The American eagle., 1905-12-17
CHARACTER OF
THE MESSIAH
Sunday School Lesson for Dec. ~, 1905
Specially Prepared for This Paper.
Specially Prepared for This Paper.

GOLDEN TEXT-"Thou shalt cali His
name Jesus. for He shall save His people
from their sins. Matt. 1:21.
TIME.-The prophet Isaiah spoke the
words of this prophecy during the reign OF
Ahaz, the father Of Hezekiah, B. c. 735-
726.
PLACE.-At Jerusalem, the home of the
prophet.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
V. 1. Nevertheless" or But Hav.
ing tried to depict the spiritual dark.
ness of idolatry (S:20-22), the prophet
turns, with this word, to present a
contrast. We will best understand ii
from the revised version rendering
"Dimness,' or gloom" Abiding tc
the political and spiritual darkness OF
the time referred to. Afflicted, 3.
brought into contempt" etc. The
thought of the old rendering seems to
be that the ravages of the enemy grew
ever worse and worse, but the revision
rendering turns the thought to the
time when what was once contemplate
shall be made glorious. "Zebulun
Naphtali." The names of the tribes
to whom the northern section of the
land had been assigned are given to
indicate what was later known as Up
per and Lower Galilee. 1t was in this
very region, upon which the darkness
first settled, that the light first shone,
for Jesus was reared in Galilee, and
there wrought his first miracle and
there did his most successful work.
by the way of the sea-" Probably the
region along the west side of the Sea
of Galilee is meant.
V. 2. People that walked in dark
ness" People of Judah. Darkness"
is an expressive term for evil of ev-
cry sort, for sin beclouds the mind
and blinds the heart. walked" Were
living. Have seen a great light" The
prophetic future is used. the prophet
speaking as if what he foretold were
already accomplished. There is no hu-
man soul SO dark, from ignorance or
sin, but the light of Jesus can pene-
| trate it's gloom. Shadow of death"
The shadow of moral and spiritual
death, as well as national disintegra-
ton, rested upon Israel at this time.
V. 3. Multiplied the nation" This
cannot refer to any remarkable in
crease in Judah's population, but rath-
er turns our attention to the fact that
| the Kingdom of God, once represented
by the Jewish people alone, now in
cludes men of every race. Moreover,
Christianity tends to longevity. The
next clause is best in revised version,
"Thou has increased their JOY" The
people shall have increased comfort
and prosperity.
V. 4. Broken the yoke" The yoke
is common figure of subjection. AS
God released his people from the yoke
their oppressors at times put upon
them. so Christ releases his redeemed
ones from captivity to satan. staff
of his shoulder" The part of the yoke
which rested on the shoulders. On each
end of this a heavy load hung. The
taxation levied by a conqueror was
often thought of as yoke. Rod of
the oppressor." 1t was not uncommon
for captives to be beaten with heavy
goads.
". q.
"Armor, garments, blood" All the
horrors commonly seen in war. Shall
be for burning" They shall be utterly
destroyed, because war shall cease.
/ V. 6. Unto us" For our benefit.
"a child is born" The great Deliver
er will come to earth as babe, born
of a human mother. "a son is given" "
| hn n
given to us not only for the few short
years he walked on earth, but as God
with u.s." to be our personal Friend
and Helper to-day. Government .
shoulder" One in authority carried
his keys of office suspended over mis-
shoulder. Jesus shall be King of men.
Name" What he is in person and
character is revealed in the following
words. 1t was customary with oriental
kings to attach to their names long
list of laudatory epithets. But when
one strives to tell the glories of Jesus,
words can but feebly enumerate them.
"Wonderful." Jesus is wonderful in
His nature, in His words and works,
and most wonderful in His boundless
love. Counsellor" He stands ready
to use His perfect wisdom in our be-
half. counseling us what steps to take.
''The mighty God" He does not cease
to be God by becoming man, but will
ever be the equal of the Father. Ever
lasting Father
V. T. Increase no end.
Christ's kingdom goes On increasing in
numbers, power, influence and blessed
ness. One day He will reign supreme
in all hearts. ''The throne OF David :
Jesus was born, by lineal descent, OF
the family of David. The promises to
David are fulfilled in Him. Order it. F"
Manage, wisely rule it. with judg-
ment and Justice" King Jesus will
render just decisions. For ever" His
kingdom will never end. The zeal OF
! the Lord" THAT mixture of hot honor
and affection to which Jealousy, in Its
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