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LESSON XIII.—SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 1893

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 13, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 19.

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LESSON XIII.—SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 1893.

By Editor

REVIEW.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as in the common version.]
Golden Text.—"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Ps. 119: 105.
A GLANCE AT THE SUBJECTS.
LESSON I.—Returning from the Captivity. Ezra 1: 1-11.
" II.—Rebuilding the Temple. " 3: 1-13.
" III.—Encouraging the People. Haggai 2: 1-9.
" IV.—Joshua, the High Priest. Zech. 3: 1-10.
" V.—The Spirit of the Word. " 4: 1-10.
" VI.—Dedicating the Temple. Ezra 6: 14-22.
" VII.—Nehemiah's Prayer. Neh. 1: 1-16.
" VIII.—Rebuilding the Wall. " 4: 9-23.
" IX.—Reading the Law. " 8: 1-12.
" X.—Keeping the Sabbath. " 13: 15-22.
" XI.—Esther before the King. ESTHER 4: 10-5: 3.
" XII.—A Temperance Lesson. Prov. 23: 15-25.
BRIEF ANALYSIS OF THE LESSONS.
LESSON 1.—(a) The book of Ezra, written by Ezra, a scribe, a priest, descended from Aaron. Written somewhere about B.C. 450 to 460. (b) Written in two languages, the major part in Hebrew. Chapters 4: 8 to 6: 18, and 7: 12-26 are in Chaldee, a branch of the Syriac. (c) The chief events of this lesson, the decree of Cyrus, and the return of the Jews from all parts of the realm of Babylon, took place in B.C. 536. (d) The lesson deals with the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy in the decree of Cyrus, the extent of the decree, the liberality of the emperor, and the return of about fifty thousand Jews. The lesson is God's wondrous compassion and faithfulness to his people, together with the fact that God rules in the kingdoms of the world, and giveth them to whom he will.
LESSON 2.—(a) The building of the temple from May to October 536 B.C. (b) Zerubbabel, governor of Judea. (c) Daniel, a prophet in Babylon; Haggai and Zechariah, in Jerusalem. (d) The commendable first work of building the altar, and the offering of burnt offerings. (e) The observation of the Feast of Tabernacles. (f) The laying of the foundation of the temple, and the emotions of the people.
LESSON 3.—(a) The prophecy of Haggai, consisting of reproofs and encouragement. (b) The reason why the prophecy was given was the backsliding of the Jews, and their long delay in building the temple. (c) The realization of our need of God a necessity. If we do not know our need, we will not ask. (d) The necessity of having God's help to make his work a success. (e) The assurance that all is of God, and that God has all the means in his own hands for the success of his work.
LESSON 4.—(a) The enemy of God's people. (b) God's care for his people shown in his rebuke of the enemy. (c) God's forgiveness in blotting out sin. (d) The God that forgives will by angelic power keep his people. (e) We have a Great High Priest, and the assurance of the same divine power.
LESSON 5.—This lesson is from Zechariah, and its subject the Spirit of God. (a) In that Spirit is found all blessings. (b) Without the Spirit all our work, however much of human power may be behind it, will amount to nothing. (c) That Spirit, if received by us, will shed abroad the love of God in our hearts, cleanse us from all sin, and give us a new heart and a new spirit. Rom. 5: 5; Eze. 36: 25-27. (d) God is more willing to give that Spirit to them that ask him than earthly parents are willing to give good gifts to their children. Luke 11: 9-13. That Spirit will cause us to walk in God's law.
LESSON 6.—(a) The finishing of the temple under the encouraging words of the prophet, and its dedication. (b) The Jews prospered when they obeyed God. (c) The keeping of the Feast of the Passover, and the great rejoicing. (d) The giving of all the glory to God.
LESSON 7.—(a) Nehemiah a special friend and favorite of King Artaxerxes at Susa. (b) He learned that the people were in affliction, and that the wall was broken down, and he went to the only Source of help, the great God of Israel. (c) In seeking God he does not excuse himself or the Jews, but confesses his sins and the sins of his people, and pleads God's promises and covenants. (d) Even thus may we pray. See Psalm 57.
LESSON 8.—In the rebuilding of the wall the following lessons may be noted: (a) The unbelief and indifference of the Jews themselves; (b) the activity and persistence of their adversaries in hindering the work; (c) the faithfulness of Nehemiah, his words of faith and courage to the people, the organization for carrying on the work, and the glorious success. (d) Although Nehemiah made all the preparations he did, he did not expect to do the work or defeat the enemy in himself. He says, "Our God shall fight for us." Note the wickedness of slander and backslidings, the value of righteousness and faithfulness.
LESSON 9.—The subject is "Reading the Law." Peloubet calls this "a Sunday school of the olden time." But the Sunday had no more to do with the matter than did General Grant with the foundation of our republic. It was really the study of the word of God. (a) It was the month of meetings, the seventh month. (b) The people demanded the reading of the word, and were therefore anxious to listen. (c) The instruction was long continued, yet the people were not weary. (d) The people received the word because they mourned over the sin, and were comforted in God's mercy.
LESSON 10.—In this lesson, as in others, let the teacher cleave to the word of God. (a) The Sabbath, what day is it? (Gen. 2: 2, 3); (b) the commandment concerning it (Ex. 20: 8-11); (c) Who gave it?—The Creator (John 1: 1-3; Col. 1: 16); (d) the Sabbath is therefore the Lord's day (Mark 2: 27; Isa. 58: 13; Rev. 1: 10); (e) how it should be kept "holy;" (f) those only can keep it holy who have been made holy by Christ (1 Cor. 1: 30; Eph. 2: 10); therefore the Sabbath is a sign between God and his people, that they may know that he is the Lord who sanctifies them (Eze. 20: 12). Nehemiah, under the theocracy, and by especial appointment of God, did not permit work or traffic on the Sabbath. Under the gospel no man or set of men has any right to compel the observance of any commandment of the Decalogue.
LESSON 11.—(a) The reign of Ahasuerus (Xerxes). (b) Esther made queen in the providence of God (Esther 4: 14). (c) Haman's plot against the Jews. (d) Mordecai and his relation to the kingdom and Esther. (e) God's deliverance of the Jews in his own way. This is a wonderful lesson of God's special providences.
From the above the intelligent teacher will be able to construct a re-view of the lessons of the quarter. Make the practical points prominent, and let the word of God be the evidence.

