Golden Text: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits." Ps. 103: 2.
LESSON I.—Joy in God's House. Psalm 122. God meets with His people in the house dedicated to His worship, and the true Christian delights in repairing to this house of meeting—meeting-house. God changes not. He met with His people in the sanctuary of old, and He meets with them to-day—those who realize their need of Him. Golden text: "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." Ps. 122: 1.
LESSON II.—Haman's Plot against the Jews. Esther 3: 1-11. This is the story of the revengeful plot by which Haman hoped to destroy all the Jews under the jurisdiction of Ahasuerus (Xerxes), because of the refusal of Mordecai to bow to him. For twelve months lots were cast for a favorable opportunity to secure the king's consent to the plan. It was given, and the decree went forth for the destruction of the Jews. Golden text: "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Rom. 8: 31.
LESSON III.—Esther Pleading for Her People. Esther 8: 3-8, 15-17. Through the pleading of Esther for her kindred and her people, the Jews were given the right to defend themselves against any who should attack them. God had a care for His peculiar people, and the wrath of man was made to praise Him. He is able to deliver from any snare the evil one may set. Golden text: "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass." Ps. 37: 5.
LESSON IV.—Ezra's Journey to Jerusalem. Ezra 8: 21-32. The time of this lesson is the seventh year of Artaxerxes, the son of Ahasuerus (Xerxes). A fast was proclaimed at Ahava River, and the people humbled themselves and sought the Lord for His protection on the journey. Ezra would not ask the king for a company of soldiers, because he had told the king of his trust in God. Golden text: "The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him." Ezra 8: 22.
LESSON V.—Psalms of Deliverance. Psalms 85 and 126. It was doubtless deliverance from captivity that caused these psalms to be written. If written before the captivity, they are prophetic. The Lord is at all times ready to speak peace to His children when they turn from sin and rebellion. Golden text: "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." Ps. 126: 5.
LESSON VI.—Nehemiah's Prayer. Neh. 1: 1-11. This was in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes, thirteen years after Ezra went to Jerusalem. Nehemiah learns of the affliction of the Jews who had gone up to Jerusalem, and the fact that the walls of the city were broken down and the gates burned with fire. He therefore humbles himself before God, confessing his own sins and the sins of his people, and beseeches the Lord for mercy in their behalf. Golden text: "Prosper, I pray Thee, Thy servant this day." Neh. 1: 11.
LESSON VII.—Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem. Neh. 4: 7-18. The enemies of the Jews were stirred to wrath when they learned of the determination to rebuild the walls, and conspired to slay the builders; but the conspiracy was brought to nought; their counsels were known to the Jews, and provisions were made to protect the city; and the building of the walls went on, though under difficulties. When God is working for His people and they are trusting in Him, nothing can prevail against them. Golden text: "Watch and pray." Matt. 26: 41.
LESSON VIII.—Public Reading of the Scriptures. Neh. 8: 1-12. This lesson is a report of a wonderful meeting. The people had come up from Babylon, where they were surrounded by the lowest, basest heathenism. They were now to learn from God's own law what He required of them. The sense, the real meaning, was given so that the people might fully understand God's requirements—and this is the duty of religious teachers now as much as it was then. Golden text: "And he read therein before the street that was before the water-gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law." Neh. 8: 3.
LESSON IX.—Woe of Intemperance. Prov. 23: 29-35. This lesson is a description of what strong drink does for those who tamper with it, who find pleasure in the drink itself and the associations which it brings with it. Golden text: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." Prov. 20: 1.
LESSON X.—Keeping the Sabbath. Neh. 13: 15-22. Nehemiah tells of the desecration of the Sabbath, and the measures which he took to suppress it. If Israel had kept the Sabbath, Jerusalem would have stood forever. Jer. 17: 25. When the people turned from the Sabbath of the Lord to the sun festivals of Baal, and the sun's day, the Lord allowed the destruction of the city. Nehemiah understands this and wishes to forestall a recurrence. See Jer. 17: 27 and 2 Chron. 36: 19-21. Golden text: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." Ex. 20: 8.
LESSON XI.—Lessons in Giving. Mal. 1: 6-11; 3: 8-12. The secret of joyous, bountiful giving is to give, first of all, ourselves. The lesson deals with the principle of tithing and the duty of giving liberally to support the cause of God. Golden text: "God loveth a cheerful giver." 2 Cor. 9: 7.
LESSON XII.—Fruits of Right and Wrong Doing. Mal. 3: 13 to 4: 6. God rebukes those who would do righteousness for profit. He wants men who will do right even if they suffer for it. The lesson scripture declares the coming of that day that shall burn as an oven and try every man's work of what sort it is. Read the scripture and ponder the thoughts contained in those verses. Golden text: "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal. 6: 7.
LESSON XIII.—Christ's Coming Foretold. Isa. 9: 2-7. The lesson scripture refers not only to Christ's coming as a babe in Bethlehem, but to His second coming, when He comes to establish His kingdom on the earth. During His life upon earth He refused to be a judge, or to be made a king; but when He comes again, it will be as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, having received a kingdom from His Father. Golden text: "Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2: 11.
