The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-12-06
THE SABBATH SCHOOL,
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR DECEMBER 10.


Subject: Lessons in Giving, Nal. l., eli;
ILL.,, s-12-Go1den Text: II. Cor. ix., T.
Memory Verse: Nal. ILL.,, 10--Commen-
tary on the Day's Lesson. W.
CONNECTING LINKS. We should study
the whole book of Malachi as we'll as the
last chapter OF Nehemiah to get that which
belongs to this section Of history. Malachi
opens his prophecies by reminding the
people OF Gods great and distinguished
love toward them and their fathers, which
they were 80 slow to acknowledge. He
then reproves them sharply for their sins
and fogewarns them that the Lord. Of
denly to His temple to sit In judgment
there; an advent which they will not be
able to endure, for 1t will consume the
wicked. ~ 4-a
6. "a son honoreth his father" Is bound
to honor. "Where is mine honor j. my
fear" Since 1t Is evident am not only
your Lord and have right to govern and
command you by My creation Of you, but
also may be esteemed your, Father on &C.
count Of the extraordinary beneit I have
bestowed upon you: where are those pro-
find In you IN return?-namely, reverence
for Me and fear OF offending Ne as your
Lord and Master, and love and honor to-
ward Ne as your Father.
Z. aye offer polluted bread" Made &C.
cording to your own ways and not as'pre-
scribed by law. "By your actions you de-
clare how little value you have for the
worship of God, since you care not In how
slight and oontsmptuous manner it >is
performed"
8. "The blind for sacrifice" See Lev.
1922. This is designed as reproot to
Israel for offering such sacrifices for the
service OF Gods altar as were imperfect;
and such as, II offered to superior, would
not be accepted.
9. "Beseech God" As the national inter.
cessors. Suppllcate God to pardon the
nation as well as yourselves for whnt Of.
fences have been committed against His
laws; for ye have been the principal cause
Of them by the disregard you have had for
Gods service. Theprlests were specially
guilty because It WIS their duty to reject
improper offerings.
10. 'shur the doors for nougbt." It Is
plain TINT general avarjce prevails and Is
practiced among you; for even the officers
shut the doors Of the temple, and to kindla
fire on the altar, will rot perform their Of.
fee without making gain Of It or recelv-
ing fees for 1t. You would be content to
have the doors Of the temple quite shut
up, and Gods worship wholly cease. ~
have no pleasure" can take no pleasure
in men so intent upon their own profit as
ye are; and under the Gospel will put an
end both to your priesthood and the sacri.
fees which yod offer.
II. "My name shall be great" II the
Jews found no Joy IN the service OF God,
but neglectedtt, or sought only selfish gain
w rUNnld hQrQ %
would raise up people who should honor
and magnify His name In the earth. "The
Gentiles." All other nations, and consid-
cred by the Jews as not included In the
family OF God. Incense shall be offered"
True praise. "a pure Offering" broken
and contrite heart. The heather, who have
lived In darkness and worshiped idols.
shall better glortfy God than this nation,
whose history tells Of almost continual in
stability. ...,..-
S:s. twill q man rob Goda" sacrilege is
the highest Of crimes. And the most guilty
Is that done by those claiming to be Gods
people. "Ye have" This evil Is not only
the guilt of priests, but Of the whole ma
tion. "Wherein." To do wrong and have
no conscience about It, Is almost to get
beyond hope. "Tlthes." Deut. 1874. The
tithe was "the tenth" of the increase Of
their property, the produce OF their or
chards, vineyards, iocks, herds. and all
their grains. One tithe, among'the Jews,
corresponds to our State and town taxes
for the support Of, the Government and for
the poor; another rithe was taken for
religious worship, for the support OF the
priests, etc. Lev. "a: 30-sS; Deut. 4:.2s, 20.
"Offerings." The first fruits-not less than
one-slxtieth part Of the corn, wine and oil.
The word is general here, including all the
offerings and sacrifices they were required
by the law to make. Refusing these, which
were due to Gods worship and Gods poor,
they robbed God.
9. EYE are cursed. ~ With famine and
scarcity. God, had THUS punished them for
neglecting to build tho temple (Hag. !: 10,
1I; now, for not maintaining the temple
service.
10. Bring ye all the tIthes." Make good
your solemn engagement with Nehemiah.
Neh. 10: 29. Unto the storehouse." The
chambers which surrounded the temple on
three sides. These had been so empty that
IN Nehemiah's absence one OF them had
been fitted up for the abode OF the heather
Toblah. Neb. 10: 3S, IS: so, IL, IS. "Tbat
there may be meat" That there may be
provision for the daily sacrifices, and for
the maintenance OF MY ministers, the
priests and Levltes who attend upon the
service OF My temple. "And prove me"
Take God at His word. Your way, at best,
has been failure. "Windows Of heaven"
A poetical, proyerbial expression, signify
ing o great down-pouring. "Gen. 7:11; Q
gift Is from above, and cometh dowp from
the Father OF lights. James /: II. "Pour
you out blessing" Empty out" as II
God meant that He wouldeempty forth His
vast reservoir OF blessings. There Is here
evidently allusion to copious rain; and 1t is
implied that the land had been suffering
from severe drought. The history oil the
Jews in the time of Hezekiah had already
afforded m example OF the reward Of faith.
full obedience, in the matter OF tithes and
offerings, in oysrfowing abundance be.
slowed upon them by God. 2 Chron. 81:
10. mot be room enough to receive it,"
Constant obedience will produce constant
shower OF blessing.
II. II will rebuke." Prevent from COM
ing. "The devourer." The locusts, the
canker.worms, the eaterpillars and oil
other destructive insects. "For your
sakes." Because OF My love for you, and
for the sake OF your prosperity. The de-
vourcr had been sent because OF their sins.
IL. "All nations shall call you blessed"
Happy. SO great will be your prosperity
and Happiness that the fame thereof will
extend to oil nations, rs in Solomon's
time. Gods people do In truth live In
delfghtsome land, land Of green pastures
and still waters, Of dear companionsbips
and delightful skies. Blessed are that
people who render lovingly to God the
things TINT are His own. "A delightsome
land" Your country will again be known
rs the pleasant land, as it was formerly
called.
TEAcH1Sas.-It Is n great sin to make
mock OF serving God. He is the worst
thief who robs God. Avarice In the heart
dries up the fountain OF love. To the
obedient Gods blessings are ns the rain
drops for plenty. What God can do for US
far outrenches what We can do for our.
selves. Disobedience calls forth the dc.
yourcr.