The Green Forest tribune., 1917-08-31
INTERNATIONAL, SUNl6YSQlO0L
 LESSON (By REV P B. E'ITZW AFTER D. D..
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER {
THE SHEPHERD OF CAPTIVE IS-
 RAEL.
LESSON TEXT-Ezekiel s4.

the kingdom of Judah, the national consciousness was largely crushed and the people were without heart for the common affairs of life. Ezekiel, though born in Jerusalem, prophesied in Babylon near the River Kebar. The object of his prophesying was to en- courage the captives by placing before them Gods promise of their return to their own land. His name signifies, God will strengthen" which Is very appropriate to the mission which in the providence of God he was called upon to fill. The visirn of the Good Shepherd was very striking and most fitting to accomplish this.
 |. IsraePs FaithIess Shepherds De- nounced. (vv. 1-10). These false shep- herds included the kings, princes, judges and priests. Ezekiel points out that the captivity was because of sin, but he shows that the greatest guilt obtains with reference to these lead CTS. They were plheed la the position to care for and protect the sheep. The following indictments are brought against them:
 l. They fed themselves instead of the flock (v. ?. They were essential ly selfish. They ministered to them selves instead of the sheep. Too many today are filling public offices for the sake of private gain. Sometimes even ministers are found who are more con- cerned about themselves, their pleas ures and profits, than they are about the souls of the people who support them.
 2. They were cruel (v. 3. They were not only mere hirelings, guilty of looking after themselves, but they act ually behaved like robbers, preying upon the flocks All are guilty of this same sin who use their influence and power to the disadvantage of others. In the theocratic kingdom such behav- for was peculiarly obnoxious, as the rulers and ministers were representa- tives of Jehovah himself. The minis ter and public officer today is acting in his capacity for God, not for him. self, therefore he should make the cause of heaven his chief concern.
 3. They neglected the diseased, wounded, wayward. and lost (vv. 4-6). AS a result of their selfish cruelty the sheep were without food; there fore exposed to disease; had no bond of unity, were exposed to the ravages of wild beasts. Gods f1ockS are in many places thus suffering and dying because they have not been fed. Gods Ifdn Si1nh fUU T-10l
 II. The Faithful Shepherd. (vv. H. 16). The Shepherd here is none other than Jesus Christ. The wonderful blessings here described will be real ized by Israel in millenial times. This blessed condition will be ushered in by the second coming of Christ. How sincerely all should pray, "Thy king dom come." When the true Shepherd comes:
 l. He will seek his lost sheep (v. ID. Though they have gone aStray through wilfulness on their part, and neglect on the part of faithless shepherds, Jesus will seek them out and save them. To save the lost was his pe culiar mission Uuke 19 :10).
 2. He will rescue them from the power of their enemies (v. 12). Gods sheep have real enemies and they have fallen into the enemies hands, but the Faithful Shepherd is able to deliver them. No one is able to pluck them out of his hands" (John :29, 29).
 3. He will bring them back to their own land (v. 13). Poor scattered Is- rael shall one day (may it be soonD be brought back to their own land. This is the one unmistakable sign by which we may know the beginning of the end of this dispensation. Be as sured that 1t is not wars, nor pes tilences that mark the sign of the close of this age, but the movements of Is- rael.
 4. He will feed them (vv. IA, 15). q will feed my flock, and l will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. l will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken and will strengthen that which was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong; will feed them with judgment"
 This means that regathered Israel shall enjoy all that the loving kind ness and wisdom of God has enabled him to provide, even though they are away through their wilfulness and neg lect.
 5. He will seek that which was lost (v. 16). That which has been driven away he will seek and bring it back again.
 6. He will heal them from weak. ness and suffering (v. 16). All the wounds which Israel has received these many centuries shall be healed. For the Shepherd Healer there are no incurable ills, neither any diseases that baffle his skill. The weak and tender shall be cared for by him. While all these blessings are peculiar. ly for Israel, they likewise can be en- ioyed by all those who will receive, his grace now and allow him to restore and heal them.
 III. The Golden Age (vv. 23-27). 1 The vision of the world as it now is is most disheartening. It is midnight darkness. In this blackness we won der why God does not interpose. We wonder how he can be silent. While midnight is upon us we are hopeful 1 for we see the bow of Gods promise of better things flung across the sky. This present order shall disappear be fore the new. In that new order:
 l. Jesus Christ, Davids Son, shall be king (vv. 23, 24). This new era of blessedness can only come into reali.