Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1917-10-26
LESSON FOR OCTOBER %
EZRA RETURNING FROM BABY.
LON.

eSttne, Some stirring eNeMs III the
world occurred In this time when
greatly helped the Jews. II was dur
ing this time that the episode OF
Esther's being made queen ana the ele-
walton OF Mordecui occurred, which fa-
Norably disposed the Persian govern
ment toward the Jews. The tine 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 II is evil
dent that the work done by Zerubbatel
had largely failed OF Its aim. In order
that Ezra might be an efficient instru'
ment In the hands of God for the nc
compllshment of this purpose. he pre-
pared his heart to seek the law Of the
Lord and to do 1t. and to teach In Is
ruel the statutes and Judgments
\ gao. 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 II to others.
The last is Impossible without the first
+ two.
The royal commission granted TO
Ezra embraced
~ The return OF all whose free VIII
prompted them to do so CAB.
(2) Ezras being given maglsterlal
authority over the district beyond the
river (7:25. 2G).
90 Exemption from taxation TO the
Levites G. pa.
"a Conveyance Of offerings from the
king and his officers GAS, 49,
l. Register Of Erra's Companions
Q.l4). Doubtless this is representa-
tive list Of those who Joined Ezra.
There is clear implication that the
twelve tribes are represented among
those who returned. (Sce 2:70: G:l6,
~
II. Ezra Sends TO lido for Ministers
for the Temple Service tvv. l5-2O). BE.
fore the journey TO Palestine was nc
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
were in the company. SO he sent chief
men to lido, who was doubtless the
president OF the school Of the Leyites,
for ministers for Gods house. In re-
Spouse To this appeal IS LevItes and
40 Nethnims joined him.
III. Ezra Seeking the Guidance OF
the Lord (yv. 2l-23). The journey was
full Of deadly perls. 1t lay through
region invested with Bedouin ma
rauders. Ezra, fully conscious of these.
and ashamed TO ask help OF the king,
proclaimed fast, in which in deep
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 for
the honor of Gods name. He had so
confidently and repeatedly spoken to
the king of the divine suiliciency that
now to have asked for Il guard of SOD
dlers would cause him To blush w'lh
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 Ii and upon Il. We should not 20
anywhere, engage in any business or
have any friendship upon which ave may
not ask Gods blessing and aid. They
sought this for themselves, for their
children, and all their substance. They
knew that us soon as they made God
first his blessing would be upon them,
and rs soon us they forsook him his
power would be Withdrawn and his
wrath would be upon them. God did
not disappoint them, for they safely
reached their destination. He never
dlsappoints.
Twelve Priests wv. 2i-30). Combined
with their faith in God, we find pruc-
tica 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 Geld 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 lntrusted we're
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 and
Levites at jerusalem.
v. The Safe Arrival at Jerusalem
wv. 1886. The journey lasted four
months. They carried with them mil.
lions of dollars worth Of treasure,
through region infested with maruud-
ing Bedoulns, 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
good hand of our God upon us. After
resting three days, the treasure was
brought into the temple and burnt Of
ferings were made to the Lord. After
this, the decree of the Persian king
was delivered to the governors who
should aid in furthering the people and
the HOuse of God.