The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-07-25
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
International Lesson Comments For
July rs.
Subleet God Calls Abram. Gen. Kill, H..
Golden Text, Gen XIII, 2..Memory Verses,
l.3..commeniary on the Days Lesson.

introuuctlon-Ihu lar the Bible story
mas been history of the entire race, but
single family (Abraham's) is brought into
| prominent notice, and the rest of the
tribes OF men are referred to only Incl.
| dentally
l. "Abram" The name was afterward
changed TO Abraham, meaning the father
OF multitude; He was born two years
after the death of Noah, and about half
way between Adam and Christ. Get thee
out He was tried whether he loved God
better than he loved his home and dearest
| friends, and whether he could Willingly
leave all to go along with God. This an.
pears to be the second call. For some rn-
known reason Abram and his company re-
NAMED at Haran for a number of years
instead of going onto Canaan. "Thy faith.
ers house" Terah being now dead, it is
very probable that the family were deter.
mined to go no further, but to settle at
Haran, and as Abram might have felt in.
clined to stop with them in this place.
hence the ground and necessity Of the
second call recorded here. Acts Z: "a.
him what it is, that He may still cause
him to walk by faith and not by sight.
The apostle assures us that in all this
Abram had Spiritual views Heb. IL: s-lOl:
he looked for better country, and consid-
cred the land of promise only as typical of
the heavenly inheritance. Abram was
called upon to separate himself from all
the idoatrous influences of friends and
country.
2. "A great nation There are seven
distinct promises in verses , and 3. When
God called him away from his own people
He promised TO make him the distin-
guished head of great nation. This prom.
ise required great faith; he was seventy
live years old and as yet had no child A
great nation would be one of large num-
bers, of noble character, of great inhu-
ence in blessing others--a nation which
should serve and obey God. "Thy name
great Known, honored and loved by
multitudes of people. 1t is a remarkable
fact that perhaps no mere man has ever
ored. "a blessing" BY his integrity, wis
dom and faith his life has been a great
blessing to the whole world for 1000 years
3. That bless thee" etc. Abrams
cause was to be Gods cause. This is still
true in the case of the righteous man.
Chron. l6: 9. 'ln thee In thy poster
ity, in the Messiah who shall spring from
thee" "All families" BY family is meant
here, and often elsewhere, people. or ma
tion.. regarded as one great family de
scended from 4 common parent. 'Be
blessed" The gospel of Christ shall be
preached throughout the world and great
blessings will be given to all mankind
4. "Abram departed" His obedience
was speedy and submissive, for che went
out not knowing whittier he went. but
knowing whom he followed" Had spo-
ken" God had not only commanded him
to go, but had given him many precious
promises. These promises were early full
filled in measure, assuring him of their
complete. fulflment; he could realize the
reasonableness of the commands Of God.
Lot" Lot was Abrams nephew, the son
of his brother Haran. 'Haran." Some
times written Charran.
5. "Sarai." My princess" afterwards
changed to Sarah, "a prncess;" that is.
princess for all nations and no longer for
Abram alone. 'Souls-gotten in Haran"
This may apply either to the persons who
were employed in the service of Abram,
or to the persons he had been the nstru-
ment of converting to the knowledge of
the true God. land OF Canaan" A
good land possessed by a bad people, who
for their iniquties were to be expelled.
See Lev. l8: %. This land was made
type of the kingdom of Cod as Abram
left his own country, fathers house and
kindred, and took at the command of God
a journey to this promised land. nor ceased
till he arrived in it; so should we cast
aside every weight, come out from the
workers of iniquity, set out for the king
dom of God, nor ever rest till we reach the
heavenly country. Into - Canaan they
that Abram should go to Canaan, and now,
after several years delay at Haran, God
calls him again, and this time Abram
reaches the land that had been selected
as home for himself and his descendants
6. Passed through" Abram passed
through the land from the north toward
the south 'Place of Shechem" (R. W
Between Mounts Ebal and Gerzm. "OalS
of Moreh" (R. W Moreh was probably
the original owner of this oak grove in
Shechem. In the land" No doubt Abram
had come to Canaan expecting to find it
real paradise, but now two difficulties con-
front him: !. The Canaanite was in the
land to interfere with his right of posses
sion, and, 2. There was a severe famine
in the land at just this time. Faith has its
trials as well as its answers 1t is not to |
be imagined that the man OF faith, having |
pushed out from the shore of circumstances |
finds it all smooth and easy sailing.
Z. Lord appeared" In what way this |
appearance was made we know not it was |
nant, Jesus, the Christ. The appearance, |
whatever it was, perfectly satisfied Abram, |
and proved itself to be supernatural and |
divine. 1t is worthy of remark that Abram |
is the first man to whom God is said to |
have shown Himself or appeared. ''Will l |
give" God was dealing with Abram not |
in his private and personal capacity mere
bNb WIN a view W AiBh anu
interests in future ages. AN altar" BY |
this solemn act of devotion he made an
open profession of his religion, established
the worship of the true God and declared
his faith in the promise
8; Bethel" It was then called Luz,
and was named Bethel after his vision
See chap. %: 10. Hal" His tent was
pitched between Bethel and Hal; Hal was
five miles east of Bethel. "Tent-altar"
Where Abram has tent, there God must
have an altar, as he well knows there is
no safety but under the divine protection.
How few who build houses ever think of |
the propriety and necessity of building an
altar to their Maker. Called" etc. The |
sacrifices were accompanied with prayer
9. "Journeyed-south He went to |
Egypt because of the famine in Canaan.
He was in the very place in which God |
had set him, and, evidently, he received |
no direction to leave it. True, the famine
was there, and, moreover, Egypt was at
hand, offering deliverance from pressure;
still the path Of Gods servant was plain.