The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-07-27
Sunday School
Lesson
for
July 28.

INTRODUCrlON.-Accord 10 the commonly
received chronology tho events Of our present
lesson were a little more than four centuries
after the food, studied last Sunday. N, G. 23i9
TO lo2l) or this time Scriptures make only
brief record. Tho genealogical tables ot Noahs
sons are given without comment Remembering
the delugc the post -diuvian race feared a smi.
lar calamity which II sought to avert by build.
ing tower which they might settle. But this
scheme was contrary 10 the plan OF God who
would have the earth re.populatcd. Genesis iN,
~ lie therefore confused their language - that
IL was impossible for them to icman in one
community. Thus the people began those mi
grations which have continued until the pres mt
time. The carly distribution revealed a diSrosi.
tion, possibly under divine guidance, TO form
three great races whose pcculiarites are now
recognized by cthnolosists.
COMMAND. Verse l.)-This intcrpositon Of
Providence designed for the good of man tNcts,
xvii. o6) did not arrest the downward movement.
Judging by the historic fragments of those times,
the religion Of pure thcism held by Noah. was
laid aside by his postcrity. and idolatry was in.
troduccd. This probably resulted from intclcc.
tual infrmity attending moral dcgcncracy. But
in the midst Of tho universal darkness there wa,
ono whose views Of God were moro exalted than
those of his contemporaries. This was Abrdm, of
the stock of Shcm, whose home was IN Jr NJ the
thaldcCS (tscnCSlS VI, 3Il, We are not tOld
whether he gradually appreAondcd the unity and
spirituality ~ God, or whether Vt was suddenly
revealed to him. But he was selected to he tho
leader in now religious movement. and, as a
preliminary, was commanded TO separate himself
from his kindred.
PROMISE Ncrscs and s)--'rhc Almighty
seldom calls mon to now lines of action without
presenting reason and motive In command.
ing Abram 10 leave his native land He promised
that which would appeal 10 his highest nature
and awaken his lvclicst hopes. That promise
was in three parts: I. II offered a personal
blessing, ono that should enrich his own life and
establish his name in honor Genesis, xiv, 30
every man desires. 2. The promise declared that
from Ahram should come great nation. that is,
his rostcrity should he numerous and should
form separate political community q Kings
iii, 81 3. Through Abram and his seed the 9TH
or nations should he blessed. (Gcncsis, xviii,
ISL. Or, more briefly, in the removal of Abranl
from the land NJ his fathers God proposed Ia
raise M a people for the good Of the world
There was a race.wde purpose in the command
DEFENSE.-tNelse 3.)-Onc other point needed
to be covered to gain the hearty assent Of this
| man to leave his idolatrouS kinsfolk. tIoshua
xiv. ~. Difficulties and possibly enemies. will
he encountered in taking up an abode among
strangers. 1t was day of sclishncSs and strife
Men had not learned to live for each other and &c
build brotherhood for mutual good Resides
TO 60 with a religious conviction and with a
| national hope might proyokc controversy. Well
might Ahram hesitate in such an Undertaking
choosing to abide in present safety rather thar
| TO face future perilS. But Gods word met an,
| such reflections which may have occupied hi,
mind. lie would defend the man He had called
| and sent. lie would be friend to all who he
| iricndCd Abrlm, aud lie would curse all WHO
cursed Abram. This double promise was enough
| to give any heart a feeling Of security wa.
many times repeated to the descendants o
| Abram. Exodus, Nyii 22(
| ENODUS-(Ncr>cs 4 and 5.D-God'S command
| and promise nj blessing aud defense came e
| Nhrdm in the city of ir. Il appears that whcr
| he set out for new country his father accom-
panied him CGcucSis, ri, 3D and that the com
pany went as far as lIardn aud there halted unit
| the fathers death II is believed that Tcrah wa
| nct delivered from idoatry, and therefore wa,
| not tttcd to have part with his son in the nov
| enterprise. But after his death. obcdicnt to th,
| early call, relieved of all incunbrancc. Abram
| departed, taking with him his nephew. lot anc
| the substance gathered in the late sojuurn al
| llaran. Ii was a patriarchi household Of man,
souls (GencsiS, xiv, IL and with much store
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| evening, "Gidcon, a Type of Christ" Judges
II