The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-10-11


GOLDEN TEXf-The Lord hath done
great things for US. whereof We are glad.
Psalms l26:S
Israel went into captivity because OF
her sins. The time OF her disciplinary
process was about to end, as its pur-
pose was now accomplished namely,
the cure of Israol's idolatry. Ever
since the Bahylonian captivity the He
brew people have been worshipers of
the one God. Monotheism has stood
forth as vital characteristic. The
main reason for the Jews maintenance
Of racial identity in spite of their ma
tional dislocation and the breaking up
of their social ties, is the unity of their
faith. around the one God.
L. The Proclamation Of Cyrus wv.
1-4).
CD The Time of ". y. The first
year of Cyrus: that Is the first year
after his conquest Of Babylon.
(2) How 1t Was Brought About ".
y. The Lord stirred up his spirit.
The Lord often uses very unlikely
agents In the accomplishment of his
for him He can readily use heather
king to accomplish his purpose. He
can find way of approach to any
heart. Likely Daniel was the agent
used to bring the matter to the kings
attention. Daniel was still the influ-
entail prime minister OF Babylon.
From his study OF the prophecies Of
80 To- y
pare Daniel 9:2l. he knew that the
time was near for the return of the
people to their own land, so he likely
brought the matter to the attention OF
the king and persuaded him to thus
favor his people.
(3) Its Contents wv. 2-4).
(a) A confession OF the true God
wv. .. 81.
He acknowledges him to be the God
Of heaven. the Most High. the Supreme
God. n God Of goodness. He declared.
"He has given me all the kingdoms OF
the earth" and that God had with au-
thority laid upon him the charge OF
building him house Mt Jerusalem.
(b) A Generous Permission to Isrnel
w. 81. All who desired to go up to
Jerusalem and build the Lords house
were permitted to so. He even COM
handed the blessing OF the Lord to be
upon them.
(c) A Positive Cooperation ". ~.
None were obliged to go up. but pos
tive obligation was laid upon those
who did not so up TO render assistance
to those who did. They were to aid
In the building OF the house OF God by
giving money. beasts and goods. 1t
was more than freewill Offering, an
obligation In addition thereto. The OBJ
legation was even wider than the peo-
pie of Israel. The heather were asked
TO render aid.
u. Response to the Proclamation Of
Cyrus wv. 3, 81.
G) BY Israel ". 81. Strange to say
the decree of Cyrus was not met with
great enthusiasm. Only small num-
Der. chiefly from Judah and Benjamin,
returned ". 81. For most of them II
meant giving up business interests. for
they had settled down TO the regular
cnlings of life. Besides the sncri-
flee of business interests II involved
great risks as 10 the future. The en-
tire company. including servants. wns
about fifty thousand c. :Gi). OF this
company we note the following diyi-
sions: first. chiefs Of the fathers of
Judah and benjamin, that Is magis-
trates: second priests and Lcvites,
leaders In religion; third, skillful ar
tificers. hend workmen.
Io) BY Their Nelghhors ". 81. This
response WIS apparently more hearty
thnn that of the Jews themselves.
Their neshhors gave freely of gold, sill
yer. beasts and goods. God had not
only Graciously disposed the heart of
Cyrus toward his people. hut they
found peculiar favor from their neigh
bors. so that their wants were abund-
nntly supplied.
~. Restoration OF the Sacred Yes
sells wv. I'D. These vessels had been
carried away to Babylon many years
alize that he would put into safe keep
ing the vessels which would he needed
AT this time. They were carefully num-
hered and turned over 10 the proper
officers Except for their Dissertation
In BclshnzZar's feast. they were none
the worst for having been carried away.
These were brought up to Jerusalem
from Babylon.