Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-07-20
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JULY 20.

Subject: The Gracious Invitation, lisa. w.,
1.13-Golden Text, lisa. w., 6-Mem-
orv Verses, 6-S-Comnentary on the
Days Lesson.
l. An invitation to the blessings of
the Gospel Tvs. 1-5). l. "Ho." A word
calling immediate and earnest atten-
ton to what Is to follow. every one"
The invitation is unlimited. "That
thirsteth.' Every one who has a keen
sense of need and an intense desire for
those things (see Matt. s: 81. Wine
and milk" These were regarded
by the Jews as the very choicest ar
ticles of diet. without price" The
freeness of the offer Is again repeated
that there may be no mistake and the
poorest and most needy may feel sur-
of a welcome.
9. wherefore" There is a remon-
STRANGE here against earthliness;
against making much of that which is
of the least Importance. Not bread"
Contrast the bread of deceit prov.
20: 10 with the dread of life" Uohn
6: 80, 800. "Satisfieth not" Nothing
but God can meet the boundless desires
of the soul. I'm fairness" This express
sion pictures to us the choicest bless
ings that God has. His provisions are
ample and satisfying q Cor. 2: 9, 10;
Pisa. 36: 8; Go: -. 3. "Incline your
ear" Pay attention. Soul shall live"
Life is more than mere existence. Real
life is spiritual life-a life in Christ
and given by Christ John IA: 81. "Ev-
erlastng covenant" The covenant
made first with Abraham and renewed
with David; the covenant promised of
Christ In His humiliation and ending
with a crowned Christ, eXulting in
royal victories and redeemed church
"Sure mercies.' That is, the mercies
promised to David and his house (sec
= sam. Z: SIG. 800
4. "Given Him." God continues call
ing attention to the great Messiah. He
is the central figure of these three
chapters. David was the type and
Christ the antitype; David in supreme
royalty. king over all foes and friends:
Christ in assembled majesty. but dispen-
sing His rich blessings which He has
provided in His rcdemptive work to all
who will receive them. "A Witness"
He bore witness even unto death for
God. to His law, to His claims and to
His plan of redcemng love. Leader"
etc. He was the great Lawgivcr, orig
mating laws and institutions for His
people. people" peoples. R. V.
We must keep in mind that no race dis
tlnctions are allowed. All the peoples
ana nations of the world are included.
). Call Il nation" The Christian
church, n holy nation. a peculiar people.
"Knowest not" The Gentle world
whom He had hitherto not distin-
gulshcd by covenants and blessings.
know We not etc. The Gentle ma
ton was to become one with the people
Of God (See Eph. .: l1-13).
II. Conditions of accepting the invi-
tation Tvs. 6. y. g. seek" The only
way to find God is to seek Him; but
how? BY repenting of ana forsaking
sin. MAY be found" This implies
that there will be time when we can
not find Him. :. Wicked UNI
righteous The wicked man sins more
openly in Ibis way" The unrighteous
refers to the more subtle workings of
sin lin the thoughts" All are guilty
in the latter respect. though many
fancy themselves safe because not
openly wicked in their ways. For
sake return" He who would find
'f''I IlIu~l III ~ l' SAM Ms SINS. w
this is not sufficient: he must actually |
com" To God Repentance therefore
implies both the negative ANA the posi-. |
tive duty. "Will have mercy" How |
ever far away the sinner may have |
gone yet when he returns with his ,
whole heart God will not reject him.
"Abundantly pardon" Gods pardon |
is full and free. The margin renders it
multiply 10 pardon
III. Reasons for accepting the invi- |
tation Tvs. SID. s. "My thoughts"
Jchovah'S thoughts transcend those of |
man rs much rs the heaven is higher |
than the earth. The thoughts and |
ways of Jehovah are His purposes of !
redemption. Thus we have not only |
u motive for repentance. hut also for |
eager cXpcctant hope.
.. MY ways higher" etc. This is
n natural and beautiful Illustration of
the previous verse. Our fellow men |
might not be willing to forgive, hut
God is always ready to pardon the true
pcnltcnt.
10. Rain snow" etc. BY quick
association of the ideas mentioned in |
verse ., there is Il comparison here
made. Rain and snow fall from heaven
To water the earth and so prepare II for
its annual growths to feed the bodies
Of men and beasts. Just as Gods woru
fails from heaven to produce fruit of
among the millions of
Israel and of outlying peoples, ana 1t
shall not be void, for every word that
proceedcth out of the mouth of God
is bread (Drut. s: -. II. 80" etc.
So every word that God uttcrs shall be
made blessing to man. The Gospel
promises and commandments are all
important and beneficial. Not return
vOid.' 1t shall not return without
results Gods purposes shall be real
lied. The full accomplishment of this
verse and verses II and IL Is to be at :,
the Jews final restoration, and the con
version of the world. II eco out
with Joy" etc The words are used as
of the people of God from
HE Mosaic diSpcnSation and brought
into Gospel privileges under the Christ
They 90 forth bounding with joy for !,
the conquest of the whole world for
lhriSt. and all nature-the mountains,
The hills and the trees-take on the
happy spirit of the church. The result
shall be the worlds renewal. Is. On
stead of the thorn etc. ChristS work
IN the world is to remove the useless
md the injurious. and to plant the good
md the helpful. Where the Gospel
goes sin must give way to holiness.
II Nat 10 .flp q