The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-11-10
Eros Journey
to Jerusalem
Sunday School Lesson Tor Nov.l2. 1905
Specially Prepared for This Paper.

LESSON TEXT-Ezra s:2i-S2 Memory
verses. 2l-23.
GOLDEN TEXT.-"The hand of our God
IN upon all them that seek Him. Ezra
s:22
TIME-Ezra left Babylon with return
ing exiles, March, 45s Il. c.; arrived at
Jerusalem four months later. This was Is
years after the first return. SO years after
tn, npletion of the temple and 10 years
aftei Esther's heroic action.
PLACE-The returning caravan assem-
bed at the River Ahava, probably one OF
the canals of the Euphrates, near BABY
lon.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
V. 81. 81" Ezra. Proclaimed a
fast" Fasting, as religious service
accompanying prayer, was much prac-
ticed by the Jews, and by Christians OF
earlier times. "Afiiict ourselves before
God" Better humble ourselves.
| 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. {.
a 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
infested the desert, and often robbed
caravans THE hand of our God.
etc Ezra always recognized that God S
hand guides the affairs of men, work
| ing thereby all good for those who love
| him and yield themselves to his guild
ance ezra 10, 8; S:22, 81. Against
forsake Him" The very wheel
which bears onward that which COM
mits itself to go with it, brushes what
ever opposes or stands in its way; so
one who goes with God comes into all
good; one who goes against Him, into
disaster and destruction.
V. %. He was intreated." Through
their praying and fasting, Goo 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.
1t 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 u priests and IL
Levites were appointed (See " 800.
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
offered 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, 10. Ezra recog-
nized the hand of God working also
upon the kings heart G:2O.
V. 20. Six hundred and fifty talents
Of silver" In value about 81 ,250,OO
or, if the lighter standard of weight
was used about one-half that amount.
Gold, an hundred talents" Worth
about $4,OOO,0OO or s.. 100000
V. 81 DRAINS" Larics; Persian
coins, worth each about five dollars
Fine copper" Or bright brass" Be
Ing rarely produced, this was very
highly valued.
V. 2S. Holy" The gift consecrated
to God was entrusted to men specially
set apart TO Gods service.
V. %. Watch ye." Vigilance and
wakofulness would be required, pos
sibly also they might have TO protect
their treasure by great exertion or per
Bonal sacrifice. Until we weigh them
Until you deliver them intact to the
authorities at Jerusalem
! V. 80. Took the priests and Le-
vites.' They accepted the trust i'm
posed upon them, realizing its impor-
lance, reckoning themselves accOunta-
BILE for it to God, and fully aware oil
the dangers they might meet (v. 33).
V. 81. Departed" They set out
about the time of the Passover oul
Easter, "the twelfth of the first
month" and, journeying slowly on &C
count of the old and the little ones. anC
hating frequently for several days oil
rest, they reached Jerusalem on the
first day Of the fifth month ezra 7:9)
having spent three months and a hal
since leaving Ahava.
v 30. abode three days" Rest eC
three days before delivering theil
treasure and explaining their mission
&c