Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1913-02-20


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 a mans sin is sure to be discov-
cred, 80 it was that Pharaoh COM
manded his men, and they sent him
away, and his wife, and all that he
had" Egypt, a type of the world,
turned Abram out (12:20) 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. Is. Again
we have presented the lesson of sepa-
ration. This portion is a 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 man,
but also the man back of the wealth.
Again Abram turns from conflict I'M
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 ". g. their substance was
great" But there is far greater dan
ger however in material prosperity
than in adversely. This was a 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 1t was found that the
land could not support both Abram and
Lot ". 81. Paul calls Timothy's at
tention to this same danger q Tim
6:9), and we are constantly seeing II
illustrated all about US.
Lots History.
Lot was journeying with Abram
rather than with Jehovah (12:3)
doubtless in a great measure he was
governed by oupidity and selfishness
when he beheld Abrams prosperity
| Millions in America profit by the Sc
curity and the prosperity of this which
so nearly approaches Christian ma.
| ton 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 selfishness
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 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 It is but little short of Grim
inal to waste our energy upon that
which is ephemeral or of slight i'm
portance. What 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. AIS.
III. "And Lot ;. Reheld 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 g
sorry mess of it, for in the end he was
a great loser. Already the land was
doomed ". 100 and so today the mar
who chooses the world in preference
to Christ makes bad bargain q Johr
2:17 and the greater condemnation 1!
his for he makes his choice in the bla2
ing light of nearly twenty centuries o
the Gospel. Lot made willing com
promise, a superficial choice and came
near losing his own soul, Matt, 1926
6:33 He deliberately entered int
danger when he pitched his tent to
wards Sodom." The believers peril Il
worldlness. Lots journey ". ~ lee
at last to Sodom V. ~.
Abram aspired to know God 10
had an ambition to possess the thing
of time and sense. Abram covetet
righteousness Matt 81. Lot soveteC
success in this life only. Well hal
Goethe exclaimed, Choose well; you
choice is brief and yet it is endless.
Eternity alone will reveal the results
of our choice of surroundings, upoi
ourselves, upon our families and upoI
our friends.
w. "Llft Up Thine Eyes," Wv. 14-1S
After separation comes fellowship ant
fruitfulness. God invited Abram u
arise and to inspect his promised pos
sessions. So may we contemplate tn
vast possessions God has promiset
us in Christ Jesus. Rom. SIT, 2 Cor
AIS. After our separation and gu
fellowship comes true fruitfulness ant
prosperity, Tim. AIS. Abram wen
TO Hebron (which means fellowship