Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-10-26
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 2s
EZRA RETURNING FROM BABY
LON.

is upon all them for good that seek him.
Ezra S:2.
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-
vation of Mordecai occurred, which IA
vorably disposed the Persian govern
ment toward the Jews. The time was
auspicious 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 it, and to teach in Is
rael the statutes and judgments"
(7:10). 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
G) The return of all whose free will
prompted them to do so (7:13).
(2) EZra's being given magisterial
authority over the district beyond the
river" e :25, 26).
(3) Exemption from taxation to the
Levites e :2N.
(4) Conveyance of offerings from the
king and his officers (7:15, 19).
|. Register of Ezra's Companions
Q-14). Doubtless this is a representa-
tive list of those who joined Ezra.
There is clear implication that the
twelve tribes arc represented among
those who 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-
pany him, to see whether they were
representative. In this review he dis
covered that none of the sons of Levi
we're in the company. 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-
sponse to this appeal, 3S Levites and
220 NethinimS Joined him.
Ill. Ezra Seeking the Guidance of
the Lord wv. 21-23). The journey was
full of deadly perils. 1t lay through
a region invested with Bedouin ma
rauders. Ezra, fully conscious of these
and ashamed to ask help of the king
proclaimed q fast, in which in deeE
humiliation they sought the guidance
and protection of God. This is a fine
illustration of the independence, and
yet dependence, of the men who fully
trust God. His chief concern was fol
the honor of Gods name. He had sc
confidently and repeatedly spoken tC
the king of the divine sufficiency that
now to have asked for a guard of sol
diers would cause him to blush witt
shame. In this critical hour they com
mitted themselves to the care of Hin
who keepeth Israel. We should begir
every journey, every undertaking
every new piece of work, every new
day by seeking the direction of God
No friendship or business interest eve
reaches its best unless Gods hand b.
In it and upon it. We should not G,
anywhere, engage in any business o
have any friendship upon which we ma.
not ask Gods blessing and aid. The.
sought this for themselves, for thei
children, and all their substance. The
knew that as soon as they made Co
first his blessing would be upon then
and as soon as they forsook him hi
power would be withdrawn and hi
wrath would be upon them. God di
not disappoint them, for they safel
reached their destination. He neve
disappoints.
w. The Treasure Committed t
Twelve Priests wv. 24-30). Combine
with their faith in God, we find praC
teal business sense. Honest, trust
worthy, good men were selected &
2S). To such only should be intruste
the Lords mOney-gifts offered freel
to the Lord by his people. Again, th
money was carefully counted an
weighed, and the amount set dow
! The men were held accountable at th
! end of the journey for everything il
trusted to them. Men ought to be hel
:, to strict account for everything intrus
: ed to them, to the very last cent. Th
men to whom this was intrusted wei
holy; the gifts Here Gods; they di
not belong to any man; they wel
: charged with the obligation to delivt
s these gifts before the chief priests an
Levites at Jerusalem.
v. The Safe Arrival at JerusaIe
. wv. 31-36). The journey lasted fol-
: months. They carried with them mi
z lions of dollars worth of treasur
through a region infested with marau
ing BedOuins, yet God delivered the
from their hands. At the end of II
journey they testified to the faithful
ness of God in bringing them safely c
. ". 81. The safe arrival at the Ell
of each days journey is due to IL
- good hand of our God upon US. Aft,
q resting three days, the treasure w.
v brought into the temple and burnt O
ferings were made to the Lord. Aft,
- this, the decree of the Persian xii
;. was delivered to the governors wi
should aid in furthering the people al
n the House of God.
n A Great Reward
If we love God the reward promis,