The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-03-20
INTERNATIONAL LESSONS.
BY REV. F. Il. HAReREAvEs.
A[nrch 2I.

Lesson 12 Mdrch 2I.
MEssIAHs MESSENGER.
Mai. 8, 1-6 and 4, 10. Golden Tert,
Nal 3, 1. Time, 3. c. 440. Place,
Jerusalem ~.
The old dispensation draws to close,
What an eveRtful history it is! We
have watched it from the beginning,
and all through the varied experiences
of Gods chosen people it has been i'm
possible to fail to recognize the Divine
hand. This was very marked in the
seventy years captivity, which taught
the Jews many valuable lessons and
laid the foundation for their after ma
tional and spiritual life. 1t was during
this period that they formulated many
of those ideas which have since become
sound doctrine, and on their return to
their native land we find them raising
to higher plane of spiritual life than
ever before. Idolatry was thing of
the past, and out of the darkness Of the
times there was revealed stronger
glimpses of Divine DeHverer and Saw
iour of the people. The priests of this
period latter the captivity appear 10
have given :. great impetus to this re-
ligious work, and to have done much to
prepare the way for the coming Christ.
There was still much to be done when
Malachi, last of the prophets, wrote the
book which bears his name. Malachi
means ''the angel, or messenger of Je-
hovah.'
The people are now looking for surer
and better things than have been their
lot hitherto, and Malachi tells them.
first, of God as loving Father and
Ruler Of His people; next, lie speaks of
the Supreme God AMI Father of us all;
and he closes his remarkable book with
a description of God as the fira! ana
righteous judge of all. This lesson Is a
part of the last phase Of his writings.
1t must have been peculiarly grateful
to people who hal seen so much ad-
versity, and whose national life had
been so completely crushed, according
to the will of God. Emerging from the
desolations of the captivity and trying 10
re-establish themselves in their ancient
city of Jerusalem, was a task difficult
of accomplishment with national
safety. But they were well governed
and carefully trained, thus givirg them
a fuller opportunity of establishing
themselves in the faith of their fathers.
But in the midst of this comes Malachi,
telling them OF John the Baptist who
should he the herald of One who should
he the Savior of His people, and whom
he calls the Sun of Righteousness.
1t was a blessed prediction, and the
more blessed for its happy expressive
ness. The Jews looked back, and all
was dark, SO dark! Even the present,
with the energy which was being
thrown into T., was anything but bright,
They trembled for the future. But
Malachi tells them of a Sun of
Righteousness" whO shall "arise with
healing in his wings" and the glorious
vision gives them q beautiful promise
of hope in the future. In the fullness
of time, John the Baptist appeared
with his message, and then there came
the Christ, who not only brought deliv-
erance to the captive jew, but showered
His gentle mercy upon every son of our
common humanity.
With feelings of regret we turn from
the Old Testament, so full of striking
narrative and sterling truth but we
turn our faces, with the expectant Jews,
toward the "Sun of Righteousness"
whose glory shall never fade.
LESsoN THOUGHTS.
|. 1t is sometimes darkest just before
the dawn.
2, The sinners night may be changed
to day by the Sun of Righteous
ness"
;. Gods love for our race sent us a
Savior
4. If we serve God we shall be safe in
Him.