ut the temple. In its services the people
found their chief interest and joy. The numbers of the priests and Levites
were also greatly increased. To the older temple dues many new ones were
added. Thus each man brought to the temple the first-born of his flock.
Even his oldest son must be redeemed within a month after his birth by a
gift of five shekels (which represented in modern currency between three
and four dollars). Of every animal slain the shoulder, two joints, and the
stomach went to the priests. Of the vintage and oil and grain they
received about one-fiftieth. In addition a tithe was turned over to the
Levites. Part of the wool in every sheep-shearing, as well as a part of
the bread which they baked, found its way to the temple. In addition a
large income came through the vows made by the people or the conscience
money which was paid either in currency or gifts. Although the priests had
no temporal authority by which to enforce these laws, it is evident that
the people bore their heavy burdens gladly and brought willingly their
offerings, that they might thereby win a definite assurance of Jehovah's
favor. The law was to them a source of joy rather than a burden. Their
love for it steadily grew until two centuries later during the Maccabean
persecutions there were many who were ready to lay down their lives for it.

Section CIII. THE JEWISH STATE DURING THE LAST CENTURY OF PERSIAN RULE

[Sidenote: Ps. 36:5-10]
Thy loving-kindness, O Jehovah, is in the heavens,
Thy faithfulness reacheth to the skies,
Thy righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
Thy judgments are like the great deep;
Thou preservest man and beast.
How precious is thy loving-kindness, O God!
And the sons of men put their trust in the shadow of thy wings.
They are fully satisfied with the rich things of thy house,
And thou makest them drink of thy river of delights.
For with thee is the fountain of life,
And in thy light shall we see light.
O continue thy loving-kindness to those who know thee,
And thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

[Sidenote: Joel 2:1, 2b]
The word of Jehovah, which came to Joel, the son of Pethuel:
Blow a horn in Zion,
Sound an alarm in my holy mountain,
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,
For the day of Jehovah comes,
For near is the day of darkness and gloom,
The day of cloud and thick darkness!

[Sidenote: Joel 2:2c-6]
Like the light of dawn scattered over the mountains,
A people great an