Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1917-10-27
LESSON TFXT-rzra S:l5-36.


complishment of this purpose, he pre-
pared his heart to seoll the law Of the
Lord and to do it, and to teach in Is
rael the statutes and Judgments
100. There are three stages in the
experience Of every true teacher. First:
20 seek the law Of the Lord. Second:
10 do il. Third: 10 teach it to others.
The last Is impossible without the first
two.
The royal commission granted to
Ezra embraced
O The return Of all whose free will
prompted them to DO so G. :13).
(2) Ezra's being given magIsterial
authority over the district beyond the
river" (7:25. 26).
(3) Exemption from taxation to the
Levitcs CPD.
(D Conveyance Of offerings from the
king and his officers G. 10, 19).
!. Register of Ezra's Companions
OLD 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; GIG,
I'D
u. Ezra Sends to lido for Ministers
for the Temple Service (vv. 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 thescoinpany. SO he sent chief
men to lido, who vas doubtless the
president of the school Of the Levites,
for ministers for Gods house. In re-
sponsc to this appeal, SO Leyites md
% Nefhinims Joined him.
III. Ezra Seeking the Guidance Of
the Lord wv. 2l-23). The journey was
full Of GeG dy pcrils. 1t lay through
o region invested with Redouin ma
raudc:S. 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 sufficiency that
now TO have asked for q guard of SOL
diers would cause him to blush with
shame. In this critical hour they COM,
United 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 ard upon it. 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
knew that as soon as they made God
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.
", The Treasure Committed to
Twelvs Priests wv, 24-30). Combined
with their faith In God, we find prac-
teal business sense. Honest, trust.
worthy. good men were selected "
2Sl. To such only should be intrusted
the Lords money--glfts 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 10 any man; they were
charged with the obligation to deliver
these gifts before the chief priests.
v. The Safe Arrival at Jerusalem
Wv, 31-36). The Journey lasted four
They carried with them mil.
lions Of dollars worth Of treasure,
through d region infested with maraud.
Ing BetlDuiDs, yet God delivered them
frnm their hands. At the end of the
journey they testified to the faithful.
ness Of Cod In bringing them safely on
". ~. The safe arrival ut the end
Of each days Journey is due TO the
good hand of orr God Upon US. After
resting three days, the treasure was
brought into the temple and burnt of.
-rrin-s were made befUre the Lord Js.
hnYuh.