The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1915-12-16
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 10
FALL AND CAPTIVITY or ISRAEL

(23).
GOLDEN TExT-He that after being
reproved hardeneth his neck shall sud-
denly be destroyed.-Prov. 2s:I.
In the sweep OF our six years cycle
OF study we prefer to consider this les
son first and use the Christmas story
uuke 1920 to illustrate the love Of
God which Israel (the last ten tribes)
20 bascly outraged ere 1t passed into
oblivion.
I. The Stlff-Necked People, w. STA.
The fact ". 81 OF Israers captivity
has always appealed to the interest
and the imaginations of men. The
cause Of the captivity was threefold
(1) They had sinned" (v. y. It
was not single offensc but course
of action which was performed (a)
openly. walked" ". 81. For 215 years
following Solomon's reign they had
been openly idolatrous and trespassed
upon Gods grace. (b) Secretly" ".
81, Hosea's reign was the same as
that of his Is predecessors. Doubt
less he was good diplomat and poll.
tANAekA4p SAOA61A AAO voSAAAdIAOA OCLWCOA
Egypt and Assyria brought ruin, but
in Gods sight the secret acts and
practices OF the people were open
and known Cps. 1879: LIZ; Heb. 5:13).
Many today do in secret things that
werc (arc) not right" "A clearer line
of demarcation between the church
and the world is sadly needed, (2)
They were consecrated to evil wv.
10, III. To cover our sins is not to
prosper (Frov. 1919, but II we con-
fess our sins Gods Son will cover
them by the forgiveness of his atone
ment FPS. 32:1.5; / John 1:9). Israel
cared not, however, for his forgive-
ness. despite the fact it was he that
brought them up out of the land Of
Egypt" It is passing strange that
Israel should SO fully violate the ex-
press commands of God LEV. 26:1;
Deut. 1921; Elk. 20:3-5, etc.. Some
claim they did not possess the law,
it being Of a later date, a self-evident.
ly foolish proposition, but even so,
how can men OF our time violate so
many Of the plain precepts of the
word of God? Does this prove that
the Bible does not exist? The an
swer to this query is a sufficient an
swer to the destructive critics. Israel
sets up idols" ". 10) and burnt
sacrifice (see Deut. 12:31) which
things they did ito provoke the Lord
to anger" az They abandoned them
selves to evil. AS though to remove
all possibility of reformation they not
alone served idols" ". 12) but they
sold themselves to do that which was
evil ". III.
II. The Sovereign God, w. 1418
Gods character and will had been
fully set before the nation eek. 20:
3-6). Repeated warnings ". 49, had
been given by faithful prophets, also
repeated forgivings, yet Israel is
"a wilful, they would not hear" ".
14), but deliberately followed in their
fathers footsteps. (2) Proud and vain
(vv. IA, 15) and (3) utterly abandoned
". III, and hence must receive the
Judgment of Gods righteous anger
(see Elk. 20), or else God is not right
eous. He repeatedly sought to turn
them aside, but they slew his faithful
prophets Matt. 21:33-39). God is
calling in mercy with long suffering
in this present evil age; unbelief in
God and his word is still prevalent;
skepticism and loose morals every.
where abound, and shall God go on
and call forever? prov. 29:1; Pet.
3:9-10).
III. The Savior Of Men, Luke 2:f-20.
Gods love for Israel was manifest
(made plain) through his loving acts
and the messages OF warning pro-
claimed by his prophets. But we have
q more marvellous revelation of his
love in the person Of his Son whose
birthday we are about to observe.
Samaria lost its crown of PRIDE" but
we may receive q crown of righteous
ness as the sons Of God" John 1:
IL: II Tim. 4:8). but not so unless
We obey (John 1929 his word.
Let US therefore take up the an
gelic praise ~ GLORY to God in the
highest" highest heavens. highest de-
gree and quality OF praise Of him who
is infinitely wise and loving.
(2) "On earth peace" with God.
with man, IN the individual heart and
among the nations.
Peace Of conscience because Of sins
forgiven. in fact, all blessings, hap
piness and prosperity because Of peace
du0 to virtory over sin which il the
destroyer Of peace.
(3) Good will toward men," those
With whom God 10 we'll pleased, and
God has good viii only toward 81
mon.
70 Iron ! centerplece.