The Brinkley argus., 1917-10-26
INTERNATIONAL. SlJND6YS0l(]OL
 LESSON
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 28
EZRA RETURNING FROM BABY.
 LON.

LON.
 LESSON TExT-Ezra S:15-36.
 GOLDEN TExT-The hand of our God Is upon all them for good that seek him. Ezra 8:22.
 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. It was dur ing this time that the episode of Esther's being made queen and the ele- vation of Mordecai occurred, which fa- vorably disposed the Persian govern ment toward the Jews. The time was suspicious for Ezra to make his re- quest unto Artaxerxes. The supreme aim of Ezra was the restoration of the true worship of Jehovah, for it is evil dent that the work done by Zerubbabel had largely failed of it's 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 it. Third: to teach it to others. The last is impossible without the first two.
 The royal commission granted to Ezra embraced
 CD The return of all whose free will prompted them to do so (7:13).
 CD Ezra's being given magisterial authority over the district "beyond the river" (7:25, 26).
 (3) Exemption from taxation to the Levites (7:24).
 (4) Conveyance of offerings from the king and his officers C:15, 19).
 l. Register of Ezra's Companions Q-14) 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, I'D
 II. Ezra Sends to lddo for Ministers for the Temple Service (vv. 15-2O). 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 IddO, who was doubtless the president of the school of the Levites, for ministers for Gods house. In re- sponse toNthis appeal. 38 Levites and 22O Nethinims joined him.
 Ili. Ezra Seeking the Guidance of the Lord (vv. 21-23). The Journey was full of deadly perils. It lay through 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 Sufficiency that now to have asked for guard of sol diers would cause him to blush with shame. In this critical hour they con- mitted themselves to the care of H1m who keepeth Israel. We should begin every journey, every undertakings every new piece of work, every new. day by seeking the direction of God. No friendship or business interest ever reaches it's best unless Gods hand be in it and 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.
 W. The Treasure Committed to Twelve Priests (vv. 24-30). Combined with their faith in God, we find prac- ical business sense. Honest, trust worthy, good men were selected ~. 2S). To such only should be intrusred the Lords money-gifts offered freely to the Lord by his people. Again, the money was carefully counted and wei shed, and the amount set down. The men were held accountable at the end of the journey for everything in- trustad 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 were charged with the obligation to deliver these gifts before the chief priests.
 V. The Safe Arrival at Jerusalem (vv. 31-36). The journey lasted four months. They carried with them mill lions of dollars worth of treasure, through a region infested with maraud-