Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-01-01
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
AN INTERESTING AND INsTRUo-
TIVE LESSON.
Reflections OF an EIevating Oharaetsr@
wholesome Food for Thought = Study
ing the scriptural Lesson IntsIiigsntly
and Prohtably.

Reflections OF an EIovating Ohnrnetez%
wholesome Food for Thought = Study
ing the scriptural Lesson xntellIEent1y
and Probably.
The lesson for Sunday. January 4. may
be found in Kings IL: LII.
The Sunday-schoOl editor wishes all q
happy new year in Sunday school work
With this lesson we 20 back TO the Old Tes-r
lament, taking up the new career upon
which Israel entered with the separation
of the two kingdoms. We are in a. good
state OF readiness now for the perusal OF
these Old Testament lessons. The proper
way to study the Bible Is to begin with the
gospels. The first thing we do when we
would go through and examine house
Is to get the key. And what Is the key
to the Old Testament? IL was given TO
US by Jesus himself a week or two since;
EAnd beginning at Moses and all the proph-
cts no expounded unto them the things con-
cerning himself"
WHAT THE LEss)N SAYS.
(Note.-It Is not proposed here TO mako
comment on all the words and incidents
involved. The abundant literature now
within reach of almost all would seem to
mako such full treatment needless. Our
aim is TO give hints and suggestions In a
study of the language used, not otherwise
attainable by the reader. The intention,
in fact, is to present In this department.
matter fairly original, and such as may
justly reward supplementary study on the
part of ALL
Rehoboam. Roboam, says the Douay
version. So also Matt. 1: T. The septua-
gint and the Vulgate likewise. The word
literally MEANS enlarger OF tho people.
The parallel account is In Chronicles 10.
All Israel This was probably popular
ratification. judah had already accepted
time, the closing sentence OF the preceding
chapter so implying.
Jeroboam. This name Is strikingly SINH
lar in the original to the name Rehoboam,
especially as used in the Septuagint. IL
originally means his people are many. The
derivation which makes it signify peoples
contention is probably an after-thought.
In Egypt. Here he is said to have married
into the royal family. Dwelt- Implying
established residence.
Sent and called. The language suggests
formal embassage OF the people. The al
tered form OF tho Revision does not seem
called for by the original. (See Varia-
tions.)
Yoke. There is an intimation OF ex-
action on Solomon's part in several places,
@. g., Kings, Al: z. Lighter. The word Is
used OF tightening the load on the back OF
beast Of burden. And we will. The
proposition OF terms implies spirit of In
dependence already strongly developed.
Departed. The word following so close
upon the preceding word depart, as spoken
by the king, hints at the ready obedience
the people were inclined to give a true SOW
erelgn.
Consulted. Ono of the earliest intima-
tions of a cabinet. Before Solomon. Solo
mons wisdom shown in measures formed
and the advis ers chosen. How do ye adj
wise? Same root as con suited above. Not
implying that he was prepared to follow
their advice. 1t may have been mere
form on his part to fill the letter Of law as
precedent.
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
And Rehoboam went to Shechem. ShecheEa
means opportunity. But 1t was Rehoboam
who came TO the opportunity Therefore
Shechem means failure. The word Sbechem
literally signifies shoulder or strength; the
word Rehoboam, on the other hand, mean
ing, by its etymology, enlarger OF the PEG
pie. 1t was q splendid day for the son OF
Solomon. All Israel came there 10 make
him king. But his day OF strength was
turned to weakness, his enlargement was
not of the Lord. lie was selfish, arrogant,
heady. Hence the king, instead OF lifting
himself higher by means OF these shoulders
OF strength, fell therefrom, to the nations
discontinue and disintegration. There
come Shechem times In the lire of all of us; T;
taken at their flood. they lead on TO for
tune. But the fortune that is won depends
wholly on who IL is that comes to Shechem-
Is IL a Rehoboam2 There is no prosperity
for him.
They sent and called him. A formal sum-
mons; but Jeroboam was waiting to receive
| It, 1t was the opportune time for him.
There in the land of his honorable exile,
where IL is said he had already been re-
ceived into the royal family, he was waiting
| for the time TO come when, as the prophet
had assured him, he should be called to lead
| the people. 9Whose people are many" was
| the meaning of his name, and he doubtless
| felt within himself the aspirations and the
| capacities that were like whispering
| prophecies of what was to come. AS with
| Rehoboam, this, the future leader OF Israel,
| had his redeeming traits, and there are
lessons OF good to be learned from his life.
| God always has his man ready for every
emergency In the worlds affairs. 1t might
| be a Cyrus, or n Pharaoh, like a messenger
| of Satan to buffet. Even Plate and a
| Judas do not subvert the plans or purposes
| OF God When Israel was determined to
have king, there was Saul. When she
| would live apart, there was JerODoam.
And we will serve Thea. IL was like a dec
| laration OF parliament of the people, or
| like the old demands of the barons OF En-
| gland when truculent kings came TO the
| throne. Very much like sedition IL sounds,
this making terms with king, but the king
| who mocks at it and over,ool1s IL Is king no
| longer The only true leader of the people
| is the one who goes before them like shep-
! herd rather than behind them with whips
| like an overseer. This was not Rehoboam.
III thou wilt be a servant. Let the king
| Keep IL In nina. ne II nOJnihB utOEo bhoh -
servant Like the pastor OF hock, servus
| servorum is his name, servant OF servants
| servant par excellence. The evils that
| have come In statecraft have been because
men In high station have forgotten this ana
| have gone to serving self rather than, the
| people It Is a lesson applicable to other
| forms Of government than the monarchical.
| IN our own free America we may well pom
! der It, The party that Is lifted into power
IS the party that best serves the people;
| and as soon as the domInant party begins
| TO figure and manuever for itself ana the
personal interests of its leaders, the people
| arise to vote it down. SO moteit bel
NY little finger shall be thicker than my
| fathers Ioins. IL was a sentence cieveriy
turned. Possibly, some young rhetQIlcian
among the kings attendants framed " Tor
| him. So pretty 10 was, so neat and shrewo
| and sharp, that they all said, AUST the
| thing; Just the thing--it shall be our an
| swep to tho people, It Is not the only time
! i'm history when mems hearts have been
turned by a nice sentence, and to ROUND
cunning period thoy have Jeopardized oI
sacrificed a kingdom. II am the state
| cleverly said, but the descendants OF bouit
Fourteenth had to pay for II. @To the VIC
tor belongs the spoils.n aroused "hots
| people and reversed more than one canvass
aWky,n said Governor Marcy, shat iB NOS
new sentiment. It has often been said Dc
fore.n aYes,n was the reply, sbut you ough
not to have put IL so that any fool ooui.
remember IL and repeat it!" Rehoooam'
rhetoric cost him his realm.
|
ptu &c FOB BUSINESS.