The Bible Year

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 21, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 47.

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Assignment for September 24 to 30

September 24: Nehemiah 1 to 3.

September 25: Nehemiah 4 to 6.

September 26: Nehemiah 7 to 9.

September 27: Nehemiah 10 to 13.

September 28: Psalms 1, 119.

September 29: Malachi.

September 30: Matthew 1 to 4.

To Think About as You Read

September 24: The importance of praying for the prosperity of God's work.

September 25: The effect of willing, united service.

September 26: Reading God's law attentively.

September 27: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

September 28: “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies.”

September 29: The day of the Lord is at hand.

September 30: “He shall save his people from their sins.”

Nehemiah

The genealogy of Nehemiah is unknown, save that he was the son of Hachaliah, and presumably of the tribe of Judah. While occupying a high office in the court of Persia, his heart was stirred by reports that came to his ears of conditions at Jerusalem. Obtaining a commission from the king, and promising to return to the court at a set time, he went to Jerusalem and entered immediately upon his labors. Nehemiah was evidently a man of action. He could work as well as talk, execute as well as plan. He "was a noble example of Christian patriotism. He was a man of profound piety, connecting everything, great or small, with the will of God. His prudence is equally marked; and there is no better example of constant dependence

upon God, united with practical forethought. He was disinterested and unselfish; his wealth was used for public ends; and there is not the slightest reference to self apart from the common good.'

The book of Nehemiah gives a history of Nehemiah's great work of rebuilding the city wall, establishing the government, and carrying into effect the needed reforms, especially in regard to honoring the Sabbath. Incidentally, the book admits us to “a glance at the condition, moral and political, of the Jews; at the growing bitterness between them and the Samaritans; and at some scenes in Assyrian life. The account of the walls and gates in chapter 3 is among the most valuable documents for the settlement of the topography of ancient Jerusalem.”

Psalm 119

“In psalm 119 we find the peculiarity of alliteration, the chapter being divided into twenty-two sections of eight verses each, and each verse in each section in the original writing beginning with the letter of the Hebrew alphabet standing at the head of the section. The alliteration shows the psalm to be divided into verses. It is well known that the books of the Bible were not generally divided into either chapters or verses until long after they were written. But the fact that the book of Psalms was thus divided may doubtless have suggested the propriety of so dividing the other books of the Bible, and certainly it is a very convenient and helpful arrangement. . . . The one hundred and nineteenth psalm is the most noted of all inspired productions that set forth the excellencies of the law of God. Every one of the one hundred and seventy-six verses seems in some way to speak of the commandments of Jehovah.”—Starr.

Malachi

Malachi, the twelfth and last of the minor prophets, is sometimes called “the seal.” With his book the Old Testament Scriptures close, and it is well to remember that for four hundred years the Bible ended with Malachi. Little is known, but a great deal is conjectured, about this prophet. It seems certain, however, that he prophesied after Haggai and Zechariah. The new temple was completed, and its services re-established. The sins of the people and the corruption of the priests are reproved; the obligation of tithing is clearly set forth; and the final utter destruction of the impenitent is foretold. One of the most precious texts in the book is the assurance that the Lord hears those who speak of his goodness, and has their names inscribed in a book of remembrance. Since he so values the faulty expressions of love and gratitude from his frail human children, how often should we speak forth his praises!