The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1900-07-12
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JULY is.
Subject: The Gentle woman's Faith,
Mark viii. 24-3O-Golden Text: Matt.
w., 25-Me.norY Verses, 2T-3O-Com.
Inentary on tie Days Lesson.


terred to. Edersheim thinks that Jesus
and the twelve apostles went Immediately
to the north country while others think
there was a short delay in, or near, Ca
pernauna, before starting out. Borders
OF Tyre and Sidon." Tyre and Sidon
were heather cities on the east coast Of
the Mediterranean Sea. Into house"
In all probability the house Of jew
Edersheim thinks He raust have tarried
here several DAYS. Would have no man
know it" He judged it proper to retire
with His disciples into this remote re-
gion, with a view to conceal Himself
awhile from the Pharisees, who were plot
ting against Him. Gould not be hid"
1t seems that He was personally known
10 many in this country, who had often
seen and heard Him in Gallee
p. Whose young dauG hter.' The ac-
tual sutferings of the daughter were great,
but the sufferings which the mother en-
dured BY sympathy were still greater.
Our sufferings for others are great in
proportion to the amout of ;ove we have
for them. Hence the greatest sufferer on
earth was Christ. Had an unelean spir-
It" Matthew says her daughter was
''grievouslv vexed with a devil" This
was certainly a sad case. Nothing can
destroy the peace OF a home more than to
influences. Fell at His feet" This at
once shows the humility of the woman
she assumed the most lowly attitude posi-
bic as she appeals to His mercy.
26. woman was a Greek" BY Ian
guage. The Jews called those who were
idolators Greeks. or Gentiles. "a Svro-
phoenician by nation" A Syrophoenician
Phoenicia belonged to the Roman prov
ince SYRIA: She was Syrian of Phoeni
cia Matthew says she was "a woman OF
Canaan" During the earliest times of
Jewish history several tribes of Canaan
ties, who were the original inhabitants of
Palestine. had retired northward before
clans were descended. "Besought Him"
Earnestly entreated Him. The case was
an urgent one, and on her knees, at His
feet, she poured out her request. THAT
He would cast forth" She believed He
had power to do this. Matthew says she
cried unto Him saying, Have mercy on
me, O Lord, thou son of David" She
make no claim upon Him in any other
way. The woman recognized Jesus as the
Jewish Messiah. The state of this woman
is a proper emblem Of the state of a sin
ner, deeply conscious of the misery of
his soul. There are many eXcellencies con-
Jesus is recognized in His divine. nature.
3. Her plea is for mercy. 4. She is in
earnest. 5. 1t is humble. 6. 1t is of.
fered in faith. 7. She perseveres. If
sinners would cry to CO. for deliverance
&: this woman did they would soon be
liberated from their sins. The devil out
of her daughter" Here is a plain,
effort to cover up the family troubles and
gloss over matters, and make it appear
that, after all, her daughter is quite re-
spectacle
81. "But Jesus said unto ner." This
woman's discouragements were great. l.
II IL I
a heather woman with but little means OF
even obtaining the light of the Hebrew
Scriptures. 2. At first Jesus did not re-
PLY to her request. Matt. Is: "a. 3. The
disciples besought Him to send her away.
4. When Jesus did speak He seemed to
repel her. The soul seeking salvation fire.
quently meets these same tests, and many
children" The Jews. "First be filed
They are the favored people; The gospel
was first to be offered to the Jews and
to them our Lords personal ministry on
earth was chiefly restricted. Jesus told
her that His blessings were for the lost
of Israel. Matt: l5;24;; This. would have
caused people with ordinary faith to have
given up the struggle, but not so with
this woman; she came now and worshiped
Him, saying, Lord help me. Matt. 1925.
Seemingly repealed she still worshiped.
Here was personal, direct, simple, com
prehensive, humble prayer. For it is not
meet 1t is not .. Spitab BE no The pro,
bread" To take those blessings that be.
long to the Jews. And to cast it unto
dogs" This was the severest test of all.
The Gentiles were considered by the jew
ish people as no better than dogs, and
Jesus only used form of speech which
was common;, but 1T must have been very
offensive to the heathen." Would this wo-
~ ManlA ba- y,riIa or 1oct
be stirred? No. She 'shrunI and shriv.
eled" into nothingness at His feet, and
her faith still held on for tie desired
blessing,
IS. Eyes, Lord" Truth, Lord. Mat.
thew. 1t is all so. The Jews-the favored
ones ought, to be blessed first. | know I
am heathen-only Gentle dog, yet
Now follows, ~ an answer to His argu-
ment against entertaining her petition,
and ~ most touching appeal to His
clemency. The dogs-eat of the chill
dren's crumbs | only ask such kindness
as the dogs of any family enjoy. | would
not take one of the blessings that belong
to the Jews, but out of Thine infinite full
ness, Thou canst give me this crumb /
ask, and not impoverish them. By this
she shows her high regard for Christ's
power; even the mighty blessing she
was asking was but crumb to Him"
She would be glad to receive a crumb;
tDoSe VINO are conscious tnat tney deserve
nothing are thankful for the smallest ia
V0r ~sse-" -N-.. . -~--- -~~'-'-
90. For this saying" Her faith had
Jesus said, 20 woman, great
is thy faith. Matthew. The hindrances
thrown in the woman's way only tended
to increase her faith. Her faith resem-
bles river, which becomes enlarged by
the bikes opposed to it, until at last II
sweeps them entirely away. There were
several other graces that shone bright in
her; wisdom, humility, meekness, pa
tienee. perseverance in prayer; but these
were the product of her faith, and there
fore Christ commends that, because, of all
graces, faith honors Christ most; there
fore, of all graces Christ honors faith most.
THE deveil is gone out" Now at this very
thy request is granted Though our
Lords mission was to the lost sheep of
Israel, yet He always honored personal
faith in Himself. wherever found. Per-
severing faith and prayer are next to ON
nipontent. No person can thus pray and
believe without receiving all his soul re-
quires. This woman had asked crumb,
and had received a whole loaf of The chill
dren's bread. Although a heather she
now took her place by the side of Jacob
and Moses, for she had prevailed.
- he Rod - OF &c