The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1905-11-10
NO 6
Ezrd's Journey
to Jerusalem
Sunday School Lesson Tor NOv.i7.lSos
Specially Prepared for This Pager.

/ verses 2l-23
GOLDEN TEXT. The hand Of our Got
Is upon all them that sesk Him. m.'-Ezra
e22
TIME.-Ezra left Babylon with return
ing exiiss, March. as Il. c.; arrived ai
jerusalem four months later. This was u
years after the first return. ~ years aftei
the completion OF the temple. and Is years
after Esthers heroic action
PLACE.-The returning caravan assem-.
bled Al the River Ahava. probably one Of
the canals OF the Euphrates, near Baby
Ion.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
V. 81 Il" Ezra. Proclaimed
fast" Fasting, as religious servics
accompanying prayer, was much prac
ticed by the Jews, and by Christians OF
earlier times. "Afiict ourselves befors
God" Better. humble ourselves
with loving conservation. they humblJ
besought God TO guide them through
the trsckless desert, protect them and
their treasure. "A right way" Ezra
relied upon God to guide them In the
most direct road, and where they woule
be least exposed TO attacks from rob
bers. Substance" Goods OF eYery
sort
V. 22. Ashamed to require. -,
a band Of soldiers" Ezra had publicly
spoken OF his confidence IN God and
to ask for an armed guard, such AZ
commonly accompanied caravans
might cause these heather friends tc
doubt Gods ability TO help his people
OF 10 question whether Ezra spoke tru
ly when he told Of reliance upon hi
God. The enemy" Hordes OF Bedouini
infested the desert, and often robbed
caravans. The hand Of our Cod"
etc. Ezra always recognized that Gods
hand guides the affairs Of men. work
ing thereby all good for those who love
him and yield themselves TO his guild
ance Ezra 7:6, Q; s:22. SD. Against
forsake Him." The very wheel
which bears onward that which COM
mits itself TO 20 with II. crushes what
ever opposes or stands in its way; sc
one who goes with God comes into all
good; one who goes against Him, into
disaster and destruction.
V. %. IKE was lntreated." Through
their praying and fasting, God hse
brought them into such position that
lie could do His best for them.
V. "a. Separated" Or, "Set Apart"
These men were chosen by name and
consecrated to this particular service
Il would not be amiss to-day TO eonss-
crate by special prayer all who have
charge Of church money. Twelve
priests brethren" Thif
probably means that IL priests and u
Levites we're appointed (see '. SO).
V. 20. Weighed unto" Coined
money was used In that day, but the
precious metal entrusted to Ezra was
chiefly in bars or ingots. One cannoi
be too careful in caring for public
funds. "The Offering" Jews wers
highly esteemed by King ArtaxerIes;
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 enrichng the temple at Je.
rusalem EZRA 7:15. 10. Ezra recog
nized the hand OF God working also
upon the kings heart (7:2O.
V. 26. "Six hundred and fifty talenti
OF silver" In value about 81 100000
or. II the lighter standard Of weight
was used, about one-half that amount
"Gold, an hundred talents" Worth
about $4,000 900 or $4,000, 900.
V. 27. "Drams." Darlcs; 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. 20. Watch ye." Vigilance ans
wakefuness would be required; pos
sibly also they might have TO protect
their treasure by great exertion or per
sonal sacrifice. Until ys weigh them
Until you deliver them intact to the
authorities at Jerusalem.
V. 80 Took the priests and Ie
yites." They accepted the trust I'm.
posed upon them, realizing its impor.
tance. reckoning themselves accounta
bic for It to God, and fully aware o.
the dangers they might meet ". 33).
V. 81. Departed" They set om
about the time Of the Passover, om
Easter, the twelfth Of the hrsi
month" and, journeying slowly on &C
count Of the old and the little ones, an,
halting frequently for several days OF
rest, they reached Jerusalem on the
nrst day Of the fifth month Ezra 7:s)
having spent three months and a hall
since leaving Ahava.
V. %. Abode three days" Restec
three days before delivering theh
treasure and explaining their mission