The Elbert County tribune., 1913-02-21


GOLDEN TExT-'-The blessing OF Je-
hovah. 1t maketh rich: and He addeth no
sorrows therewith-"-Prov. 10:2.
During the time that interviewed be-
tween this and last weeks lesson we
read. Of Abrams journey down into
Egypt" story that Is rich with sug-
gestive typical lessons. Abrams de-
| ceit is discovered by Pharaoh and he
Is driven from Egypt. Fear is the
root Of unbelief. and when we fall we
are sure to carry some one with us.
But mans sin is sure to be discov-
cred, SO 1t was that Pharaoh COM
away. and his wife, and all that he
had" Egypt, a type of the world.
turned Abram out 12:2p when he
tried the good Lord good devil' mode
of life. Compromise and separation
are not compatible.
Lessons Picture.
I. "up Out Of Egypt" Wv. 1-5. Again
we have presented the lesson of sepa-
ration. This portion is great pic
ture of repentance. Abram carried
with him not only his own possessions
but also those of his nephew Lot No
tice, Abrams wealth did not make
him acceptable in Egypt. The world
desires not alone the wealth OF a man.
but also the man back of the wealth.
Again Abram turns from conflict un-
to Bethel, the house of God, that place
of confession, of conservation, and of
encouragement.
These returning pilgrims were not
ordinary men. no more is the man who
is in Christ. and God was already
given evidence of the blessing prom
ised to Abram (12:2) and of that ma
terial blessing SO definitely promised
to the descendants of Jacob. We
read ". 81 their substance was
great" But there is far greater dan
ger however In material prosperity
than in adversely. This was greater
danger to these pilgrims than that OF
the Canaanites who dwelt in the land.
II. "And There Was Strife" Wv. SO.
The evidence of this danger manifest
ed itself when it was found that the
land could not support both Abram and
Lot ". g.. Paul calls Timothy's at
tention to this same danger Il Tim.
6:9). and we are constantly seeing 1t
| illustrated all about us.
Lots History.
| Lot was 1ourneying with Abram
rather than with Jehovah d2:3).
doubtless in great measure he was
governed by cupidity and selfishness
when he beheld Abrams prosperity.
Millions in America profit by the Sc
curity and the prosperity of this which
30 nearly approaches Christian ma
tion and yet in scorn or in neglect re-
fuse to believe In or to serve the God
who sends the blessing. The whole
history Of Lot is one of selflshness
which later resulted in sorrow and
sadness and in his being shorn of all
of his selfishly acquired prosperity.
Lot had no particular claim upon
Abram nor have we in our own right.
or because of our own merit, upon
or be causeof our own merit, upon God.
There is SO little that divides most of
us and SO much that we hold in COM
mon that 1t is but little short OF GRIM
inal to waste our energy upon that
which Is ephemeral or of slight in-
portance. What a difference in the
choice of Lot and that of Abram. One
entered into the path OF the wicked,
Prov. Ala. Is, while the other into
the path that "shineth more and more
unto the perfect day." Prov. Alb.
Ill "And Lot BeheId All the
Plain Of Jordan" Wv. 1913. Lacking
the counsel and guidance OF Jehovah
Lot followed the choice that which
was pleasing to the eyes and made a
sorry mess of it, for in the end he was
a great loser. Already the land was
doomed ". 100 and SO today the man
who chooses the world in preference
to Christ makes bad bargain Il John
2:1D and the greater condemnation is
his for he makes his choice In the blaz-
ing light of nearly twenty centuries of
the Gospel. Lot made a willing COM
promise, superficial choice and came
near losing his own soul, Matt, 1925,
6:33. He deliberately entered into
danger when he pitched his tent to-
wards Sodom." The believers peril is
worldliness. Lots journey ". III led
at last to Sodom v. ~.
Abram aspired to know God. Lot
had an ambition to possess the things
of time and sense Abram coveted
righteousness Matt. 81. Lot soveted
success In this life only. Well has
Goethe exclaimed. Choose well; your
choice is brief and yet 1t is endless"
Eternity alone will reveal the results
OF our choice of surroundings. upon
ourselves. upon our families and upon
our friends.
w. Lift Up Thine Eyes" w. 14-18.
After separation comes fellowship and
fruitfulness. God invited Abram to
arise and to inspect his promised pos
sessions. So may we contemplate the
vast possessions God has promised