The copper era and Morenci leader., 1922-08-18
l. The Leader-Ezra .(7:1-1W.

priest (vv. 1-5). The leader of the first company was Zerubbabel, a sort of military governor. The great need How ~es for religious leader, for the people had gone far from God, as we see from the noble reforms which Ezra effected (2) A ready scribe (v. 6). He was a teacher of the law Of God.
 2. His high ambition w. 7-10). CD -He set his heart to seek the law of the LOrd' (v. 10). He definitely set out with the noble purpose to know Gods Word. To be successful in any thing one must set out with purpose. Daniel was success because he "pur posed in his heart" Ministers and Sunday-school teachers should have this set purpose. CD He set his heart to obey the Lord (v. 10). He was not only concerned with knowing Gods Word. but to obey it. Gods Word can not fully be known by the intellect; {; it must be experienced. The essential qualification for teacher of the Bible, a preacher or SunIay-schOol teacher, is obedience to Gods Word. (3) He set his heart to teach Israel Gods statutes and judgments (v. 1Ul. He not only had love for Gods Word, but Il desire to implant it in the hearts of others. When one has an experiential knowledge of Gods Word he longs to teach it to others 'T
 3. His commission (7:11-26). The king ArtaxerXes gave him a copy of the decree authorizing him to lead a company back to Jerusalem. He was empowered CD to collect funds (vv. 15, 16); CD to levy tribute (vv. 21, 22); (3) to appoint magistrates and judges (v. 25); (4) to execute pen alties (v. 26). So great was the kings confidence in Ezra that he gave all these powers into his hand. For this great honor Ezra lifted his heart to God in thanksgiving. He was mainly concerned with the fact that he was to bGautify the Lords house and acknowledge that God had put this purpose into the kings heart.I
 IT. The Company (S:1-2O).
 The company was small-Only 1,754 males but including women, children and servants, there were perhaps 6,00C to 1000 people in this caravan
 III. Ezra's Prayer and Fasting (S:21-23).
 The first thing he did was to seek Gods guidance. Not only Gods lead CTS, but all Christians should seek divine guidance and help in every un dertaking-every new Journey, every piece of new work, every business ad venture, every relationship. That which we cannot invoke Gods bless ing upon should not be undertaken Further, success can only be realized when Gods blessing is upon us He did not minimize the dangers attend ing such a journey, but he had tolt the king that the hand of the LOrt would be upon all for good who sought him, and now he was ashamed to aSt the king for a military escort to pro tect them from the marauding Arabs
 W. The Successful Journey 6 :24 32).
 God heard their prayer. The treas are entrusted to them was great. Per haps the entire value of all the money etc, was $5,000.000. For q weak cara van to go on a journey requiring fOul months through country infested b! these robber bands, carrying such aT amount of money was most perious but Ezra knew that God was able art would protect them. Note:
 1. The care and honesty (vv. 24-30) The money was weighed unto them d the start and was to be weighed wheI turned over to the authorities q Jerusalem. The incentive to honest! and strict accounting of the trust Wal that they were holy men and were en trusted with that which was holy be cause it belonged to God. Most exact ing care should be exercised in han ding the Lords money. We shoul, guard sacredly our trust.
 2 Their safe arrival (vv. 31, 32) Some four and one-half months wer required to make the journey. Go; proved himself to be faithful, havin protected them and brought then safely to their destination.
 Overrating Ourselves.