Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-06-04
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.


/
INTRODUCTORY.
In the current lessons we have a kind
OF oasis In the desert OF sin. Three good
kings are presented to us In succession,
Joash, Hezekiah and Josiah. In the
lesson before us Hezekiah, whose long
and gracious reign was one OF the bright
epochs OF Israers history, Is made the
subject OF study. Incidentally there is
not little OF a seasonable sort said re-
garding the care of the Lords house.
The sanctuary Is place OF gracious
visitation and OF precious memories. To
cherish IL is certainly according TO the
mind Of God.
WHAT THE LESSON SAYS.
Hezekiah The word means God
| strengtheneth: the same as does the word
Ezekiel, the same root appearing in
each. (Hazak) and twenty
years old. Hebrew: Son Of five and
twenty years.
Right Literally straight The verb
is so rendered of the kline of Bethshem-
esh, l Sam. q: 12.-In the sight or
eyes Under Gods scrutiny.
Opened or unfastened Shut up by
his father Ahaz (2s 24).--Repaired or
strengthened. From the same root (ha-
zak) as his own name, Hezekiah. See
" l. His name had double fitness.
Shut up. A strong word, almost
equivalent here TO slam. Used of Lots
shutting to the door to protect his guests
at Gen. 10: 6.-Doors of the porch. So
as to hinder access Put out the
lamps, Denying Gods presence. Not
burned inooass-s atarsaitts.o IsIIIp.
Anger. A peculiar Hebrew word from
the verb meaning to break in pieces, to
break out, hence to be angry; anthropo-
mOrphic representation Hath deliv-
cred. Hebrew. Given Trouble,
shaking -Astonishment. Better, DESC
lation. The King James translators
have adopted the second meaning of the
word, /. e., horror.-Hissing. The
sound emitted in scorn.
Sanctify. First meaning, make clean.
Filthiness. Anything to be removed or
separated as unclean, In contrast with
the word sanctify, just used, and just
about to be used. Holy place. Same
as the word sanctify. Hebrew: out OF
the sanctifed.
Trespassed. Original meaning, to
plot treacherously, to act faithlessly.-
t'orsaken. Open abandonment for an
other. IL is this word that is fonnd In
the Hebrew of Therefore shall man
leave his father and mother and cleave
unto his wife" (Gen 9: pa .-Habita-
ton. Tent or tarrying place, term of
lowiness, suggestive of Gods cOndescen-
sion.-Turned their backs Or the nape
of the neck. More accurately rendered,
Sa8tghtv fn;9 b. e., ne Summoned them
from their idle resting PAGES. Gath
cred them together. A public convoca-
ton. East. From the verb to rise, i.
e., sunrise.-Street Originally broad
| place, court or plaza.
Make a covenant. Hebrew: covenant
a covenant Or, more literally still, cut
a cutting, referring to the ancient sacri-
fetal form in contracts.--Fiercene
Literally, heat.--Wrath. Not the
same word as wrath in " 8. This comes
| from the word meaning breathing, hence
/ that which is often signified by strong
| breathing, anger
Negligent. Apparently from the verb,
to be at ease Chosen. Also rendered
delight in. Latin, deligere, the opposite
of negligent. Gods choice should pro-
woke our choice.
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
He did that which was right in the
| sight of the Lord. The Hebrew word is
straight. That is, he adjusted himself
| to God, he made his measurements ac
cording to the divine standard. In this
he differed from his predecessor, Ahaz
who guided himself by worldly wisdom,
trusting in princes more than in God.
Very polite he was and very prudent
and very much of a failure. Hezekiah,
as his name implies, found his strength
in God. He was willing to be counted
unwise by the nations of the world for
the sake of being mighty with God
What is my life? Is 1t adjusted 10 the
world or to God? Is it right in the eyes
of men or in the eyes Of Jehovah?
Turned their backs. Yes, we all have
dealings with the Lord our God We
have either turned our faces toward him
or we have turned our backs Have YOU
ever thought or 10? there Is as much tes-
timony In ones back as In his face The
Christian-the devoted Christians no
more saying "as for mo and my house we
will serve the Loro," than Is the sinner
declaring by his attitude, II will none of
him!" When the fool says in his heart,
mo Cod" he is not dethroning God He
Is simply turning HIS back toward the
throned God Jehovah still reigns, and
after a while he will bring us to account
for the deeds done in the flesh. How
have we been honoring him, serving him
with our backs or our faces?
Opened the doors 1t can be done
again. We have just been laying hands
upon young man whom God has sig
nally blessed in a country parish where
he found an old house of worship, once
filled with Gods praises, but, latterly,
much neglected, the place somewhat in
danger of being permanently closed.
He threw his young hope and strength
in with the feeble band, he stimulated
their tagging energies, as he did their
waning faith. He preached Christ cruci-
fled and God gave him souls for his hire
And now the doors of that house are
wide open. There was no one to say
nay to the ordination of that young man.
Would that there were more Hezekiahs
to go out to the shut-up houses OF the
Lord scattered all over the land, and
open the doors In the name OF the Lord.
1t is in mino heart to make a covenant
WITH mt the LORD a GOD BttAa sacEldess
Lord, you say. How can sinful man
have dealings with the holy God? But is
man sinful when he makes covenant with
God? Is not that act Of itself prompted
OF God? Are we TO regard prayer as
sinful because offered by sinful man?
Then you and shall never pray Alright;
for when we pray it is n sinners prayer.
Indeed, only such prayer, breathed out
of need and undoneness, Is heard. No,
brother, Gods holiness is not to keep us
away from him, but to draw as to him.
He stands in his infinite worthiness and
majesty at this moment and looking
right into our sin and demerit he says:
~My son, give me thy heart " And by
the might OF His gracious Spirit we can
this moment make covenant with tho
omnipotent God.