The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-07-24
THE SAB.
INTERNATIONAL
FOR
Subject: God ca
1.9-Go1den T,
ory Verses,-l'
Days Lesson.

ory Verses, L! 1!69lComMsntary ON the
Days Lesson.
Introduction. far the Bible story
from this point to the close of Genesis
single family (Abraham's) is brought into,
prominent notice, and the rest of the
tribes of men are referred to only inci:
dentally. q
l. "Abram." The name was afterward
changed to Abraham, meaning the "fathex
of multitude" He was born two yearf
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 apI
known reason Abram and his company re.
manned at Haran for number of years.
instead of going onto Canaan. 'Thy faith
er's 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 7: "a.
II will shew thee" God does not tell
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-l0ls
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 idolatrous influences of friends and
2. IA great nation" There are seven
distinct PROMISES in verses and 8. 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.
five 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. It is 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.
8. "That bless thee" etc. Abrams
cause was to be Gods cause. This is still
true in the case of the righteous man. 2
Chron. l6: 9. "In 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 na-t
ton, regarded as one great family de-
scended from a 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 "he went
out, not knowing whittier. he went, but
knowing whom he followed" Had spo-
ken" God had not only commanded him
to 60, but had given him many precious
promises. These promises were early tui-
fined in a measure, assuring him OF their
complete fulfilment; he could realize the
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 princess;" that is,
princess for all nations and no longer Tor
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 be had been the instru::
ment of converting to the knowledge OF
the true God. "Iand of Canaan" a.
good land possessed by bad people, who
for their iniquities were to be expelled
See Lev. ls: Is. This land was made a
type of the kingdom of God; as Abram
left his own country, fathers house and
kindred, and took at the command OF Coo
journey to this promised land, nor ceased
till he arrived in it; 80 should we cast
aside every weight, come out from the
workers of iniquity, set out for the hng-
> dom of God, nor ever rest till we reach the
heavenly country. Into - Canaan they
came" It was the divine plan at the first
that Abram should 60 to Canaan, and now,
after several years. delay at Haran., God
reaches the land that had been selected
as a home for himself and his descendants:
6. "Passed through" Abram passed
through the land from the north toward
the south. "Place of Sheehem"' (R; W
Between Mounts Ebal and Gerizim. 'Oak
of Moreh" (R. W Moreh was probably
the original owner of this oak grove In
Shechem. I'm the land" No doubt Abram
mad come to Canaan expecting to tlnd 1t q
real paradise, but now two difficulties con-
front him: l. The Canaanite was in the
land to interfere with his right of posses-
sion, and, 2. There was 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 ali smooth and easy sailing.
7. Lord appeared" In what way this
appearance was made we l-now not; 1t was
probably by the great angel of the cove
nant, Jesus, the Christ. The appearance,
whatever it was. perfectly satisfied AbTam,
and proved itself to be supernatural and
divine. It is worthy OF remark that Abram
is the first man to whom God is SAID TO
have shown Himself or appeared. "Will
give" God was dealing with Abram not
in his private and personal capacity mere.
w, but with view to high and important
interests in future ages. "An altar, BY
this solemn act of devotion he made an
omen profession of his religion, established
the worship of the true God and declared
his faith in the promise.
S. "Bethel." 1t was then called Luz,
and was named Bethel after his vision.
See chap. %: l9. "Hai." 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 we'll 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.