cause of truth。 Those who labor for Him are to avail themselves of the help that He prompts men to give。 These gifts may open ways by which the light of truth shall go to many benighted lands。 The donors may have no faith in Christ； no acquaintance with His word； but their gifts are not on this account to be refused。
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Chapter 53
The Builders on the Wall
Nehemiah's journey to Jerusalem was accomplished in safety。 The royal letters to the governors of the provinces along his route secured him honorable reception and prompt assistance。 No enemy dared molest the official who was guarded by the power of the Persian king and treated with marked consideration by the provincial rulers。 His arrival in Jerusalem； however； with a military escort； showing that he had come on some important mission； excited the jealousy of the heathen tribes living near the city； who had so often indulged their enmity against the Jews by heaping upon them injury and insult。 Foremost in this evil work were certain chiefs of these tribes； Sanballat the Horonite； Tobiah the Ammonite； and Geshem the Arabian。 From the first these leaders watched with critical eyes the movements of Nehemiah and endeavored by every means in their power to thwart his plans and hinder his work。
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Nehemiah continued to exercise the same caution and prudence that had hitherto marked his course。 Knowing that bitter and determined enemies stood ready to oppose him； he concealed the nature of his mission from them until a study of the situation should enable him to form his plans。 Thus he hoped to secure the co…operation of the people and set them at work before the opposition of his enemies should be aroused。
Choosing a few men whom he knew to be worthy of confidence； Nehemiah told them of the circumstances that had led him to come to Jerusalem； the object that he wished to accomplish； and the plans he proposed to follow。 Their interest in his undertaking was at once enlisted and their assistance secured。
On the third night after his arrival Nehemiah rose at midnight and with a few trusted companions went out to view for himself the desolation of Jerusalem。 Mounted on his mule； he passed from one part of the city to another； surveying the broken…down walls and gates of the city of his fathers。 Painful reflections filled the mind of the Jewish patriot as with sorrow…stricken heart he gazed upon the ruined defenses of his beloved Jerusalem。 Memories of Israel's past greatness stood out in sharp contrast with the evidences of her humiliation。
In secrecy and silence Nehemiah completed his circuit of the walls。 〃The rulers knew not whither I went；〃 he declares； 〃or what I did； neither had I as yet told it to the Jews； nor to the priests； nor to the nobles； nor to the rulers； nor to the rest that did the work。〃 The remainder of the
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night he spent in prayer； for he knew that the morning would call for earnest effort to arouse and unite his dispirited and divided countrymen。
Nehemiah bore a royal commission requiring the inhabitants to co…operate with him in rebuilding the walls of the city； but he did not depend upon the exercise of authority。 He sought rather to gain the confidence and sympathy of the people； knowing that a union of hearts as well as of hands was essential in the great work before him。 When on the morrow he called the people together he presented such arguments as were calculated to arouse their dormant energies and unite their scattered numbers。
Nehemiah's hearers did not know； neither did he tell them； of his midnight circuit of the night before。 But the fact that he had made this circuit contributed greatly to his success； for he was able to speak of the condition of the city with an accuracy and a minuteness that astonished his hearers。 The impression made upon him as he had looked upon the weakness and degradation of Jerusalem； gave earnestness and power to his words。
Nehemiah presented before the people their reproach among the heathentheir religion dishonored； their God blasphemed。 He told them that in a distant land he had heard of their affliction； that he had entreated the favor of Heaven in their behalf； and that； as he was praying； he had determined to ask permission from the king to come to their assistance。 He had asked God that the king might not only grant this permission； but might also invest him with the authority and give him the help needed for the
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work； and his prayer had been answered in such a way as to show that the plan was of the Lord。
All this he related； and then； having shown that he was sustained by the combined authority of the God of Israel and the Persian king； Nehemiah asked the people directly whether they would take advantage of this opportunity and arise and build the wall。
The appeal went straight to their hearts。 The thought of how Heaven's favor had been manifested toward them put their fears to shame； and with new courage they said with one voice； 〃Let us rise up and build。〃 〃So they strengthened their hands for this good work。〃
Nehemiah's whole soul was in the enterprise he had undertaken。 His hope； his energy； his enthusiasm； his determination； were contagious； inspiring others with the same high courage and lofty purpose。 Each man became a Nehemiah in his turn and helped to make stronger the heart and hand of his neighbor。
When the enemies of Israel heard what the Jews were hoping to accomplish； they laughed them to scorn； saying； 〃What is this thing that ye do？ will ye rebel against the king？〃 But Nehemiah answered； 〃The God of heaven； He will prosper us； therefore we His servants will arise and build： but ye have no portion； nor right； nor memorial； in Jerusalem。〃
Among the first to catch Nehemiah's spirit of zeal and earnestness were the priests。 Because of their influential position； these men could do much to advance or hinder the work； and their ready co…operation； at the very outset； contributed not a little to its success。 The majority of the
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princes and rulers of Israel came up nobly to their duty； and these faithful men have honorable mention in the book of God。 There were a few； the Tekoite nobles； who 〃put not their necks to the work of their Lord。〃 The memory of these slothful servants is branded with shame and has been handed down as a warning to all future generations。
In every religious movement there are some who； while they cannot deny that the cause is God's； still hold themselves aloof； refusing to make any effort to help。 It were well for such ones to remember the record kept on highthat book in which there are no omissions； no mistakes； and out of which they will be judged。 There every neglected opportunity to do service for God is recorded； and there； too； every deed of faith and love is held in everlasting remembrance。
Against the inspiring influence of Nehemiah's presence the example of the Tekoite nobles had little weight。 The people in general were animated by patriotism and zeal。 Men of ability and influence organized the various classes of citizens into companies； each leader making himself responsible for the erection of a certain part of the wall。 And of some it is written that they builded 〃everyone over against his house。〃
Nor did Nehemiah's energy abate； now that the work was actually begun。 With tireless vigilance he superintended the building； directing the workmen； noting the hindrances； and providing for emergencies。 Along the whole extent of that three miles of wall his influence was constantly felt。 With timely words he encouraged the fearful； aroused the laggard； and approved the diligent。 And ever he watched
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the movements of their enemies； who from time to time collected at a distance and engaged in conversation； as if plotting mischief； and then； drawing nearer the workmen； attempted to divert their attention。
In his many activities Nehemiah did not forget the source of his strength。 His heart was constantly uplifted to God； the great Overseer of all。 〃The God of heaven；〃 he exclaimed； 〃He will prosper us；〃 and the words； echoed and re…echoed； thrilled the hearts of all the workers on the wall。
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But the restoration of the defenses of Jerusalem did not go forward unhindered。 Satan was working to stir up opposition and bring discouragement。 Sanballat； Tobiah； and Geshem； his principal agents in this movement； now
