Mexico Missouri message., 1917-10-18
LESSON FOR OCTOBER Fl
THE TEMPLE REBUILT AND DEDIr-
GATED.

LESSON TExT-Ezra 3:s-13; 6:14-1S.
GOLDEN TEXT-Enter into his gates
with thanksgiving, and into his courts
with praise.-Psalms 1OOa.
The remnant which returned had
now become settled in their new homes
As It would be considerable time be-
fore the temple could be rebuilt, ar
rangement was made for the religious
life as early as possible, as religion
was the very heart of the nations life,.
They first set up the altar of the God
of Israel (3:1-3) and offered burnt Of
ferings thereon. They next revived
the annual festivals (3:4-7) which had
powerful, unifying influence upon
them.
I. The Appointment Of Officers to-
Set Forward the Work Of the Lord's'
House ". 8, 81. Overseers were need.
ed to direct this great work. Rubbish
needed to be cleared away so the build.
ing operations could begin; timber
needed to be cut In the Lebanon forests
and fioated down to Joppa; stones.
needed to be cut from the quarries; in.
telligent and cOnsecrated men were,
needed to direct this work, as 1t was:
needful that It be done with the utmost.
expedition. The Lords house demands.
the most systematic adjustment of it's;
labors. Mere zeal will not make up for
lack of intelligence.
u. The Foundation Of the Temple
Laid e 1913. This was done amid
great rejoicing. The consciousness that
the Lords house was taking shape,
even though the mere foundations
could be seen, provoked great enthu--
slasm on the part of the people. Mu-.
slcians were appointed to furnish mu--
sic while the work was being done. Un--
der the influence Of music men will do.
better work, armies will march and
fight better when bands are playing.
While there was great Joy, there was
also, mingled sorrow. This was on the"
part Of the elders who had seen the
former temple. The meanness of the
present temple In comparison with
Solomon's temple caused their praise.
to be drowned with their sorrow.
These people belonged to that class
who think that nothing now is so good,
as in the former days. So completely
were these voices commingled that the.
people could not discern the one froma
the other.
III. The Building Of the Temple De-
layed by Opposition. Chapters 4 and
81. For O time matters went smoothly
with them, but as soon as the work
had taken such shape as to show thst.
there was some prospect of success
the half-heathen Samaritans began to,
oppose them. No vital work of God
will be allowed to go on without oppo--
sltion. Satan resents and bitterly OPP
poses all inroads upon his kingdom.
These Samaritans sought to frustrate.
this work of God by:
(D An Alliance With the Jews;
(4:2, 81. They wanted to bring the work
In harmony with their own religious
practices, as Gods pure worship would
be constant rebuke to them. This is
ever the way Of the world, to seek to-
effect compromise with Gods chill.
dren; but Gods call is separation
"Come out from among them" e Cor.
6 :1419). Nothing so weakens Gods
cause as worldly alliance and compro-.
mise. There is but one answer to be-
given to such an offer of compromise.
'Ye have nothing to do with us In
building house unto our God" We,
are In the world but not of the world.
(2) Weakening the Hands of the.
People (4:4). Doubtless this includedl
the withdrawal Of supplies, the spread
Ing Of dissension among the workmen,.
and the employment of counselors.
against them.
(3) Letters Of Accusation to the Per-.
sian King (4:6, y. So severe was this:
opposition that the building was de-
layed for term of years. These coun--
selors succeeded in creating doubt as
to whether Cyrus had ever issued de-
cree for their return. This wicked op-,
position resulted In the undoing Of thss
opposers, for search was made and q
copy was found. Darius confirmed this;
by his own decree, and directed that
mid be given from the royal taxes so,
hat the house Of God might be built
~. The Temple Completed and DedI.
sated (6:14-18). The Prophets HaggaI
and Zachariah now appear, and by
warnings, exortatioEs and entreaties:
stir up the people so that the work
goes forward to q successful compile.
tion. Without their aid probably the.
work would never have been completed.
Human nature at times needs to be.
cheered and urged forward. These.
prophets did not themselves work in
the building of the walls, yet their.
work was Of even greater Importance.