The Red Cloud chief., 1922-08-03
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Sl11ndaySc|rool
' Lesson
(By REV. +. B. FITZWATER, d. D..
Teacher OF English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute OF ChicaxoD
Copyright 1922. Western Newspaper Union,
LESSON FOR AUGUST 6
THE TEMPLE REBUILT AND
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 1:
l-2:23; Isaiah 62: Rev. PLIERS.
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 a
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
| Zerub5abel 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 might be offered at
once unto God.
I. The Foundation of the Temple
Laid (3:S-13).
This was an ausp!ciOus occasion and
was celebrated with most impressive
| ceremonies. 1t marRed an epoch in
the history of the nation. 1t brought
most yividly to them their bitter eX-
| periences In the dark past, and yet
| pointed them forward to the time of
blessing when Gods favor would be
upon them again.
/. The priests in their apparel (v.
10). In Exodus 80 the priestly gar
ments are described. These garments
symbolized their conservation to the
Lords service.
2. The priests with trumpets ". 10).
These trumpets were of silver and
were used in calling the people to-
gether
3. The Levltes with cymbals ". 1O).
These were to furnish the instrumental
music of the sanctuary. This was ac-
cording to the arrangement made by
David U Chron. Is :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 and
glorious temple of Solomon, which had
been destroyed, wept much when they
saw how far short the present founda-
ton came of the former temple. 9th
ers We're glad Of the favor of God
which had brought them back and that
a beginning had been made in the new
house of worship.
u. 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
ods which the enemy uses to hinder
the constructive building programs of
Gods people in every age.
1. An unlntelligent pessimsm g :12)
It was no credit to priests, Levites
and chief of the fathers" to mar this
glorious occasion with weeping. Un-
der the circumstances this was a
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-
, joyed In the days of Solomon. Many
today because things are not quite
what they should be, do not 90 for
ward with q constructive program, and
even hinder those who have the hope
, full outlook.
2. Worldly compromise (4:2. -. lie
us build with you, for we seek youl
God" This is Satan's most common
and effective method today. May thu
, courageous Zerubbabels declare anew
aye have nothing to do with us t.
build an house unto our God"
3. Open opposition by Ne world "a: "A
24). When refused part In the work
open and violent opposition was re
sorted to. Intimidation and politica
. schemlng were used to defeat the build
!, ing plan Of Gods people.
= III. The Temple Finished % :1.6 :15)
Through the ministry of the proph
y cts, Haggai and Zezchariah, the pee
ple were encouraged to resume tn
! work of building the temple. The,
wrought with energy and enthusiasm
/ How necessary are Gods prophets t
o encourage and urge on the workers Il
the Lords vineyard!
". The Temple Dedicated GO :1G-22)
The people were united in this build
/, ing and came together upon its CON
| pletion and solemnly dedicated 1t t
) God. 1t was joyous occasion an
h they united In the observance Of tn
J passover with gratitude to God tina
= He had strengthened their hands