The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-11-23
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
MTERkIA TIoNAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER III.

Iext, lsas 1ASliI, -
Memory Verses, 5, 4-Commentnry ON
the Days Lesson. ,,..
Introduction.-This prophecy. like nearly
all of Isaiah's prophecies, was probably de-
livered in Jerusalem. But while spoken to
the people of Judah it dealt largely with
the neighboring kingdom of Israel and the
calamities about to come upon that nation.
The people had forgotten the claims of Je-
hovah and had forsaken His worship. The
nation had plunged headlong into sin of,
every description and especially into the
sin of intemperance, until the land was
filed with %drunkards.
Commentary.-I. The crown that fad
eth Tvs. LAY. 1. Woe" Grief, sorrow,
crown of pride" By the crown OF pride
the prophet refers to Samaria, the beauti.
full capital of Israel. The city was situated
on the top of a round hill and surrounded
by a rich valley. "The drunkards of
Ephraim." Ephraim, the leading tribe of
the nation, had become debased in vice.
They were a tribe of drunkards, and be-
cause of this the woe was upon them. "a
Their beauty and glory would fade as! a
flower. They did not have the riches and
beauty that endure. "The fat valleys."
The valleys around Samaria were very fer.
tile and beautiful. Overcome with wine"
Wine causes men to fall an easy vistim to
temptation. Alcohol destroys the will pow.
er. The drunkard has a bad character and
generally enters recklessly into the vilest
sins. What is overcome? /. Reason. In.
temperance makes fools Of men. 2. Con
science. The moral sense becomes dead.
ened. 8. Physical powers. The drunkard
INDUCES in that which entirely units MIN
to meet the obligations that are resting
upon him. He incapacitates himself for
any position Of trust: The penalty is lost
manhood, social degradation, an impover-
ished and a desoiate home and eternal ban.
ishment from God. -" g. -.i ~ G
2. "The Lord hath a-strong one" Ibis
is a reference to the army of Assyriahs,
which was soon to come upon them like a
devastating storm. The destruction would
be complete, like a terrific .hailstorm or a
great food. It is almost impossible for US
to realize the devastation that would
come as the half savage nodes swept over
the country, ravaging villages and muir.
dering women and children: a,Gr
8. "Trodden under foot" S~halmaneser,
with the Assyrian host, invaded, over
came and carried the people away, never
to return. 1t is al unsolved problem to
this day where the ten tribes are; whether
they continue to exist or are entirely ex.
tinct. All of this was because of sin, and
especially the sin of drunkenness. :.
4. GAS the first ripe fig" (R. w.. As
the first ripe fruit was eagerly seized by
the fruit gatherer and hastily eaten, SO
Samaria would be a delicious morsel for
the Assyrians. The image expresses in the
strongest manner the great ease with
which the invaders would take the city
and the whole kingdom of Israel, and the
eagerness with which they would seize and
consume the prey. 1t is still true that
come. upon and destroy those who might
have been happy and prosperous but for
strong drink.
"Unto the residue" The prophet now
turns from the ten tribes to the two tribes
of Judah and Benjamin, the remnant of
Gods people, who were to continue aking-
dom for more than 100 years after Israel
was carried into captivity. Judah was to
be favored and blessed. Under Hezekiah
there was to be a revival Of religion! .9' ~
g.. "a spirit of judgment" A clear per.
ception Of Gods truth. A clear head is
promised as well as. glory and beauty.
Turn the battle to the gate" Who pur.
of their own city. We have a spiritual war
fare to wage (Eph. 6:12), and we are
pledged to Conquer the world for Christ.
Beware lest we render ourselves unfit for
military service by luxurious habits and
sinful indulgences. The drunkards of
Ephraim could do nothing to oppose the
invaders of their country. , -,
III. Evils of strong drink Tvs. Q. 81. u.
"But these also have erred" (R. W "Je.
rusalem as well as Samaria has her inc.
briates and scenes of disgusting intoxica.
ton. Though her punishment is not as
near as that of the northern kingdom,
Note the effects of strong drink portrayed
in this verse: l.. Erring, wandering into
forbidden ways and places. 2. Even the
religious teachers led astray. 8. Wholly
absorbed in appetite. 4. They cannot see
things as they are, or judge correctly. S.
The whole life is perverted. Gods minis
tiers need a pure heart, a clean life and a
clear vision.
s. "There is no place clean" The
liquor business is 4 filthy business, and
every one who is engaged in it or has any.
thing to do with it is made filthy by it. 1t
is the parent Of uncleanness. The body,
mind and soul of the one connected with
it become polluted and corrupt.
w. Precept upon precept Tvs. .9-l3l: 9,
10. "Whom shall He teach" etc. Many
regard these verses as the words used by
the scofers as they Knocked the prophet.
They treat Gods method of dealing with
them and warning them by His prophets
with contempt and dcrision. What, say
they, doth He treat US as mere infants
Just weaned? Doth He teach us like little
children, constantly going over the same
easy lessons? We must conceive verse 10
as spoken in mimicry with a mocking mo-
ton of the head, and in a childish, stam-
II. NAY" (R. w The prophets reply
begins with this verse. Isaiah attacks
them with great force and severity, turn
ing their own language, spoken in mockcry,
back upol themselves; yes, it shall be as
YOU say, We shall DC taught by a strange
tongue, and in a strange land, whittier you
wilt be carried into captivity. Then you
will be forced to learn like children. IL.
"This is the rest" etc. God had given
them repeated and faithful warnings,
pointing out to them the true rest and the
way to obtain it. but they had closed their
cars and would not hear" and were
going on in their fancied security to GER
tain destruction. -. And fall back.
ward" etc. They had had great light, and
this made them great sinners, and they de-
served a terrible punishment. We cannot
violate Gods law with %impunity. Those
who persist in their wickedness and spurn
Els offers of mercy will ultimately be cast
from His presence.