The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-08-30
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR AUGUST 27.

6Sh HSSSSt L'
Subject: Returning From Captivity, Ezra
J., 1-11-Golden Text: "The Lord Hath
Done Great Things For Us, Whereof
We Are Glad" Psa. 12G:3-Comments
INTRODUCTION. ezra was a Jewish
scribe, Levite and descendant OF Aaron
! and Of that high priest, Hilkiah, who
found the Book OF Law in the temple, In
the days of Josiah. He wns born B. q. 1876.
ArtaXerxes Longlmanus; and nearly
eighty years after the return Of Zerubba-
bel, described in this lesson, brought to
Jerusalem another company OF returned
eIiles. He was the author Of the Book OF
Ezra, though the events described in the
1rst six chapters took place many years
before his time. He died between B. G..
i20 and B. C. 410."
l. "1n the first year Of Cyrus" That is,
his first year as sole king at Babylon. He
was king, twenty years before this, OF
over the Persians and Medes, Babylonians
and Chaldesns. For two years after the
capture Of BABYLON (B. c. $3.50 Darius was
king OF Babylon under Cyrus. Now (B. G..
5S6) Cyrus reIgned at Babylon, and this
was his first year Of direct sovereignty
over the Jews. WORD Of the Lord" (see
Ter. 25:12; 29:10). The promise that after
seventy years be would bring his people
again to Palestine. "The Lord stirred up
;he spirit Of Cyrus" There is good reason
20 accept the Jewish tradition according to
position in the court OF Cyrus, brought to
nis attention the prophecies Of Isaiah,
which name Cyrus as Gods servant Qsa.
t4:26.2S; 45:1-D, and perhaps, also the
prophecies Of jeremiah, showing that God
aad for this purpose given Babylon into
She hands Of Cyrus. "Made proclama-
hon (see chapter g. In writing" To
preserve 1t on the records, to prevent any
mistake or reversal which might occur.
2. "God Of heaven hath given me-" Hence
the Controller OF all men and affairs. "God
pf heaven" seems to have been usual
title OF the Supreme Being among the Per-
slams. At this time the Medo-Persian EN-.
pire was very extensive, extending on the
east to the Red Sea, on the north to the
Black Sea, on the west to the island Of
Cyprus and Egypt, and on the south to
Ethiopia. Hath charged me to build Him
IN house." Cyrus probably accepted the
prophecy OF Isaiah as charge to build the
temple. The existence Of predictions In
which, two hundred years before he was
born, his victorious career and the i'm
portant services he should render to the
Jews were foretold, led him to acknowledge
that all his Kingdoms were gifts bestowed
On him by "tbe Lord God Of heaven" and
prompted him to fullll the duty which had
Deen laid upon him long before his birth.
This was the source and origin Of the great
lavor he showed to the. Jews.
8. "Who Is there among you" Tho re-
iurn was to be volunteer movement
which in ell respects was the best both for
the purpose OF Cyrus and for the new
Jewish settlement. "Hls God be with him" 1"
pious wish, indicating the deep religious
feeling and goodness Of heart which char
He ruled his subjects like O futher. No
oobler character appears in ancient his
tory.
4. "Whosover remaineth.", Some persons
of true and eminent plety were 80 situated
;hat they did not deem It their duty to go,
as Daniel in the court OF Cyrus; others
tindsred by old age. Many more returned
than We read OF being carried away cap.
tive. "Let the men. help him." Let
the heather population help him. "Free
Gill Offering" Probably that made by
5. "Chiet OF the fathers" Venerable
men, heads Of families, some Of whom had
seen the first temple. Judah and Ben ia
nin." These tribes, last exiled, were the
arst to return. "Priests. .Leyites." !"
Without these the temple services could
lot be properly administered, nor the
sacrifices daily offered.
Z. "Vessels which Nebuchadnezzar had
brought" The most precious Of all their
property.-Gray. Some Of these vessels
hnd been profaned by Belshazzar on tina.
night when Babylon was taken and Bel
shazzar slain. "Sheshbazzar" (are-wor-
;bIper). The Chaldee or Persian name Of
zerubbabel, given him at court rs other
names were given to Daniel andfhis friends
son Of Shealtiel and descendant Of David.
Born In Babylon and named by his friends
zerubbabel (exile In Babylon). He was
recognized as hereditary Prince OF Judah;
was leader Of this first company OF eSiles,
and director Of the rebuilding Of the tenn
pie. In the history Of the restoration or
the Jews to their own country, the names
81 three Jewish leaders and Of three Per.
slams ure prominent. The first Jewish
leader was Zeru5babel, who left Babylon
under this proclamation of Cyrus, ,B. e.
G36. seventy wears after the first captivity.
After an interval Of about twenty years he
was enabled to complete the rebuilding OF
the temple, in the reign OF Darius Hystas-
pes, seventy years after the destruction OF
the temple. The second Jewish leader was
Ezra, who went up from Babylon about
eighty years after Zerubbabel, In the
seventh year Of ArtaxerXes Longimanus.
He labored chiefly to restore the institu.
tions of Moses. The third jewish leader
was Nehemiah, who went up from Susa, OF
Shushan, In the twentieth year OF the same
ArtaxerXes. He rebuilt the wall and set
up the gates OF jerusalem and promoted
many reforms.
8. "By the hand of Mithredath'' (giveD
by, or dedicated to Mitbra, the sun-god). He
had these treasures in his charge. "Shesh-
bazzar" (nre-wor5hiper). The Persian name
Of Zerubbabel (''Born in Babylon"D: In
SIG, we read that Sheshbazzar laid the
foundation OF the temple, while In 35
the same work Is ascrlbed to Zerubbabel.
II. Gall the vessels. were five thou.
sand and four hundred" This Is more
than double the sum Of the preceding num-
ber-2499. 1t is probable that only the
lurger or more costly vessels were num-
bered in detail, and tho 54O0 includes q
great number OF smaller and less costly
ones. So they are reckoned by Josephus.
TEACHINGS Gods eye is upon His peo'
pie, though they be IN af1iction.. All theil
uflictions are blessings In disguise. Wher
the work OF afflction Is done God send;
deliverance. Gods promises never fall
All things are under His control. He VII
move hearts to carry out His purposes,
The day is coming when He will take al
His precious treasures out OF Satan,s reacn
When He shall declare the day, all His peo
ple will 90 forth from this temporary ahoo'
to their final home.