The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-11-09
Ezra's Journey
to Jerusalem
Sunday School Lesson for Nov. II, 1905
Specially Prepared for This Paper.

LESSON TExT-Ezra s:2i-32. Memory
| verses, 2l-23
GOLDEN TExT.-"The hand of our God
J is upon all them that seek Him. Ezra
1 1922.
| TIME.-Ezra left Babylon with return
ing exiles, March, ass B. c.; arrived al
Jerusalem four months Sater. This was Is
years after the first return. IS years after
the completion of the temple and 10 years
after Esther's heroic action.
| PLACE.-The returning caravan assem-
bled at the River Ahava, probably one OF
the canals Of the Euphrates, near Baby
/ Ion.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
V. 21. a." Ezra. Proclaimed q
fast" Fasting, as a religious service
accompanying prayer, was much prac-
ticed by the Jews, and by Christians OF
earlier times. "Afflict ourselves before
God" Better, humble ourselves. u
With loving conservation, they humbly
besought God to guide them through
the trackless desert, protect them and
their treasure. "a right way" Ezra
relied upon God to guide them In the
most direct road, and where they would
be least exposed to attacks from rob-
bers. Substance" Goods of every
sort.
v. %. Ashamed to require.
band of soldiers" Ezra had publicly
spoken of his confidence in God and
to ask for an armed guard, such as
commonly accompanied caravans
might cause these heather friends to
doubt Gods ability to help his people,
or to question whether Ezra spoke tru-
| ly when he told of reliance upon his
God. "The enemy" Hordes of Bedouins
caravans. THE hand OF our God. "
etc. Ezra always recognized that God's
hand guides the affairs of men, work
ing thereby all coed for those who love
him and yield themselves to his guild
ance EZRA 7:6. 8; 1922. 81. Against
d. forsake Him" The very wheel
which bears onward that which COM
mits itself to go with ii, crushes what
ever opposes or stands in its way; so
one who gees with God comes into all
good; one who goes against Him, into
disaster and destruction.
V. %. "IIe was intreated." Through
their praying and fasting, God had
brought them into such position that
| He could do His best for them.
V. "a. Separated" Or, set Apart"
These men were chosen by name and
consecrated to this particular service.
II would not be amiss to-day to conse-
crate by special prayer all who have
charge of church money. Twelve
&. priests brethren" This
probably means that ~ priests and ~
Levites were appointed (See v. 30).
V. %. Weighed unto" Coined
money was used in that day, but the
precious metal entrusted to Ezra was
chiefly in bars or ingots. One cannot
be too careful in caring for public
funds. "The Offering" Jews were
highly esteemed by King Artaxerxes
he counted greatly upon their prayers
| ofered on his behalf according to the
injunctions of their prophet (Jer. 29:O
and he furthered their expedition by
gifts for enriching the temple at Je-
rusalem ezra 7:15, ~. Ezra recog-
nized the hand of God working also
upon the kings heart (7:27).
V. 26. six hundred and fifty talents
Of silver" In value about 1880, 900,
or, II the lighter standard Of weight
was used, about one-half that amount.
Gold, an hundred talents" Worth
about S4,000,000 or S2.000,000.
V. 27 "Drams." Darics: Persian
coins v1h each about five dollars.
"Ffr r>,er." Or bright brass" Be.
- siy produced, this was very
L'-..y valued.
V. 20. Holy" The gift consecrated
to God was entrusted to men specially
set apart to Gods service.
V. 20. Watch ye." Vigilance and
wakefulness would be required; DOS.
sibly also they might have to protect
their treasure by great exertion or per.
sonal sacrifice. Until ye weigh them" {"
Until you deliver them intact to the
authorities at Jerusalem.
v. 30. Took the priests and LIE.
vites." They accepted the trust i'm
posed upon them. realizing its impor.
tance. reckoning themselves accounta.
Die Tor 1t to God, and fully aware of
the dangers they might meet ". 3s).
" u. Departed" They set out
about the time Of the Passover, our
Easter, the twelfth of the first
month" and. journeying slowly on &C.
count OF the old and the little ones, and
haiting frequently for several days of
yest' they reached Jerusalem on the
first day of the fifth month (Ezra 10,
having spent three months and a half
since leaving Ahava.
" 80. Abode three days" Rested
three days before delivering their
treasure and explaining their mission