The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1911-12-13
Sunday School Column.
Side Lights on Next Sundays Les
son for Teachers and Pupils
By CHAS. K. MEYERS


Dec. 17.-Ezra Teaching the Law.
Neh S.
This is our last lesson in the Old
Testament for one whole year. With
next Sunday comes the Christmas les
son, then the quarterly review and
with the new year the studies are in
the New Testament and tell us OF the
history of the Blessed Jesus. May it
be that a close study of the Savior
will lead us all to see and feel the
divine character and become much
benefited.
The lesson of today has it's scene
| at Jerusalem some $50 years before
the birth of Christ. 1t will be remem
bered that we have been recently
learning of Nehemiah going to that
city, and there directing as to the re-
building of the walls and gates, of
the enemies he successfully encount-
cred and overcome. At the time we
are now to study the rebuilding was
done, the people had time to devote
to the religious duties. What a joy
time they did have. Ezra, the chief
scribe, was called upon to bring out
the "book of the law of Noses There
was the greatest eagerness to learn
lust what God wanted them to do. The
people crowded the streets intent to
hear Ezra and certain assistants
lstood on high platform and read from
the words of Moses.
When Ezra opened the book, such
was the reverence for the word of God
that the people all stood up. Ezra
blessed the assembled throng and they
cried out, "Amen, amen" Then they
bowed their heads even to the ground
in worship. The holy precious words
were read to them slowly and distinct
ly, and full explanations made. Many
thought it time for weeping, as they
realized how far short they were from
the commands of the book. The lead
ers, however, told them it was day
of rejoicing and it were better to give
way to mirth and signs of joy.
This was one of the great days of
the history of Jerusalem. The city
was again enclosed with wall, the
temple was rebuilt and ready for wor-
ship, peace restored and with one &C
cord the Jews were turning to God,
ready to keep His commandments. At
this time the priests recOunted, as
told in the ninth chapter, of the spec
ial mercies which God had extended
the Jews from the time of Abraham to
the present. 1t was recalled that sin
had caused all the troubles, and the
punishments which followed were. &C.
counted needed to lead the people fin
ally to determine to worship only the
true God, and sever their relations
with all heather people and customs.
Certain it was a great day.
It is told us in the epistles that the
history of the Jews is recounted in
the bible as an example to us. The
mere learning of names of the kings
and their history is Of little import
ance to us, except as we see their re-
wards of faith, the blessings coming
from close walk with God, the fact
that He will punish for wrong doing,
and there is no escape. We find bless
ings showered out when faith and |
obedience are practiced, and wrath
when wrong doing is rampant among
the people. The same thing is true
in our day. There is plenty of evil
dence to be found to make us believe
that God does take note of what we
mortals are doing, and is pleased or
displeased according as our conduct
is good or bad. Let us keep in mind
what We have learned during the year
when the Old Testament was our
study. 1t will make clear many
things in the gospels and the writings
of the apostles. 1t will be found that
Jesus makes liberal reference to the
Old Testament history, thus endorsing
as true what it says. Let us take ex-
ample by the Jews told of in the les.
son of today and read the bible in a
way to gain full understanding OF
what it says, and when we know our
duty, let us do it.
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