International S. S. Lessons.
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8 LESSON X.—SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 1893.
[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given by book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.] 15. In those days saw I in Judah some treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses therewith; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day; and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
16. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought in fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the Sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
17. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the Sabbath day?
18. Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath.
19. And it came to pass that, when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath; and some of my servants set I over the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the Sabbath day.
20. So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
21. Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath.
22. And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember unto me, O my God, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. Golden Text.—"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." Ex. 20: 8. INTRODUCTORY NOTE.—The time of this lesson is not very definite. It is put by some about eighteen years after the last lesson. Nehemiah had in the interval returned to Susa, evidently to assume his office before the king. Hearing of abuses in Israel, he obtained permission to return. See Neh. 13:6, 7. - What did Nehemiah find on returning to Jerusalem? Verse 15. Note 1.
- What did Nehemiah do? Verse 15, last clause.
- What men were especially guilty of this? Verse 16. (Tyre was the merchant city of the world at that time. See Ezekiel 27.)
- Besides testifying against the evildoers, what else did Nehemiah do? Verse 17.
- What example did he set before them? Verse 18. See Ezekiel 20.
- What did Nehemiah command? Verse 19.
- What did these traffickers then do? Verse 20.
- What steps did Nehemiah then take? Verse 21.
- To whom did he give special charge concerning the gates of the city? Verse 22.
- When was the Sabbath instituted?
"And the heaven and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made." Gen. 2:2, 3.
11. It was given as a part of what law? Ans.—The Decalogue. See Ex. 20: 1-17.
12. What day is the Sabbath?
"The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." Ex. 20: 10.
13. For what purpose did God give it? Ans.—As a memorial of his creative power (Ex. 20:8-10), as a sign of the true God, the sanctifying Redeemer (Eze. 20:12).
14. Has not that law of which the Sabbath is a part been changed?
"The works of his hands are truth and judgment; all his precepts are sure. They are established for ever and ever, they are done in truth and uprightness." Ps. 111:7, 8.
"Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets; I came not to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished." Matt. 5:17, 18.
15. What day is therefore still the Sabbath?
"The SEVENTH DAY is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." Ex. 20:10.
16. Just before what day does the Sabbath come?
"Now late on the Sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher." Matt. 28:1. See also Mark 16:1, 2; Luke 23:56; 24:1.17. Did the Lord ever rest on any other day than the seventh? Did the Lord ever bless any other day? Did he ever sanctify or set apart any other day? Has he left any record of such rest, blessing, or appointment?
18. What, then, is our duty? Golden text. Note 3. 1. In those days, etc. — Nehemiah found many evils. The Jews had neglected temple worship, and were covetous in the work they did for God (Mal. 1:10, 13); they had profaned the temple (Neh. 13:4, 5); they had robbed God of tithes (verse 10); they had married heathen wives (verse 28); they were breaking the Sabbath. 2. NEHEMIAH's rule fell in the days of the Jewish theocracy. God ruled the State, for the State and Church were both one. But the gospel of Christ knows naught of force, though it knows the mighty power of God. "Persuade," "entreat," "beseech" is the language of the true ministers of the gospel of Christ. God gave his servants under the theocracy power and authority to execute law, but his servants since that theocracy passed away are ministers, not of law, but gospel. They may "reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine" (2 Tim. 4:2); they may fight the good fight of faith with the weapons "not carnal," yet mighty (2 Cor. 10:4); they may give their very lives for the salvation of souls and the honor of God, but they may not use the civil sword to compel the observance of a single religious institution. See the words of Jesus in the following texts: John 18:36; Matt. 26:51-53; Luke 9:51-55. 3. Remember the Sabbath day.—Why? (1) As a memorial of the great God, who created all things. The Psalmist says, "He [God] hath made his wonderful works to be remembered." Ps. 111:4. He did this by giving the Sabbath. But all these wonderful works are wrought through Christ. John 1:1-3; 1 Cor. 8:6. Our intelligent observance of the Sabbath, then, is homage paid to Jesus Christ. But that is not all of his "wondrous works." Sin marred the first beautiful creation. Christ redeemed the world, and all who will commit themselves to him, he regenerates (Titus 3:3-5), or creates anew. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works." Eph. 2:10. "Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10. Therefore we should remember the Sabbath day as a sign of the mighty power in Christ Jesus; for the Lord says that the Sabbath is "a sign between" himself and his people, that they might know that he is the Lord that sanctifies them. Eze. 20:12. He only observes the Sabbath who observes the seventh day, the day of God's appointment for the twofold purpose mentioned above. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." God has made it holy; let us, by his sanctifying grace and power, keep it holy unto the Lord.