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LESSON IX.—SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1893

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 13, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 15.

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LESSON IX.—SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1893.

READING THE LAW.

[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 in 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.]

Lesson Scripture—Neh. 8: 1-12.

  1. And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel.
  2. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation, both men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
  3. And he read therein before the broad place that was before the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women, and of those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
  4. And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand, and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
  5. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people); and when he opened it, all the people stood up.
  6. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with the lifting up of their hands; and they bowed their heads, and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
  7. Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law; and the people stood in their place.
  8. And they read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.
  9. And Nehemiah, which was the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
  10. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord; neither be ye grieved; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
  11. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
  12. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
Golden Text.—"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Ps. 119: 18.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE.—After our last lesson comes the settlement of difficulties among the Jews from the oppression of their brethren, Nehemiah's rebuke, and the covenant and restitution. See chapter 4. Then follows the treacherous intent of Sanballat, Geshem, and Tobias to draw Nehemiah away from his work, and his noble answer thereto, which Christians would do well to imitate when the tempter would seduce them: "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down." But, in spite of their machinations and plots, the wall was finished in fifty-two days from the time Nehemiah began (see chapter 6: 15), and even their enemies perceived that the work was wrought of God. Proper officers and watches were appointed, and the number of the Jews again given. Chapter 7. The time of the lesson was B.C. 444.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

  1. When the wall was finished, what did the people do? Verse 1, first part.
  2. With what spirit did they gather?—Id.
  3. What did they ask for? Verse 1, second part. Note 1.
  4. When did this take place? Verse 2. (The month of feasts. See Lev. 23: 24-43.)
  5. How was their request complied with? Verse 2.
  6. How long was this first reading and study of the word of God? Verse 3, first part. Note 2.
  7. How did the people regard this long lesson? Verse 3, last clause.
  8. What preparation was made for Ezra? Verse 4.
  9. Who supported or stood with him?—Id.
  10. What respect did the people show to the book of the law? Verse 5.
  11. What did Ezra first do? (He prayed.) Verse 6, first part.
  12. How did the people respond? Verse 6, second part.
  13. Did Ezra have this work to do alone? Verse 7.
  14. With what thoroughness did they teach the people? Verse 8. Note 2.
  15. What showed that the word of God brought conviction and repentance? Verse 9, last clause.
  16. What cheering words did Nehemiah speak? Verse 9, first part.
  17. What should follow true repentance? Verse 10.
  18. What is our strength?—Id, last clause. Note 3.
  19. How did the Levites second the words of Nehemiah? Verse 11.
  20. How did the people obey the instruction given? Verse 12.
  21. Why were they joyful?—Id.
  22. What should be our prayer? Golden text.

NOTES.

1. To bring the book of the law.—The first five books of the Bible, especially those which contained instruction to them as a people. Too often it is the case nowadays that the people are, as the prophet declared, "a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord." Isa. 30: 9. To have a desire to know and do God's law is a sign of a submissive heart. The law had its designed effect: (1) It showed them their sins, and thus led to repentance. (2) It brought them to the pardoning love of God, to the mercy in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus they found peace and joy. Gal. 3: 24; Rom. 5: 11.
2. He read . . . from morning until midday.—It was a long lesson, or sermon, but the people did not grow weary, nor did the preacher exhaust his theme. It was just what such services ought always to be,—a Bible school. Peloubet calls it "a Sunday school of the olden time," but every intelligent reader knows that there was nothing of Sunday, as some now view it, in the matter at all. Sunday has no sacredness in the word of God above Monday or Friday. Ezra's school was simply a Bible school. He had a message of instruction for the people, and they desired to know God's will. There is nothing like the word of God. If ministers and teachers would read the word of God, and make that plain, we would have stronger Christians than now. We see its result here. We see what it was on the day of Pentecost. God's word is the same now.
3. The joy of the Lord is your strength.—The law of itself does not bring joy to the sinner's heart, but it puts him in the way of joy,—a godly sorrow. Joy is here put for salvation from sin, for the gift of God's gracious Spirit, of which joy is one of the fruits. See Rom. 5: 11; Gal. 5: 22. In gloom and despondency are discouragement and weakness. In joy and gladness are strength and courage. Another thought. Christ's joy is in seeing souls saved. See Isa. 53: 11; Heb. 12: 2. It is solely by his love and mercy that he does save man. Therefore our strength, our "stronghold" (margin), is God's mercy and goodness.