Evening star., 1905-11-11

THE CoNTEXT.-Scholars are not
I agreed in their estimate Of che time tha'
elapsed between the intercesslon OF Esther
studied last week, and the departure OF
Ezra for Jerusalem. Some separate the TWO
events by half century and others by
few years only. The learned John kitto
locates the first in the year AGA and the
other at 457 He also contends that
Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes were the same
person, the one name being Roman and
the other Greek, which opinion DR. Adam
Clarke also held. Accepting this view we
discover that the work of Esther was pre-
liminary, nclining the heart of the king
and protecting the Jews. The passage now
to be studied presents q chapter in sacred
history, which would never have been writ
ten had not the queen imperied her own
life to save her people who had been con-
demned to slaughter.
THE FAST.-(verse o1.) BY the good
favor of the king, Ezra the learned scribe,
had arranged an expedition TO Jerusalem, to
set in order whatever related to the serv-
Ice and worship of Jehovah. He was moved
to undertake this on hearing that there
were irregularities in the observances. 1t
was an imposing company of scholars,
priests and singers that he gathered about
him. They had not gone far from Babylon
when all were halted to engage In re-
lSlouS exercises tnaI SJOu pressing might
rest upon the expedition. 1t was on the
bank of the Ahava, a small tributary of the
Euphrates, whose location cannot be eX-
act,y determined fast was proclaimed,
abstinence from food being esteemed
q Chronicles, Xx:3) valuable method of
spiritual quickening. During the fast the
assembly engaged in prayer that the Lord
would lead them in tie right way. This
was deemed necessary because of the ma
rauding parties that infested the country.
psalm. VS..
THE SHAME.-(Verse 22) In passing
through such dangerous region on such
an important errand an armed escort
might have been secured from the king.
Ordinarily no one would attempt this jour-
ney, not even in our day, without military
protection. But Ezra did not ask for it
and the reason is plainly given. He had as
serted that God cares for all them who put
their trust in him, truth that had found
acceptance centuries before in the minds of
pious men. psalm, Xxxiii:1S.) According
ly, the Divine hand would be against any
one who molested the people of God.
psalm. Xxxiv:16) Having made such as
sertions Ezra was not willing to go counter
to his faith, indeed he would be ashamed to
ask protection from men when he expected
protection from God. He desired that his
conduct should be in harmony with his
profession. 1t was on that account that
prayer was offered
THE ASSURANCE-CVers 23) The
exercises at the river side may have been
PioloiStu, dl lSdSt, IHey were successful.
1t is probable that this great leader like
Moses EXODUS, xxxiii:15) resolved not to
go except under the protection of the AL
mighty, that he was unwilling to enter
upon the hazardous undertaking with re-
nance only upon an unarmed company who
might be robbed or slain on the way God
gave the answer, how, we are not inform
ed. whether by audible voice or inward
conviction, or sign we'll understood An
sWers to prayer were by no means uncom-
mon in the pre-Christian times. q Chron-
icies, v:20D The record is made in several
places In such form Qsaiah, xix:22) as to
indicate that no one was surprised at the
fact. But when the assurance came Ezra
was able to proceed with utmost confide 1ce.
greater than he might have felt with the
Babylon army behind him
- THE ECOMMISSION.-(Verse pa Ger
tain matters needed to be handled with
particular care, If the end was to be gained
for which the expedition was undertal en-
and for this purpose a commission was
formed. This was composed of twenty
TOUR men, twelve of the chief priests and
twelve of the Levites, the former ecclesias-
tlcal the latter civil officers. Two of the
Levites are mentioned, Sherebiah and
Hashabiah, evidently eminent and highly
esteemed persons oversees 1S and I9, who
might pc trusted in the performance of A
pubic duty. 1t is noticeable that the
number represented the tribes. two for
each tribe, as if a new Israel religious and
political, were going up from the house of
bondage to the ancient home. In making
this selection Ezra displayed much wis
dom. His act was calculated to secure the
favor of the people.
THE TREASURE.-(Verses %, &c. 27.,
Silver, gold and the vessels-money and ar
ticles for the sanctuary-were committed
to these select men. This treasure had
been obtained from the king, from his coun-
selorS and from the Jewish people and set