The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1905-12-22
CHARACTER OF
THE MESSIAH
Sunday School Lesson Tor Dee.74.l'oS
Specially Prepared for This Paper.

name Jesus. for lie shall save His leop'-
from their sins. Matt l.ll
TIME-The prophet Isaiah spoke tht
words OF this prophecy durias the relsn oi
Ahaz. the father OF Hczckiah. b q. 'e.
7Z6
PLACE.-At Jerusalem. the home oi th'
prophet
Comment and Suggestive Thought
vi. Nevertheless or But haF-
ing tried % depict the spiritual dark
ness OF idolatry S:20-22l, the prophet
turns. with this word. 10 present
contrast We viii best understand 10
from the revised version rendering
"Dimness." or gloom Alluding to
the political and spiritual darkness OF
the time referred 90 Afflicted, .
brought into contempt" etc. The
thought OF the old rendering seems 90
be that the rayages OF the enemy grew
ever worse and worse. but the revision
rendering turns the thought 60 the
time when what was once c0ntomptible
shall be made glorious. "lobulun'
Naphtan" The names OF the tribes
10 whom the northern section of the
land had been assigned are given o
indicate what was later known as Up
per and Lower Galliee Il was in this
very region. upon which the darkness
first settled that the light FIRST shoue
for Jesus was reared In Galilee, and
there wrought hts 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
Va 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 II what De foretold were
already accomplished. There is no hu-
man soul so dark. from ignorance or
sin. but the light Of Jesus can pene-
trate its gloom. Shadow OF death
The shadow Of moral and spiritual
death. as well as national dlsintegra-
ton, rested upon Israel at this time.
V. 3. Multiplied the nation" This
cannot refer 10 any remarkable IN
crease in Judahs population, but rath-
er turns our attention 10 the fact that
the Kingdom Of God, once represented
by the Jewish people alone, now II
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 a common figure Of subiection. 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. "Stah
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 c0nqueror was
often thought Of as a yoke. "Rod Of
the oppressor." Il was not uncommon
for captives to be beaten with heavy
goads .4so.-a ~
V. 3. Read in the revised version
"Armor garments, blood" All The
horrors commonly seen in war. "Shal
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 a babe, borI
of a human mother. "a son IS given.
| lie is none other than the Son OF God
given to us not only for the few shor
years he walked on earth, but as Go
with u.s." 10 be our personal Frien
and Helper to-day. Government
shoulder" One in authority carrie
his keys Of Office suspended over hi
shoulder. Jesus shall be King Of mer
Name" What he is In person an
character is revealed in the followin
words. Il was customary with orienta
kings 10 attach 10 their names a Ion
list Of laudatory eplthets. But whe
one strives TO tell the glories Of Jesu
words can but feebly enumerate then
wonderful" Jesus Is wonderful
His nature. in His words and work
and most wonderful In His boundles
love. Counsellor" lie stands read
10 use His perfect wisdom In our b
half. counseling us what steps 10 TAX
THE mighty Cod" He does not ceai
TO be God by becoming man. but vi
ever be the equal OF the Father Eve
lasting Father"
VI Increase no end
Christs kingdom goes on increasing
numbers. power. influence and blesse
ness. One day lie viii reign supreu
, in all hearts. THE throne Of David
Jesus was born by lineal descent
, the family of David. The promises
David are fulfilled in Him. "Order II
Manage. wisely rule 1t. with jud
ment and Justice" King Jesus vi
render Just decisions. For ever" II
kingdom will never end. "The zeal
the Lord" THAT mixture Of hot hon
and affection to which Jealousy in
, good sense, comes near"
I Practical Points.
n VI. The blind walk in darkness
4 midday; so, many walk in spiritr
@ darkness John 1: Z.
Q Y. 2. The crowning evidence Of Co
love Is its revelation to our heaI
through Jesus Chrlst.-2 Cor. 4: 8.
V. 4. satan's yoke is broken frC
3 the shoulders Of ell who call up
4 Christ for deliverance.-Rom. 6: Il
n Y. c. We may turn to Christ
(. counsel about the least as well as
h most important steps.-Co. 2: 3.
I. V.6. Christ made peace, proclaim
n peace, brings peace, bestows peace u
passeth all understanding.-Eph. 2:
. Unmentionable.
Teacher-What does bully spe
TOmmy-DunuO.