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bed and distributed。 The pure word； thus multiplied and placed in the hands of many people； gave knowledge that was of inestimable value。
Ezra's faith that God would do a mighty work for His people； led him to tell Artaxerxes of his desire to return to Jerusalem to revive an interest in the study of God's
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word and to assist his brethren in restoring the Holy City。 As Ezra declared his perfect trust in the God of Israel as one abundantly able to protect and care for His people； the king was deeply impressed。 He well understood that the Israelites were returning to Jerusalem that they might serve Jehovah； yet so great was the king's confidence in the integrity of Ezra that he showed him marked favor； granting his request and bestowing on him rich gifts for the temple service。 He made him a special representative of the Medo…Persian kingdom and conferred on him extensive powers for the carrying out of the purposes that were in his heart。
The decree of Artaxerxes Longimanus for the restoring and building of Jerusalem； the third issued since the close of the seventy years' captivity； is remarkable for its expressions regarding the God of heaven； for its recognition of the attainments of Ezra； and for the liberality of the grants made to the remnant people of God。 Artaxerxes refers to Ezra as 〃the priest； the scribe； even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord； and of His statutes to Israel；〃 〃a scribe of the law of the God of heaven。〃 The king united with his counselors in offering freely 〃unto the God of Israel； whose habitation is in Jerusalem；〃 and in addition he made provision for meeting many heavy expenses by ordering that they be paid 〃out of the king's treasure house。〃 Verses 11； 12； 15； 20。
〃Thou art sent of the king； and of his seven counselors；〃 Artaxerxes declared to Ezra； 〃to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem； according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand。〃 And he further decreed： 〃Whatsoever is
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commanded by the God of heaven； let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven： for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons？〃 Verses 14； 23。
In giving permission to the Israelites to return； Artaxerxes arranged for the restoration of the members of the priesthood to their ancient rites and privileges。 〃We certify you；〃 he declared； 〃that touching any of the priests and Levites； singers； porters； Nethinims； or ministers of this house of God； it shall not be lawful to impose toll； tribute； or custom； upon them。〃 He also arranged for the appointment of civil officers to govern the people justly in accordance with the Jewish code of laws。 〃Thou； Ezra； after the wisdom of thy God； that is in thine hand；〃 he directed； 〃set magistrates and judges； which may judge all the people that are beyond the river； all such as know the laws of thy God； and teach ye them that know them not。 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God； and the law of the king； let judgment be executed speedily upon him； whether it be unto death； or to banishment； or to confiscation of goods； or to imprisonment。〃 Verses 24…26。
Thus； 〃according to the good hand of his God upon him；〃 Ezra had persuaded the king to make abundant provision for the return of all the people of Israel and of the priests and Levites in the Medo…Persian realm； who were minded 〃of their own free will to go up to Jerusalem。〃 Verses 9； 13。 Thus again the children of the dispersion were given opportunity to return to the land with the possession of which were linked the promises to the house of Israel。
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This decree brought great rejoicing to those who had been uniting with Ezra in a study of God's purposes concerning His people。 〃Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers；〃 Ezra exclaimed； 〃which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart； to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem： and hath extended mercy unto me before the king； and his counselors； and before all the king's mighty princes。〃 Verses 27； 28。
In the issuing of this decree by Artaxerxes； God's providence was manifest。 Some discerned this and gladly took advantage of the privilege of returning under circumstances so favorable。 A general place of meeting was named； and at the appointed time those who were desirous of going to Jerusalem assembled for the long journey。 〃I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava；〃 Ezra says； 〃and there abode we in tents three days。〃 Ezra 8：15。
Ezra had expected that a large number would return to Jerusalem； but the number who responded to the call was disappointingly small。 Many who had acquired houses and lands had no desire to sacrifice these possessions。 They loved ease and comfort and were well satisfied to remain。 Their example proved a hindrance to others who otherwise might have chosen to cast in their lot with those who were advancing by faith。
As Ezra looked over the company assembled； he was surprised to find none of the sons of Levi。 Where were the members of the tribe that had been set apart for the sacred service of the temple？ To the call； Who is on the Lord's side？ the Levites should have been the first to respond。
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During the captivity； and afterward； they had been granted many privileges。 They had enjoyed the fullest liberty to minister to the spiritual needs of their brethren in exile。 Synagogues had been built； in which the priests conducted the worship of God and instructed the people。 The observance of the Sabbath； and the performance of the sacred rites peculiar to the Jewish faith； had been freely allowed。
But with the passing of the years after the close of the captivity； conditions changed； and many new responsibilities
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rested upon the leaders in Israel。 The temple at Jerusalem had been rebuilt and dedicated； and more priests were needed to carry on its services。 There was pressing need of men of God to act as teachers of the people。 And besides； the Jews remaining in Babylon were in danger of having their religious liberty restricted。 Through the prophet Zechariah； as well as by their recent experience during the troublous times of Esther and Mordecai； the Jews in Medo…Persia had been plainly warned to return to their own land。 The time had come when it was perilous for them to dwell longer in the midst of heathen influences。 In view of these changed conditions； the priests in Babylon should have been quick to discern in the issuance of the decree a special call to them to return to Jerusalem。
The king and his princes had done more than their part in opening the way for the return。 They had provided abundant means； but where were the men？ The sons of Levi failed at a time when the influence of a decision to accompany their brethren would have led others to follow their example。 Their strange indifference is a sad revelation of the attitude of the Israelites in Babylon toward God's purpose for His people。
Once more Ezra appealed to the Levites； sending them an urgent invitation to unite with his company。 To emphasize the importance of quick action； he sent with his written plea several of his 〃chief men〃 and 〃men of understanding。〃 Ezra 7：28；8：16。
While the travelers tarried with Ezra； these trusted messengers hastened back with the plea； 〃Bring unto us ministers
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for the house of our God。〃 Ezra 8：17。 The appeal was heeded； some who had been halting； made final decision to return。 In all； about forty priests and two hundred and twenty Nethinimmen upon whom Ezra could rely as wise ministers and good teachers and helperswere brought to the camp。
All were now ready to set forth。 Before them was a journey that would occupy several months。 The men were taking with them their wives and children； and their substance； besides large treasure for the temple and its service。 Ezra was aware that enemies lay in wait by the way； ready to plunder and destroy him and his company； yet he had asked from the king no armed force for protection。 〃I was ashamed；〃 he has explained； 〃to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way： because we had spoken unto the king； saying； The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him； but His power and His wrath is against all them that forsake Him。〃 Verse 22。
In this matter； Ezra and his companions saw an opportunity to magnify the name of God before the heathen。 Faith in the power of the living God would be strengthened if the Israelites themselves should now reveal implicit faith in their divine Leader。 They therefore determined to put their trust wholly in Him。 They would ask for no guard of soldiers。 They would give the heathen no occasion to ascribe to the strength of man the glory that belongs to God alone。 They could not afford to arouse in the minds of their heathen friends one doubt as to the sincerity of their dependence on
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God as His people。 Strength would be gained； not through wealth； not through the power and influence of idolatrous men； but through the favor of God。 Only by keeping