The Tupelo journal., 1905-11-10
Ezra's Journey
to Jerusalem
Sunday School Lesson for Nov.12. 1895
Specially Prepared for This Paper.

verses. 2l-23.
GOLDEN TEXT.-"The hand of our God
is upon all them that seek Him.'-hzra
1922.
TIME.-Ezra left Babylon with return
| ing exiles, March, ASS b. c.: arrived at
| Jerusalem four months later. This was Is
years after the first return, IS years after
the completion of the temple, and 10 years
after Esther's heroic action.
PLACE.-The returning caravan assem-
| bled at the River Ahava, probably one OF
the canals of the Euphrates, near BABY
Ion.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
V. q. 81" Ezra. Proclaimed a
fast" Fasting, as a religious service
accompanying prayer, was much prac-
ticed by the Jews, and by Christians Of
| earlier times. "Afflict ourselves before
| God" Better, humble ourselves"
| With loving conservation, they humbly
| besought God to guide them through
the trackless desert, protect them INK
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. 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 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 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, 8; 1922, 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 m into all
| good; one who goes against Him, into
disaster and destruction.
V. 20. He was ~intreated." Through
their praying and fasting, God 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 II priests and u
Levites were appointed (See V. 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 we're
highly esteemed by King ArtaXerXeS;
he counted greatly upon their prayers
offered on his behalf according to the
injunctioss of their prophet Ger. 29:D
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 C7:27).
V. 26. six hundred and fifty talents
of silver In value about $3.50, 600,
or, if the lighter standard of weight
was used, about one-half that amount.
Gold, an hundred talents" Worth
about 1000, 900 or 1000. 600.
V. 27. DRAINS" Darics; Persian
coins, worth each about five dollars.
Fine copper" Or bright brass Be-
tho rora1u prnd11ooI fhic uros n
highly valued.
V. %. "Holy." The gift consecrated
to God was entrusted to men specially
set apart to Gods service.
V. 90. Watch ye." Vigilance and
wakefulness would be required; pos
their treasure by great exertion or per-
sonal sacrifice. Until ye 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 awar of
the dangers they might meet ". 33).
V. 81. Departed" They set out
about the time of the Passover, our
Easter, 'the twelfth of the first
MONTH" and, j%ourneying slowly on ac-
count of the old and the little ones, and
hating frequently for several days of
rest, they reached Jerusalem on the
first day of the fifth month ezra 7:g,
having spent three months and a half
since leaving Ahava.
V. 80. abode three days. Rested
three days before delivering their
treasure and explaining their mission.
Practical Points.
V. 81. He finds the right way who
walks with Jesus.-Ps. SIS.
V. %. Let us regard life as not so
dear as the honor of our Cod Cor.
9:15.
v. %. God works only good, and
that continually, for those who loving
ly trust Him.-Rom. 1928.
v. %. Let all we are and have. by
g free-will offering, become holy unto
God.-Rom. 1871.
V. 80. None who walk lovingly and
trustingly with Jesus shall fail of
reaching the New Jerusalem.-1 Pet.
Ia, 5.
The Power of Faith.
The man who accomplishes anything
H. t1;c xrN,11 ;1 or ,,c ~ ~ -