Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-18
Sunday School Lesson for July ~ Discussed
by Rev. ]. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.

that animated Pharaoh eek, ks. In
tercession is recognized under this dispen-
sation. q John. v:16)
ENJOINED COURSE oversees 20-2D.-
What shall a man do who has committed
sin and is sorry for it? The answer is
very plain-he must abandon the evil
which he has practiced. This is all ne
can do. He cannot undo anything. What
ever. even though pardon has been OBJ
tanned. But the future need not be-
stained with similar transgressions. Let
the evil man forsake his way and turn
to the Lord lisa. lv:1D And so on this
occasion. when the people desired inter-
cession Samuel gave them wholesome adj
vice. which was very full of comfort. He
directed them not to fear. as If some 5udg-
ment was suspended over their heads.
Their confession had averted the punish
ment. IL John. i9D Then as now peni-
tence removed the guilt. and the God of
all grace received back to his favor those
who had broken His law. Oh. what words
of cheer are theSei How well calculated
to bring the troubled soul to rest and
enable it again with confidence to begin
the service of God. And that Is just what
Samuel enjoined upon the people. For
getting the past. they were urged at once
to consecrate themselves to a life OF
obedience.
PROMISED CARE (verses 22-2)-
There is in human nature something that
looks beyond the earthly the human and
the temporal. to find support that is
more enduring and trustworthy. At
times this disposition may be overcome
by the many attractive things in life. but
more or less frequently and distinctly 1t
Will assert itself. It is strongest when
the soul becomes conscious of i'll desert,
for then the penalty is feared and there
is desire to avert it. Samuel understood
all this. He knew that the men who had
clamored for a king who might defend
them against enemies should be appre-
hensive when they perceived the wicked
ness of their course: that they would
realize their danger and seek better
protection than Saul could give. 1t was
therefore with great wisdom and calm
ness that having awakened penitence he
now attempted to fix their faith in God
and to assure them that His protecting
care would be over them psalm, xciv:14)
They were still the Lords people He
had not cast them off. They might con-
tinue to trust Him Deut Wis More
over. Samuel promised to offer his prayers
for them. There was thus double
reason for hope-the faithfulness of God
and the intercession of the prophet
REQUIRED WAY Oversees o4-o5).-
In the sixteenth century John Agricola
thought that the law was in no wise OBJ
ligatory under the gospel and he became
the leader of a party known ever after in
theological history Antnomians. They
claimed that the doctrine of pardon re-
leased one from the necessity of good
works and virtucus life. There seems
to have been men of this class in the
time of the Apostle Paul who opposed
them by urging that forgiveness did not
imply license TO sin tSom.. vi:D. II is
probable that those Of Israel who heard
Sanuels words formed such an opinion
They may have reasoned in this way:
I'VE sinned and repented. God forgave
and promised to care for as His own.
Therefore. sin is not so serious matter
We are not required to lead holy lives.
If we sin again and again He will as
often forgive and receive us" That
would be logical TO some minds. But
Samuel put i'm caveat here: "Only fear
the Lord and serve Him This was re-
quired because of Gods goodness. the
way of life suggested as response to
divine mercy Consider what he has
done and then know what ye should do"
CLOSING THOUGHTS.-1 Freedom
Of choice is the glory and peril of man.
he is expected and required to determine
what is best and proper for him under
adj circumstances. and within certain
limits he is allowed what he desires >.
Frequently this choice is opposed to the
public welfare and to the will of God.
and centuries after the evil results ap-
pear in the lives of individuals and in the
fortunes of nations ,. At such times
a man OF wisdom and of prayer is of in
calculable value who serves his country
with no sinister motive. who gives advice
and invokes divine clemency and help
). One man engaged becomes the
savior of a nation. BY turning It's
thoughts toward the wrong that has been
done he secures penitence. and by promis-
Ing better things for the future he
awakens hope and faith. 5. Pardon for
the past does not warrant continued evil,
but obliges one to lead a new life. The
remembrance of the blessing received
prompts to thankfulness and obedience
g. The whole gospel scheme is unfolded
in outline under the historic representa-
tions of Israel. Sinfuness. repentance,
forgiveness protection. holiness are as
clearly taught as in the time of the
apostle