The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-08-17
Sunday School
Lesson
for
August 1S.


must he borne in mind that Abraham was in
training to he the father Of great people in
whom all nations should I've blessed Every event
in his history had something to do with his
preparation for such a mission. This will ap.
pear in what lies between last lesson and this
the story OF llagar aud l>hnscl, the renewal OF
the covenant, the institution of circumcision,
the change of the name from Ahram to Abra-
ham, the promise concerning Sarah; and 1t will
also be manifest in the passage before u.s. Two
angels, having the appearance Of men, came 10
Ahraham's tent on their way to destroy the city
Sodom on account of its sin This was return
70 the method employed with the antcdiluyiano.
The angels were entertained with true oriental
hospitality, but said nothing of their business
while they tarricd Their stay was wholly de-
voted to such fcfrcshmcnt as travellers need.
CONSIDERED. Verses IL, Il, 1S)-Whcn
they departed Abraham accompanied them
short way az an act Of Courtcsy, that they might
find the best road and be most comfortably and
surely advanced toward Sodom. One of the two
a. they walked considered tho dignity of their
companion predicted in his career, destined
10 become mighty nation, blessing 20 other
nations This indicated that what had been
promised was known to to the visitors, who,
though Abraham may not have been aware Of it,
were from the celestial world, beings who had
for the time assumed bodily form for the sake
Ot intercourse with mon. bnc OF tnem WAS
called Lord, and some have supposed that he
was Jesus, who manifested himself on many
| occasions before the advent. Daniel, vii, l3)
But others think that title was merely of special
honor used variouslv to designate those whose
rank needed TO he distinguished. The two mes.
senges from God considered whether they ought
not TO explain TO Abraham what they proposed
to do, as il he were entitled to such information.
ESTEEMED. .--(Ncrsc 19)-Along with these re-
feCtons were others concerning the personal
qualities of Abraham, who esteemed not for
his future position only, hut for the excellence
Of his character And in the measurement OF
that the elements priced most in our western
civili7aton-Such as honesty, truthiulneSs and
fricndship-wcrc not mentioned Pacrnal or
patrarchal virtues alone were named, those
which would render him valuable in those
times in advancing righteousness in the earth.
1t was said that Abraham would command his
household-he would institute a system Of whole
some family government by which his faith and
the terms Of the covenant might he transmit
ted. proverbs xxi, g. Moreover, this was
given as the ground for the belief in his future
greatncSS-the Lord could consistently hestow
upon him what was promised, because he was
worthy to receive IT, Thus it appears that in
that day family religion was esteemed as essen
tial to the public welfare, the condition of the
divine blessing Ephesians, vi, A.
| DISCLOSED -- Werscs %, o. 22D--for these
reasons the angelic visitors felt that Abraham
should be made acquainted with what they were
| about to do But why? For his good. and for
| the worlds good. II was important to let men
| know that God would punish the wicked, that
| the story Of rctrihution might he told a
| warning to all coming generations. exodus
Nxxiv. - That it was told many times was
| due to tho fact that angels made the disclosure
| in advance to the father of Israel Matthew, Y,
l5) The recital made in no uncertain way.
Intelligence Of the city's sin had been carried TO
heaven, and this embassy had been sent forn
| to inspect, and, ii necessary, TO Judge. We see
| in this how good men are taken into the plans
| and counses Of God He who is allied with his
Maker has part with him in the worlds great
work, and revelations are made that Co-opcra-
| ton may he more complete and that the out
come, when il appears, may be understood.
| PLEADED. -(Ncrscs % to 26 )-rhc prospect
of a city's destruction awakened Ahrahams So
| lictudc, proving him TO have heart that heat
with sympathy for others, and indicating also
that he had qualities which. brought out. might
| make him hcncfactor. II is possible that he
| thought first Of Lot, who was then a citizen II
| Sodom. GcnesiS, xii, l2) Having delivered
| his nephew from enemies he would naturally de.
sire to save him from the wrath Of God. But he
| put forth a plea different basis not making
| any request family considerations. "Wilt
| thou destroy the righteous with the wickcd?'
| he inquired. He evidently hclisvcd that in a
great city some had been able to maintain their
| integrity. BY a series Of questions all cen.
tered in the thought that righteous Judge
| would distinguish between the innocent and the
| guilty, he pressed his earnest suit until a prom.
iSc was given that If fifty righteous were found
| the city should not he destroyed The number
|