The Republican., 1935-11-21
~"''""' IMPROVED '"""""0V
UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
SeHooI SeEooI esson
BY REV. p. B. FITZWATER. D. D.,
Member OF Faculty. Moody Bible
Institute of Chicago.
@Western Newspape per Union.
Lesson for November "a
THE MESSAGE OF HAGGAI AND
ZECHARlAH

LESSON TEXT-Haggai 1928; 2:S. 9
Zechariah 4:6-10.
GOLDEN TEXT was glad wher
they said unto me, Let US go into the
house of the Lord. Psalm 1921.
PRIMARY TOPIC-A New House fol
God.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Building a House Of
Worship.
INTERMEDIARY AND SENIOR
TOPIC-Why We Build Churches.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
TOPIC-Building Adequate Churches.
After the returned captives had set
tied down in the towns surrounding
Jerusalem, the people were called to-
gether for the purpose of establishing
the worship of the Lord God. This
movement was led by Josh a the priest
and Zerubbabel the Cover n. In view
of the fact that the cleal ing 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 sacrifices might be of.
fered at once to God
|. The Laying of the Foundation OF
the New Temple ezra 3 3:S-13).
This was an auspicious occasion and
was celebrated with impressive cere-
monies.
1. The priests in their official ap-
parel ". 10). These garments SYM
bolized their consecration to the Lords
service.
2. The priests with trumpets ". 10y.
Trumpets were used in calling the peo-
pie together.
3. The Levites with cymbals ". 10Y.
This was according to the arrange
ments made by David q Chron. 15).
4. They sang together by course ".
1D. This means that they sang to
one another responsively.
5. Mingled weeping and singing (vv.
u, 13). Some of the older men who
had seen the magnificent temple of
short the present foundation came of
the former temple. Others were glad
because Of the favor of God which had
brought them back.
II. The Building of the Temple Hin
dered ezra ~.
The leading adversaries were the
Samaritans, mongrel people, the off
spring Of the poor Jews who were left
in Palestine and the foreign people
who were sent into Palestine after the
Jews were taken captive. The three
perils which delayed the building of
the temple for about fourteen years
reveal the persistent methods which
the enemies of God use to hinder the
building program of Gods people in
every age.
l. An unintelligent pessimism (3:
12). Because things were not as prom
Using as they should be, some were
not disposed to go forward with
constructive program and even him
dered those who possessed a hopeful
outlook. Under the circumstances,
glorious beginning had been made
which had promise of great things in
the future.
9. Worldly compromise (4:2, 81.
The adversaries said, Let us build
with you: for we seek your God"
This is Satan's most common and ef-
fective method. The help of the un-
regenerate in forwarding the Lords
work should not be accepted by the
Lords people.
8. Open opposition by the world
(4:4-24. When refused a part in the
work. open opposition was resorted to.
Ill. Assurance of the Completion of
the Second Temple Czech. :6-10).
BY means Of the golden candlestick
is represented the restoration Of the
Jewish nation and the fulfillment of
its divine purpose. 1t was to be a
light in the world. There were
insuperable difficulties in the way Of
accomplishing their restoration, repre-
sented by the great mountain, but as
surance was given that God by his
Holy Spirit could easily accomplish
their restoration. The mountain would
be displaced by plain. The two
olive trees represent Zerubbabel and
Joshua. The Holy Spirit was to ac-
complish this work through them.
w. The Temple Finished (Ezra 6:
1870.
Through the ministry of the proph-
cts, Haggai and Zechariah tEzra 81;
Hag l, p, the people were encour-
aged to resume the work of the build
ing of the temple. When the temple
was finished, they solemnly dedicated
it to God (Ezra 6:1622).
v. The BIessedness of Dwelling In
Gods House ops. S4:1-4).
1. The longing of the soul for Gods
house wv. l, p.
2. The sparrow and swallow find
protection in the sacred precincts Of
Gods house ". 81.
3. At home in Gods house ". ~.
Those who have heart for God find
their chief delight in dwelling in his
house.