Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-03-31

Studying the scriptursl Lesson In
diligently and Probably.
Lesson for April 8.
Golden Text.-"Then she came and
worshiped him, saying, Lord, help me-
Matt. IS: 25.
The text of this lesson appears in Matt.
10: 21-31, and its subject is "The Woman
of Canaan"
Introductory.
After the death OF John the Baptist Je-
sus continued for some weeks his ministry
in Galilee, being then just at the height of
his popularity there. He fed the 5,00Q
walked on the water, and delivered sew
eral discourses. The time had now come
when he was weary from his intense la
bors, and in need of rest. Besides, it was
expedient for him not to antagonize the
Pharisees just then, for it was not his
purpose to hasten the inevitable destruc-
ton which awaited him. Everything in
its time; he neither courted nor avoided
danger in the line of duty. So he left
Galilee and travelled northwest into the
region of Tyre and Sidon, the strip Of
country lying along the Mediterranean,
known as Phoenicia. This region was the
seat of an ancient civilization which made
it memorable even in the time of Jesus,
though its glory had long passed. 1t was
thoroughly heather country, though ly-
ing only short distance from Galilee.
The religion. such as there was, was
Greek, and Greek was the prevailing Ian
grage though the Aramaic or Syriac was
also spoken by many.
Explanatory.
"A woman Of Canaan" rather curious
expression OF Phoenicia. 1t was, however,
word OF loose usage. being employed at
different stages of Hebrew history for
several parts Of the land. and also for the
whole Of Palestine. Here the term refers
rather to the woman's racial descent than
to the locality. 1.-THE same coasts" should
be borders" Hearing of the great repu-
tation of this rabbi who was now on
visit so near her home, the woman deter
mined to see whether or not he could help
her daughter, who was very badly "de-
monized." The nature of demon posses
sion is too large question to discuss here.
The attempts thus far made to attribute
the symptoms described in the gospels
solely to some form of mental disease have
not been remarkable for their lucidity or
convincing quality. But future investiga-
tons may throw light on the question. 1t
cannot be questioned that the popular be-
lief was that the diseased person was pos
sessed by an evil spirit, a separate per-
sonality, which controlled him.
Why did Jesus at first neglect this wom-
ans appeal? Some say he had the whole
thing arranged in his mind from the first,
and intended to test the woman's faith
somewhat like the elaborate plan of Je-
seph to discover the feelings of his breth-
rem when they came down into Egypt.
That may of course be true. 1t seems
very artificial view, nevertheless. Is not
this the story of real conversation, in
which each remark was prompted by that
which preceded it? Does not the beauty
of the inciSent lie just there? When the
woman made her appeal, Jesus, let us sup
pose, was taken by surprise. He had
thought to escape the arduous labors of
healing for a time, to get away into a
strange land, where he would not feel con-
strained to preach-since his mission was
to Jews. Now it appeared that his hope
had been unfounded. Even here his fame
had penetrated and he must submit to be
sought and besought. Should he surren-
der his well-ecsned vacation by inviting
mob Of visitors? 1t was of course not a
selfish desire for ease, but a thoughtful
query as to the wisest thing to do under
the circumstances, that would be likely to
influence him. None of these things en-
tered into the disciples minds. Their one
thought was to get rid of this disagreeably
emotional person who was shouting out
her desires in rather theatrical and en-
barra ssing way The easiest mode of
avoiding a scene was to give her what she.
wanted, in their opinion.
1t would be possible to take verse "a
by itself as intimating that Jesus conceiv-
ed his ultimate mission as a mission to
Jews only. But of course the whole char
acter OF his life shows that in his mind the
world was the subject of redemption, not
little corner of it. That to which he
has reference here is the necessity laid
upon him by limitations of time and space
to confine his personal ministry chiefly to
Jews. trusting to his apostles to carry the
good news, as he later commanded them,
TO all nations.
A most difficult verse is %, from any
point of view. But not nearly so difficult
as it seems at first reading. In the first
place, the word for dogs is not here
term of marked contempt, as it seems to
us. Probably the epithet dog was used
with scorn by some Jews toward some
Genties, as it is to-day by Mohammedans
towards Christians; but Jesus softens it
by using a diminutive which means
pet dog. a house dog, which had right
in the house though of course inferior to
the children.
Here is good passage for the study of
the nature of faith. This woman believed
that Jesus was able to heal her daughter;
NAMED so confident that he would do
what she most desired and needed that
nothing could turn her away.
Nigh unto the sea of Galilee." Ac-
cording TO Marks account, on the east of
the sea, in the country which was known
as the Decapolis. or ten cities, because 1t
was pra ctically governed by number of
large Greek cities. originally ten, extend
ing over large territory east of the Jor-
dan.
Teaching Hints.
1t is important that the words of Jesus
to the Syro- Phoenician woman be careful
~ explained IL the teacher is able to ac-
cept some such Interpretation as has been
suggested; for the ordinary reader gets a
very lisagreeable impression from the pas
sage. Even il we think of Jesus saying
these words without really meaning them,
in order to test the womans faith, we cans
hardly understand or admire the action,
4.