The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1901-08-21

OF IedCe ABOUT the same time before Thirst
the birth of Isaac who has the good name Peace
maker. In that he was like Jesus of whom he was
type and promise. Isaac was born at Beersheba B. c.
1906 and his life spent in the country south of
Jerusalem. At twenty-five years of age, he laid
on the altar Mt. Moriah. When he was thirty-six
his mother, Sarah died When he was forty he
married Rebekah and when he was sixty Jacob and
Esau born. When seventy-ive Abraham died.
Our lesson to-day tells of occurrences at Gerar when
he ninety-two. He died at Hebron, one hundred
and eighty years of age.
There is contrast between the character and lives
of the two half-brohers, Ishmae and Isaac Ishmael
the of Hagai the bond servant strong active
vigorous wild. Isaac the child of old age with
out vigorous force, meek yielding, stationary,
servative." He did not travel far from his original
home. Ishmael, older and more vigorous and high
spirited, held Isaac in contempt. He was jealous of
Isaac's higher birth, and inheritance. To settle the
contention between the women and the boys Hagar
and Ishnae were sent away Sarah urged it, and it
was best. Ishmael sent out to develop his
resources. Isaac the child of promise the gift of
God beloved of Abraham and Sarah, type of Christ
grew up meek, amabe, loving peace, meditative, de
vout. He followed the teaching OF Abraham, and
lived in goodness and contentment
l. Seeking Peace Tvs. 10, pa Phstine king of
Gerar Abimeleck proposed to Isaac to leave the
ton of country Isaac, with his tribe, their Aocks
and herds, was mghtier than we" His strength
md prosperity displeasing to the Philisnes and
-, es of constant trouble The prosperous foreign
~-efs had grown rich in the country. They should
on and leave the land to its original propretors
Though Isaac had the title given expressly to Abra-
ham, he of peace. Though stronger and
able to maintain his rights he yielded to the demand
and departed pitching his tent in the valley of
Gerar, narrow, secluded valley in the direction of
the home at Beersheba. He yet exemplifed the word
of Christ, "the meek shall inherit the earth"
II. Contention Tvs. I8-2I).-But the peace he de-
sired not given. Isaac set to digging wells,
opening the old wells dug by Abraham He had some
right to these old wells, and they were doubt in
well chosen places He gave them the old names,
not being himself original, and clinging to the
memories and traditions of the generations past In
the East with its desert lands, and its washed out
gullies that were dry for long periods of the year
the we'll a valuable possession, and the place OF
many strifes When Isaacs servants dgged
well in the valley, and found sprnging water, fresh,
living. flowing. the herdsmen of Gerar came and
strove with Isaac's herdsmen. There so much
contention about the well that it called Erek,
or Strife" SO he digged another, and when strife
came there also he called it Sitnah Hated" Our
word Satan, or adversary is said to come from the
same root. The wells objects of such strife,
as often the meek Isaac yielded for the sake of peace
Ill ReH000W Tvs p, 23)-NoW isaac 1orSook the
valley, and digging another well he called it Reho-
both or Room" At last the Phstines ceased their
strife and Isaac said there was room" to live in
peace His patience was unfang, and the bad spirit
Of the men of Gerar could find to quarrel with.
Patience and meekness. the spirit of the Lord Jesus
Christ is the true weapon against the world and
brings its reward So Isaac came back to the old
home at Bcersheba. 1t hallowed place to him,
with its memories Of father mother childhood,
riage and all his earlier happy days.
~ REGARD (vs. "a. 25).-The Lord came to meet
him. The same night he granted a vision. The
Lord appeared to him saying 81 am the God Of Abra-