The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1902-11-13
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
For November 10.
'ubIeet: The Time Of the Judges, Judges
H., 7.lo-Goiden Text, Psa. I07, 10
Memory Verses, IS. i0--commentary
On the Days Lesson.

On the Days Lesson.
Explanatory The judges were the rulers
or leaders Of Israel during the time from
Joshua to SAUL about 800 years. There
were intervals during which Israel was
without rulers, and there were long inter.
walls OF foreign servitude and oppression
under which the Hebrews groaned without
deliverance. There was no central govern.
ment, and too generally every man cid
that which was right in his own eyes"
That is, every man was largely his own
master, lawgiver and executive. There
was no magistrate that welded power in
all the land and whom all the tribes
obeyed. Fifteen judges are named in the
Bible, beginning with Othniel, some TWEEN.
ty years after Joshua, and continuing until
the coronation of Saul. The rebuke the
angel gave at Bochim Tvs. 10y was not urr
til some time after the death OF Joshua,
which shows that the first verses OF the
lesson are not in chronological order.
7. Served the Lord" During the life
time Of Joshua. and all who lived while he
ruled, Israel had a good reputation for
faith and piety. They regarded all the won.
derful blessings Of God, and honored Him
by godly lives. From this we see how
deep was the imprint left upon the nation
by this great and good man. "That out.
lived Joshua" They lived probably twen-
Joshua. They are here referred to as orig
inal witnesses of the miracles attendant
upon the conquest Of Canaan. Their pres.
ence and testimony kept the Hebrew ma
ton from deIeneracy and backsliding, as
the presence OF the apostles, eye witnesses
Of Christ's majesty, preserved the Chris
tian church from corruption and heresy.
8. "Joshua-died." His character was
almost fautless. /. He was a man of
strong faith. 2. He was very courageous.
3. He was unselfsh. 4. He was faithful.
s. He was an ilustrious type of Christ.
He led the people into Canaan, led them
to victory over their enemies and gave
them rest. His death was stroke to the
religious interests OF Israel.
g. ''Timnath-heres." The situation Of
this place is uncertain Jewish tradition
fixes the place about nine miles south of
Shechcm.
10. another generation-which knew
not" Regardless of all the teaching and
training which the new generation had re-
ceived from their departed fathers they
showed very little reverence for the reli-
gion they so much enjoyed. Thus it is said
they knew not the Lord. The history of
the wonderful deliverance which God had
wrought for Israel from Egypt to Canaan
had very little hold upon this goddess gen.
Grafton who lived after Joshua. They
were too ready to yield to the corrupting
influences of the idolatrous people around
them.
IL. "Did evil" This was the general
complaint against them. All evil is before
God and He could see where it began. "In
the sight of the Lord" In the presence OF
| His commandments, and in view of His
works of goodness and His past punish
ment of sin, their acts were treason toward
God 1t was rebellion to His face. Practi-
cal infdelity follows quickly upon the heels
OF speculative infdelity. Decay of morals
inevitably shows decay of faith. A curious
proof of this fact is embedded in almost
every language in those words whose pri.
mary signification implies unbeIef and
whose secondary meaning is impressive of
practical wickedness. For example, "mis-
creant' first signifed ''misbeliever," then
"a vile wretch;" the word "unprincipled"
first had reference to Speculative religious
opinions" then passed over into its more
common !signiication of ''prohigate" and
vicious" Served Baalim." Baalim is
the plural of Baal and signifies ''lords."
Nothing could have been worse than this.
The worship of Baal was a grossly licen-
tious worship, fatal to the morals of all
who took part in it, and therefore rightly
an abomination in the eyes of the Jews"
Never was there such folly and ingrati-
tude. The people deliberately ignored God
and broke His law
u. "Forsook the Lord" They did not
say there was no God, but when they took
up, the worship of false gods they forsook
Jehovah; They could not forsake His wor
ship without forsaking Him, Though they
they forsook Him, and multiplied unto
themselves many gods. Brought them
OUT God had been gracious to them, and
with mighty hand had delivered them
from Egypt and given them the land OF
Canaan, and yet they do not hesitate to
forsake Him and His worship. "And pro-
nlsa1 thr Nx.I ~ l..
vindictiveness, but feeling of intense in
dignation against sin. The very nature OF
God is opposed to sin. He is displeased
with sin and must punish it, and thus
prove His purity and His love of virtue.
ID. "Ashtaroth." This is the plural
form of Ashtoreth, the female divinity OF
the Iidonians, and consort OF Baal. Her
worship was very ancient and abominable.
Ia, 10. Greatly distressed" All Of
these things came upon them as a punish
ment for their evil deeds. They wer.
sold" that is, absolutely given up into
the hands Of their enemies.
10. Raised up judges" Though Israe
brought their own distress upon them
God showed pity and compassion He did
not send angels or any foreign power, but
raised up men among themselves and quail
flied them for the place. The judges had
no power to make laws. God gave them
They were not given to explain law, fol-
that was the duty OF the priests. But they
were called to uphold the law, to defend
their religion, and to fix all punishment OF
crimes.
II. Would not harken.' So perverst
and stubborn were they. They were bent
on their own ruin and would not listen tc
the judge who had delivered them. Bowed
themselves" They prostrated themselves
probably touching the forehead 10 the
ground in their heathen worship.
H'Iha Lard traa uyifb fka ,uJoa D
Nothing of Importance was accomplished
but by Gods help. The same is true to
day. ut repented the Lord" When Goo
saw their suffering and heard their erie,
He delivered them from their enemies
Strictly speaking God does not repent. II,
is Interchangeable. But as we change II,
metes out blessing or punishment accord
ing to His unchangeable law.
10. "When the judge was dead" Thul
we see the powerful influence one man car
have in church or state.