Let us remember to keep perpetual Sabbath in the heart, whatever be our outward life. In this life there is a Sabbath rest for the people of God, Heb. 4:9, but we must labor to enter into it, and must set God’s angel of peace to keep the door against all intruders, Phil. 4:7. Twenty years before, Ezra had dismissed the strange wives, but the evil had risen again. Alas, how sadly do children expose the inconsistencies of their parents, and betray the evil of

unequal marriages! We see plenty of this around us; and where there is such a union, the balance is almost certain to turn in favor of the world and against vital godliness, Deut. 7:4; 2 Cor. 6:14. Nehemiah did not hesitate to add strong acts to strong words. Josephus says that this expelled priest was Manasseh, and that he went to his father-in-law, Sanballat, who built for him a temple on Mount Gerizim like that at Jerusalem, and that this was the origin of the religious rivalry and hatred between Samaritans and Jews, John 4:20. The faithful servant and the dying thief join in the same petition, v. 31. To be remembered by Jesus Christ is enough reward for any of us!

(a) What were the two great undertakings which Nehe-

(>) What were some of the means by which the religious

(¢) What other writer probably wrote part of the book

(d) What does the book show concerning Nehemiah’s

(e) How long did the administration of Nehemiah last? (f) What was the secret of Nehemiah’s efficiency ?

(Hach question applies to the paragraph of corresponding

What request did Nehemiah make of the king?

Which verse in chapter 4 shows the proper relation between faith and works?

Under what peculiar conditions did the building of the wall proceed?

How did Nehemiah procure justice for the poorer Jews?

How long did it take to build the wall? What did its completion prove to those who had tried to hinder the work?

Why was the registration of the returned Jewish exiles necessary ?

For what purpose did Ezra assemble the people? What feast did they celebrate? When had it been instituted?

How does the history of Israel reveal the forbearance of God? 4

To what national sins did the people plead guilty?

What covenant was made and upon what four duties was especial emphasis placed?

What desecration of God’s House was forbidden by Nehemiah?

How did Nehemiah enforce the keeping of the Sabbath?