Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-06-29
Lesson Third Quarter, For
July 3, 1910.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.
Text of the Lesson, Matt. xiii, 1873,
a. 52-Me Verse, 44-Golden
Text, Rom. xiv, 17-Commcntary
Prepared by Rev. D. M. Stcarns.

conclude from verse % that all the
seven formed one discourse, spoken at
one time. four publicly and three. with
the explanation of the second. more
privately to the disciples only (verse
S6l. We must remember that He is
in the whole discourse describing diff
ferent phases of this present age from
Ills rejection until His coming again,
the mysteries of the kingdom. What
ever symbol or figure He explains
stands good for the whole discourse
IS. for example. the field is the
world" the birds represent the wicked
sne. the enemy is the devil, the har-
;cst is the end of the age. In the first
pIrabie Unly perhaps Il fourth part Of
he seed bears fruit. ut least only a
part without saying how mush In
The second the children of God and
II the wicked one continue side by
side throughout the whole age. In the
third there is the unnatural growth
from the least of all seeds. not only Of
I'm herb. but of tree, in the branches
Of which the birds of the air lodge
In the fourth, the parable of the
leaven, a woman is seen leavening. or
corrupting, her food, for from TX. xii,
where the houses had to be searched
and all leaven put away. all through
The Bible leaven is without exception
L sySsbol OF evil. Our Lord taught to
beware of the leaven Of the Pharisees
and of the Sadducees xvi, 81, and Paul
taught TO put away the leaven Of
malice and wickedness and use the
unleavened bread OF sincerity and
truth Il Cor. V, 81. The rule in all the
sacrifices was burn no leaven nor
any honey Q.ev. ii. III, but there was
one exception made in reference to
thanksgiving Offering, and leaven was
commanded to represent the evil that
was in their thanksgiving Oev. vii,
L., 13, and Amos iv, 81. This woman
evidently represents the processing
church thoroughly corrupting her
teaching, and it is even now. as was
foretOld in II Tim. Iii, .; iv, 3, form
Of godliness denying the power and a
refusal To endure sound doctrine. Uni
tarianism and infdelity are in many n
pulpit where only the pure gospel
ought TO be preached. Sarah did bet
ter when she took three measures Of
meal and baked unleavened cakes for
her visitors Gen. xviii, 81. With the
devil catching away the seed or him
dering the fruit, sowing tares, enter
ing the church, causing false doctrine
to be taught. it does not look encour-
aging, but we are glad that He is not
discouraged and that He has told us
what to expect QSa xiii, ~.
Let us hear the other parallels spo-
ken in the house to the disciples.
First there is field with treasure
hidden in il which n man buys, hav-
ing sold all that he had in order to
buy ii (verse Al. This cannot repre-
sent the sinner obtaining salvation.
for salvation cannot be bought. 1t is
wholly and only of free grace Neither
money nor good works can obtain it.
And where is there even hint that
salvation is to be hidden? Is it not
rather to be proclaimed to all people?
Let us hold fast the teaching Of the
previous parallels and all will be clear
and easy The field is the world. and
there is only one who can buy it, and
| 1t is written of Him that, though He
was rich, for our sakes He became
poor. Why should He need to buy 1t
or redeem it? Because, although he
created it, He gave 1t to Adam, and
Adam mOrtgag ed ii to the devil, who
was bold enough to say to our Lord
that he owned 1t Matt. iv, s. 81. Rom.
viii, II; Rev. xxi, 3, and other texts
teach that it shall yet be fully deliv-
cred. Eek. xix, >, and references teach
us that the treasure is Israel, through
whom He will yet bless all nations
Up to the present, through all this age.
she is hidden treasure, and few
preachers make any reference to her
or look for any future fer her, bat
such should give heed to Jer. xxxiH
24-26: Iii. Il; lisa. Xxi
In the parable of the pearl it must
be the same man who gave up all that
he had in order to obtain it, AS pearls
come from the sea. this pearl must
represent the church gathered from
the sea Of nations and in due time tC
be a glorious church, not having spot
or wrinkle or any such thing, holy and
without blemish (Eph. v, pa per-
feet pearl. but perfect only because
united to Him who purchased her. He
said Of Israel, Thy beauty was per-
feet through my loneliness which
had put upon thee" QIzek. xvi. IA.
When the time OF the mystery has
passed the pearl-the church-shall be
manifestly one with Him, and Israel
shall be manifestly His treasure in the
eyes Of all nations. While the parable
Of the net may have some reference
to the gathering at the end Of the age,