Article July 25, 1931 Issue

"Why should the work cease?"

EVANGELINE HATHAWAY

The Bible story of Nehemiah and his victory over the enemies of the Jews is very helpful and inspiring. Nehemiah, a Jew, was cupbearer to the king of Persia, but when he heard of the afflictions of his own people left from the captivity, and of the broken wall of Jerusalem, his one prayer was that he might be sent to rebuild the city. His prayer was granted, and he was sent to Jerusalem. The enemies of the Jews naturally did not want the city rebuilt and fortified, so they did everything they could to prevent the completion of the work. For this reason each builder on the Jerusalem wall, and each one of the other workmen, was obliged to work with one hand and to hold a weapon in the other, to resist attacks.

The enemies used craft and false rumors to persuade Nehemiah to come down from the wall as it neared completion, but Nehemiah paid no attention to them. He sent them the message, "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?" Later, one who posed as his friend endeavored to persuade him to take refuge in the temple in order to protect his life, but he refused, saying in part, "Should such a man as I flee?"

The entire history of Nehemiah indicates that he possessed the spiritual qualities of unceasing prayer, courage, wisdom, watchfulness, steadfastness, and love. In translating the spiritual message which this Bible story has for our present time, we note that similar attacks of error are still prevalent, and that the same means of protection used by Nehemiah are necessary now.

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"Redeeming the time"
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