The Dermott news., 1915-12-16
INTERNATIONAL. SUNDAYSC1O0L
 LESSON
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 19
FALL AND CAPTIVITY OF ISRAEL
LESSON TExT-u Kings 17.7 u u

denly be destroyed.-Prov 29I
 In the sweep of our six years cycle of study we prefer to consider this les son first and use the Christmas story tEuke 2:l-20) to illustrate the love of God which Israel (the last ten tribcs) so basely outraged gre 1t passed into oblivion.
 l. The Stif-Necked People, w. 6-f3. The fact ". e Of lsraels captivity has always appealed to the interest and the imaginations of men. The cause of the captivity was threetold fD They had snned" ". 0 It ~as not q single offense but course of action which was performed ta) openly. walked" (v. s. For 2i5 years following Solomon reign thcy had been openly idolatrous and trespassed upon Gods grace. (bl Secretly ". 9. Hosea s reign was the same as that of his lS predecessors Doubt less he was a good diplomat and poll. tieian. though his yacillation between Egypt and Assyria brought ruin, but ia God 8 sight the secret acts and practices of the people were open and known tPs. 139 l-l2. Heb 5sl5). Many today do in secret things that wero tarel not right" A clearer limo of dcmarcation between the church and the world is sadly needed. t2) They were consecratod to evil tyv. 10. III. To cover our sins is not to prosper tProy. 2S.12). but if We con- fess our sins Gods Son will cover them by the forgiveness of his atone ment ePs. 8 1-5. John ls91 Israel cared not, however. for his forgive ness, despite the fact t 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 tBev. 26.i: heut. % 2l Ex. 20:35. etcl. Some claim they did not possess the law. it being of later date. a seltAvident- ly foolish proposition. but even so. how can men of our time violate so many of the plain precepts of tho worG of God Does this prove that the Bible does not exist? The an- swer to this query is q sufficient an- swer to the destructive critics. Israel sets up idols ~. 1ol and burnt saeri.iee' tsee neut i2.3i which things they did to provoke the Lord To anger t3@ They abandoned them selves to evil As though to remove all possibility of reformation they not alone served idols" ". I.l but they sold themselves 10 do that which was oytI' ". IT.
 II. The Sovereign God w. HIS Ged's character and will had been fully set before the nation fEx 20: S-61 Repeated warnings tvI$l had been given by faithful prophets. also repeated forgivings. yet Israel is Cn willful they would not hear ty. lH. but deliberately followed in their fathers footsteps. t2) Proud and valn tyy. II, l5) and t3D utterly abandoned ". l1. and hence must receive the judgment of Gods righteous anger tsee EN. 20). or else God Is not right eous. He repeatedly sought to turn them aside. but they slew his faithful prophets Matt 2l 33-39l God is calling in mercy with long suffering in this present evil age. uuheuet m God and his word is still prevalent. skeptieism and loose morals every where abound and shall God go on and call forever? (Prov. 29:l: Pet. 3.9.l0D.
 III. The Savior Of Men. Luke 2:t.2o. Gods love for Israel was manifest Cmade plainl 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 arc 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 I: 12 II Tim 4:Sl. but not SO unless we obey tJohn l4,23) his word
 Let us therefore take up the an- gelc praise tl Glory to God m the highest highest heavens highest de- gree and quality of praise of him who is infinitely wise and loving.
 t2) "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.
 t3) 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 whosoeyer beheveth need not perish but have everlasting life Even as the shepherds found the Savior (v. 16l so may all men who truly seek him Heb. 11;6; Luke l9: 1O).
 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?
 rarpau1har that iypora