Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-17

discipline of the exile had done its
work when Cyrus. the master mind of
that day and generation, had con-
qllered Babylon and had it in his power
to permit the nation to return to Pal
eStine.
Daniel without doubt called the ct
tention of the great soldier and states
man to Isaiahs prophecy that had pre-
dicted his attitude toward his country
men. Cyrus could appreciate the value
of having a buffer state in Palestine to
check Egypt. His skill in government
was almost uncanny. He changed the
bitter feeling Of antagonism among the
various subjected races into one of
friendship for himself by permitting all
nations to return to their native lands
and restore their peculiar religious rites
and cults. He was tolerant toward all
faiths. He did not try to eradicate the
peoples love for their motherland and
faith by force, ike the Babyonians had
done. He sought to create feeling of
loyalty to.his empire by making all peo-
pie contented. He permitted all his
subjects to worship according to the
dictates of their conscience. When
group returned to the land from which
the Babylonians had taken them by
force, Cyrus returned many captured
foreign idols to their temples" by do
mating them to those returning to their
motherland.
Ezra, Nehemiah and the chronicler
wrote of Cyrus as one whom Jehovah
used for high and noble purposes. Pos
Sibly this fact may account for the
problems that some scholars face when
they take up the consideration Of this
| weeks lesson. which tree of an almost
| unparalleled event in story. 1t is
| without doubt one Of the nine most I'M
| ~ e If hn
| Their difficulties are too intricate for
discussion here. 1t will help in their
| solution, II we remember that Cyrus
had his own point of view when he
wrote the famous cylinder that covers
the events OF this lesson. One cannot
be condemned for viewing his procla-
nation for the exiles' return as con-
fession of his conversion to the Jewish
| faith.
Returning From Exile.
In the opening words of Ezra's
prophecy we find the true philosophy of
| history, that recognizes the governing
and controlling power of an ever-pres-
| ent. unseen and living God in the AZ
| fairs of men. Calvin Coolidge has re-
Gently in a magazine article stated how
he came to feel and recognize the I'M
seen presence and leadership of God
in his life as President. Cyrus, who
possibly may have been "Zoroastrian
| monotheist," If he were not believer
in many gods, would not have any diff
f1culty in either event in automatically
and sincerely acknowledging his debt to
jehovah: AN Kingdoms He hath given
! me-" Faced with the prophecy. that
mentioned him by name, as Isaiah had
done fully 200 years previously, the
mighty monarch must have believed
that God had chosen him for His Serv-
ant in extending the privilege Of re-
turning to the Holy Land to the Jewish
| exiles. Aside from the value of their
presence in Palestine, being valuable as
| buffer state. Cyrus would feel the di-
vine urge calling upon him to issue the
proclamation for their return, which
he did.
Only about $4,000 availed themselves
of the privilege extended them by Cyrus
to return to Palestine and repoSSesS
their ancient family estates. During
their residence for two generations in
Babylon they had proSpered, and many
of them had become closely identified
with the life of the great city and coun-
try, so that they did not desire to re-
turn to the Holy Land. In fact, the
only reason prompting their return was
a religious one. The same spirit exists
with many prominent Hebrews in our
land. Personally they are we'll satisfied
with their position and opportunities
here. While they will not return to the
promised land to help rebuild Zion. as
the Zionists are doing in a marvellous
manner, these distinguished Jews will
give literally to help the Zionist move
ment, so that Judaism may have the
same privileges that were extended 70
the returning exiles by Cyrus when the
events of today'S lesson took place. They
marked the birth of Judaism. Although
they returned as a united spiritual peo-
pie, the restored nation never reached
the point where they fully realized their
mission as a nation according to the
ideals of the Mosaic teachings and the
messages of the prophets. Nevertheless
they were a better Israel, even II mar
rover, and were worthy of the new
covenant.
It required some time to assemble all
the folks who responded to the sum-
mons of Cyrus to return to their moth
erland and rebuild the temple. The
Journey would take at least four months
If they followed, as they probably did,
the route taken by Abraham when he
made his journey. The generous gift OF
Cyrus of all the utensils taken from the
temple by NebuchadneSSar aroused the
deeply spiritually minded Jews and
stirred up the others to contribute gen.
erously to the expenses of the return.
Among the leaders would be those who
recalled the memory Of the temples
grandeur and glory. The desire to re-
possess their ancient home. rebuild
Jerusalem and restore the temple APP
pealed to- the people as whole, for
they longed that the worship Of Jehovah
should be restored and carried out In
accordance with Gods word.
Although numerically the number re-
turning was not numerous, the fact Is
that here was the nucleus Of a new and
mighty nation. They were not destined
to be completely free or politically in
dependent. In fact, the birth of Juda-
ism, that is recorded in this lesson, was
not a political rebirth, but spiritual
renaissance. The multitude that re-
turned under Ezra were all moved by a
great and deep spiritual love and devo-
ton to Jehovah, whose temple they de-
termined to rebuild and whose worship
they would restore.
The Pilgrims Chorus.
Song helped to overcome the Difficult
| ties, discouragements and disappoint-
ments of the pilgrims returning to
| Palestine. Their faith found expression
! in at least Is songs Of the ascent"
that helped develop their morale and
increased their faith along the long and
difficult journey. Probably the most
touching is the one found in our les
son. Its opening verses sounded their
gratitude to God. Who had moved Cyrus
to grant them the privilege of returning
and had given them the vessels taken
from the old temple, which had been
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