Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-10-11
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
International Losson-Oct.I 10.

|
of Zion more than all the dwellings of jacob
| Psalm S1.2.,
CENTRAL TRUTr-Thc institutions of
religion a blessing to tho heart, the home, and
LESSON CONNECTION.
II is uncertain what length of Time
had transpired after David became
king of Israel until the bringing of the
ark to Zion-several years probably.
In Chronicles the bringing of the ark
from the house of Abinadab is placed
before the battles of Baal-peraaim and
Geba, and bringing the ark from the
house of Obed-edom follows these
campaigns. The chronological order is
involved in uncertainty. One thing.
however, is certain. The removal of
the ark was not undertaken until David
was finally established on his throne,
his capital fortified and his palace built.
He had conquered several tribes. and
felt it 10 be his duty to re-establish re-
ligion, and thus bind the nation closer
together.
The ark had been in the house of
Abinadab for seventy years, at Kirjath.-
jearim. about twelve miles west of
Jerusalem. The threshing-floc of
Macon was on the way to Jerusalem.
not far from the city. The house of
Obed.edom was aside from the main
route, and quite near Jerusalem. The
ark was finally taken to the city of
David, and placed on Mount Zion in the
upper part of the city.
The persons mentioned in the lesson
are David and his army, Abinadab,
uzzah and Ahio Obed -edom the Gittite
Macon.
This incidents OF the lesson are the
gathering of chosen men at Jerusalem,
numbering thirty thousand; the jour-
ney to Kirjath- jearlm placing the
ark on new cart, driven by the sons OF
, Abinadab triumphal march toward
Jerusalem; UzZahs attempt to steady
the ark at Nacon's threshing-foor his
sudden death David's displeasure and
fear ; placing the ark in the house of
Obed edom, and its final removal to the
city of David.
LESSON SUGGESTIONS.
1. The Ark Brought out. The
bringing out of the ark marks a revival
Of religious interest, and the Joy and
enthusiasm of renewed spiritual life.
Seasons of spiritual declension come on
the church, hut God does not fors;ike
his people. " Heaven watches over the
ark, The light may grow dim but 1t
never goes out"
2. The Ark Desccrated. The ark was
desecrated by David who disregarded
the directions which had been given
for removing it (Num. 4:15;7:9) He
was doing right deed in wrong man
ner. The lesson for us is to approach
every duty thoughtfully. seeking to do
it in the right way.
Uzzah disobeyed divine commands in
regard to the ark, and was immediately
punished. We are plainly taught
THAT sacred things must not be trified
with that good intentions do not excuse
bad actions /; that God wants obedience
and not mere pretense of service that
in the worship and work of God we
must he reverent and careful."-Dr. |
Penterost.
8. The Ark Blessing. The house
which was opened to receive the ark. |
when David refused in fear and anger
to carry it further, received a great
blessing. This suggests theme of
great portance-the blessing of re |
ligion in the home. Religion makes
home "a bit of heaven below The
christian home sheds its benedctions
far aud wide.
4 The Ark Restored. After time
David saw his folly, and learned moie-
over of the blessing which had come to
Obed-edOm's house through the presence |
of the ark. Again he sought TO carry |
the ark to Jerusalem. This time he
took great care in his preparations. and
tho great purpose was accomplishe ! |
with reverent rejoicings. (Sec Chrob. |
l5;l6) 1t is a glad day for any town or
city when it responds. as did Jerusalem,
to the grand summons:
Lift up your heads, o ye gates;
Aud tile King OF glory Shall come in."
LESSON THOUGHTS.
There are many instances throughout
the Bible. and many warnings in every
dav life to convince us that W" can not
digobey the commands Of God without
receiving the punishment that disobedi-
cnce is certain to bring about Every
violation of the law in the moral world
as well as the material will bring its |
penalty. In his Bible Studies. Dr. Penti- |
cost gives these Illustrations, 10 peril
nent to the study of the present lesson
Nadab and hblin lost their lives for
offering strange fire-Levilicus 1915,
Moses lost the privilege of going into
Canaan because he struck the rock I'M
patiently instead of speaking to it-l
Numbers COLLIE.
Acl,an was slain with al his house
because he took n little wedge of gold
and single garment from all the ich
spoil of J..richo-Josh,ia Z.
The children Of Israel were over
whelmingly defeated and many slain
because they took the ark in battle
| Samuel 4.
The people of Belhshemesh lost their
lives b, cause in cateless curiosity they
looked i.lo the ark i Samuel G:l9.
Saul lost his kingdom because he Of
fcred sacrifice himself, instead of wait
ing for Samuel to come, and spared tin"
spoil of Agag instead of destroying il |
as he WAS communicate Samuel ;22 |
King Uzzal, was smilten with leprosy
in his forehead because he presumed to
usurp the priests function, and burned
incense to the Lord--2 Chron. 2G:lJ-l9.
TIE LEArINd TRUTH.
Gods presence brings good or i'll. trust
or terror, life or death, according to the
spirit in which that presence IS recng
med and accepted. This is the main
truth emphasized in the lesson-The
Ark Brought to Zion.
AT this season Of the year people can moi
be too careful ahodt kerping their bowels
regular. Billions and nIalarlal diseases