The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-11-06
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER 10.

Subject: Israel Oppressed in Egypt. FIX.
t., 1-14-Go1den Text. En. H., "a -
Memory Verses. 3. 9. 13. 14-Commen.
tary on the Days Lesson.
l. "These are the names" Though
this book is continuation of the book of
Genesis, with which nrohably it was in
former times combined. Moses thought it
necessary to introduce it with an account
of the names and number ri the family OF
Jacob when they came to Egypt, to show
that though they were then very few. vet
in short time, under the sDecial blessing
of God thev had multiplied exceedingly.
and thus the promise to Abraham had
been literally fulfilled. "His household"
Which fact is Of sone Importance i'll COM
putting the time needful for their increase
to such large number as went out from
Egypt in the exodus. A hint as to the
numbers OF the households may be gained
from the fact that in Abraham's house
hold there were at least 3lS men who
could bear arms. Gen. IA: IA: The. serv-
ants were reckoned as part of the house
hold, and were admitted to the covenant
and recognized as Israelites Gen. II: q.
5. "Seventy souls" This number in
cluded Joseph and his two sons, and 1t
must have also included Jacob himself.
but it did not include the wives and
daughters.
8. "Joseph died" That is, Joseph had
now been some time dead.'as also all his
brethren. and all the Egyptians who, had
known Jacob and his twelve sons, and
this is a reason why the important serv-
ices performed bv Joseph were. forgotten;
Death removes the most useful men and
the largest families. "All that genera
tion." All the men of that age, Egyp-
tians rs we'll rs Tsraelites
7. "Were fruitful" There are five ex-
pressions in this verse Joined together to
give emphasis to the fact that there was
remarkable increase Of the Israelites, be-
yond all ordinary calculations. One orig
inal word implies that they increased like
fishes or insects. From the call of Abra-
ham at Haran to their deliverance from
Egypt was 43O years. During the first 2l5
years they had increased to only seventy
souls, but during the latter half of the
time, while they were in Egypt, they in
creased to over 100000 fighting men, be-
sides women and children. And this pros
perity came Notwithstanding the great
prosecutions to which they were subjected.
It is thus clearly shown that the blessing
of God is' the great secret of true prosper
ity. "The land" OF Goshen. "Was
filled" When the women and children
are taken into account it will be seen that
there must have been great host. A
conservative estimate has placed the num-
Der at 100000 souls.
8. "a new king" One of another fam
lily, according to Josephus. The old rulers
under whom Joseph served were over
thrown, and an entirely new dynasty came
into power that had no knowledge of or
interest in Joseph. (Which knew not
Joseph" This new king was not in sym
pathy with Gods plans and purposes; he
was envious in his disposition ". 81,
shrewd in his plans ". 10y, and cruel in
MS requirements. VS.. II, r.:
8. "Said unto his people" He proba,,
bly, summoned a council of his mobiles and
elders to consider the subject. More and
mightier." They had risen to great pros
perity, for during the lifetime of Joseph
and his royal patron they, had probably
10. "Dcal wisely" Their policy was
shrewd, but it was not wise. Sin is al
ways folly. Such policy is at once short
sighted and wicked; short-sighteG,. since
kind treatment would have made this rap.
idly growing people their fast friends and
helpers; wicked, because it violates COM
mon morality. When men deal wickedly
it is common for them to imagine they are
dealing wisely, especially if their wicked
ness seems to be to their worldly advan-
tage. "Lest they multiply" As we'll
might the monarch Of Egypt have sought
to stem with his puny hand the oceans
tide as to prevent the increase OF those
who were the subjects OF Jehovah's ever.
lasting purpose. "Join our enemies.
The greatest enemies of Egypt were on
the east, and the first great danger the
king saw was that the Hebrews would
Join themselves to some invading army, and
fight against the Egyptians. "Out of the
land The king was also afraid the He
brews might escape. The Egyptians would
lose large revenue if the Israeiites should
leave them, and steps were taken to pre-
vent this.
II. "Taskmasters." Having first obliged
them, it is thought, to pay luminous rent
and involved them in difficulties, the new
government, in pursuance of its oppressive
policy, degraded them to the condition OF
serfs, employing them in rearing the puo-
lie works, with taskmasters, who ancient
" had sticks-now whips-to punish the
"Treasure cities" "Store cities" R. V.
Cities where arms and provisions were
gathered, necessary for armies and cara
vans. "Pithom." Meaning "a narrow
place." This was city of Lower Egypt,
situated on the eastern bank of the Nile:
"Raamses" The same as Rameses: IL
was probably near by. These two fortified
cities, built by the Israelites for Pharaoh,
were both in Goshen. Rameses, was the
point from which the Hebrews started at
the time of the exodus. m
IL. "The more they multiplied, The
king not only oppressed the people, but
he ordered the male children DESTROYED;
VS.. Is, %. But the more Pharaoh attileted
them the more God blessed them. Attllc-
tions serve the purpose of developing the
moral character. Divine chastisements
tend more to growth than to destruction.
l3. "To serve with rigor." Intending
TO depress their spirits and to rob them
of everything valuable; to ruin their
health and shorten their days and so d.
minish their numbers. The word trans
lated "rigor" is a very rare one. 1t Is de.
rived from word which means to preaH
in pieces" "to crush"
IA. ."Their lives bitter" This God per-
mitted for wise and just reasons: l. AS
punishment for their idolatry,, into whicn
It appears many of them had fallen. =.
To wean them from Egypt, winch was IN IN
quicken their desires for Canaan. 4. That
thew might be aroused to earnest prayer
for deIverance. 5. That Gods power
might be displayed in their freedom.
"Wth hard bondage So the bondage
which Satan puts upon his servants va ~
hard and makes the life bitter. The way,
nf the transcressor is "hard" and "fuil OF
misery" But deliverer was provided,
and so in Christ We may all be set free:
.Iohn s: 80. "And in brick" Ruins OF
great brick buildings are found in all parts
Of Egypt.
Thousands to Winter In Nome.