The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-25
1NTRODUcr1oN.-R Because OF the do.

INTRODUCTION.-Re Of the do
cumentary character OF this book. as
mentioned in the Introduction to last
weeks lesson. one may pro1tably study
any section of 1t without reference to Its
connection. Indeed, the parts are but
cut Of their present setting and con-
sidercd separately, as readily as the SER
mon OF a minister might be taken without
regard to any other. OF his discourscs.
So to-day our lesson treats q passage,
ccding chapter. The international COM
mittec, with desire 10 meet the pop
ular demand, has designated this az q
5tenlperan ce lesson. expecting that the en-
direct Its thoughts to this great virtue.
K 1t will occur to the candid student, how
ever. that this theme Is mentioned only
incidentally here, together with other
themes. The sacred scriptures treat all
cuss and subject except as related to
other truths. Accordingly. this expo
ssitson Will proceed on this plan with loyal
ty,o the Spirit q God. $ !. r,nhr !,
was the leading tribe Of the Northern
Kingdom. and as such most Influential in
all Its affairs. Sainaria, the most beauti-
full city In Ephraln, Is called the Grown;
valley, called here "the fat valley.'.'lis It
derived thence those products which min
istcre3 to- comfort and TO wealth. lis In
habitants a bused its privileges entered
into luxurious living. and became noto-
rlous sdrunkards, In the height OF its
glory, our prophet raises q warning voice!
This beauty, like q, fading flower should
PASS away, under the judgment of the
Almighty. who had a mighty nation 70
be used in chastisement. Like a tempest
OF hail, like destroying storm. Ike a
flood 0f waters (Ezek. kilt 9. IAN invading
army would come upon Sa1nar]a. Refer
.cnce is here made to the Assyrians. who.
u few years later, captured the city and
OF these calhmit.ss. Isaiah cries out,
WOE to the drunkards Of Ephraim. "
UCTIOS.-(Ve and AZ
There is a strange infatuation By which
sequences Of their own deeds. They seem
TO be Indifferent to the operation Of the
unerring law Of retribution partly be-
cause the righteous sentence is delayed
That the Israelitish people gave so little.
heed TO the warnings and admonitions of
holy men. Isaiah, therefore, went beyond
the mere prediction Of an invading army.
nation He employed highly impressive
words for that purpose. The city would
he .trodden under foot ignobly desc
Grated and demolished. It would be like
summer fruit. which ripened. is eagerly
maria, now boastIng in It's wealth and
living in animal gratiication. viii be
treated with contempt, left desoute, I'M
able to recover itself from the ruins.
z SADVAN CEiENT-(Yerses s and 81
The prophet next turns his attention to
the Kingdom Of JUDAH the two southern
tribes, whom he calls the residue of the
people He promises them Gods favor
and declares that 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 Assyrlans, the
men Of the south might think themselves
in danger. But not so. 1t was not the}l
purpose OF the Almighty to overthrow
keep q remnant: Upon, them He viii PITT
VIII appear IN defense; and they shall
dwell In security, This promise was
made because ait that time good Itingl
ruled In Judah. The destruc-i|
ton Of the northern and the preservation
OF the southern was but an expression OF
Gods la tired of sin and His dove ! Of
holiness, as represented In the life of the |
rulers of he two Kingdoms.
9 IESCRIPHION--(Ve q and So The |
promises made, to Judah have led some
to suppose that the. southern klngdom
was altogether acceptnblcg, TO God, That
was not, the case. Though tho general
tone was superior to that of Israel, Sc
curing the mercy of God there were yet !
many vices. These Isaiah exposes. He |
Of the corruption found there.