Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-10-20
Sunday School Lesson
Commentary.
e.. r. WALKER, D. D.
T.. F. WALKER, D. D.
q. r. WALKER, d. d.

4 N-SeNihS dNdlleu themselves
OF the opportunity to return to their
own land.
EXPLANATORY.
Time: B. C. about 5s7; SIC.
Place: Jerusalem.
| Verse s. Now in the second year
OF their coming unto the house of God
at Jerusalem, in the second month";
The date is from the accession of
Cyrus. which was in the second year
after they had been granted their
liberty to go back to Jerusalem. 1t
had taken several months to make ne
cessary preparations for the return
began Zerubbahel the son of Shealti.l,
Who was a prince of Judah, in the
regular royal line. and who was recog-
nized by Cyrus as rightful heir to the
throne and leader, a fit leader of re-
stored 1sreal. BY Esdras he Is called
Governor Judea"-and Joshua the
son Of Jozadak.-Head of one Of the
families Of unpriestly Levites, men,
toned in 2:40-and the remnant Of
their brethren the priests and the
Levites, and all they that were come
out of the captivity unto Jerusalem;-
All Of these mentioned who had ac-
copied the offer of Cyrus to return TO
Jerusalem. There were a number who
did not care to return-and appointed
the Levites, from twenty years old and
upward, to set forward the work Of
the house of the Lord. The sons of
Levi were as tribe to be engaged eX-
clusively in distinctively religious
work, particularly about the house of
God; and these were now organized
for the rebuilding of the sacred struc-
ture
9. Then stood Joshua with his sons
and his brethren, Kadmeil and his
sons-Two families of Levites-the
sons Of Judah.-Not of the tribe of
Judah. but Levites of the family Of
Hodaviah (see margin)-a third class
OF Levites. OF these three classes
there were seventy four (see 2:4O)-
together-As one-in perfect unity and
we'll organized-to set forward the
Workmen In the house of God.
10. And when the builders laid the
foundation OF the temple of the Lord,
-Zerubbabel ans: Jeshua-the leaders
who were over all the work. Leaders
should always see that the fundameu-
tails are in place, secure and strong.
Nothing can be done that will prove
stable unless the fundamentals are in
place.
IL. And they sang together---It was
responsive or antiphonal singing,
which was quite common in the early
period of the Church-one part of the
singing and then another-In praising
and giving thanks unto the Lord
This is the great end of religious mu-
sic-not entertainment-and certainly
not showing off ones skill, but engag-
ing in rendering thanks and express
ing praise to the living God-because
he is good, for his mercy endureth
for ever toward Israel. It is very
probable that they sang Psalm 1875, and
that one part recited the first portion
Of each verse, while the other re-
sponded with the latter part, For his
mercy endureth for ever" This
Psalm was sung at the dedication of
Solomon's temple and by Jhosaphat's
army when the Lord gave victory over
the Moabites G. Chron. 7:3; 20:2D.
Certainly such praise Is always come
ly, but especially at such times as
these, when Jehovah had given such
displays of His enduring mercies. OF
this we may be always certain: God
Is ever merciful.
When all else Is changing, within and
around,
In God and His mercy no change can
be found.
Praise your God with right good will;
For His love endureth still.
For His mercy shall endure,
Ever faithful. ever sure.
Doing wondrous deeds alone;
Mercy sits upon His throne.
High as heaven His wisdom reigns;
Mercy on His throne remains.
From the flood He lifts the land;
Firm his mercies ever stand
Lamps He lit in heavens heights;
For in mercy He delights.
He the golden tressed sun
Caused all day His course to run;
For His mercy shall endure
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Till they reach the promised land,
Mercy still the same must stand.
For His mercy, full and free.
Lasteth to eternity