The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1905-11-10

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LESSON TEXT Ezra -ia Memoy
GOLDEN TENT Thohanl ~ our cot
n upon all them ttat seek Him. Eua
SCI
TIME Ezra ien Babylon win return.
ihg 'NAes March. sts ~ C. arrived no
Jerusalem ionr Months later. This was Z,
years after nc nrst return. os yeafs AFTER
'ne completion % me temple. ana Is cane
affer Esthers heroic action
PLACE The returning caravan ass,m.
bed az the River Ahaya. probaby one %
the canals OF the Laphrates. near BABY
lon.
Comment and Suggestive Thought
Y. u. Il" Ezra. proclaimed q
fast Fasting, as a religious service
accompanying prayer, was much prac.
ticed by the Jews and by Christians Of
earlier times. "Ahlct ourselves before
God. r Better. humble ourselves"
With loving conservation they humby
bcsought God TO guide them through
the traokless 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
Y. -. Ashamed To require
a land 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 &c
doubt Gods ability to help his people
or to question whether Ezra spoke tru.
l ly when he told OF reliance upon his
GOD "The enemy" Hordes of Bedouins
infested the desert. and often robbed
caravans Il he hand OF our God.
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. g. s:22. 81. Against
forsake Him" The very wheel
which bears onward that which com
mits itself TO 90 with Il. brushes what
ever opposes or stands in its way; SC
one Who goes with God comes into all
good. one who gees against Him, into
disaster and destruction
V. %. lie was intreated." Through
their praying and fasting. God had
brought them into such position that
lie could do His best for them
" "a. Separated Or. set Apart
These men were chosen by name anc
consecrated 10 this particular service
II would not be amiss today to conse.
crate by special prayer all who have
charge of church money. Twelve
priests brethren This |
probably means that u priests and Il
Leviies were appointed (See v 800.
V. %. Weighed unto" Coined
money was used in that day. but the
precious metal entrusted To Ezra wa. /
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
iniunctions OF their prophet tJer 29:7J
and he furthered their expedition hl /
gifts for enriching the temple at Jc.
rusalem Ezra 7:l5. 10. Ezra reco.
nizei the hand OF God working alst
upon the kings heart (7:27.
" 20. six hundred and lfty talents
Of silver" In value about $3.50 600
or, if the lighter standard OF weight
was used, about one-half that amount
cold. an hundred talents" Worth
about 100000 or 81. 00O. COO.
Y. p. DRAINS" Dal'cs: Persian
Fine copper" Or bright brass" BE
ing rarely produced. this was very
highly valued.
V. Is. Holy" The gift consecrated
70 God was entrusted TO men specially
set apart to Gods service.
V. %. Watch ye." Vigilance and
wakefulness would be required, pos
sibly also they might have to protect
their treasure by great exertion or per-
sonal sacrifice. Until We weigh them
Until you deliver them intact TO the
at Jerusalem.
" 30. Took the priests and lie
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 o.
The dangers they might meet tv. $50.
V. 81. Departed" They set out
about the time of the Passover. our
Easter. the twelfth of the first
and. journeying slowly on &C
count OF the old and the little ones. ant
hating frequently for several days o
rest, they reached Jerusalem on tn,
first day OF the fifth month ezra 7:9)
having spent three months and a hall
since leaving Ahaya.
V. 81. Abode three days" Rested
hree days before delivering their
treasure and explaining their mission