The National tribune., 1890-09-04


PLANTATION is concerned. DR.. james Strong
makes them parallel in his Harmony. Meyer,
DeWette. LANCE Bloomfield, Bcngel, Barnes,
DIR. John Hall make them different as TO time
and place Of utteranCe. While there are SINH
larties, we notice great differences. In the
parable of the pounds the man who figures
principally is from public, royal, governmental
life, while in that Of the talents he is an ordi-
nary citizen. in that Of the talents the trusts
arc FIVE, two aud one, while in that of tho
pounds the trusts are 10 one to each servant.
Then there Is great discrepancy between the
values of y talent and a pound. DIR. James
Strong gives P92S.43 as the current value Of a
talent, while pound was worth about Sl5 or
about ouc-sixtieth the face of taleut. The
parable of the talents was addressed to the
Apostles, (St. Matt, q: 81 while that of the
pounds was spoken to tho miscellaneous COM
pany gathered at the house of Zaccheus.
9. Time.
The parable of the pounds was spoken on
Saturday, March ~, A. ID. 20. The parable OF
the talents was uttered on the Wednesday fol-
lowing. Christ was fast approaching the cross.
He was put to death within week after our
lesson.
g. Place
Christ spoke this parable in the house of lac
cheus at Jericho, about 16 miles from Jerusa-
lem. tSt. Luke, 10: 81 He was practically
" nigh TO Jerusalem" (V. H.
4. Critical Notes
1. "A parable" ". IL parable Is a
simple illustration. easily understood, and
spoken for the purpose of making lucid a
thought more subjective and intricate. Its
use is also 10 impress truth by associating it
with well-knOwn objects.
2. We see Christs purpose in uttering this
~ Al Il. =
heaven should immediately appear" ". H.
It'll | come" in verse ID, explains. A pro-
longed time is implied, during which there
would be demand for patience, endurance, toll,
suffering. From verse g. This day Is saliva
ton come" might lead his hearers to get idea
Christ's advent was to be Immediate. lie
wanted to guard them against such error. We
are TO understand till " ". ~ as covering all
the interval between our lesson aud the final
Judgment; TO wit, till Christ shall return, (Y.
l5.j or :" 1T my coming" (N. 23)
We notice the Disciples Of Christ had the
thought their Master was at once To usher in
his Kingdom. llS: 81 They imagined them
selves were actually TO bo the prime ministers
of Christ in temporal government. They as
well the miscellaneous hearers of this para
BILE needed to be set right. The Twelve wero
way TO Jerusalem, and might have thought
their Leader was even then going up TO the
3. =" A certain nObleman went into far eOuh-
try" ". I2l Tho Roman Government in
Christs time was practically universal as q
world Kingdom Provinces existed in Europe
Asia aud Africa. Ambitions men were eager
TO rule in these. No Que could DO recognized
as a Governor who did not secure confirmation
at the seat OF Government, Rome. Hence, mon
backed by some local or foreign influence,
sought interviews at the Roman Capital to be
invested with authority TO rule in one aud an
other locality. Gases like that supposed by
Christ were in those days Of frequent occur
renee. Subordinate rulers were obliged 10 re-
coive from the Emperor n kind of Inaugura-
ton or investuro of power. So tho sons of
Herod the Great, though by his will appointed
as Governors 10 succeed him, were necessitated
10 90 10 Rome aud be confirmed in their posi-
tions by the Emperor. HerOd the Great him
self went 10 the Capital and got his title direct
from Cesar. tJos. Ant, H. H. This custom
gave greater weight aud dignity to the Gov
ernoBhip.
We have a case in history right to the point
When his father Herod the Great, died, he ap-
pointed Archelnus 90 succeed him as ruler in
Judoa. He was monster very like his father.
Hence we read that whom Joseph heard Archie
laus had taken the place Of Herod the Great
he was afraid TO return 10 Judea. SO the jews
hated Archelaus He was hard, austere man.
Hence they did their best 10 prevent his con-
frmation. (Josephus Ant, IL, H. The will
of his father was not enough. He was forced
to go to Rome aud secure personal recognition
from Augustus. He set out "a nobleman GO
ing into far country (Rome) TO receive for
himself "A Kingdom and 10 return. But his
citizens (the people of Judeal hated him, and
sent Il message by an embassy of so personsl
after him, saying Ito the Roman EMPEROR it is
our settled wish not to have this man (Arche-
laus) appointed to reign over us. But their
efforts were unavailing. Archeaus got the
position of Govornar OF Judea, and returned
with full power and authority. Christ may
have had this very case in mind when no
uttered the parable of the 10 pounds The
Jews were familiar with this practice, and
readily understood Christ's allusion 20 it. 1t
WAS rs much rs To say, you rank mo with the
dcspised, hateful and hated Archeaus. You
would If you could, send delegation 10 Hea-
ven and solicit God to withhold my appoint
mCnt as Ruler in the Kingdom of Heaven on
earth.
Here is picture of the attitude OF mankind
toward Christ. He is our Ruler, but many re-
fuse to couutonance his Government. He has
tho Endorsement of Heaven as eaTth's King
and yet large number treat him rudely, even
cruelty. But things will change some time
Then men will be indignant at themselves for
ever having nsuted Christ. When they SEQ
Him exalted To universal dominion, when he
IT,
they will cover in shame and submission.
4. " Delivered them 10 pounds" (V. l3) 1t
is common in the East for masters TO intrust
servants with some capital and hold them ac-
c0untabo for increase. In Russia this is of
frequent occurrence
5. "Takost up that thou layest not down.
and reapest that thou ddst not SOW" (V. oil
These are two prOverbial expressions to point
out skinilnt. Either IL equivalent to steal
ing. Compare Elk, s T. 8, 10. II, 16, Is, l0)
The servant had cheated his master by not in
vesting the capital given him, aud when time
of accountability came instead of bringing
him usury (interest) he fell to abusing him. 1t
is the beam and mote over again, so far as
the nobleman and his servant are literally I'M
deTstood.
6. Kept laid up in a napkin" (V. 20) The
word for napki in III the Greek means a sweat
cloth, aud corresponds with our word handker-
chief Compare "dgged in the earth and hid,
in St Matt. % 10, 25. We read of men who
put away money in bottles, bags stock ngs
cans, etc, and hide them. If one do not care to
exert himself enough to trade and increase his
money he eau at least invest it.
T. well" (V. I'D This is an exclamation
like our bravo In the public games it was q
common cry of the masses to the victor. We
remember St. Paul pictures tho Christian life
as similar to the Olympic games with galleries
crowded with observers ready to burst out into
shouts of c0mmendation for the successful run
ner.
8. "Slay them" (V. 27.). The nobleman
was King, having power over his subjects of
life and death. Compare st. Matt, % 30.)
AS to killing disobedient subject in presence
of the King, see Sam, IL: 12; is: 30, SO; Jer.,