The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-25
Sunday Studio.
ABRAHAM AND ISAAC.

ABRAHAM AND ISAAC.
The International Sunday school lesson
Tor Aug. 25 IS found in Genesis Xxx. LA
IN which God was testing or proving the
lalInlulness of Abraham. 1t covers the
period Of 1886 years to 1872 years b. c.
ana relates to the birth of Isaac, and
closes with Abraham Offering him as n
sacrifice The practice of Offering the
Hrst-born was common one IdoIaters
made their children pass through fire.
CII. Kings. ND. Offering up the fruit of
the body for the sin of their soul micah
90. The call upon Abraham to offer I'D
Isaac, therefore, was not so surprising
and shocking as we naturally would
think While ii seems primarily to have
been a test of Abraham, yet from the out
come it would also appear that God
meant TO teach him and his descendants
that lie did not require, nor would He
permit the sacrifice Of children
There is an instructive feeling among
men that they ought to offer the best
they nave to their gods; and they have
nothing more precious than their chill
dren. The proving, rather than tempting.
OF Abraham was based upon this feeling
winch no doubt the patriarch shared It's
purpose was to develop the character of
both Abraham and Isaac. not merely
though chiefly in the matter of confiding
obedience to God. but also in correcting
MS understanding of the nature of God
and His requirements Abraham sacri-
feed Isaac in what he did as truly as
though he had actually put him to death.
Abraham had given up kindred home
ease, that he might do Gods will; but il
did not follow from that that he would
give up even the child on whose life the
fUltillment of Gods prom Sc depended. IT
seems preposterous to think that God in
tended the sacrifice, or that He should
have judged Abraham's faith insufficient
lag. ha NHrg- will 70 lii
Abraham may have interpreted Gods
voice to him in the light of the practice
OF his day. The command not to STAY
the lad was the most significant thing in
the whole transaction. The provision of
wild ram for the Offering was an indi-
cation that God desired a beast and not
boy for such sacrifice. Gods covenant
was given new sacredness by being put
in the form Of an oath. The lesson
teaches:
/. God does not try the faith of any
one Of Ills servants to break him down.
but to build him up.
,. In every trial they bear God tests
the faith of His servants.
:. Aiacrity in doing for God things
which try ones faith is the best proof
OF love for Him.
4 Trials well borne are sure to bring
blessings from God.
THE RULE OF MY LIFE"
The Cnristian Endeavor topic for Aug.
p. is found in Psalm XXXiv., 1-22: ~ will
make t the rule of my life to pray every
day. Devotion should be the first bust
ness of the day, and the day should be
closed as it is begun-with prayer to
God Nor should communion with God,
which is prayer, be limited to the ex-
tr2mes Of the day, but should characters
lie lis at all times. This was Paul's at
ttude toward prayer, and he recon-
mendod it to the Thessalonians when he
wrote unto them Pray without ceas-
Ing. Nor should daily prayer be limited
10 tle individual. There should be daily
prayer in the nOme-family worship.
This custom of the fathers is rapidly
passing away, but it should not 1t is
true oar method CT living is vastly diff
ferent from that of our ancestors vet
there can be, by proper effort, some time
in the Gay when the family can worship
God together. Inc hallowed memories
OF s'!cn devotion is lifelong and inesti-
mable IN blessing and in benefit