The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-12-25
LESSON FOR DECEMBER Il
JEHOvAH'S GRACIOUS PROMISES
TO ISRAEL (REvIEW).
.ESSON TEyT-Hosea IA

The burden of punishment descend.
ed 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 900 B. c., to the fall and cap
tivity of Israel (the northern king
DOM B. c. 722 (Beecher), a period OF
$50 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, Uzziah 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 report of his
chief characteristics. Material for
such a 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-
propriate Scripture verses that will
serve to emphasize or to illustrate
the chief fact of each lesson.
Lesson !. 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. Uet each Scripture ref
erence be read in full.)
Lesson u. The veteran champion
Elijah is about to 60 home and his
more youthful follower. Elisha, has
one chief desire (see II Kings 2:9l,
which persistently followed is abund-
antly rewarded. The lesson for us is
found in the masters prayer, John
14:16.
Lesson 10. The stricken 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 ~. 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. $3.50. 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
I'll Kings 11:1O. Through the mer.
its of our high priest there has been
made a better, even an everlasting
covenant (Heb. 1920, 2D.
Lesson vi. Again refers to the good
king. Joash. The neglected temple is
restored and refurnished through the
liberality of the people. This temple
IL a type Of our bodies, which are
spiritual temples (Eph. 2:22). and the
lesson for us is not only the care OF
the body, but Of liberality 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 applica-
ton. Daniel, the clean youth, staked
his life and position upon obeying the
word of God dan. 1:8). The lesson
for US is the exhortation Of the apos'
tie Paul (Eph. 5:13-17, see also / Pet.
$50.
Lesson vii is the foreign mission
airy lesson. Jonah's life story is not
fiattering one, yet when he faithful
ly proclaimed Gods word it wrought
, q marvellous transformation in great
! and wicked Nineveh. (Read carefully
Matt. 1910 and lisa. 55:10. III. We
are 10 uefdiu, Wltuco5 " tho ~ VA
and leave the results with God.
Lesson TX presents Amos. the stur
dy prophet of civic and moral right
eousness, the great messenger OF the
Brightness" Of things tAmos SID
The gist of this lesson for us will b
found in the words of Jesus Matt
6:33), which message we must deliver
l to all men in the home land even al
It was important for Jonah to 60 to
foreign land.
One of the chief criticisms and diff
ficulties of foreign mission work II
J, that so-called Christian lands fall 81
D far short of the teachings Of Jesus.
t Lesson x. Uzziah is that king whit
) could not Withstand prosperity ant
l who, in the development OF his pride
: I'll Chroa. 1855, 16). assumed to dis
obey the word of God and brough
upon himself q sad punishment.
Gods warnings are many: one To-
Q ms lie found in Jamea as.
0 Lesson xi. Enter Hosea. Let tn
{ entire school state the message OF TIT
prophet to the people of Israel. Il vii
heal their backsliding. l will low
them freely" Hosea 14:D. Then lie
all recite the little gospel" tJohl
3:16) For God so loved the worl'
, that he gave his only begotten Sol