A LESSON ON THE GOLDEN TEXTS.

1. What promise did the Lord give to Israel if they would turn to him in bondage? "The Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee." Deut. 30: 3.
NOTE.—We by nature are the servants of sin and wrath (Eph. 2: 2; Rom. 6: 16); but if we renounce our sins of transgression, God will turn our captivity (1 John 1: 9). And after this if we sin again, he will forgive if we return to him. See 1 John 2: 1.
2. For what did the children of Israel praise the Lord on a certain occasion? "They praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid." Ezra 3: 11.
NOTE 2.—We may rejoice at all times that the foundation of God's spiritual temple, in which we all may be living stones,—that this foundation is in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 3: 11.
3. Without whom will all our labor for God be in vain? "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it." Ps. 127: 1.
4. Whom have we to plead for us in all our conflicts, captivity, and labor? "Having then a great High Priest who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God." Heb. 4: 14.
5. By what power may we overcome and do God's will? "Not by [human] might, nor by [human] power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." Zech. 4: 6.
6. How willing is God to give his Spirit? Luke 11: 9-13.
7. What invitation made the heart of the Psalmist glad? "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." Ps. 122: 1.
8. What should be our continual prayer? "Lord, be thou my helper." Ps. 30: 10.
9. How did Nehemiah and his brethren engage in the work? "We made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them." Neh. 4: 9.
10. What should be our prayer in reference to God's law? Ps. 119: 18.
11. What is our duty with reference to the fourth commandment of God's law? "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. . . The seventh day is a Sabbath unto the Lord thy God." Ex. 20: 8-10.
12. What is the duty of those in authority? "Judge righteously, and minister judgment to the poor and needy." Prov. 31: 9.
13. In what admonition may all find instruction and profit? "And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot; but be filled with the Spirit." Eph. 5: 18.
14. What is God's word to all who trust him? See golden text.