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Tuesday
The First
Lesson
Ezra 4:7, 11-24
7 And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel,
and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia;
and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue,
and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.
11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even
unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the
river, and at such a time.
12 Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from
thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and
the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the
foundations.
13 Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded,
and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute,
and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.
14 Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and
it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore
have we sent and certified the king;
15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy
fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know
that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and
provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same
of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
16 We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and
the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion
on this side the river.
17 Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and
to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that
dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace,
and at such a time.
18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before
me.
19 And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found
that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings,
and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have
ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute,
and custom, was paid unto them.
21 Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that
this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be
given from me.
22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage
grow to the hurt of the kings?
23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before
Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went
up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease
by force and power.
24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem.
So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king
of Persia.
1st Lesson Questions -
Ezra 4:7,11-24. What motivated King Artaxerxes to do what he did? RESOLVE.
The Second
Lesson
Acts 7:17-34
17 But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had
sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
18 Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.
19 The same dealt subtly with our kindred, and evil entreated
our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the
end they might not live.
20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and
nourished up in his father's house three months:
21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up,
and nourished him for her own son.
22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,
and was mighty in words and in deeds.
23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart
to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and
avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:
25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that
God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
26 And the Next
day he showed himself unto them as they strove,
and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren;
why do ye wrong one to another?
27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying,
Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?
28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?
29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the
land of Madian, where he begat two sons.
30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in
the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame
of fire in a bush.
31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew
near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,
32 Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled,
and durst not behold.
33 Then
said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the
place where thou standest is holy ground.
34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which
is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down
to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.
2nd Lesson Questions -
Acts 7:17-34. Moses was told he was on holy ground. (V. 33) Is there any holy ground in my life, where God speaks to me? RESOLVE.