The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-06-28
THE SABBATH SCHOOL,
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JULY
Subject: Gracious Invitations, Hosea
XIV, 1-9-Golden Text: "Come, and
Lot Us Return Unto the Lord" Hosea

XIV, 1-9-Golden Text: "Come, and
Lot Us Return Unto tho Lord" Hosea
vi, documentary.
l. 80 Israel" These words may be con-
sidered as addressed to the people then in
captivity, suffering much but having still
much more to suffer II they did not repent
But 1t seems all these evils might yet be
prevented, though 80 positively predicted,
IL the people would repent and return; and
the very eIhortation to this repentance
shows that they still had power to repent,
and that God was ready to save them and
avert all these evils.
2. "Take with you words" Not sacrifices
and offerings, but penitent prayers and
deeply deplore it. and beg OF God to take
1t all away. "Take away all intauity."
They were now smarttng for sin under the
the load Of afilction, but are taught to
pray not as Pharaoh did-take away this
death, but take away this sin. Lift It OF
as burden We are about to snk under.
Receive US graciously." Give that good
which We have forfeited, and which Thou
hast promised. and that for which the
which will make US good and keep US from
returning to iniquity again. $50 will we
render the calves Of our lips The sscri-
fees Of praise, thanksgiving, gratitude
and the hearty obedience which our lips
have often promised.
8. "Asshur shall not save u.s." We will
neither trust In nor fear this rich and
powerful king We will not look either to
riches or power for true rest and peace OF
mind. "We will not ride upon horses"
We will no more fix our hopes on the proud
Egyptian cavalry to deliver US out OF the
hands Of enemies to whom Thy divine
lustice has delivered US. We will expect
no rest or happiness in the elegancies Of
life und the qualification Of our senses.
"We will not say to the work OF our
hands," A promise to turn from all
ldolstry. We will not trust in anything
without US, or even in any good thing we
are able to do through Thy grace, knowing
We have nothing but what We have re-
celved. We will trust In Thy infinite
mercy for our final salvation.
4. II will heal their backsliding" We
have here an answer Of peace to the pray
ers Of returning Israel. God will be sure to
met them in way OF mercy who return to
Him In way OF duty. II will love them
freely" A love that not only feels delight
in itself, but fills them with delight who are
It's objects, by making them unutterably
and supremely happy.
8. IT will be as the dew" This follows
upon the healing Of their backslidings. for
with renewing grace. What they need
God will not only give them, but he will
Himself be that to them all that which
they need, "He shall grow as the lily"
No plant Is more productive than the lily,
one root often producing fifty bulbs. coast
the trees OF Lebanon, especially the cedars.
which cast down their roots as deeply as is
their height upward, go that they are un-
movable. Spiritual growth consists most
In the growth Of the root, which is out Of
sight.
many ara added to the church without
when a hopeful generation rises up-then
Israels branches spread. When believers
abound In good works and increase In the
knowledge Of God and in every good gift,
Beauty as the olive tree" Which never
loses its verdure. "His smell as Lebanon"
Which exhaled from It the fragrance Of
trees and flowers. SO Israels name shall
be in good SAVIOR with all. Grace Is the
perfume OF the soul. -..-~~&S-.@S
!. 7. 7They that dWell under His shadow"
Not S5y F A M 5Sgsin trsss It's tSt%ss pso
pie that were connected with Israel and
shared in its depression, which are hers
described as dwelling under His shadow.
and rest safely under the protection Of the
Almighty. "They shall revive as the
corn" After the corn had been short
time above the earth In single spike, the
blades begin to separate and the stalk to
spring out Of the center. The side leaves
turn back tc make way for the protruding
stalk, and fall bending down to the earth,
assuming withered appearance though
still attached to the plant. In g. short time
other leaves spring out; the former freshen
and begin to stand erect, and the whole
seems to revive from a vegatative death.
"Grow as the vine." Which In winter
seems dead, yet has life and sap; an en-
blem Of the Jewish nation arising from
state OF great depression and afhtctfon, and
recovering its former prosperity and dig.
nifty. "The wine OF Lebanon" Celebrated
for its aroma, favor and medicinal, restor-
ative properties.
s. s'Ephriam shall say" The words
"shall say" are not in the Hebrew. The
clause is therefore translated thus by
Bishop Horsley: "Ephraiml What have
to do any more with Idols2-an o1ultatlon
of Jehovah over idols. Ephriam! Even
he Is returned to me. have no more con-
test to carry on with idols. They are COM
pIetely oyerthrown. My sole Godhead Is
confessed" "I have heard him." 1t Is
I, not his idols, who have heard his petit
tions and watched over him to preserve
him. II am like green FIR tree" Be-
fore, Israel was compared to tree; now
God compares H imseli to one. The FIR
trees In these countries were exceeding
large and thick, and shelter against sun
and rain. Ever green, winter and summer
alike. the leaves not falling off In winter.
It is who am ever-e1isting and have It Ia
my power to give my people blessings at
all times. There Is safety and refresh
ment under the protection OF Jehovah.
"From Ne Is thy fruit found" From Me,
as the root. Thou needest go no further
for the supply OF all thy wants:
9. "Wise." As duly to weigh and con-
slider the duties prescribed, the blessings
promised and the judgments threatened.
''Shall understand" Shall be enlightened.
"Prudent" Discreet. so as to use his
knowledge Alright. "The ways OF the
Lord" Which He Himself takes In His
moral government Of the world, and the
ways Of godliness which He prescribes to
TO man. These are right because they 80
straight forward to the end-the happiness
Of man and the glory OF God.