Middletown transcript., 1915-12-25
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 2s
JEHoVAH's GRACIOUS PROMISES
TO ISRAEL (REVIEW).
LESSON TExT-Hosea "a

cd upon Israel, not because of the
vindictive character of Jehovah, but
because of the persistent pursuit OF
sin on the part of the nation.
The lessons of the past quarter ex-
tend from the latter days of Elijah;
about 906 B. c., to the fall and cap
tivity of Israel (the northern king
dom) B. G. 722 (Beecher), a period of
1SO years. Some contend that the les
son for November IA, Daniel at the
Kings Court. is chronologically the
last and ought to have been put at
the end of the series. During the past
quarter we have studied about six
kings, Ahab, Joash, Nebuchadnezzar,
the king of NineVeh, Czziah and Ho-
shea; also six prophets, Elijah, Eli
sha, Daniel, Jonah, Amos and Hosea;
and one soldier, Naaman.
A good method of review would be
to have assigned to different scholars
or classes each Of the foregoing per-
sonages and to give a report of his
chief characteristics. Material for
such review is easily accessible. An
other method of review would be to
take up the lessons serially and in
connection with each read some ap-
Sropriate Scripture verses that will
serve to emphasize or to illustrate
the chief fact of each lesson.
Lesson I. The weak King Ahaz
(strong in his perversity) is easily
persuaded to do evil in order to graft
fy his covetousness. Elijah at Gods
command goes to meet Ahab who
cries out, Hast thou found me, O
my enemy?" In reply Elijah delivers
Gods word; that word to us is found
in Elk. 20:17 (Let each Scripture ref
erence be read in full)
Lesson u. The veteran champion
Elijah is about to go home and his
more youthful follower, Elisha, has
one chief desire (see II Kings 2:9),
which persistently followed is abund-
antly rewarded. The lesson for us is
found in the masters prayer. John
14:16. -
Lesson III. The scken soldier.
Naaman. at a child's suggestion, ap-
peals to Gods prophet, Elisha, for
healing. He is directed how he may
be cured and after some hesitation
returns home cleansed. The lesson
for us is that of being faithful amid
life's experiences and of doing and
living for others (see also Romans
1920. 21.)
Lesson w. The servant of Elisha
is very much excited. King and camp
are in despair, yet the prophet is not
disturbed. Why? Let us read II
Kings GIT. Remember that Jesus,
the master of men, refused to avail
himself of like angelic assistance in
his great battle concerning sin (See
Matt. 26:53). Christianity is a religion
Of love, not of force.
Lesson v. The faithful priest pre-
serves the rightful king, Joash, and
makes a covenant between him and
the Lord. viz, that prince. priest and
people should be the Lords people"
III Kings 11:17), Through the her-
It's of our high priest there has been
made a better, even an everlasting
covenant (Heb. 1920, 21).
Lesson VI. Again refers to the good
king, Joash. The neglected templs is
restored and refurnished through the
liberality Of the people. This temple
is a type of our bodies, which are
spiritual temples (Eph. 2:22), and the
lesson for us is not only the cara of
the body, but of nberality towards the
work and worship of Gods house.
Lesson VII. This is the lesson
which is chronologically out Of order,
but is used for its temperance appiica-
tion. Daniel, the clean youth, staked
his life and position upCn obeying the
word. Of God (Dans 1881. The lesson
for us is the exhortation of the apos-
6:S).
Lesson viii Is the foreign mission
ary lesson. Jonah'g life story is not
a flattering one, yet Nlnn he faithful
ly proclaimed Gods word At wrought
marvellous Transformation in great
and wicked NineVeh. Read carefully
Matt. 1910 and lisa. 5S:1O. III. We
are to herald, witness to the truth
and leave the results with God.
Lesson TX presents Amos, the stur,,
dy prophet of civic and moral right
eousness, the great messenger of tie
"rightness" Of things (Amos 5:1A.
The gist Of this lesson for us willbe
found in the words of Jesus Watt.
6:33), which message we must oliver
to all men in the home hand even as
1t was important for Io1Iih to 60 to a
foreign land.
One Of the chief criticisms and diff
ficulties Of foreign misS5sn work is
that so-called Christian Alds fall DO
far short Of the teachings u Jesus. -
Lesson X. Uzziah is that king Who
could not withstand prosperity and
who, in the development of his pride
II Chron. 26:6. l6), assumed to dis
obey the word lasGod and brought
upon hlmsels'a SO enlistment.
Gas warnings Sre many; one for
ns Is found i'm Soes 4i6.
Lesson xl. Ents Hosea. Let the
entire school state the ihsssage Of the
prophet to the people of Israel. II will
heal their backsliding. | will /
them freely Hosea 14.4). Then
all recite the little gospel (johh>
s:1e) For God so loved the world
that he gSye his only begotten son
that WI EVER believeth ia him
should not perishs but lave eyegiast
life. .
lr. Bpurge0n once sfw weather