T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S the great expedition. The prophet Hag- gai sees in this a promise of future supplies when all Israel shall be gath-' ered, when the wealth of foreign na tions will be poured into the temple treasury. “ For thus.saith the Lord of hosts, Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land, and the desirable things of all nations shall come; and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:6-8). — Sel. House of God. The immediate object named in the decree is the re building of the temple. Thus we see from, the first that the idea which char acterizes the restoration is religious. The exiles return as a church. The goal of their pilgrimage is a holy site. The one work they are to aim at achiev ing is to further the worship of their God.^Exp. Bible. v. 5. Chief of the fathers. Probably individuals from all the tribes returned to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah, but speaking broadly, the dispersion of the ten tribes still continues, nor can they now positively be identified. They are, however, pre served distinct from other peoples and are known to God as such, though they themselves, few in number, know Him not. (Deut. 28:62; Isa. 11:11-13; Hos. 3:4; 8 :8). Whose spirit God raised up. Whatever good we do, it is owing purely to the grace of God and He raises up our spirits to the doing of it. He works in us both to will and to do. Our spirits naturally incline to this earth and to the things of it. If they move upward in any good affection or action, it is God that raises them.— Henry. v. .7. Brought forth the vessels. Cyrus brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord -which had been in safe keeping during those years of anarchy and confusion, like the precious manuscripts of Scripture during the middle ages. When they were needed God brought them out of their hiding place. Trust in Him who makes no mistakes.—Meyer. Though it is said (2 Kings 24:13) that these were cut in pieces, that would not be done to the large and pxagnificent vases, and if they had been divided the parts could be re united. But it may be doubted whether the Hebrew word rendered “ cut to pieces” does not signify merely “ cut off” , i. e., from further use in the tem ple. The vessels here specified amount
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only to the number of 2,499, hence it is probable that the larger vases only are mentioned, while the inventory of the whole, including great and small; came to the gross sum stated in the text.— Jamieson. Pictorial Questions How long was the captivity in Baby lon to continue? Jer. 29:10. Who was to deliver the Hebrews? Jer. 29: 10- Have the Hebrews even been able to do anything as a na- LESSON tion apart from God’s QWESTTOiNS permission? Who gave W. H. Pike Cyrus his position? Isa. 44:28; 45:1. Who stirred up Cyrus to let the Hebrews re turn? 2 Chron. 36:22. What did Cy rus say God had given him? What did Cyrus say God wanted him to do? What command did Cyrus give to all his peo ple concerning the Jews? What vessels of gold, silver, and brass did Cyrus order? What were these used for in Belshazzar’s reign? Practical Questions Does God have anything to do with the placing of rulers? Rom. 13:1-4. Is it possible for a ruler of *a nation today to carry out the purpose of God in his position? Was it God’s plan that the Hebrew captives should return to Palestine? Do you think all of the Hebrews believed this, especially those who were well fixed in Babylon? Ezra 2:64-65. Did it take faith in the Word of God, Jer. 29:10, to leave Babylon and journey to Jerusalem? Were these Jews not depending upon a prophecy in the Word of God when they left their Babylonian homes? Did they meet any opposition on the way or in Palestine after they arrived? Ezra 3:3. Were some disappointed in thè will of God? Ezra 3:12; Hag. 2:3, 4. Do Gold’s plans always work out to our pleasing? Ought we all to study God’s Word and follow daily His plan as we find it out? Did Cyrus receive prosperity and bless-
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