The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1893-03-11
Ia MIssIoNARY LEssON.l

Q. "They that make craven image are
all of them vanity, and their delectablC
things shall not profit" Jehovah Will yet
be known in all the world, and in 50 far aS
we by word and deed make known that
Jesus is Jehovah, the only true God and
only Saviour, we have the missionary
spirit. Israel was Gods chosen people 70
be His witnesses, but idols were witnesses
unto themselves that they were vanity.
Compare verse 5 with this verse. Those
who know not God may worship vanity,
but the people of God are to worship Him
in spirit and in truth.
10. ''Who hath formed a god or molten a
craven image that Is profitable for moth
ing?" Surely only those who are blind
anffoolish. ayd God has pronounced woe
upon all such (Hab. ii, IS, 19. Israel,
His own people, He commanded not to
worship craven images (Ex. Xxx, (, 81, and
yet they forsook Him and did the very
thing He commanded them not to do. He
has commanded us TO be His witnesses in
the power of His Holy Spirit acts j, s.,
telling us Of old that His work cannot be
done by might or wisdom Of man, but only
by His Spirit (Zech. ", g., yet we, like
Israel, turn from Him and think more Of
men and money than Of Him.
IL. Behold, all his fellows shall be
ashamed; and the workmen, they are of
men" Nothing but shame and confusion
can attend those who turn from God to
men, for without God nothing can he done
John XIV, 81. Real work that will stand
must be God working in us to will and to
do of His good pleasure; all else will come
to naught THE loftiness OF man shall be
bowed down, and the haughtiness of men
shall be made low, and the Lord alone
shall be exalted"
12. "IIe is hungry and his strength fail
eth; he drinketh no water and is faint"
This is the smith who with fire aud ham
mer and tongs fashioned the metal of the
image to be worshiped, but his god
which his hands make cannot strengthen
him nor give him drink. Contrast the
true God, who giveth power to the faint
and to them that have no might. He in
creaseth strength. He pours water upon
him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry
ground lisa. xl, 20; xiv, 81.
ID. "The carpenter maketh 1t after the
figure of a man, according to the beauty
Of man, that it may remain in the house."
A wooden man, made by a man, and yet
as a god-and there are lots of
them in the world still. We profess TO
know a man, who was also a carpenter,
and at the same time true God-God mani
fest in the flesh, who died for us and rose
again from the dead and is now at the
right hand of God, truly God and truly
man, having all power. If we do really
know Him as our own Saviour and God,
then He lives in our bodies as His abode,
and being in the house He cannot be hid;
but how is 1t He is so little SEEM
II. HE heweth him down cedars; he
Dlanteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish
t." He uses trees which the true God
makes to grow, and which are nourished
Dy rain from heaven, but knows nothing
If trees of Righteousness, the planting CT
he Lord, that He might be glorifed Gsa.
XII, -. And why9 Because the men who
ought to be like trees planted by the rivers
Of water, bringing forth fruit in season,
are forsaking the only fountain and turn
ng away from God Ops. /, 8; Jer. ii, 13).
10. He maketh it craven image, and
,alleth down thereto" The same wood
With which he warns himself and bakes
MS bread he worships as his god. He does
lot know who gives him life and breath
and all things, and seems not to have heard
Of the God who fed Israel for forty years
with bread from heaven. Jesus SAYS to us
hat He is the Bread of Life which came
Town from heaven, and that He gives Him.
self for the life of the world John vi. 81
10. He eateth flesh. he roasteth roast
md is satisfied" Meat and drink and the
punishment Of his animal life are ali he
ares for. He lives like the brute beasts.
ike those today who say they have no
line for church and religion; they must
sarn a living, and think that things of
heaven are only for Il Hose who are sick and
lying, or aged people and little children.
IL. And the residue thereof he maketh
! god, and worshipeth it, and prayeth unto
t." Are we reading of South Sea island
rs or of people from the heart of Africa
Who know no betterf No, we are reading
If people near to Israel, and of many in
srael, that nation which God exalted
ibove all nations, that through them He
night be known, and this tells how, they
lad fallen. But wait, o church of God.
re you condemn them. Israel became an
imply vine and brought forth fruit unto
himself (Hos. X, y. What are you doing
With your entertainments and lectures
md fine music and works of mems hearts
md hands, bowling down to these things
md to people of culture and influence,
instead Of bowling to God alone.
Is. "They have not known nor under.
TODD, for He hath shut their eyes that they
annot see." The greatest thing ON earth
5 the knowledge of God: it is better than
III earthly wisdom or riches or might (Jer.
X, %, 2D. Jesus said, "This is life eternal.
o know Thee, the only true God, and
Tesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent" John
'vii, 81. And Paul counted all thfpgy but
oss for the excellsDcy Of ;ie knowledge of
'ssus ca1-.-s PHI. iii, g.. Because IsraeJ
deliberately and willfully turned away
rom her God He therefore shut her ewes
md hardened her heart. Compare lisa. vi.
!, 10; Math. Kill, IS.
IL. And none eontidereth in his heart -
70 one seemed to have sense enough to
ay, Here Is wood of which make fire to
warm me, and bake my bread, and roast
ny meat, and the rest worship as a god.
alling down to the stock Of Tree. When
nee men turn away from the word Of God,
hey are ready to believe any delusion, and
hey wiz find plenty Oh Thess. II, Io-i2).
70. He feedeth on ashes; a deceived
leagt hath turned him aside that he can
lot deliver his soul.n II we heed NOT