The Spectator., 1915-12-14
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 19
FALL AND CAPTIVITY OF ISRAEL.

repTONeO nardenetn ms neCK SNdIl Suu- denly be destroyed.-Prov 291
 In the sweep of our six years cycle of study we prefer to consider this les son first and use the Christmas story uuke 2:1-2O) to illustrate the love of God which Israel (the last ten tribes) so basely outraged ere 1t passed into oblivion.
 !. The Stiff-Necked People, w. 6-t3. The fact (v. @ of Israers captivity has always appealed to the interest and the imaginations of men. The cause of the captivity was threefold CD They had sinned" (v. D. It was not a single offense but course of action which was performed (a) openly, walked" (v. 8. For 215 years following Solomon's reign they had been openly idolatrous and trespassed upon Gods grace. (b) Secretly (v. 9). Hosea's reign was the same as that of his IS predecessors. Doubt less he was a 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. 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 "'il (vv. 10, ID. To cover our sins not to prosper (Prov 2S: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" It is passing strange that Israel should so fully violate the ex- press commands of God Lev. 26:1; Deut. 26:21; Ex. 20:3-5. etc). Some claim they did not possess the law, it being of later date, a self%vident. ly foolish proposition, but oven so. how can men of our time violate so many of the plain precepts of the worG 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 (v. 10) and burnt sacrifice" (see Deut. 12;3D which things they did to 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" (v. 12) but they sold themselves to do that which was evil" (v. ID.
 Il. The Sovereign God, w. 14-1e. Gods character and will had been fully set before the nation (Ex. 20: 3-O. Repeated warnings (v. 13) had been given by faithful prophets. also repeated forgivings, yet Israel is
 CD willful. they would not hear" (v. l4). but deliberately followed in their fathers footsteps. (2) Proud and vain tvv 14, 15) and (3) utterly abandoned (v. ID, and hence must receive the judgment of Gods righteous anger (see Ex. 2O), 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).
 m. The Savior of Men, Luke 2:t.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 a more marvellous revelation of his love in the person of his Son whose birthday we are about to observe. Samaria lost it's crown of pride" but we may receive a crown of righteous. ness as the sons of God" (John 1: 12; II Tim. 4:S), but not so unless we obey John l4:23) his word.
 Let us therefore take up the an. gelic praise CD Glory to God in the highest" highest heavens, highest de- gree and quality of praise of him who is infinitely wise and loving
 Nzj On eartn peace Wltn 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.
 tS) Good will toward men," those with whom God is we'll 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 whosoever beieveth need not perish but have everlasting life. p Even as the shepherds found the Savior (v. 16) so may all men who truly seek him (Heb. 1l:6; Luke 19: 10).
 What better can we do on Christ mas Sunday than openly to give God our best gift, our hearts supreme love and devotion in return for his greatest gift to men?