The Nevada County picayune., 1911-07-07


 Whenever written It belongs to the time of the exile. just before the return.
 II brought hope inspiration. instructiou.l life. and light in the darkest period in he history of Israel.
 Gods peculiar people were In exile among heather populations. Their homeland, Palestine, had been devas4 tated Jerusalem lay in ashes. The temple was heap of ruins. The na- ton was like the stump of a mighty tree which had been cut down. The tree had been cut down because 1t re- fused to bear the good fruit for which God had planted 1t. But in captivity the people had been learning their les son, and the time had come when it was possible for new shoot to spring up from the barren stump, and renewed nation to take up it's ap- pointed mission. But in order to do this, the nation must be made to sec clearly what they must be and do, ana the deepest motives toward this end be inspired within them. All this is parable for the world.
 It throws no little light on our les son to realize it's relation to the prophecy as whole According to all critics the whole lesson really be- longs to the fifty third chapter Of Isaiah. the f1fty-second ending at the twelfth verse. The prophecy consists of 27 chapters, of which the fifty-third Is the central one. making the whole prophecy to consist of three sections. First, the first thirteen chapters are a trumpet call to the captive Isrealites who have been hanging their harpa on the willows" unable to "sing the songs of Zion," to awake to faith in God, and obedience and loyalty to him, and to be prepared for their dei liverance. Second: Chapter B pre- sents the means by which the re- demption can be accomplished. the heroic service of his people, and the supreme self-sacrifcing love of his son. Third: The succeeding thirteen chapters present the results of the ro- deeming nation, and the redeemed world.
 The service of God was commis-
  upon earth" Israel was elected nos to salvation. but to service" or rather as in the case of any individual. the nation was elected to salvation that it might be of service. It was necesr sary that the servant" who was to carry out Gods purpose of saving the world should be nation. from the @P all possible combinations of men the nation was the only form which in tho ancient world stood chance of sur viving in the struggle for existence" The servant of God was the nation of Israel.
 Jesus Christ did Gods service for the worlds redemption by bearing the sorrows and sins of man. His suffer- ings were not because he himself had done wrong, but in order that h6 might save us from them. He bore them on his heart and sympathy. He bore them away by his healing power. He bore them as the martyr and the hero suffers that he may save the oD. pressed and the wronged and perse. cuted from their sufferings. He bore them away by transforming them into character. He bore them by giving his life for our sins. so that by re- moving sin he removed most of tho griefs of man. Christianity has been the chief power in removing the griefs and sorrows of mankind.
 The prophet foresees these things fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The picture in these verses Is almost photographs of what took place five hundred years later. He was oppressed. his suffer- ings were unjustly inflicted on him. Read the story of his trial. He opened not his mouth In protest He submit ted to the wrong.
 Jesus was put to death with tho wicked on the cross. and they thought to bury him in criminals grave. They appointed his grave with the wicked, but by striking providence the same authority gave permission to a rich man. Joseph of Arimathea, who provided him with an honorable burial in his own rock-hewn tomb.
 Yet 1t pleased the Lord because ha saw the good to be gained. He shall see his seed. his spiritual descendants, filled with his spirit and carrying out his plans. He shall prolong his days. He rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and Is the everlasting leader and king. Of all kings he is the most glorious. Of all kingdoms his Is the largest, noblest. best beyond all conn pare.
 This far-ofY vision of Jesus, and of the redeemed world. is one of the strongest proofs of revelation from God. Professor Ramsay declares thas the Bible is unique among ancient re- l.gions in that ito the Hebrew proph- cts. and to them alone. the better age lay always in future"
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