Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1915-12-17
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 10
FALL AND CAPTIVITY OF ISRAEL


LESSON TExT-II Kings 17:7. a. Is
C2sD.
| GOLDEN TExT-5e that after being
| reproved hardeneth his neck shall sud-
denly be destroyed.-Prov. 29:1.
In the sweep OF our six years cycle
Of study we prefer to consider this les
son first and use the Christmas story
(Luke 2:1-2o) to illustrate the love OF
God which Israel (the last ten tribes)
80 basely outraged ere it passed into
oblivion.
!. The Stlff-Necked People, w. 6-f3.
Tho fact ". 81 of Israels captivity
has always appealed to the interest
and the imaginations of men. The
cause Of the captivity was threefold
ID They had sinned' ". %. It
was not single offenso but q course
OF action which was performed (a)
openly, walked" ". 81. For ais years
Following Solomon's reign they had
boon openly idolatrous and trespassed
upon Gods grace. (b) Secretly" ".
-. Hosca's reign was the same as
that OF his IS predecessors. Doubt
less he was good diplomat and poll
tician, though his vacillation between
Egypt and Assyria brought ruin, but
in Gods sight the secret acts and
practices Of the people were open
and known Cps. 139:1-12; Heb. SID.
Many today do in secret things that
wero (are) not right" A clearer line
OF demarcation between the church
and the world Is sadly needed, (2)
They were consecrated to evil wv.
10, I'D. To cover our sins is not to
prosper prov. 2s:13), but If we con-
TESS our sins Gods Son will cover
them by the forgiveness of his atone
ment FPS. go: LIS: John 1:9). Israel
cared not. however, for his forgive
ness. despite the fact 1t was he that
brought them up out Of the land of
Egypt" 1t is passing strange that
Israel should so fully violate the ex-
press commands of God Uev. 26:1:
Deut. 1921; Elk. 20:3-5, etc.. Some
claim they did not possess the law,
1t being of 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 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" (3) 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 ". ID.
u. The Sovereign God, w. 141a
Gods character and will had been
fully set before the nation eek. 20:
s-6). Repeated warnings ". 49, had
been given by faithful prophets, also
repeated forgivings. yet Israel is
ID willful, they would not hear" ".
1D, but deliberately followed in their |
fathers footsteps. (2) Proud and vain
wv. 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 IL
calling IN mercy with long suffering
In this present evil age; unbelief in
God ard 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 1920,
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 |
a 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 a crown of righteous
ness as the sons of God" John 1:
IL; II Tim. 4:S). 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.
Poaco Of conscience because Of sins
forgiven, in fact. all blessings, hap
piness and prosperity because of peace
due to victory over sin which II the
destroyer Of peace.
(3) Good win toward men," those
with whom Cod Is well pleased, and
God has good will only toward Al
men.
He loved sinful Israel and he loves
Us 30 that he gave his only begotteu
Son that whosoeyer belieyeth need
not perish but have everlasting life;'
Even as the shepherds found" the
Savior ". 16) 30 may all men who
truly seek him (Heb. 1l:6: Luke Is: