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THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NESS
teachers and so-called missionaries deny the Word of God. Money is put into schools where teachers deny .the inspiration of the Bible and tell the students that if it is a question of dis agreement between the Bible and biology or geology then they must choose the latter. These are sad facts, and every Sun day School teacher should be honest enough to say to the scholars, “ You have a right to know where your money is going, and how it will be used, and what kind of people will use it.” God’s servants are chosen vessels (Acts 9:15) “He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.” and God’s people are characterized as precious (2 Tim. 2:20, 21) some of silver, some of gold, some of fine copper, —but all very precious. These vessels did not make the choice for themselves. God designated which were jto’ be of silver or of gold. We have no right to choose when or where, but should be plastic in His hand, for any kind of service, any time, anywhere. (3) PRESERVATION AND PRESEN TATION, 8:31-35. Through dangers and difficulties, trusting in Jehovah and not in armies for protection, they came— after four months of hard travel— to the city. They had been born outside the Land, and had never seen the city of God. You can paint the picture of their joy in their safe arrival. There were two hands,— one the hand of the enemy working to hinder and hurt them and to spoil their lives, and the Hand of the Lord which was upon them for good (7:9, 28; Psa. 91:9-14). It is the old story, always new, “ Fear not, I am with thee” ; “ I will guide thee with mine eye.” Though we walk . through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, His hand is upon us for good. The “ hand” symbolizes power, and
we may well say with David (2 Sam. 24:14) “Let us fall now into the hand of the Lord; for his mercies are great; and let us not fall into the hand of man.” and rejoice in our safety for “No one can pluck us out of His hand” , remem bering, also, that “ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of an angry God.” PRACTICAL POINTS (1) Ezra may have been born in Babylon, but he was no worshiper of Baal. (2) The purposes of a man’s heart are portrayed in his deeds. (3) Critical conditions call for con scientious counsellors and loyal leaders. (4) Wealth for God’s work should be honestly handled. (5) Missionaries should be God- chosen, and their messages God-given. (6) The hand of the enemy hin dered, but God’s hand brought help. (7) God is able to give, to guide, to guard, to govern; therefore, trust and be not afraid. Fifty-seven years after the temple was dedicated, Ezra led 1773 adult male colonists back to Palestine. Reckoning five to a family this would amount to about 9000 s o u l s . DEVOTIONAL Numbers of the ten COMMENT tribes returned with F. W. Farr Ezra. All the tribes of Israel were repre sented in the resettlement of Palestine. Ezra was a great reformer. He aimed to re-organize the worship of God, to in struct the people in the land, and to re store and establish the ancient customs. He was ably seconded in this under taking by Nehemiah. Ezra ranks with Moses and David in his influence over the Jews of his own time and of later ages. He brought about the repudia tion of heathen wives. His public
teaching of the law was followed by practical effects and genuine repent- Is YOUR Money Helping to Undermine the
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