The Yale expositor., 1917-10-25
INTERNATIONAL
SUNAGYSOIOOL
LESSON
By REV. p. b. FITZwATER, d. D.,
Teacher OF English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright, 1917, Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 20
EZRA RETURNING FROM BABY.
LON.
LESSON TExT-Ezra s.15-ss


Ezra 8:22.
An interval of some fifty years in
tervenes between the dedication of the
temple and the journey of Ezra to Pal
estine. Some stirring events in the
world occurred in this time which
greatly helped the Jews. 1t was dur
ing this time that the episode of
Esther's being made queen and the ele-
walton of NOrdecai occurred, which IA
vorably disposed the Persian govern
ment toward the Jews. The time was
suspicious for Ezra to make his re-
quest unto ArtaXerXes. The supreme
aim of Ezra was the restoration of the
true worship of Jehovah, for it is evil
dent that the work done by Zerubbabel
had largely failed of its aim. In order
that Ezra might be an efficient instru-
ment in the hands of God for the ac-
complishment of this purpose, he pre-
pared his heart to seek the law of the
Lord and to do 1t, and to teach in Is
rael the statutes and judgments"
T:10). There are three stages in the
experience of every true teacher. First:
to seek the law of the Lord. Second:
to do it. Third: to teach it to others.
The last is impossible without the first
two.
The royal commission granted to
Ezra embraced
(1) The return of all whose free will
prompted them to do so 0:13).
(2) Ezras being given magisterlal
M pr ri Nv hn let. OF NhnUnnA A
river OPS, 26).
(3) Exemption from taxation to the
Levites (7:24).
(4) Conveyance of offerings from the
king and his officers & :15, 19).
!. Register of Ezra's Companions
did Doubtless this is a representa-
tive list of those who joined Ezra.
There is clear implication that the
twelve tribes are represented among
thoseswho returned. (See 2:70; GIG,
~
II. Ezra Sends to lido for Ministers
for the Temple Service WV. 1920. Be
fore the journey to Palestine was ac-
tually begun, Ezra gathered about him
his companions who were to accom-
representative. In this review he dis
covered that none of the sons of Levi
were in thelcompany. So he sent chief
men TO lido, who was doubtless the
president of the school of the Levites,
for ministers for Gods house. In re-
Spouse to this appeal, SO Levites and
90 Nethinims joined him.
Cadillac Hpidanca IF
the Lord wv. 21-23). The journey was
full of deadly perils. 1t lay through
region invested with Bedouin ma
rauders. Ezra, fully conscious of these,
AID ashamed to ask help OF the king,
proclaimed fast, in which in deep
humiliation they sought the guidance
and protection of God. This is fine
illustration of the independence, and
yet dependence, of the men who fully
trust God. His chief concern was for
the honor of Gods name. He had so
confidently and repeatedly spoken to
the king of the divine sufficiency that
now to have asked for q guard of sol
diers would cause him to blush with
shame. In this critical hour they COM
mitted themselves to the care of Him
who keepeth Israel. We should begin
every journey, every undertaking,
every new piece of work, every new
day by seeking the direction of God.
No friendship or business interest ever
reaches its best unless Gods hand be
in it and upon ii. We should not go
anywhere, engage in any business or
have any friendship upon which we may
not ask Gods blessing and aid. They
sought this for themselves, for their
children, and all their substance. They
knew that as soon as they made God
first his blessing would be upon them,
and as soon as they forsoOk him his
power would be withdrawn and his
wrath would be upon them.
w. The Treasure Committed to
Twelve Priests wv. 24-30). Combined
with their faith in God, we find prac-
teal business sense. Honest, trust
worthy, good men were selected ".
2S). To such only should be intrusted
the Lords money-gifts offered freely
to the Lord by his people. Again, the
money was carefully counted and
weighed, and the amount set down.
The men were held accountable at the
end of the journey for everything in
trusted to them. Men ought to be held
to strict account for everything intrust-
ed to them, to the very last cent The
men to whom this was intrusted were
holy; the gifts were Gods; they did
not belong to any man; they were
charged with the obligation to deliver
these gifts before the chief priests.
v. The Safe Arrival at Jerusalem
(vv. 31-36). The journey lasted four
months. They carried with them mill
lions Of dollars worth of treasure.
through a region infested with maraud-
ing Bedouins, yet God delivered them
from their hands. At the end of the
journey they testified to the faithful
ness OF God In bringing them safely on
". 81. The safe arrival at the end
Of each days journey is due to the