Middletown transcript., 1917-10-20
INTERNATIONAL,
SUNAAYSQl0OL
LESSON
(By REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D.,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago.)
Copyright, 1917, Western Newspaper Union.)
| LESSON
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 21
THE temple REBUILT AND DEDl.
GATED.

LESSON TEXT--Ezra 3:8-13; 6:14-18
GOLDEN TEXT-Enter into his gates
with thanksgiving, and into his courts
with praise.-Psalms 1904.
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 CAD 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 floated down to Joppa; stones
needed to be cut from the quarries; in
telligent and consecrated men were
needed to direct this work, as it was
needful that 1t be done with the utmost
expedition. The Lords house demands
the most systematic adjustment Of its
labors. Mere zeal will not make up for
lack Of intelligence.
II. 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-
siasm on the part of the people. Mu-
sicians 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 com1ningled that the
people could not discern the one from
the other.
Ill. The Building of the Temple De.
Iayed by Opposition. Chapters 4 and
81. For time matters went smoothly
with them, but as soon as the work
had taken such shape as to show that
there was some prospect of success
the half-heathen Samaritans began ia
oppose them. No vital work of God
will be allowed to 60 on without oppo,
sitiOn. Satan resentS and bitterly Op,
poses all inroads upon his kingdom,
These Samaritans sought to frustrata
this work Of God by:
(1) An Alliance With the Jews
(4:2, -. They wanted to bring the work
practices, as Gods pure worship would
be constant rebuke to them. This is
ever the way of the world, to seek to
effect a compromise with Gods chill.
dren; but Gods call is separation.
"Come out from among them" e Cor.
6:14-1s). 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 a 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 included
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 the
opposers, for search was made and a
copy was found. Darius confirmed this
by his own decree, and directed that
aid be given from the royal taxes so
that the house Of God might be built.
~. The Temple Completed and DedI.
Gated (6:14-18). The Prophets Haggai
and Zachariah now appear, and by
warnings, exortations and entreaties
stir up the people so that the work
goes forward to a successful compile.
ton. 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.
It is generally found that this
is so with the religious leaders today.
The words of cheer and encouragement
Of the Christian minister are needed
daily for those who labor in the build
ing Of the Lords house. Were it not
for them many would give up the strug-
gle. When the building was finished it
was dedicated to God with great joy.
This was possible because they had
builded and finished their task accord
ing to the commandment of the God OF
Israel. The service Of dedication was
much after the order Of that of Solo,
mons temple, only on q less magnif-