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Advent Lessons

Lesson 6 · February 9, 1907

Difficulties Arise

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Questions

  1. 1.What question was asked by the governor of the land? . Note 1.
  2. 2.What reply was made to him?—"Then we told them after this manner, what the names of the men were that were making this building." , A. R. V.
  3. 3.What special protection was granted the Jews? .
  4. 4.Upon whom is the eye of the Lord said to especially rest? ; .
  5. 5.Were the adversaries able to stop the work? .
  6. 6.Who was king of Persia at this time? . Note 2.
  7. 7.Who wrote him a letter? .
  8. 8.What report was given of the work being done at Jerusalem? .
  9. 9.In answer to the governor's question, whose servants did the Jews say they were? . Note 3.
  10. 10.What reason did the Jews give for being carried into captivity? .
  11. 11.To what did they refer as authority for building? .
  12. 12.How long had they been building the house? ; compare . Note 4.
  13. 13.With what request did they close the letter? .
  14. 14.What was the general character of their whole letter?
  15. 15.How does it compare with the letter written by the Samaritans? . Note 5.
  16. 16.Of what scripture was Tatnai's letter an illustration? .
  17. 17.On receipt of the letter what did Darius do? .
  18. 18.Give the principal points in the decree of Cyrus. .

Notes

1. The Jews were building in direct opposition to a royal command not to build. . This required much faith.

2. Darius the Persian was known in history as Darius Hystaspes. He came to the throne after Smerdis the Impostor.

3. Their power lay in recognizing God alone as their Master. The work of the Lord will always go forward with power when the workers know of a surety in their hearts that they are "servants of the God of heaven," and not men-servers, and souls are of more value to them than wages. Then they can carry forward the work rapidly and it will prosper in the face of opposition and discouraging circumstances.

4. The foundation of the temple was laid in the second year of Cyrus. Cyrus reigned five years after the work began. Cambyses reigned seven and one-half years, Smerdis six months, and this was the second year of Darius (), making fifteen years since they had commenced building the temple.

5. The letter of Tatnai was a fair, open, honorable letter, stating the facts in their true light; while the letter of the Samaritans was just the opposite. History repeats itself. The Samaritans "feared the Lord and served their graven images." . The cause of God will often receive better treatment to-day from worldly people, than from half converted, professed Christians.

Bible texts in this lesson

Ezra 5:3 · Ezra 5:4 · Ezra 5:5 · Psalms 33:18 · Job 36:7 · Ezra 5:6 · Ezra 5:8 · Ezra 5:9-11 · Ezra 5:12 · Ezra 5:13-15 · Ezra 5:16 · Ezra 3:8 · Ezra 5:17 · Ezra 4:7-16 · Proverbs 16:7 · Ezra 6:1 · Ezra 6:2 · Ezra 6:3-5 · Ezra 4:23 · Ezra 4:24 · 2 Kings 17:41

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This lesson PDF Whole quarter PDF · 13 lessons