Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-01-13
SUNDAYS LESSON
No. H., International Series, For
Jan. IA.
BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.

Israel, For He Hath Visited and Re-
deemed His People.
Verses 57-63--The gift o. Jehovah.
When Zacharias returned home he
promptly communicated the news to
Elisabeth, his wife, and they awaited
the fulillment of the prophecy in the
spirit of piety, which at once express
ed Ntheir faith in God and their fideli-
ty TO him. The months passed quickly
while the expectant parents were get
ting ready for the great event in fami-
ly life The news of the arrival of a
son cUmmoned the "neighbors" from
around and the cousins who doubt
less lived at a distance They re-
joiced with her." The birth of a son
was peculiarly gratifying to orientals.
He would be the successor of his ia
Their and the support of his mother in
widowhood. lon the eighth day"
This was the customary time to cir
cumcise the children of Jewish par
ents. They were also named at this
time because when this ordinance
was instituted a new name was taken
by Abram Gen. xvii. 5-12). The rel
atives took for granted that the son
would be given the name of his ia
ther. They We're surprised when Ellis
abeth firmly declared ''he shall be call
ed John 1t is evident that the d.
vine secret had not yet been made
known by these favored parents. The
relatives appealed to the family his
tory and to the influence of custom.
But these arguments made no impress
sion. Made signs to his father"
Zacharias had been a dumb and deaf
spectator of this domestic discussion
and knew not what had been said.
The anxious and officious relatives
then communicated with him concern
ing his desire in this matter of a
name. "A writing table" Writing
tablets were made of thin pieces of
wood and covered with wax. on which
the writing was done with a. stylus.
They marveled all" They could not
understand why this unusual name
had been chosen. But they were to
| learn later The wonderful circum-
| stances of Johns birth and that. as
| his name sign.fed. he was truly "Je-
hovah's gift" not only to the parents.
! but to all people, toward whom he
showed a gracious purpose.
Verses 64-66.-The hand of Jehovah.
The angelic announcement was ac-
complished. and the sign of dumbness
was speedily removed. Praised God
| The first sentences which his released
tongue uttered were to the praise and
glory of God. His days of enforced
silence had surely been a spiritual
| blessing to him. This course of events
produced threefold result. (a) Fear
came on ALL" This was the awe of
reverence in the presence of the super
natural. (b) These sayings were
| ,~4= oh h. oiI
ciated with the birth of John got cir
culated. (c) What manner of child -
This was not question of curiosity.
but of eager expectancy on the part of
! a people who were watching for Mes
slabs coming These piouS folk of the
hill country may we'll be wistful. for
| '.the hand of the Lord was with him"
| The hand is a symbol of power and
protection. During the days of prep
aration in desert solitudes Verse S0D
as well as in the days of childhood
John experienced the strengthening
guidance of God.
Verses 67-75-The salvation of Jeho-
| yah.
The hymn of Zachafias was both
praise and prophecy. 1t can be divid-
ed into two parts. Our study today
deals with the first part. which is a
psalm of thanksgiving. The second
| part oversees 1919 is a prophetic strain.
referring to the career of the Messia is
| herald. Hath visited" with gracious
| intent. explained in the next clause
land redeemed his people, in bringing
them out of spiritual and moral bond
| age to their sinful passions, even more
than political bondage to Rome. which
| doubtless was also in the mind of this
| patriotic priest Horn of salvation .
| The symbol is taken from the horns Of
the bull. which signifed strength. In
| ing power of God in bringing deliver
ance from our enemies" The history
OF, Israel was a record of conflict with
foes. The prophets of the nation had
! contemplated the coming OF a strong
/ deliverer and defender. His presence
| in the midst of his people would be a
token that God was carrying out his
purpose to remember his holy cove
nant-" This was the promise which
! he had made In the dawn of the ma
/ tons life unto Abfaham our father.
that his seed should multiply and pos
sess the gate OF his enemies (Gen. xxi,
1918; Oak iii. 1919. Freedom ffom
Tyranny will bring liberty of conscience
same word that is used of priestly
| service The implication, is that all the
redeemed constitute holy priesthood
/ q Pet.h. 81 Without fear" 1t is
not a service of slaves, but of freed
men. and perfect lore casteth out fear
/ Il John iv, 49,. In holiness and right