Mexico Missouri message., 1917-10-25
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNDGXSQIOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 20
EZRA RETURNING FROM BABY
LON.
By REV. p. b. FITZwATER, d. d,
Teacher OF English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute OF Chicago.)
NCOpyrtght, 1917. Western Newspaper Uniop-f
LESION TExT-Ez-o s.,saa


e upon all them for good that seek him
Ezra S:22.
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
world occurred in this time which
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 tho
true worship Of Jehovah, for 1t is evf-
dent that the work done by ZerubbabeB
had largely failed of Its aim. In order.
that Ezra might be an efficient instru7
ment in the hands of God for the ae-
complishment of this purpose, he pre-
pared his heart to seek the law of the
Lord and to do 1t, and to teach in Is
rael the statutes and Judgments
G:10). There are three stages In the
experience of every true teacher. Firsta
to seek the law Of the Lord. Seconds
to do 1t. Third: to teach 1t to others.i
The last Is impossible without the first
two.
The royal commission granted to
Ezra embraced
(1) The return of all whose free VIII
prompted them to do so G:13).
(2) Ezra's being given magisteriaE
authority over the district beyond ths,
river" (7:25, 26).
(3) Exemption from taxation to the
Levites t7:2D.
(4) Conveyance of offerings from the
king and his officers e is, 19).
I. Register of Ezra's Companions
(1-1D. Doubtless this is a 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.
1T) /
II. Ezra Sends to lido for Ministers
for the Temple Service wv. 1920. Be
fore the journey to Palestine was ae7
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-
sponse to this appeal, 3S Levites and
300 Nethinims Joined him.
III. Ezra Seeking the Guidance Of
the Lord wv. 21-23). The journey was
full of deadly perils. 1t lay thrOughl
a region invested with Bedouin ma,
rauders. Ezra, fully conscious of these,
and ashamed to ask help of the king
proclaimed a 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,
trust God. His chief concern was for,
the honor of Gods name. He had So
confidently and repeatedly spoken to
the king of the divine sufTiciency that
now to have asked for a 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 ever
reaches its best unless Gods hand be
in 1t and upon 1t. We should not go
anywhere, engage in any business or
have any friendship upon which we may
not ask Gods blessing and aid. They
sought this for themselves, for their
children, and all their substance. They
first his blessing would be upon them.
and as soon as they forsook him his
power would be withdrawn and his
wrath would be upon them.
w. The Treasure Committed 20
Twelve Priests wv. 24-30). Combined
with their faith in God. We find prac-
teal business sense. Honest, trust
worthy, good men were selected w.
2S). To such only should be tntrusteG
the Lords money-gifts offered freely
to the Lord by his people. Again, the
money was carefully counted and
weighed, and the amount set down.,
The men were held accountable at the
end OF the journey for everything in.
trusted to them. Men ought to be held
to strict account for everything intrust-
ed to them, to the very last cent. The.
men to whom this was intrusted were
holy; the gifts were Gods; they did
not belong to any man; they We're
charged with the obligation to deliver
these gifts before the chief priests.
v. The Safe Arrival at Jerusalea
(vv. 3I-36), The journey lasted four
months. They carried with them mill
lions OF dollars worth OF treasure,
through a region infested with maraud-
ing BedOuins, yet God delivered them
from their hands. At the end of the
journey they testified to the faithful
ness of God In bringing them safely on.
(v. 3I). The safe arrival ut the end