The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-12-28
CHARACTER OF
THE MESSIAH
Sunday School Lesson for Dec. .2t.loos
Specially Prepared tor This Paper.
LESSON TExT-lsa,sh OH. Memory

verse. G.
GOLDEN TEXT Thou shalt call His
name Jesus. Tor He shall save HIS people
from their ,ns."-Matt i:H.
TIME The prophet Isaiah spoke the
words of t,is prophecy during the reign OF
Ahaz, the father of Hezekiah. q G.. 7s5-
72e.
PLACE.-At Jerusalem, the home OF the
prophet
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
V. l. Nevertheless" or But" Hav-
Ing tried to depict the spiritual dark
ness OF idolatry ts: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" Alluding to
the political and spiritual darkness of
the time referred to- Afflicted.
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. II 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 bis 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.
". 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 great light" The
prophetic future" is used. the prophet
speaking as II what he foretold we're
already accomplished. There is no hu-
man soul so dark from ignorance or
Gin, but the light OF Jesus can pene-
trate Its gloom. Shadow OF death. "
The shadow OF moral and spiritual
death, as we'll as national disintegra-
ton, rested upon Israel at this time.
" 3. Multiplied the nation" This
cannot refer to any remarkable in
crease in Judah's population, but rath-
or 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
rlanan ta hAp ia
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 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. star
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 conqueror was
often thought of as a yoke. "Rod o.
the oppressor. 1t was not uncommon
for captiyes to be beaten with heavy
goads. .
V. 5. Read in the revised version
"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 a babe, born
OF a human mother. "a son is given.
He is none other than the Son of God
given to us not only for the few short
years he walked on earth, hut 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 his
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 a long
list of laudatory epithets. But when
one strives to tell tho glories Of Jesus
words can but feebly enumerate them.
Wonderful" Jesus is wonderful In
His nature, In His words and works.
ohb hhooN III pouhulcoS
love. Counsellor" He stands ready
to use His perfect wisdom in our be-
half. counseling us what steps to take.
"The mighty God" lie does not cease
to be God by becoming man, but will
ever be the equal OF the Father. Ever.
lasting Father"
v. Z. Increase no end"
Christ's kingdom goes on increasing In
numbers, power. Influence and blessed.
ness. One day lie 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.
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 homo,
and affection to which jealousy In It's
good sense. comes near"
Practical Points.
v. l. The blind walk in darkness at
midday; SO, many walk In spiritual
darknes Il John /: 7.
V. 2. The crowning evidence OF Gods
love ia its revelation 10 our hearts
through Jesus Christ.---2 Cor 4: 6.
V. 4. Satan's yoke is broken from
the shoulders OF all who call upor
Christ for dcllverence.- Rom. G: a.
V. &. We may tuls 10 Christ for
counsel about the least as well as the
most important steps.-Co, 9: ,,
V. 8. Christ made peace, proclaimed
''7ce, brings peace bcstows peace thai
n .nsrh nIl nnd arat a nhinU -I,nh q. Ia