The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1917-10-26
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 20
EZRA RETURNING FROM BABY
LON.
LESSON TEXT-Ezra S:15-s6,

: Ezra S:N.
An interval of some fifty years in
tervenes between the dedication Of the
temple and the journey of Ezra to Pal
pstine. 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 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
(1) The return of all whose free will
prompted them to do so Glib.
(2) Ezra's being given magisterial
authority over the district beyond the
river" (7:25, 26).
(3) Exemption from taxation to the
Levites (7:24).
az Conveyance of offerings from the
king and his officers (7:15, 1917.
I. Register of Ezra's Companions
(1-14). Doubtless this is representa-
tive list of those who Joined Ezra.
There is clear implication that the
twelve tribes are represented among
thoseswho returned. (See 2:7O; GIG,
17.)
II. Ezra Sends to lido for Ministers
for the Temple Service wv. 1920. Be-
fore the journey to Palestine was &C.
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 theacompany. 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-
spouse to this appeal 38 Levites and
22O Nethinims Joined him.
iii. Ezra Seeking the Guidance OF
the Lord wv. 21-23). The journey was
full Of deadly perils. 1t lay through
a region invested with Bedouin ma
RAIDERS. 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
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 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
lay by seeking the direction of God.
No friendship or business interest ever
reaches its best unless Gods hand be
IN it and upon 1t. We should not go
engage in any business or
nave any friendship upon which we may
lot 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
irst his blessing would be upon them,
md as soon as they forsook him his
,ower would be withdrawn and his
wrath would be upon them.
w. The Treasure Committed to
Twelve Priests wv. 24-30). Combined {
With their faith in God, we find prac-
icaI business sense. Honest, trust
worthy. good men were selected ".
81. To such only should be intrusted 2
he Lords money-gifts offered freely q
o the Lord by his people. Again, the I
money was carefully counted and
Weighed, and the amount set down.
The men were held accountable at the
nd of the journey for everything in :
rusted to them. Men ought to be held
D strict account for everything intrust-
d to them, to the very last cent. The Il
zen to whom this was intrusted were
oily; the gifts were Gods; they did z
OF belong to any man; they were 5
harged with the obligation TO deliver 9
lese gifts before the chief priests. c