The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1904-07-01
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON |, THIRD QUARTER, INTER-
NATIONAL SERIES, JULY 8.
Text Of the Lesson, 1 Kings xii, IT,
2O-Memory Verses, 12-14-GOIden
Text. Prov. xvi, IS Comm ntary
Prepared by Rev. ID. VI. stearns

Prepared by Rev. ID. VI. Stearns
copyright, 1904, by American Press Association. I
Returning to the Old Testament for
our next six months studies, we are
still studying in the same book, for the
whole Bible is one book. all written by
the Holy Spirit, that we may know
God and serve Him, resist the devil
and overcome him. The great topic in
the Old Testament is Israel, a kingdom
unto God, Jehovah their King, Jerusa-
lem the throne of the Lord, that all the
people of the earth may know that the
! Lord is, God and that they may fear
Him (EX. xix, D, q; | Sam. viii, Z;
Chron. xviii, B; xxx. %; Kings viii,
43, co.
At the time of our lesson three kings
had each reigned forty years over all
Israel, but Solomon had so turned away
from the Lord God TO the worship Of
idols that the Lord had determined to
rend the kingdom and give ten tribes to
Jeroboam, son of Nebat Read the full
| record in chapter XII
Rehoboam, son of Solomon reigned
in his fathers stead Xxi, 49,. .Jeroboam
and all the congregation came to him
to request him to tighten the heavy
yoke which his father had put upon
them. He asked them to give him three
days to consider it AMI then come again
TO him (Xii, LIP. The third day has
come, and they wait upon the king for
his reply. But it is dark day for
Israel. They are TO hear no comforting
words; their yoke is to be made heavier
instead of lighter. Yet this man was
supposed to be the Lords representa-
tive q Chron. xxx, 3D. How he be-
lied his God and proved himself rep
resentative of the great oppressor
whom he served!
Rehoboam did not ask counsel of
God. but of the old men and the young
men. and decided to follow the advice
of the latter, so he spake roughly to
Jeroboam and the people, the Lord
overruling, for He had determined to
divide the kingdom oversees 1919.
Roughly" is the same word that in
verse is translated "grevous" Jo-
seph also spoke roughly to his brethren
(Gen. xiii, Z, 30, but in his case it was
only outward roughness, yet well de-
served.
Jesus Christ, the true King of Israel.
always had compassion upon the peo-
pie and only spoke roughly to self
righteous hypocrites, who richly de-
served it. 1t is to be feared that some
speak even the truth roughly instead Of
in love (Eph. iv, 15). If we are Spirit
filled children of God, we shall not I'M
necessarily speak roughly. Wicked
counselors are, for the time being at
least, in the service of the first of the
kind, who led Adam and Eve astray,
yet even mothers have been known TO
counsel their own sons to do wickedly
Gen. xvii, 13; Ii Chron. xxi, 81 Med
itation upon the word Of God will de
liver from the counsel of the ungodly
and Rehoboam had plain written in
structions in this matter Deut. xvii.
1920; rs. i, 1, p.
Having received the kings answer.
they departed from him, turning their
backs upon the house of David. and
made Jeroboam their king, as the Lord |
had purpOsed. Only the tribes of Jul |
dab and Benjamin remained with Re
hoboam. and when he would have !
fought with Israel to bring them back |
to him Shemaiah, the man of God was |
sent TO him with this message from the |
Lord: "le shall not 90 up nor fight
against your brethren. the children of !
Israel. Return every man to his house,
for this thing is from me" oversees 81
2D.
But listen to these words: Thus saith
the Lord God, Behold, will take the
children of Israel from among the ma
lions whittier they be gone and will
gather them on every side and bring
hem into their own land. And | will
make them one nation in the land upon
he mountains of Israel and one king
shall be king TO them all, and they
shall be no more two nations, neither
shall they be divided into two king
Ions any more at alp (Ezek XXxvii
Il, 90.
We shall see as we go on in our stud
es that the revolving tribes grew
worse and worse. wandering farther
nd farther from God until after more
han 200 years of Gods forbearance
With them their iniquity came to n
ead and they went into captivity, from
which they have not yet returned. Yet
is written. Hear the word of the
ord, q ye nations, and declare it in
he isles afar off and say. He that scat
cred Israel will gather him and keep
i'm as a shepherd doth his flock" DER
xxi, 10.
\ portion of the kingdom was left
nth Rehoboam, not for his sake nor
Or Solomon's sake. but, as tn Lord
aid, For David my servants sake
nd for Jerusaem's sake. which | have
hosen; that David my servant
lay have a light Away before me in
the city which have cho-
IN me to put my name there" xxi, Is,
,, SO. When He shall restore and
I'VE Israel and make her the head of
II nations upon earth it will not be for
;rael's sake, but for His own holy
ames sake (Ez. xxXvi, ID.
There are comparatively few among n
elievers today who really believe the