Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-09-15
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR SEPTEMBER ID.

SuDJeCt: 1srael NepToVeUS Amos W. 4-iT
Golden Text, Amos ", 6-Memor,
Verses, 4-6-Cominertary on the Day,
Lesson.
Internationally book of Amos was
the earliest written of all the prophecies
1t is naturally divided into three parts:
!. Introductory (chaps. !, y. The pro-
phecies against Damascus, Phlistia. Tyre
Edom, Ammon and Moab-the six enemies
of the chosen people-and finally against
Judah (chap. 9: 4, 81, are preparatory to
Israel's sins and the impending ruin
(chaps. 36). 3. A series of five visions
(chaps 100; interrupted (chap. 7: 1910
by an account of the alteration between
Amos and Amazah. Amos was an unedu
Gated man, but he had that culture and
training which comes from living close to
God, and his prophecy shows that he was
thoroughly acquainted with the books OF
| Moses.
Commcntary.--l. A lamcntation for Is
rael Tvs. l-3). Because Israel continues to
show no signs of repentance, Amos sees
that certain and speedy destruction will
come upon the nation. He accordingly
proceeds to sing a funeral drge. Israel
was spiritually de6l; like fallen virgin.
she had debased herself and lost her pur-
ity She was PROSTATE on the ground, I'M
able to rise, having none to assist her. The
prophet also declares that the strength OF
! the nation was to I've reduced to one-tcnth
of what it then was. "Such an announce
ment as this, made in the height of the
| prosperity secured by Jeroboam H., would
naturally be startling one to those who
| heard it,
H. An exhortation to seek God Tvs. 4.
g.. 4. Seek We Me-" Cease your rebel.
hon against me; return to Me with all
your heart, and though consigned to
death, We shall be rescued and live. De-
desperate "Shall live" Shall escape the
threatened destruction. s. Seek not
Bethel" At Bethel was one of the gold.
en- calves Jeroboam had set up. At this
time it was the most popular sanctuary
of the northern kingdom, and was patron.
lied by the King (chap. 7: 49,. "Ctilgal.'
| This was an important church centre
about nine miles northwest of Bethel.
Here, as well an at Bethel, was a school
of the prophets. At Giigal were carved
! images To. Beer sheba" Situated in
| the extgsme southern part OF judah. This
| city had evidently become centre for
idol worship, and Amos warns them
against iourneying thither Unto captiv-
| ity.' The prophet shows them that all
hope from these idoatrous affairs is vain.
Gilgal and Bethel are doomed and heath
en- deities cannot save them, s. "House
of Joseph That is, the ten tribes or
northern kingdom; so used because Joseph
was the ancestor OF two OF the chef
tribes.
III. Israers deplorable condition Tvs. Z
49,.
7. "Turn judgment" Israel's crying sin
Is neglect of civil justice and oppression
of the poor "Wormwood." An intensely
bitter, unpaatable plant. 1t il always
used as il symbol for whatever is nausc-
Gus and destructive. In their civil courts
brides were taken ". ~, righteousness
was east down Or. W to the earth, and
instead of bringing relief to the oppressed,
they brought bitterness and greater OPP
preston.
8, Verses and are intended to inn
press the Israeiites with the power and
majesty of Jehovah, the creator and rul-
er of tho universe. They are introduced
abruptly and interrupt the competitors
between verses and 10. The seven
stars The Pleiades, a group of stars III
the constellation Taurus. called frequent
~ the seven stars. Orion \ conStei-
laton noted for its three bright stars in
a straight Inc. "Iurneth makcth.' That
is causes morning to follow night and
brings the day to an end IN night The
two clauses describe Jehovah as the au'
thor OF the regular alienation OF day and
night. That calleth,' etc. BY evapor-
alton "the waters are collected into
clouds and then are Immediately poured
out in showers upon the face OF the earth.
8. THAT strengtheneth,' etc. See Il. \.
Who takes the part OF the poor and OPP.
pressed against the oppressOr, Sudden de-
structjon comes upon the mighty, 50 that
even their strongest tortrcsses cannot save
them.
10 Hate him" The prophet ayan
takes up the subject under Confederation
in verse 7. They cannot bear an upright
magistrate, and will not have righteous
laws executed. In the gate The place
where the elders" or magistrates sat and
where Justice was administered ". ~.
II. THREADING The poor were OPP
pressed. Burdens of wheat Even TIE
bread was taken from the poor as the
price of justice, Shall not" The penal
iy for such gross injustice is here an
nounced. -. Il know" They imagine
that Jehovah is ignorant, but He knows
their many smaller offenses as well as
their mighty Sins Three OF their great
err sins are mentioned: |. Affecting the
righteous . Taking bIibes SO that judg-
mcnt was perverted. 3. Refusing tn hear
the cause OF the poor who had no reward
to offer. 10. Keep silence In an "erl
time such as the prophet has described,
Witch IL Is uSpitSS W At ltllIiI w 'JbLdiH
tice, wise men are silent.
". Mercy offered Tvs. "a. lj) u. "Srei
good" Again the prophet urges them to
forsakc their sins and turn to God. May
live" Even yet there Is hone, Gods de-
cree offering mercy is absolute and nhm.
tied to the one who viii repent. "And
So" etc. Because of their prosperity they
imagined and said (seG H. w. that God
was with them. But they We're deceived.
Now Amos tells them what to do IN order
to actually have his presence. -. Hate
the evil The cXhOrtatiCn of verse ii Is
repeated in stronger language: Hate evil,
love good, establish judgment, at may
be" This should not be understood as
expressing doubt. God will have mercy
upon such as heed the prophets eyhorta-
ton, Remnant OF Joseph The ten
tribes.
V. The cay Of the Lord KS lG.2W.
Amos sees that his cXhortatih Will he
unheedcd, and again draws a dark picture
of the future. In their blindness they de-
sired "the day of the Lord" the day
when, as they supposed, God would con.
fer some great honor upon His people; but
Amos warns them ,nat ia their present
moral condition the day of the Lord would
be day OF lamcntation, waling and dark
ness with mo brightness in it,
VI. Hypocritical service rejected Tvs.
H-2i). feaStS ana SdcrlhCeS could not
avert the threatened judgments. Do you
hgious services and ceremonial obsery-
ances? What lie demands ia not sacri.
flee or the noise of songs on your instru.
ments of music, but justice and righteous:
ness. And lie desires these to roll Oh"
Few Solid Gold Dinner Services.
They say it is all nonsense TALKING
of solid gold dinner services, for thcr"
are not more than three or four OF
them in the WOrll and thCy are tee