The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-08-03
IMPROVED UklFORH INTERNATIONAL
St11ndaySc'ool Q
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

o.
GOLDEN TEXT-My soul lonEcth, yea,
even fainteth for the courts Of the Lord.
Psalm S42.
REFERENCE MATERIAI>-IIaggai /:
l-2:23; Isaiah 62. Rev 2l:1-22:5.
PRIMARY ToPIC-JSyfully Building
Gods House.
JUNIOR Notwithstanding the Temple.
INTERMEDIATES 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 AMI
Zerubbabel the governor. III 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, un altar was erected
where sacrifice might be offered at
once unto God.
!. The Foundation of the Temple
Laid (3:S-13).
This was an nuspicious 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 dnlk past, and yet
pointed them forward to the time of
blessing when Gods favor would be
upon them agnin.
l. The priests in their apparel w.
10). In Exodus 80 the priestly gar
ments are described. These garmants
symbolized their conservation to the
Lords service.
2. The priests with trumpets (v. 10y.
These trumpets were OF silver and
were used in calling the people to-
gether.
3. The Levites with cymbals (v. 10Y.
These were to furnish the instrumental
music Of the sanctuary. This was &C.
cording to the arrangement made by
David Il Chron. Is :1G-21).
4. They sang together by course
". I'D. This means that they sang
to one another responsively. The one
company sang, "rhe 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 md
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 were glad Of the favor of God
which had brought them back and that
| beginning had been made in the new
| house Of Worship
~. The Building of the Temple Hin
dered (Ch. y.
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 uninteligent pessimism (3:12).
| 1t 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 Il
| glorious beginning and gave promise of
| great things for the future. Gods
| promises looked to the future when
| even greater gl0rieS 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 constructive program, and
| even hinder those who have the hope
full outlook
2. Worldly compromise (4:2 -. LET
us build with you, for we seek your
! God" This Is Sutan's most common
| and effective method today. May the
courageous Zerubbabsls declare anew,
"Ye have nothing to do with us to
build an house unto our God"
3. Open opposition by the world q a.
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 6 :1.6: :15).
Through the ministry of the proph.
| cts, Haggai and Zezcllariui, the peo.
| pie were encouraged to resume tho
| 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!
W. The Temple Dedicated (G:1G22).
The people were united in this build
ing and came together upon its com
| pletion and solemnly dedicated 1t to
God. 1t was II joyous occasion and
they unitod III the observance Of the
passover with gratitude to God that
tIe had strengthened their hands ia
their work.
|