The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-10-19
EZRA GOES TO JERUSALEM.
Snaernational sunday seAeoi Lssss.
for October "a, 1s09-TeIt, Essa
S,21-32-Asn0sy Verses, 1I-9A

Si21-32-Msnoey vssses, STA
Especially Arranged from Peloubets Noe>sI ]
GOLDEN TExT.-The hand OF our 0ed
Ezra S: a
READ Chapters Z and 8: 1886.
TIME-Exra left Babylon In March. B.
C. As. and reached Jerusalem four noaths
iaier. IN July. II was - years after The
irst caravan Of return. under Zerubbabsa.
and 10 years after the aeuverance through
Esther
PLACE.-BabyIonia and Jerusalem.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. l.. called Longt-
snanus. tho Longhsnded. king Of Persian
empire. son OF XerSes. Esra, the scribe.
governor OF iadf1, iha%dfp1t,AsAroRY.
l.. The General Condition OF the Jews
1t Jerusalem when Ezra left Babylo
On his neutrality-suspicious. had
passed since the first caravan Of the ex-
ues had returned to the home land, 60,-
600 strong. The temple had been built,
bnt the opposition had been SO great
that the walls had not been restored
and the rubbish still arose In long
stretching mounds. The vision OF sud
den glory and greatness had faded
away. Laxity, ignorance and indiffer-
ence followed. The spiritual life de-
was desecrated. Ezra needed three
things-"men, money and authority"
The king gave the latter two, and per-
nitted the men to volunteer. His de.
cree II given in Ezra 7:ll-sS.
II. The Journey to Jerusalem.-FS
Zl|c'. The starting point was ". 81
-nt The river Ahava." The place is un-
xnuwn, but it was probably one of the
ear ais near Babylon, flowing into the
Euphratos. The assembly consisted Of
abut l,7OO persons, including heads Of
faJnilies and their retainers Ezra sal
a., priests, Levitcs, and 900 Nethenim,
pr the servants who assisted in the
work about the temple, SO that the Ie-
riies could assume the higher position
As religious instructors of the people.
The Fast.-"Then l proclaimed
fast" Fasting, as a religious act, would
seem to have its basis in CD grief over
sin SO deep and intense that all desire
for food is taken away. (2) In the aid
20 devotion furnished by body unbur-
Iened with food. so as to leave the mind
and heart in their most active and free
condition. (3) 1t is the natural express
sion of deep sorrow for sin. 1t is
not enough for the heart to feel deeply;
II needs to express its feelings, though
fhe proof that the fasting is sincere lies
in. forsaking the sin repented OF and
doing deeds of Righteousness.
The object was G that we might
afilict ourselves before our God 1t
Has an expression Of repentance for
sin, of casting out all obstacles from
wrong motives or disobedieut hearts
which would render it impossible for
God to give them success in their jour
ney. 1t meant submission, consecra-
fion and repentance. (2) ITO seek of
Him a right way" The fasting was ac-
eompanied by prayer ". 2a) and was
used "aa the means Of intensifying reli-
Eious fervor in prayer through the re-
xtraint laid upon physical Appetite
Prof. Davidson. II was also the nat
urnl means Of clarifying their own
minds 30 that they could receive and
recognize the wisdom God would be-
stow upon them.
, =. %. For I was ashamed to re-
quire Of the king" etc. There were
more dangers on that four months
Journey, particularly from 1.-The rob
hers and Bedouins Of the desert, who
might easily infict damage upon large
caravan BY robbing straggiers and har-
RAISING the line Of march.
For they had large amount OF treasure
with them. Ezra had told the king that
God was with his people, and against
their enemies; and, therefore, TO ask
. guard Of soldiers might seem to the
king TO contradict his assertions. and
bring disgrace on Gods cause.
V. %. And He was entreated Of u.s."
Ezra had the assurance that his prayer
had been heard.
The Treasure.-V. "a. II separated
H. etc. He committed the treasure
into the hands OF % persons, ~ chief
priests and ten Levites, Of whom the
first two are named. These men would
take special charge and be responsible
for the safekeeping of the treasure.
Besides, II would relieve Ezra OF all pos
sible scandal in regard toit.
v. 2s. "And weighed unto them the
silver,- etc. We may gather from this
that the silver and gold were in bars
or ingots, and not in coined money.
The Persians had coined money at this
time. but the treasury kept the bulk OF
its stores in bars (Herod., Ill, 96.-Pul-
pit Com. The weighing implied accu-
rte accounting, such as always should
BE- secured for public money.
V. 26. six hundred and fifty talents
of silver 4 talent of silver was about
$1,000. "Ot gold hundred talents"
Gold is usually worth about 10 times as
r-1uch as silver. The whole treasure was
worth si,OOO,OOO or s5,00O,0O0.
VIZ. "Drams:" Darics, worth about
a. English sovereign, or five dollars.
y. IS. a .reewill offering unto the
Lord Cod" The money was for re-
ngious purposes. and would be great
help TO the people at jerusalem as well
a. smooth the way Of Ezra 20 the need