o not seem to make any attempt
to reestablish the nation. Stress is now put upon the true worship of
God and it is beginning to dawn upon them that the glory of God will
be manifested in some higher spiritual sense than had been expected.
They had seen the decay of the mightiest material kingdoms, while
spiritual Israel lived on, and were seeing how God and his cause and
those whom he saves can not die. The Old Testament, therefore, closes
with the Jews back at their old home, with the temple restored, with
the sacred writings gathered together, with the word of God being
taught and with the voice of the living prophet still in the land.
After this followed a somewhat varied history of about 400 years
through all of which the light of the hope of the coming Messiah never
died out.

Lessons of the Period. The discussions of the previous sections have
brought out some of the significant teachings of this period, but the
following statement of lessons will probably serve to stimulate
thought. (1) God will use as his instruments others than his own
people. See Cyrus and Artaxerxes. (2) God's work is both (a)
constructive, as when he builds up, inspires, edicts and qualifies
workers, and (b) destructive, as when he overcomes opposition. (3) A
consecrated man is courageous and uncompromising, but none the less
cautious. See Nehemiah. (4) There is a wise providence of God that
includes all nations and displays perfect righteousness, perfect
knowledge and perfect power. See the book of Esther, also the others.
(5) Contentment may be false and harmful. See Hag. and Zech. (6) The
comparative strength of the friends and enemies of a proposition does
not determine the results. God must also be considered. (7) It pays to
serve God. the Moral Governor of the world. See Mal. (8) The safety of
a people demands that the marriage relation shall be sacredly
regarded. (9) A rigid observance of the Sabbath is vital to the growth
and well-being of a nation. (10) Mere forms of religion are
displeasing to God unless accompanied by ethical lives. (11) Rules
that oppress the poor court the Divine disfavor.

For Study and Discussion. (1) The lessons given in the last paragraph.
(2) The decree of Cyrus. (3) The adversaries of Judah (Ezr. ch. 4;
Neh. ch. 4), who they were and what they did. (4) The reforms of Ezra.
(5) The reforms of Nehemiah. Compare them one by one with those of
Ezra. (6) The traits of character of Ezra and Nehemiah. (7) Nehemi