The Negro appeal., 1900-02-16
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR FEBRUARY Is.


5-26-Golden Text: John iv., "a
ON the Days Lesson.
IsTroDUcTIoN. -Sychar, formerly She
chem, now Nablus, is Mt the foot OF
Mount Gerizim, between Gerizim aud
Ebal. 1t is noted in the Scriptures as the
place where Abraham first stopped on his
coming from Haran TO Canaan, where God
appeared TO him and promised to give the
land to his seed; and where he first built
an alta to the Lord. In tho fourth CEN
tury b. G. (abort 932} sanballat erected
temple on Gerizim in opposition to the
Jewish temple.
Conn rING LISKs.-After the interview
with Nlcodemus at the time OF the Pass
over feast, Jesus and His followers left
Jerusale III and spent about eight months
fn Judea. Jesus taught the people and
His disciples baptized them. VS.. l, 2.
When Jesus heard of the imprisonment of
John Matt. 4: -; Mark l: l4), and that
the Pharisees were eudeavoring to stir up
the disciples Of John against His disciples,
He Determined to leave the jews and 90
into Galllee.
s. s'Sychar." Or Shechem, mt the foot
OF Mount Gerizim. ''Parcel OF ground"
Purchased OF the childrea OF Hamor (Gen.
33: 19), and given 10 Joseph. Gen. As: y;
Josh. "a: 50.
6. Jacobs we'll" The we'll Jacob dug.
The word for we'll ia the Greek meaus
fountain. At the beginning OF the last
century it was 105 feet deep, but at pres
ont 1t Is only sevsuty-live feet deep. It is
seven and one-half feet IN diameter aud is
walled with mHsonry. Jesus. being
weary" He was man, as well rs God,
ana became weary and hungry. He jour
neyed on foot, sharing with His disciples
the fatigues aud hardships of the way.
,!s,rhe sixth hour." Noon. There is dit
fara Of bHP
:horities think it was six O'Clock In the
evening.
z. "Woman OF Samaria." This woman
lived Ia the country. "Give Ne to drink"
In this latitude the weather IS sometimes
exceedingly hot at noon even In d DccembeF,
when it is cold ut night. Jesus asks favor
and thus opeus tho way TO grant one.
s. ''To buy meat" Food. John, it is
thought, had ronained with Jesus.
9. "Being jew" His dress aud dialect
disclosed His nationality. "No dealings
with the SamaritGus." The Samartaus
we're the descendants OF the Ethiopian aud
Bah bylonish coloEistS upon whom the AS
syrian conqueror oil the ten tribes bestowed
the lands OF the captive lsraelites. See 2
Kings II: q SO. Between these people and
the JowS a deadly hatred existed.
10. "rhe gift Of God" John 3: 16. The
Messiah, and the salvation He Is bringing to
man. ''Thou wouidst have asked OF
Him." Spiritually, our positions are re-
versed. 1t is thou who art weary, aud
footsore, and parched. close to the WELL
yet unable to drink; it is who can give
thee the water from the well, and quench
thy thirst forever. Living water" The
gift of the Holy Spirit. John Z: 37-39. Also
sailed "the " tter OF llfe." Rev. 2l: 6; 22
LII. "Clean water" Ezek. So, 26, u. See
also lsa. So: Il 5S: IL.
IL. "Notuing 10 draw with" The wells
had, ofteutimes, no implements for draw
ing water.
Il. "Our father Jacob" They were
not the descendants OF jacob, although
some OF the ancient blood might have been
Ia their veins.
13. "ShalI thirst again" Jesus does
not discuss the question of greatness, but
turns her thought towards spiritual truth,
as He did Nicodemus.
Ia. s.ShaII never thirst" He does not
mean that one draught shall satisfy us,
but that we will always have in the soul Is
well OF living waite. "Shall be in Him."
The rel glon of Jesus has to do with the
inner life. Christ puts new principles and
affections within US. "a well Of water"
A fountain of water. Tue supply is ex-
haustIess. Here is an unfailihg fuiness OF
love, Joy, Feace and spiritual strength-a
full salvation. "SprluginY up." Whoever has
this living water in the soul already has
eternal life. The water OF life Is, 1. Given
by Jesus. 2. 1t is pure. g. 1t satisfies the
l..
6. 1t Is free. g. 1t Is for all who thirst.
IS. "Give me this water" She did not
understand His meaning iuIly, but sue WAS
anxious to receive any good He might be
able to impart.
16. $50, call thy husband" These
words were spoken, l. To make the woman
consider her own state. 2 To show her
that He knew her heart and secret life.
Before she can receive living water she
must be convinced of her depravitY.
16. Five husbands" The,tiye had eth
er divorced her for immortality, or were
dead; to the sixth she was not married.
At this time divorces were very common,
and "a man put away his wife for any
fault.
10. 'Thou art a prophet" She speaks
respectfully aud recognizes Him as one
with a divine mission.
20. "Our fathers worshiped." Abraham
and Jacob. The Samartans pretended to
be descendants OF these patriarchs. This
woman here introduced the question that
was causing the dispute between the Jews
and Samaritans. Ii Ho were prophet He
could tell her whether Mount Gerizim or
Jerusalem were the proper place for puo-
lie worship. TO tile Samaritans, Gerizim
was the most sacred spot on earth. T. had
been, rs they believed, tue seat OF Para
disc.
81. "The hour cometh." The hour has
come In which spiritual worship Is out
TO le established, and 1.-THE Jewish Rites
and ceremonies abolished"
%. "Ye know not what" You are
ignorant not only or the place, but also Of
the object aud nature Of true worship.
The Sanaritans believed in God, but they
rejected the prOphetical writings aud all
other books OF Scripture except the five
books OF Moses. Their worship WIS a
mix d worship. They feared the Lord, and
served their own gods. "We know what
we worship" We, Jews, acknowledge
God and Hin only, and offer to Him tile
sacrifices prescribed In the law. ''Of the
Jews" The Messiah is or the Jews. Even
the Samarituns Eciieved this.
%. ''True worshIpers." In opposition
to false worshipers whose worship consists
In external acts. ''In spirit" In heart,
with sincere love aud devotion. "In truth"
In sincerity, aud In obedience to tue
truth. ''Seeketh SUCH" Desires such
worshipers.
"a. :'God is a Spirit" God is an in.
finite Spirit, filling the heavens and the
earth. He pc. vades. governs and uphoids
all things.
25. ''AlI things" Necessary for US to
know.
26. "I. =. .am He." This was The first
direct disclosure OF Himself as the Mes
siah.