The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-11-22
SUNDAY-SCHOOL
LESSON FOR NOV. %
WORLDS TEMPERANCE LESSON
Isa., xxviii:1-12.
Secretary of American Society of Re.
ligious Education.

lNTRODtCTION.-Af the death of
Solomon. through the folly of his son U
| Kings Xii:l2-15). the Jewish people were
divided into two parts. Two tribes adj
hered to Rehoboam and sought to per-
petuate the monarchy of David, retaining
| Jerusalem their capital. The ten
! northern tribes rebeled and set up a gov
ernment at Samaria. with the title of Is
| raei. God claimed both nations as his
people and sent to them prophets who
condemned their sins and called to right
eousness. notwithstanding all these gra-
ciouS ministries, the two Kingdoms rapid
ly declined in all those virtues that make
for stability (Prov. Xiv:24, falling ulti-
mateiy under the power of neighbOring
nations. The history is highly Instructive
for all after nations. Today we shall
study a small section in which the faith
full service of Isaiah is presented. His
words are predictive and didactic--he
taught because he foresaw.
WARNING.-(Verses and 81 E;phraim
was the leading tribe of the northern
kingdom. and as such most influential in
all it's affairs. Samaria, the most beau-
tiful city in E;phraim, is called the
"Crown of Pride" Situated in the most
fertile valley, called here "the fat valley
1t derived thence those products which
mnistered to comfort and to wealth. It's
lbilitDllintS dDlSct ltS privileges. tllleT-
ed into luxurious living. and became no
torous drunlartis. 1t the height of it's
glory Or prophet raises a warming voice.
This beauty like Il fading flower, should
pass away, under the Judgment of the
Almighty. who had "A mighty nation to
be USED in chastisement. Like a tempest
of hail. like a destroying storm. like a
flood Of waters Uzeh. Niii:2, an invad-
ing army would come upon Samaria. Re-
;C tn hn
who, a few years later captured the city
ana carried away the people captives In
view of these. calamities, Isaiah cries out
"Woe to the drunkard of Ephraim."
DESTRUCTTON.(V (Verses 3 and A. There
is Il strange iniatuatlon by which the
,lreoGly hope to escape the evil conse-
1uences of their own deeds. They seem
to be indifferent to the operation of the
unerring law of retributon, partly. be-
cause the righteous sentence is DELAYED
fltcrl., viii:.j 1t was on this account that
the lsraelitish people gave so little heed
to the warnings and admonitions of holy
men. Isaiah. therefore. went beyond the
mere prediction of an invading army, and
declared the total destruction of the ma
tion. lie employed highly impressive
words for that purpose. The city would
he 'trodden under feet, ignoblv desc
Grated and demolished. 1t would be like
summer fruit" which, ripencd, is eagerly
seized and quickly devoured. Thus Sa-
maria, now boasting in it's wealth and
living in animal qualification. will be
treated with contempt, left desolate, un-
able to recover itself from the ruins.
ADVANCEMENT 5 and 6)
The prophet next turns his attention to
the Kingdom of Judah, the two southern
tribes. whom he calls "the residue of the
npnn1a
and declares they should be under his
guidance and protection, when the beauty
of Ephraim should be trodden down and
eaten up In that day when Israel Is
invaded by the Assyrians the men of the
south might think themselves in danger.
But not So 1t was not the purpose of the
Almighty to overthrow both Kingdoms at
once-he intended to keep remnant,
Upon them he will put due honor and
distinction. For them he will appear I'm
defense and they shall dwell in security,
This promise was made because at that
time good king Hezekiah ruled In Judah,
The destruction of the northern and the
preservation of the southern was but an
expression of Gods hatred of sin and
his love of holiness as represented in the
life of the rulers of the two Kingdoms,
DESCRIPTION (Verses and 81 The
promise made to Judah might have led
dom was altogether acceptable TO God.
That was not the case. Though the gen.
eral tone was superior to that of Israel,
securing the mercy of God there were
yet many vices. These Isaiah exposes.
He complains of the corruptions found
there. The people Of Judah have also
erred through wine. There are drunkards
at Jerusalem. as there We're in Samara.
Voluptous living in each capital consti-
tuted serious offense against the ma
ton and against God Even the priests
who ministered at the holy altars and
the prophets who We're the teachers of
religion We're out of the way through
strong drink-''they err in vision. and
they stumble in judgment" This horrid
custom of drinking intoNicants had de-
based many of those whose business 1t
was to lead the people in the right way
The drinking habits had made the tables
loathsome. Isaiah Is very bold in giving
these descriptions of practices among his
own people.
MOCKERY.--(Verse Q and 1O) Refer
enee is next made to the efforts to re-
claim the people from their evil ways and
the results OF these efforts. This was by
the one method of teaching Good and
faithful men had instructed In the law.
God would have thoughtful and volun-