Mexico weekly ledger., 1922-08-03

LESSON TExT-+Exra 3:i-6:2z.
GOLDEN TE&T-My soul longeth, yea,
even fainteth for the courts of the Lord.
Psalm A:2
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Haggai l.:
l-2:23; Isaiah 81; Rev. 2l:1-22:5.
PRIMARY ToPIC--Joyfully Building
Gods House
JUNIOR TOPIC-Rebuilding the Temple.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
Love for Gods House.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
What Gods House Should Mean to q
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 might be offered at
once unto God.
I. The Foundation of the Temple
Laid (3:S-13).
This was an auspicious 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 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 w.
10Y. 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-
getller.
3. The Levites with cymbals ". 10)
These were to furnish the instrumental
music of the sanctuary. This was ac
cOrding to the arrangement made by
David Il Chron. 15:16-21).
4. TheyGssang together by course
". 11). This means that they sang
to one another responsively. The one
company sang, "The Lord Is Good"
the other responded, Ser His mercy
endureth forever"
5. Mingled weeping and shouting
(vv. 12-13). Some Of the older mel
who had seen the magnificent and
glorious temple of Solomon, which hat
been destroyed, wept much when they
saw how far short the present founda
tion came of the former temple. 9th
ers were glad of the favor of Go.
which had brought them back and thai
beginning had been made In the new
house of worship.
II. The Building Of the Temple Hin
dered (Ch. A..
The three perils which put back thu
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.
/. An unintelligent pessimism e :12)
It was no credit to priests, Levites
and chief of the fathers to mar this
glorious occasion with weeping. I'm
der the circumstances this was i
. glorious beginning and gave promise OF
great things for the future. Gods
promises looked to the future wher
even greater glOries should be to the
chosen people than ever had been en-
JOyed In the days of Solomon. Man,
today. because things are not quite
what they should be, do not go for
wsrd with constructive program, ant
even hinder those who have the hope
Z full outlook.
2. Worldly compromise (4:2, 81. lie
us build with you, for we seek you
God" This Is Satan's most common
and effective method today. May the
courageous zerubbabeis declare anew
aye have nothing to do with us e
build an house unto our God"
8. Open opposition by the world "a a
24). When refused q part In the work
open and violent opposition was re
sorted to. Intimidation and polltica
scAeming were used to defeat the build
ing plan Of Gods people.
GU. The Temple Finlshsd t5:1-6 :15l
Through the ministry Of the proph
cts. Haggai and Zezcharlah. the peo
pie were encouraged to resume the
work Of building the temple. They
wrought with energy and enthusiasm
How necessary are Gods prophets t.
encourage and urge on the workers ii
the Lords vineyard
w. The Temple Dedicated (6 1929
The people were united in this build
ing and came together upon its com
pletion and solemnly dedicated il Il
God. II was u Joyous occasion and
they united To the observance Of the
passover with gratitude to God that
He had strengthened their hands In
fhatp WORK