Middletown transcript., 1922-08-05
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Sl11nldayScIaool
' Lesson
(By REV. p. B. FiTZWATER, d. D..
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright. 1922 Western Newspaper Union.
LESSON FOR AUGUST 6
THE TEMPLE REBUILT AND
DEDICATED

DEDICATED
LESSON TEXT-Ezra 3:1-6:22.
GOLDEN TEXT-My soul longeth, yea.
even fainteth for the courts of the Lord.
Psalm S4:2
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Haggai I:
l-2:23; Isaiah 62; Rev. 2l:1-22:5.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Joyfully Building
Gods House.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Rebuildng the Temple.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Love for Gods House.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
What Gods House Should Mean to
Community.
After becoming settled in the towns
surrounding Jerusalem the people
were called together for the purpose
of reestablishing the worship Of the
Lord God. The leaders in this move.
ment were Joshua the priest and
Zerubbabel the governor. In view of
the fact that the clearing away of the
debris of the old city and temple and
the erection of the new temple would
take long time, an altar was erected
where sacrifice nigh. be offered at
once unto God.
|. The Foundation of the Temple
Laid (3:S-13).
This was an auspcious occasion and
was celebrated with most impressive
ceremonies. 1t marked an epoch in
the history Of the nation. 1t brought
most vividly to them their bitter ex,
periences in the daik past. and yet
pointed them forward to the time OF
blessing when Gods favor would be
upon them again.
l. The priests in their apparel w.
1O). In Exodus 80 .he prieStly gar.
ments are described. These garments
symbolized their consecration to the
Lords service.
2. The priests with trumpets (v. 10Y.
These trumpets We're of silver and
were used in calling the people to
gether
3. The Levites with cymbals ". 10Y
These We're to furnish the instrumental
music of the sanctuary. This WIS ac-
cording to the arrangement made by
David U Chron. 10 :16-2D.
4. They sang together by course
". 1D. This means that they sang
to one another responSively. The one
company sang, The Lord is Good" ;
the other responded, For His mercy
endureth forever"
8. Mingled weeping and shouting.
wv. 12-13). Some of the older men
who had seen the magnificent AMI
u1 Of ,,-l,i i,h I,,l
been destroyed, wept much when they
saw how far short tha present founda
ton came of the former temple. 9th
ers were glad of the favor of God
which had brought them back and that
a beginning had been made in the new
house of worship.
II. The Building of the Temple Hin.
dered (Ch. ~.
The three perils which put back the
building of the temple for some four.
teen years reveal the persistent meth.
DDS which the enemy uses to hinder
the constructive building programs OF
Gods people in every age.
l. An unintelligent pessmism (3:12l.
1t was no credit to priests, Levites
and chief of the fathers" to mar this
glorious occasion with weeping. Tn.
der the circumstances this was n
glorious beginning and gave promise OF
great things for the future. Gods
promises looked to the future when
even greater glorieS should be to the
chosen people than ever had been en-
ioyed in the days of Solomon. Many
today, because things are not quite
what they should be, do not 20 for
ward with Il constructive program, and
even hinder those who have the hope
full outlook. 'Tis true the Bible lIn
questionably predicts an apostasy. This
forces of evil are Mt work-destructive
criticism. false philosophy gone mad
and deceptive cults of every deScrip
ton are more pronounced than eve,
in the history of the Christian church
but the intelligent and believing Chris
tians will go forward with hopeful
outlook, knowing that the purpose OF
God cannot fail.
.. Worldly compromise G. -, 81. Lei
us build with you, for we seek your
and effective method today. May the
courageous Zerubbabeis declare anew,
"Ye have nothing to do with US to
build an house unto cur God"
3. Open opposition by the world (4:4.
24). When refused part in the work,
open and violent opposition was re,
sorted to. Intimidation and political
scheming were used to defeat the build.
ing plan of Gods people.
III. The Temple Finished (5:1-6:15).
Through the ministry of the proph.
cts, Haggai and Zezchariah, the peo.
pie We're encouraged to resume the
work of building the temple. They
wrought with energy and enthusiasm
How necessary are Gods prophets to
encourage and urge ON the workers III
the Lords vineyard
~. The Temple Dedicated (e:16-22)
The people were united in this build
ing and came together upon its com.
pletion and solemnly dedicated it to
God. 1t was joyous occasion and
they united in the observance of the