The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1905-12-08
Reading and
Cbeyins the Law
Sunday School Lesson Tor Dec. 10. 1906
Specially Prepared Ter This Paper


GOLDEN TEXT" Blessed are they thai
hear the Word Of God and keep t."-Luk,
li;1
TINE Temple was completed sbou
middle 81 September. II e. IA. The ceci
cation % the walls began about the FIRST da,
of October.
PLACE The water gaze. Jerusalem
located just south Of the temple area. Th'
assembly lsas he'd iu fhc 5pen square al
that point
SCRIPTURE REFERENCEs.-Rev
under Josiah. Kings Z.N-25.25. Uncci
Hezekiah. Chr0n. 3N.ls-3i.lO. Under Ezra
szra s.s-l0.5. AT Pentecost. Acis2 Teach
lngs concerning bib.e study and rs Effects
Deut $3.50. COS. Ills, ~: Slll-ls, etc.
Josh is. Fsa d. ils. lisa $3.50. II. Matt
72i-2s. John $685. -02i. Rom. 1874, Heb
~. l.. ? Pet .lg. ~. 81 Rev 10, -.
Comment and Suggestive Thought
Y. s. They" Ezra ana - Leyites
whom he had associated with him. II
seems (ys. III that Ezra read from
the book Of the law. the people stand
ing while he read to show their reyer
ence for the book Then. after por
ton had been read. the Levites gath
cred little companies and caused
them TO understand the reading
V. 8. "Tirshatha. A Persian title
meaning governor This day Is
holy" II was a feast day (Ley
23:2G and hence more Appropriate fol-
expressions of joy than those Of grief
"Wept words OF the law" Doubt
less some passage portraying Gods in
dignation against sin. and the bittei
fruits OF unrighteousness. had jus
been read.
V. 10. Eat the fat" etc: A pro
verbal expression. meaning. Let th'
day be one Of rejoicing and feasting
send. portions Make the poor par
takers Of your joy joy
strength True Joy is a great source
of strength. Joy Of the Lord" means
not only the JOY OF sins forgiven, anc
reconciliation with God. but also
Ckrists own Joy John l5:1D.
V. IL. "Stilled the people, The
Levites passed among them comfort
ing and cheering them. Neither be
We grieved" While it is proper fol
US TO lament sin, when We have con
fessed and forsaken it We are TO allow
it to be cast behind our backs. as Goo
does lisa. 38l7). and go forward to
renewed effort, not wasting energy IL
vain regrets.
V. II. Went their way" The as
sembly now broke UP for the day
''Mirth." Great rejoicing Because
they had understood" The same
book OF the law had turned their sor
row to Joy. The book that shows Out
sin. tells also OF the love and mercy
OF God
v. Is. Chief OF the fathers" TIL
4 secular leaders. TO understand" o
TO give attention to-" There seem
to have been a voluntary gathering 0
the people. this second day, and re
quest that Ezra would read more Z
lShem from the law of God.
V. IA. They found written" PROT
ably I.eviticus 23.34-43 was read 4
them. Dwell in booths. The Feas
Of Tabernacles was celebrated by tn
people dwelling in tabernacles, O
booths. made Of branches Of trees. |
was the great national Thanksgiving
week.
V. Is. Publish and proclaim.
Whenever il was desirable TO call tn
people together. courtiers were sen
throughout the land telling the cause
for which they we're asked to assem-
bic. and inviting them TO come "Thl
mount" The hill region round abou
Jerusalem. pine branches Bette
In Revision. Branches Of wild olive;
Olive trees were noted for their thicl
foliage. hence would be especially val
uable for erecting the booths in which
the people lived during the festival.
V. is. Upon the roof" etc: Thu
fat roofs OF the houses afforded con
yenient places for the erection OF thes'
booths. Others set them up in tn
courts OF their houses; still others
laymen as well as priests and Leyites
set them up in the courts OF the tenn
ple or open spaces in the city. Stree
~ the water-gate." The broad, opeI
space between the temple and the cit
walls. in which the people gathered
for the reading Of the law on the frs
dav. Is meant (See v u.
V. II. Come out Of captivity |
Is quite probable that the returned ex
lies took the lead in this movement
and especially enjoyed this festival oc
cssion. Since the days OF Joshua
not done So" The meaning seems e
be that. since the time Of lsrael's frs
entrance into Canaan under Joshua
tNls feast had not been observed VIII
20 great rejoicing.
Y. Is. DAY by day he read
Ezra and his Levite helpers continued
the Bible reading each Of the sever
davs of the feast We cannot find tha
this was required by law. and rejoic'
that il was a token Of the deep interos
and sincere desire OF The people 10 knew
Gods will for them. Eighth day
solemn assembly" A closing festiva
specially mentioned in Lev. 1886 wa
held on that day. Manner: Better
ordinance.
Practical Points.
v s. Each should read the Bible witt