Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-09

INTRoDUCTIoN.-Ac to the
commonly received chronology the events
of our present lesson were little more
than four centuries after the flood, studied
last Sunday B. c. 2340 to 1920. OF this
time Scripture makes only brief record
The genealogical tables of Noah's sons are
given without comment. Remembering the
deluge, the postdiluvian race feared SINH.
lar calamity. which 1t sought to avert by
building tower about which they might
settle. But this scheme was contrary to
the plan Of God who would have the earth
repopulated (Gen. kid. He therefore con-
fused their language SO that it was i'm
possible for them to remain in one COM
munity. Thus the people began those mi
srations which have continued until the
present time The early distribution re-
vealed a disposition. possibly under Divine
guidance, to form three great races whose
peculiarities are now recognized by
ethnologists.
COMMAND (verse D.-The inter-
position of Providence. designed for the
good of man acts. xvii:26). did not arrest
the downward movement. Judging by the
historic fragments Of those times, the re-
ligion of pure theism held by Noah was laid
aside by his posterity and idolatry was In
troduced. This probably resulted from In
tellectual infirmity attending moral de-
generacy. But in the midst of the uni
versal darkness there was one whose views
OF Ged were more exalted than those OF
his contemporaries. This was AbraEn, one
of the stock Of Shem, whose home was In
Ur of the Chaldees (Gen.. xi:3D. We are
not told whether he gradually apprehended
the unity and spirituality of God, or wheth-
er 1t was suddenly revealed to him. But
h. tn no he 1ood in
religious movement, and, as a preliminary,
was commanded to separate himself from
his kindred.
PROMISED oversees 2-3).-The Almighty
seldom calls men to new lines Of action
without presenting a reason and motive.
In commanding Abram to leave his native
land He promised that which would appeal
to his highest nature and awaken his live
Hest hopes. That promise was in three
parts: 1. 1t offered a personal blessing, one
that would enrich his life and establish his
name in honor Gen.. xiv 800, what every
man desires. 2. The promise declared that
from .AbraIn should come a great nation
that is, his posterity should be numerous
and should form a separate political com
munity Il Kings. iii:8. 3. Through Abram
and his seed the other nations should be
the removal Of Abram from the land of his
fathers God proposed to raise up people
for the good OF the world. There was
race-wide purpose in the command.
DEFENSE (verse Bone other point
needed to be covered to gain the hearty
assent of this man to leave his idolatrous
kinsfolk Cos. xxiv:2). Difficulties, and pos
stbly enemies. will be encountered in taking
up an abode among strangers. It was day
of selfishness and strife. Men had not
learned to live for each other and to build
brotherhood for mutual good. Besides. to
go with a religious conviction and with
national hope might provoke controversy,
Well might Abram hesitate in such an I'M
dertaking, choosing to abide: In present
safety rather than to face future perils.
But Gods word met any such reflections
which may have occupied his mind. He
would defend the man whom He had called
and sent. He would be friend TO- all who
befriended Abram and He would curse all
who would curse Abram. This doubls, prom
of security. It was many times repeated to
the descendants Of Abram eek, xiii ~.
EXODUS .tverses 4-5).-God's COM,
mand and promise Of blessing and defense
came to Abram in the city of Ur. 1t ap-
pears that when he set out for a new coun-
try his father accompanied him Gen, xi:SD
and that the company went as far as Haran
and there halted until the fathers death.
1t Is believed that Terah was not deliv
cred from idolatry, and that he was not
fitted to have part with his son In the new
enterprise. But after his death. obedient
to the early call. relieved Of all incum-
brance. Abram departed, taking with him
his nephew, Lot, and the substance gath
cred in the late sojourn at Haran. 1t was
q patriarchal nOuSenOlQ OF many Souls
Gen., xiv:1D and wit hmuch store that un-
dertook this second journey. Under the d.
rect guidance of God, who had promised to
show the land to be settled, they moved
forward in nearly southern direction
probably a thousand miles and entered
Canaan. afterward called 1.-The land Of
promise"
sOJOURN (verse 8)-In the very
heart of the land Of Canaan midway be-
tween the Jordan and the Great sea and
equidistant from the northern and south
ern boundary, were two mountains. Ebaa
and Cerizim, between which lay beauti-
full and fertile plain. This spot had long
been celebrated as the favorite resting
place for those caravans (Gen. xxxvii:26)
that passed with merchandise between
Egypt and Syria. There Abram halted to
feed his flock and enjoy needed rest and to
learn further the will of God concerning
his future. How long he sojourned Is not
recorded. The place became afterward by
the fact of this temporary residence one
Of interest to his descendants. There ia
cob tarried on his return from Padan Aram
Gen., xxxiii:18). There Israel assembled
under Joshua after the conquest, In ODE
dience to the command Of Moses Deut..
xi:2O to hear the law, and there Gideon's
little band subdued the hosts of INDIAN