Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-12-22
LESSON FOR DECEMBER "a
UNTO US A SON is GIVEN.
LESSON TExr-Isaiah s:1-7.

counsellor, the mighty Goa, the EVerlaSt- |
ing Father, the Prince of Peace.-Isa. 9:e. |
The ChMstmas lesson naturally and |
logically follows the three lessons we |
have just had from the book of the
Revelation where Jesus in his glory
had been portrayed, and the ultimate
success of his work is foreseen in the
new heaven and the new earth. Isaiah
saw tn, visian of his first coming. John
saw the vision of his second coming,
when what he began the first. time
shall ultimately be accomplished. The
prophecy here spoken was uttered dur
ing the reign of Ahaz, B. G. 738 to
723. The king of Assyria was attack
ing Syria. The tribes of northern Is
rael were carried away as captives.
Judah was in danger of invasion. (See
II Kings Is :29.) Isaiah was preach
ing in his home city, Jerusalem. His
vision of the Messiah Savior was not
more than 800 years before John saw
the vision of the glorified Jesus.
|. Darkness Versus Light wv. 1-5).
We need to go back into the eighth
chapter to get the full historical situa-
ton of this part of the lesson. Ahaz,
trembling in Jerusalem, had with him
the Prophet Isaiah, the wisest and
greatest man in his kingdom, yet Ahaz
listened not to his words of warning
and rebuke. He doggedly pursued his
own course and sought help in every
other quarter than the right one. This
explains Isaiahs words, 'The people
that walked in darkness" Primarily
he may have referred to those of the
lands of Zebulon and Naphtalia the
Galilee of the nations (John l :46 ;
7:52) and the light which shone in
them, which was the light of the world,
Jesus of Nazareth (John S:12). But
there is larger application in this
verse to the whole world which lay
in darkness until Jesus came and the
whole world has seen or shall see the
| great light duke 1 :7S-79). With the
coming of light comes the increase Of
| joy ". 3 r. W. In Israel there is to
be, through Christ, wonderful in
crease Elsa. 40 :20-22; Zech. 0:8). In
Christ there is to be great joy, the joy
of harvest and of victory. The re-
ligion of Jesus Christ is pre-eminently
the religion of joy (Acts S:8; Phil.
4:4; Peter 1 :S) but the Child that
was to be born was to be Deliverer
too, for the ''yoke of burden" was tax
of $1,S00O00 that had recently been
levied by the king of Assyria. 1t was
] AI-9a e.. Te.,.- Il
Then, even as now, we have the moral
darkness. (Read Rom. / :20-32.) But
the prophet saw the joy of deliverance
Jerusalem had been left in peace
Hezelxiah succeeded his father, Ahaz
and enteIed upon religious revival in
the kingdom. The people who had
walked in darkness had seen new
light. The prophet saw the dawning
rays through the midst of this dark
ness of ignorance being removed. Ht
also saw the coming of the Light Of
Men 700 years later, and the multi
plication of the nations, the increaSt
of their joy. When Jesus comes agaiI
he will deliver Israel from her presen
cppressors that have ground her dow
these many centuries, and will then eX
sit Israel above the nations Czech. II
1-21; 9:12-17; S:2O-23). But Jesus i
delivering men today, removing ever,
sort of yoke of burden, and breaking
the rod of -oppressors (John s :36
Math. IL :2S). He also is bringin
peace to men, and with the consun
nation of his work, wars will cease
Shall we not all pray for the speed
: consummation of that day? Even 81
come Lord Jesus"
II. Unto Us Son Is Born (vv. 81
" The greatest joy for Israel in Isaiah
: time was in this vision of the Messiah
the promised Savior. Isaiah is lool
ing ahead seven centuries. We ar
looking back nineteen. He was to b
= king over his people. Name and It'll
/, is here given. ~ Wonderful" b,
| cause of his nature, being both hi
| man and divine. The word made fles
| and dwelt among US. (2) Counselor
one who has the wisdom to guide hin
1 self and others. No one guided by hi
| has ever failed of true success. G
"The Mighty God" He was truly &c
so that we can trust him to the ute
most. He can alse save to the ute
most (4) Everlasting Father" e.
pressing his divine loving kindness ar
| Standardization with the Father. {.
| He is also prince of Peace" the OF
| who rules so that peace and prospe
| ity abide in his kingdom. He brin;
| peace between man and God, and b
tween man and man. He is the pea
| of the soul as well as bringiI
| peace to the soul. The completene
| of this picture which Isaiah saw
| the one which st. John saw, of viii,
we have been recently studying. The
1 two verses are marvellous ones, n
| only because of the clear prediction
4 Jesus of Nazareth, made more tn;
seven centuries before his first adveI
but marvellous also for the fullne
and richness of the revelation they &C
tain concerning the person, charact
and work of Christ. This King is
| be the king of growing kingdom.
| the increase of his government the
| Is to be no end. He is also to be
1 KING upon Ine IUTOu6 OI OdNlu. J6S
was David's descendant and lineal he
and his kingdom is the development
that kingdom.
He is to order it, govern it, mana
it, rule 1t, control it with justice,
tablish it and make it firm and {
during.
All manner of rights between class
and individuals will be settled WI
justice and righteousness withC
which no kingdom can be success
and endure.
Our Lords earth life began at Be
~ 1ehem, but he was from ALI etern
ed John s 1858; John 1:1-2).
he AS a man is not at peace with G
e cannot be at peace with himself
a his fellows; but eas Jesus resto
nd peace between man and God, he a
ga restores peace to the heart of the
va dividual (Phil. 4:O.
C,,nIou cohoO1 Ofioarc aDd nj,