The Dermott news., 1917-10-25
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNDNYSQlOOL
LESSON
tBy REV. =. b. FITZWATER, ID. D.,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright. 1911. Western Newspaper Union.p
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 28
EZRA RETURNING FROM BABY
LON.
LESSON TExT-Ezra s.15-ss.

terNeues 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
ins this time that the episode of
Esther's being made queen and the ele-
Walton Of Mordeeai occurred, which fa-
vorably disposed the Persian govern
ment toward the Jews. The time was
suspicious for Ezra to make his re-
quest unto AftaXerXes. The supreme
aim of Ezra WIS the restoration of the
true worship of Jehovah, for it is evil
dent that the work done by Zerubbabei
had largely failed Of its aim. In order
that Ezra might he IN efficient instra-
ment in the hands of God for the ac-
eemplishment of this purpose, he "pre-
pared his heart to seek the law of the
Lord ana 10 do It, and to teach in Is
rael the statutes and Judgments
& 10y. There are three stages in the
experience of every true teacher. First:
10 seek the law of the Lord. Second
to do 1t. Third: to teach 1t to others.
The last is impossible without the first
two.
The royal commission granted TO
Ezra embraced
d) The return of all whose free will
prompted them TO do so G :13).
% Ezras being given magisterial
authority over the district beyond the
liver (7;25, 2G).
% Exemption from taxation to the
Leyites C:24).
"a Conveyance OF offerings from the
King and his officers G 10, 19).
|. Register of Exra's Companions
$40 Doubtless this Is a representa-
i've list of those who joined Ezra.
There is clear implication that the
.welYe tribes are represented among
.hostewho returned. (See 2:I0; GIG,
ID
II. Ezra Sends TO lido for Ministers
'or the Temple Service wv. 1920. Be
lore the journey TO Palestine was ac-
.ually 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
we're in thetcompany. So he sent chief
men to lido. who was doubtless the
president OF the school of the Levites.
,or ministers for Gods house. In re
sponse TO this appeal, 80 Levites and
10 Nethnims Joined him.
Ill. Ezra Seeking the Guidance 81
he Lord wv. 2l-23). The journey was
sull of deadly perils. 1t lay through
a region invested with Bedouin ma
Full Of
and ashamed to ask help of the king,
proclaimed q fast, In which in deep
humiliation they sought the guidance
and profession OF God. This Is a fine
Illustration of the independence, and
yet dependence, of the men who fully
rust God. His chief concern was for
he honor of Gods name. He had SO
confidently and repeatedly spoken to
he king of the divine sufliciency that
low to have asked for u guard of sol
Hers would cause him to blush with
shame. In this critical hour they conn
mitted themselves to the care of Him
Nho keCpeth Israel. We should begin
very journey, every undertaking,
every new piece of work, every new
lay by seeking the direction of God
No friendship or business interest ever
reaches its best unless Gods hand be
IN It and upon II. We should not go
anywhere. engage In any business or
nave any friendship upon which We may
aot 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 %
Twelve Priests wv. 24-3O). Combined
with their faith In God, we find prac-
heal business sense. Honest, trust
worthy. good men were selected ".
2S). To such only should be intruste6
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 were
charged with the obligation to deliver
these gifts before the chief priests.
v. The Safe Arrival At Jerusalem
wv. 1886. The journey lasted four
months. They carried with them mil
lions Of dollars worth of treasure.
through 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
". 31) The safe arrival at tho end
Of each days journey ID due to ~
good hand OF our God upon m Aftss
resting three days, the treasure was
brought into the temple and burnt q.
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