The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-12-14
FRUITS GOOD AND BAD
1S0O-Text. Malachi 3i13 to -
Memory W.. 18-1S.

| GOLDEN TENT. - Whatsoever q man
soweth. that shall he also reap.-Gal.S:L 81
COMPARE Malachi 3: l-s. also Mathew
u: 7-l5.
TIME.-B. c. 4Ss-4g7. probably. (seelast
lesson.)
PLACE.-Jerusalen and vicinity.
| EXPLANATORY.
l. Good Men in Bad World.-1Vs.
li3-lS. We saw in our last lesson low
disappointed the Jews were that they
had not received all that had lien
promised. that the reality fell SO far
short of their expectations and tleir
ideals. The prophet showed them that
they could find the reason for this not
in God, but in their own character dnd
actions. \ change in these would
quickly bring the realization of their
hopes. Now we have the same com
plaint more definitely expressed.
V. 13. Your words have been stout"
That is hard, presumptuous, impu-
dent. (Sce Jude 15.) What have we
spoken so much:" Omit so much.
V. lathe prophet replies: "Ye have
said it is vain to serve God:" Note their
bargaining spirit here and in what
profit is it that we have kept His ordi-
nance?" The services God required for
His temple and worship. Walked
mournfully:" With outward signs Of
sorrow and repentance for their sins, in
sackcloth and ashes, and frequent ma
tional fasts. (Sce Zcch. 7:3, 5; S:19.)
V. Is. I'VE call the proud happy"
The word 1--WE" is emphatic, and sug-
gests n reference on the part of the
speakers to V. IL. "Thcy that work
wickedness are set up" Rather "built
up" prosperous, successful. They
that tempt" ETC.: Rather, yea, they
tempt God, and are delivered, as II. V.
The persons are the same as in the pre-
ceding clause, "they that work wicked
ness"
v. 16. "Thcy that feared the Lord:"
With reverential awe that led Him to
trust and obey him. "Spake often:"
Gotten" is not in the Hebrew zone to
another" Thus encouraging and
strengthening one another. "The Lord
hearkened, and heard" Compare Matt.
1919. 20. A book of remembrance was
written:" AN expression after the
manner of men. intimating that their
pious perfections and performances are
kept in remembrance as punctually and
particularly as if written in book
Henry. THAT thought upon His
name:" Which expresses His character.
His power, His glory.
V. II. "And they shall be Nine" etc.
Rather. and they shall be to Me, said
Jehovah of Hosts, in the day that am
preparing peculiar treasure; compare
the expression "a peculiar people"
in Tit. 2:14, and in Pet. ESQ. See also
Ex. 1875; Deut. 7:G; Psa. 135:4.-Cook.
81 will spare them" Keep them from
harm. "As man spareth his own son
that serveth him." That is an obcdent
and dutiful son.
V. is. "Thcn shall we return and dis
cern:" Look again, and then ye shall |
see broad distinction, my, more, n
real contrast, between the destiny of
the righteous and the destiny of the
wicked.
III. The Contrasts of the Judgment
Day.-V 1-3. First, the Wicked. vi.
For" connects this verse with previ-
Gus one. The day comcth that shall
burn as an oven:" or furnace.
II. The Righteous. V. 2. "Shall the
Sun Of righteousness arise:" Right
eousness has here the not uncommon
sense of delivcrance. salvation, blessed |
ness.-Cowles. with healing" Heal
H., 4 .t, oil |
the miseries with which they are sur
rounded. "In His Wings" His swift /
rays flying from the sun to us. This |
doubtless refers to the Messiah. V. 3. |
"And We shall tread down the wicked:"
Righteousness shall be victorious over |
evil. "In the day that shall do this:"'
At the time when Messiah shall come |
and shall have perfected His reign.
III. There Shall De Preparation for
this Judgment.-Ns. 4-G.
First. BY the law Of God which is
ever with them to warn and to make
righteous. V. 4. "Rcmember:" so as |
to obey, "the law Of Moses:" The Ten
Commandments, and all the other laws, |
which were the constitution and laws |
Of the Jews, (even) the statutes and
judgments.
Second. BY forerunners, like Elijah.
who warned the wicked in season to es-
cape, and prepared the way for the COM
ing Of the kingdom of Righteousness.
v. 5. Behold, will send you Elijah
the prophet" Viz, one who should be n
second Elijah. Matt. 1l:14 and Mark |
0:11, 12. Before the coming of the
great and dreadful day Of the Lord:"
In the original, this is taken verbatim
from Joel 2:3l. 1t must refer to "the |
day that shall burn as an oven." (Ma-
lachi 4:D. V. 6. "And He shall turn |
the heart of the fathers to the children:"
He shall turn the hearts of the fathers,
the Israelites, to the Gentiles. the chill |
dren, apostate, prodigal, outcast, but
still children. Or translate "to,' with.
and the meaning is that the Office of the |
Baptist should be to turn the hearts of
Young and old alike II Ia dppnly sup-