The Green Forest tribune., 1913-03-07

No teacher of this lesson should omit a study of chapter IS, even though he may not refer to 1t explicit ly in this connection. We have there presented a believers privilege, CD friendship (y. ID (a) with God, (b) with man. (2) Intercession, V. 23; (3) knowledge, V. 25, e. The art the power, the place, the glory, the spirit, of intercession, yes, the bless Ing of intercession is to be coveted by all believers. Abraham's interces- sion prevailed though outwardly it seemed to fail, see 1926. The pre- pared teacher ought also be famil- far with the story of the change Of Abrams name and of Gods dealing with Abroham and Sarah as re- corded in chapters F and IS.
 Lot and Sodom.
 l. The Warning, w. 17-23.-Lot had pitched his tent towards Sodom," ," and now the time for the execution of another judgment upon sin had ar rived. God, however here gives us another illustration of his mercy which always precedes judgment. That mercy was not only to a righteous man, one who had therefore degree of worthiness, but also to an unde- serving member of the same family, see 7:1 and Acts 16:31. First of all, Lot is called upon to separate himself from his neighbors. Lot attempted to convey this warning to his sons-in-law, but 1t was too late, his testimony, his manner of life, his aims, and his am- bitions had corresponded with theirs for such a period of time that the fact of his belonging to the family of the promise was forgotten and he semed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-law." God is calling us from the corruptions and the plaques of Babylon (ReV. 1S:4) and to separate ourselves from Sodom, see the golden text. While God Is long suffering e Peter, 3:9) we must also remem- Der that if men will sin willfully, if they persist in their wickedness, judg- ment is sure to follow, IS, also Peter 3:10, Il. When judgment does come, as 1t did in this case, God knows how to save his own, Peter 2:7-9. The voice of sin cries from our cities today. The voice of poverty, of in- temperance, of injustice, and it reaches before the face of the Lord" (Jas. 54) and unless America needs, unless men repent, God will most eer- tainly punish, Acts 17:30, 31. This punishment of Sodom was not only the development of their own wicked ness, but by direct agency of Gods de- stroying angels. Look up the subject of Judgments.
 Lot, we are told, was a righteous man, 2 Peter 2:7, but he was most sadly connected with the world, and hence lost his testimony (v. 14). The church of today is constantly hinder ed by the incubus of believers of this type God expects the disciple to so separate himself from things that though he may be "in the world, he is not of the world. That man of God who goes into the world to possess the things of the world must expect that his testimony will be of no value to the man of the world.
 Even Lot was loath to leave (vv. 15, 16), and later many of the Isreal- ites were full of regret over the miss ing fesh-pots of Egypt. The angels of God had to fairly drag Lot out of the doomed city. He came near losing his very life as he consistently clung to his property. The greatest weapon and the most efficient one the devil has to use in his warfare for human souls Is procrastination. He finger ed," V. 16. Young men are delaying till they are established in business; children, until they are grown up; men, until their cherished plans are fulfilled, whereas God is constantly calling man to action, Matt. 6.33.
 Gods Patience.
 The long suffering and patience of God are most wonderfully shown in verse 16, and the whole secret of Lots salvation was that the Lord was mer- ciful unto him." Eph. 2:S
 II. The Destruction, w. 23-29-Lot escaped to little city, Zoar, which God in his mercy promised not to de- stroy (v. 2D, and it was not till Lot was clear of Sodom that destruction came. God could not break his word. He had promised Abram, and had Abram pursued his importunities, chapter IS, doubtless even Sodom might not have been so utterly de- stroyed. There was, as has been suggested, probably volcanic erup- tion of gases, petroleum, etc, but there accompanied 1t a supernatural manifestation also, for it "rained down." V. "A. The words looked back" referring to Lots wife, imply more than mere passing glance Her heart was in the city she was leaving, that city so full of pride, of bread, and of ease, Ezek. 16:49 She died as did Pliny at Pompeii, suffocated by the gases, and her body became in- crusted with the salt of the adjacent sea. Remember Lots wife," Jesus exclaimed Luke 7:32. The divided heart and glances charged with pas sionate longing constitute the vacil- ruin, John 1925.
 Life is gift of God, we hold it onh' upon certain conditions; we can choose good or evil. God loves US and wishes all men to be saved prom ises pardon to the penitent and fore tells doom for the impenitent. MT Moody's story of Judge Lot" would be effective in presenting this lesson. Present to the boys the slogan of "clean living; clean speech; clean ath letics." Forget not to show love to strangers, Heb 13:2. Sodom needed