Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1915-12-25
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 10
FALL AND CAPTIVITY OF ISRAEL.

L
reproved hardeneth his neck shall sud
denly be destroyed--Prov- 29:L
In the sweep of our six years cycle
of study we prefer to consider this les
son first and use the Christmas story
(Luke 2:1-20) to illustrate the love of
God which Israel (the last ten tribes)
SO basely outraged ere it passed into
oblivion
l. The Stiff-Necked People, w. 6-13.
The fact ". g. of Israers captivity
has always appealed to the interest
and the imaginations of men. The
cause of the captivity was threefold
a. They had sinned' ". -. It
was not a single offense but a course
of action which was performed ta)
openly, walked " 81. For us years
following So1omon's- reign they had
been openly idolatrous and trespassed
upon Gods grace. OBJ Secretly (v.
81, Hosea's reign was the same as
that of his Is predecessors. Doubt
less he was a good diplomat and poll
tician, though his vacil1ation 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. 5:13),
Many today do in secret things that
were (are) not right" A clearer line
of demarcation between the church
and the world is sadly needed, (2)
They were consecrated to evil (vv.
10, ID. To cover our sins is not to
prosper prov. 28:13), but if we con-
fess our sins Gods Son will cover
them by the forgiveness of his atone
ment Cps 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" 1t 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 se1f-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 suficien an
swer to the destructive critics. Israel
sets up idols " 100 and burnt
sacrifice" (see Deut. 12:31) which
things they did ito provoke the Lord
to anger" 90 They abandoned them
selves to evil. AS though to remove
alone served idols" ". 12) but they
sold themselves to do that which was
eviI'' (v. I'D.
III. The Sovereign God, wv. 141S
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
f1I1
14), but deliberately followed in their
fathers footsteps. ca Proud and vain
wv. IA, 15) and CD utterly abandoned
~ I'D, 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
III 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-2o.
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
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 /:
Il; III Tim. 4:S). but not so unless
we obey John 1929 his word.
Let US therefore take up the an
gelic praise ID GLORY to God in the
highest" highest heavens, highest de-
gree and quality of praise of him who
is infinitely wise and loving
CD 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
due to victory over sin which is the
destroyer of peace
go Good will toward men, those
with whom God is well pleased, and
God has good will only toward all
men
He loved sinful Israel and he loves
us SO that he gave his only begotten
Son that whatsoever believeth need
not perish but have everlasting Iffe''
Even as the shepherds found" the