Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1924-04-24
Lesson for April 27
AMOS AND HOSEA PLEADING FOR
RIGHTEOUSNESS
Temperance Lesson.)

LESSON TExT--Amos s:1-e; Hosea
s:1-6.
GOLDEN TExT-"FIate the evil, and
love the good."-Amos 5:15
PRIMARY ToPIC-How Daniel Be-
came Strong.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Amos Denounces
Drunken Revelers.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-The Sins Denounced by Amos and
Hosea.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
TC-Sins That Destroyed Israel
The kingdom of Israel reached
high state OF prosperity in the time
of Jeroboam II, and with 1t came
condition of luxury, corruption and
wickedness Our lesson Is a temper
ance lesson and applies TO other things
as well as indulgence In intoxicating
liquor. Our age and nation are intox-
icated with pleasure, pursuit of gain
and selfish ambition.
l. The Sins Which Ruined Israel
(Amos 6:1-6).
l. Reckless Security (vv. 13). They
were blind to the evils that surround
ed them. They were living In FOOLS
paradise, closing their eyes TO the APP
preaching storm of Judgment as pre-
dicted by Amos. They trusted In the
mountains of Samaria for their pro-
lection. They regarded their city as
impregnable. They no doubt regarded
the utterances of Amos as the dreams
of a fanatic. The chief ones of
the nation were so pulled up with
pride that they failed to read the
signs of the times in the light of his
tory ". y. To disregard the lessons
of history by dismissing the thought of
impending judgment Is to bring near
the seat Of violence" ". 81.
2. Luxury wv. 4-6). Periods Of
prosperity are always characterized by
corruption and luxury. The luxury of
Samaria expressed itself in
(1) Extravagant Furniture w. d.
They had beds Of ivory, perhaps wood
inlaid with ivory.
(2) Laziness ". ~. They stretched
themselves upon their couches-living
lives of Incidence.
(3) Feasted on delicacies ". A.. The
implication here is that they had their
dainties out of season. This is what
many pride themselves in. They buy
what they desire regardless of what 1t
costs. In many instances men and
women are living in gluttony while
others are destitute.
az Adorned their feasts with music
w. 81. They sang idle songs, even
invented musical instruments for this
purpose. They prostituted the noble
art of music to their sensual feasts.
How like the times In which we live.
90 They drank wine w. 81. They
were not content with ordinary drink
ing vessels. They drank from bowls,
indicating excessive drinking. They
were so mastered by the Intoxicating
cup that their feasts, which were
adorned with the refinements of music,
ended in drunkenness.
3. Failure to Grieve for Joseph
". e.. Joseph here stands for
Ephraim and Manasseh, his two sons
Ephraim became the principal tribe of
the northern kingdom, so Joseph is
used as synonym for the nation.
Many are indulging in Infamous lux
ury, entirely Indifferent to the groan-
ings of others. There is need of a
modern Amos to thunder Gods judg-
ment upon all those who are living In
luxury and who are at ease in Zion
the inevitable issue of such living, the
prophet assures them, would be that
they should go into captivity ". y
and their proud city be delivered up
to their enemies ". 81.
II. The Remedy Proposed (Hosea
e:1-6).
/. Turn Back to God ". u. The
only way for SHINING individuals and
nations to escape the Judgment of God
is with heartbreaking sorrow to re-
pent and return to God. Hosea as
sures them that though God had torn
bind up If they repent.
g. Believe in His Power to Restore
". y. This power even extends to
national resurrection for Israel.
8. Obedience ". 81. Ii is through
the obedient walk and communication |!
with the Lord that they were to know |
His forgiving mercy.
A, The Issue wv. 3-6). Such peni- |
tence would make restoration abso- |
lutely certain. Grace is even more GER
tain than the laws of nature. Just as
showers result in fruitfulness in ma
ture, conformity with the righteous
commands Of the Lord will result In
blessings from Him, for His Supreme
desire is not for man to bring offer
ings Of sacrifice but to walk in the |
knowledge of God.