The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1917-10-25
INTERNATIONAL
SUNINYSCIllOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR OCTOBER %
EZRA RETURNING FROM BABY.
LON.

GOLDEN TEXT-The hand of our God
ie 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
greatly helped the Jews. 1t was dur
ing this time that the episode OF
Esther's being made queen and the ele-
walton 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 1t 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 1t. Third: to teach 1t to others.
The last Is impossible without the first
two.
The royal commission granted to
Ezra embraced
~ The return of all whose free win
prompted them to do 30 (7:13).
(2) Ezra's being given maglsterial
authority over the district beyond the
river" (7:25, 26).
go Exemption from taxation to the
Levites (7:24).
az Conveyance Of offerings from the
king and his officers (7:15. 1917.
I. Register Of Ezra's Companions
| Q-14). Doubtless this is representa-
tive list OF those who Joined Ezra.
There is clear implication that the
twelve tribes are represented among
thoseswho returned. (See 2:70; 6:16.
17)
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
were in thescompany. 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, 38- Leyites and
200 Nethinims Joined him.
III. Ezra Seeking the Guidance OF
the Lord wv. 21-28). The journey was
full of deadly perils. It lay through
region invested with Bedouin ma
RAIDERS. 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 fine
illustration of the independence, and
yet dependence, Of the men who fully
rust God. His chief concern was for
he honor Of Gods name. He had so
confidently and repeatedly spoken to
the king of the divine sufficiency that
now to have asked for 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 evei
reaches its best unless Gods hand bt
in 1t and upon 1t. We should not sc
anywhere, engage In any business OF
have any friendship upon which we may
not ask Gods blessing and aid. They
sought this for themselves, for theil
children, and all their substance. They
knew that as soon as they made Goo
first his blessing would be upon them
and as soon as they forsook him hi
power would be withdrawn and hi
wrath would be upon them.
w. The Treasure Committed q
Twelve Priests ivy. 24-30). Combined
with their faith In God, we find prac
teal business sense. Honest, trust
worthy. good men were selected "
28). To such only should be intrustet
the Lords money-gifts offered freel!
to the Lord by his people. Again, tn
money was carefully counted ant
! weighed, and the amount set down
The men were held accountable at tn
end of the journey for everything in
trusted to them. Men ought to be hell
! to strict account for everything intrust
, ed to them, to the very last cent. Tn
men to whom this was Entrusted wer
holy: the gifts were Gods; they di'
not belong to any man; they wer
charVa1 with the utilization to deliye