The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-08-01
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
International Lesson Comments For
Augut 4.
Subject: Abram and Lot, Gen. KILL, l.lS..
Golden Text, Matt VIII. Iz-Memory
verses, 7.9'.commentary on
the Days Lesson.

the Days Lesson.
J.. up out of Egypt" In the language
OF the jew the direction to Jerusalem from
every quarter was upward; besides, Egypt
was a iow-lying country and the traveier
would have to ascend on his way to the
hllly country of Canaan. Into the soutb y
Not the south of Egypt, but the southern
region OF Palestine. certain part of the
country was called the south before the
tunes OF the patriarchs.
=. Very rich" Abram and Lot had
poth been greatly prospered and were very
rich. The property OF these times did moi
consist. in focks only, but also in silver
ana gold. Abram was very rich. and vet
| very religious As piety is a friend to ont.
ward prosperity q Tim. 4: 81, SO outward
prosperity, ii well managed. is an or1a.
ment to piety, and opportunity OF doing
so much the more good
| .. Even to Bethel" Abrafnn returns Ia
the place Of his altar in Bethel. In like
manner Cnristian settlements custer
| around their churches. Nothing can sat.
isfy God, il reference TO a wandere- or
nacksider, but his being entirely restored
| Between Bethel and Hal" Stanley well
uesorlpes this point as conspicuous hid,
| its topmost summit resting on the rocky
slopes, and distinguished by It's olive
| groves Offering natural base for the al.
tar, and lifting shade for the tent OF the
| patriarch
g. Called on-the Lord" This i'm.
pnes more than an ordinary prayer; he re-
esta oshed public worship.
| o. Went with Abram." 1t seems niai,
that Lot was from the very beginning
| borne onward rather by Abrams infu,
| enee and example than bJ his own faith
| in God.
G. mot able to bear them "Tbeir
| hoeks aud herds had grown too numerous
| 70 ma pasture there. An inability, more
| over, OF moral kind may be implied"
| Substance was great" As tneir families
increased it was necessary their focks
/ should increase also, as frcm those Aocks
| they derived their clothing. food and
drink. Many also were offered in sacrifice
| to God.
Z. "A strife" The occasion {; their
| Quarrel was their riches. Tine quar- ell orig
| mated in the scarcity of herbage for the
subsistence of their Rocks, and in their
/ eGgerness tor the possession of the wells
\ OF fountains of water. which in that rocky,
| ARID region have value unknown to the
| inhabitants OF a country like ours"
| Dwell then in the land The Periasites
are not mentioned in the table of nations
Chap. 10. Their origin is obscure. The
Canaanltes were the original occupants OF
| the soil.
| 8. "Ahram said" He first let Lot take
| his choice, and then left God to choose for
| him. This was heavenly wisdom. This ia
| what faith ever does; it allows God to fx
| its inheritance, and is always satisfied win
| the portion which God gives. mo strife
There is special danger of quarrels in the
| family and among kindred. The love of
God in the heart is a sure cure for all
STRIFE. We are brethren" Or. W We
are OF the same family, worship the same
6od IN the same way, have the same prorl-
| ises, and look for the same end. Why
| then should there be strife?
3. The whole land" The heavenly
prnciple OF iorbearance evidently no Is
the, supremacy in Abrams breast Re
| walks in the moral atmosphere OF the Ser
| mon on the Mount. 1t was an urse,hsh
act Tor Abram to give up his rights and
i'enounce his own interests fo- Lot It
| was the act OF a true man OF God "Seo.
| arate from me-" His proposal to separate
arises from his love of peace, not from any
selfish regard TO his own interests.
10. Lifted UP his eyes There IS a
crisis in every mans history at which il
will assuredly be made manifest on whas
| ground he is resting. by what motives ne
is actuated, and oy what OBJECTS he is an.
mated; thus it was with Lot Pain OF
| Jordan" Lot chose the Jordan Valley
north of the Dead Sea near TIE city cf
| Sodom. Lot seems to have had nothing
in view but HIS temporal convenience and
| advantage. He Goes not inquire into the
character oil the inhabitants, nor does he
| appear TO express any reluctance in leav-
| ing y Abram. Before - destroyed" The
face OF the country was altered by the de-
! struction of these cities. Garden of the
| Lord" He knew of its fame as the garden
| OF Eden; no crust of salt. no volcanic con.
vuisons had as yet blasted its verdure.
| IL Lot chose him" The choice was
| selfish. He should have been generous to-
ward his uncle, instead Of greediiy taking
the best for himself; and then, the choice
was made for worldly advantage without
regard to spiritual things. They separ-
aced." 1t is not thus with the riches OF
grace or of glory; the more we have of
| them the closer it unites us.
| l2 "Pitched-toward Sodom." He ad-
vanced toward it till he came near, but
was probably prevented from entering by
the well-known character OF its inhabit-
dulges in doubtful plea sures, or allows
wrong and selfish acts TO influence his life
| is pitching his tent toward Sodom.
, l3. Wicked and sinre The men oi
Sodom were sinners of the first magnitude.
The greatest depravity is often found
among the inhabitants of the most fertile
| lands. Lot has fallen into the very vortex
| OF vice and blasphemy. Lot chose the
company of sinners. One is safe with
| wicked men so long as he is eadeavoring
J to make them good, but is never sac when
he chooses their company
~. LOOK, etc. He rs to make a fu,l
| survey OF the land in all directions, and he
| is assured that it is his to Inherit, and
title deed is given to him for his seed for
ever. God says TO every believer. look
from the place where thou art and "the
land the spiritual good, which thou
seest'--which thou dost see promised to
thee in Ny word, ''to thee will | give it,"
Is. "All the land" God repeats His
promises for the support of the faitn Of
His servant. win l give it." He w1o
was willing to give up everything for the
honor of God and religion received the
blessing of the Lord, but he who sought
this world lost all
IS. 'Ihy seed as the dust" That is.
they shall increase incredibly, and, take
them all together, shall be such a great
multitude as no man can number,
II. Walk through" Survey the land;
enter and take possession OF it for thyself
an thy posterity
ls. "In Hebron" This is the first men.
tiop of this name; it was anciently Kir-
jath-arba. II is one of the most ancient
cities in the world. Here Sarah and
Abram died "An altar" This was the
third altar Abram had built Lot might
choose Sodom, but as for Abram he sought
and found his all in God.