The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-01-05
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
A Study of the International Sunday
School Lesson Appointed for Jan.
8, 1893.

8, 1893.
| Subject: Laying OF tho Foundations of the
Temple of Zerubbabei. Err, 8: lis.
fOne reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
indicated above.l
INTRODUCTION.
We have in chapter the first of Ezra account
of Zerubbabel leading $4,000 Jews back from
Babylon to Jerusalem. Out of some considera-
ton, perhaps for help received from them by him
| in his attempt to capture Babylon, Cyrus felt
| agreeably inclined toward them, aud having
| captured the city, he gave them carte blanche
| to return from their captivity, to regain and
renew their Capital and Temple at Jerusalem.
| Fifty thousand of the eaptives gladly avsied
| themselves OF the privilege. We have in the
second chapter their names and other personal
| details. 1t required about four months to go
| from Babylon to Jerusalem. During the 20
| years that had interviewed between capture and
| release their country, Judea, bad degenerated
fearfully. The Temple had been dismantled,
and was going to ruin. Gentiles, specially
| Philistines, occupied the region. The returned
| captiyes spent little time in settling residence
| Their principal concern was the Temple. They
determined first of all to put that in full repair
| Their enthusiasm originated from worthy
| ergy and enthusiasm.
| We have account in the third chapter of the
work led on by Zerubbabel. of rebuilding the
Temple We remember how Solomon built
the original structure, which was dedicated
1904 B. c., 463 years before Zerubbabel rebuilt
| it. Ezra does not yet appear on the scene.
Zerubbabeps is what IL known as the second
Temple. 1t was begun May. B. G. 534, and was
finished March, B. G. SIS. We find it required
10 years to do the work. At return to Judea
Zerub babel became the Governor This was
fitting, since he was royal prince in line from
David and so actually heir to the throne
We may mention names of few contempt
raries and so fiji ourselves into the world at that
time: Esop Darius, Pesistratus, Pythagoras,
Scion, Tarquin the Proud. Those were days
of the Prophets Haggai and Zechariah.
Book OF EZRA.
We may suppose Ezra compiled the first six
chapters. They were simply historical, local
records or journals of events of those days.
Ezra compiled what parts were necessary TO
furnish connected account of matters required
in the Bible. From the beginning of chapter
and on to the end, We hold Ezra was the
original writer. In compiling it is not un-
likely Ezra made some additions or alterations
in the original data for the first six chapters to
adapt them for Biblical purposes Between the
two parts into which the book may properly
be divided, to wit, between chapters and
z, there was an interval in historical &C.
quence of about 50 years. All the book was
originally written in Hebrew, except4: 8 and
on to the end of 6: 49, also 7: 1926 which
portions are Chaldee. That Chronicles and
Ezra were by the same author is considered
by some the more probable, from the fact that
9 Chronicles closes precisely as Ezra begins.
Polyb tells Us it was often the case in early
book writing that an author connected his two
volumes in such way. Gfotus notices this
fact. But Huetius takes exception, holding
Ezras authorship does not begin till chapter
z. Il is certain the first six chapters relate
earlier matter, and Ezra does not present him
self till the seventh begins. Events of the first
six chapters were mainly in the reigns of
Cyrus and Darius, while Artaxerxes was ruler
when Ezra went to Jerusalem.
The CAPTIVITY.
The captivity began B. C. GOA. Nebuchad-
neZzar then captured the Jews Of the tribes of
Judah and Benjamin and carried them off to
Babylon. Seventy years passed, bringing US
down to B. G. 437, the year when Cyrus al
lowed Zerubbabel to lead back the captives to
their beloved land. While the captivity was
punishment, it was also benefit. We do not
find the people wholly crushed, abused, perse-
cuted by their captors. At times they had
even much of privilege. One thing is certain,
the captivity broke the power of idolatry over
the Jews. When they returned, and always
Those who left Babylon for Jerusalem were
picked stock. Though probably there were
many over 100000 of them in the captivity,
only about $4,000 returned. Those not cured
of idolatry remained in Bsbylonia. We re-
member those taken into captivity were picked
men and women. Then those who went back
to Jerusalem were selected from the best of the
captives after their 70 years Of contact with
Baby lonianism. The captivity had been to
them what foreign travel is to the student.
Their ideas developed. They had chance to
compare their religion with heathen forms.
They learned to worship the true God without
leaning on sacred places and sssociations-to
understand the meaning of worshiping in
spirit and in truth.
Notice the number who returned to Jerusa-
lem:
1850 Jews. (2:64)
1887 servants; 200 were singers. (6S.)
So we have total of 50000 about.
Then we have account Of their personal e.
fects:
Horses, 736.
Mules, 245.
Camels, 435.
Asses, 6,720.
Total 13R