Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1926-05-13
Sil1nldaySchoel
' Lesson '
CBy REV p b. FITzwATER. ID. Dean
Of the Evening School, Moody Bible In
stitute Of Chicago.)
tc, 1926. Western Newspaper Union.)
Lesson for May IS
ABRAHAM AND THE STRANGERS
LESSON TExT-Genesis 1919

LESSON TEXT-Genesis 1919
GOLDEN TEXT-All nations of the
earth shah be blessed indeed-Gen
1918.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Abraham is Kind
TO Strangers
JUNIOR ToPIC-Abraham Welcomes
Three Strangers.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Abraham' Hospitality.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Why God Chose Abraham.
|. The Lord Appeared to Abraham
wv. 1-S).
While Abraham sat in his tent door,
he lifted up his eyes and 10, three
men stood by him. His reception of
these three men is a beautiful picture
of oriental hospitality. These beings,
while called men are also called angels
(see l9:D. When the men arose to de.
part. Abraham according to custom,
accompanied his guests some distance
on The way. One OF the men was the
angel Of Jehovah or Jehovah mani
fest in human form. The Jehovah
angel remained behind to commune
with Abraham. This is clear from the
fact that three started out-one talked
with Abraham and only two entered
Sodom (see 1922 and 19:D.
II. Gods Promise to Abraham Re-
affirmed wv 9-15).
The Lord communed with him about
his personal interests, showing how
Sarah should have son in her old
age, according to the covenant prom
Use. This conversation being over
heard by Sarah from her place in the
tent only provoked laughter on her
part. Although she thus expressed
unbeief, it doubtless was great com
fort to Abraham who had been await
ing the fulfllment of the promise for
years rs anything too hard for the
Lord?' is a striking rebuke to Sarah's
unbelief, and shows that the Lord
is able to discern even our Utmost
thoughts.
III. The Doom of Sodom and Co
morrah Revealed to Abraham wv. 10
Ply.
The Lord now communed with Abra-
ham about Seldom and Gomorrah.
Though Abraham had no personal in
terest in Sod0m, the Lord revealed
unto him His secret purpose concern
ing it. He did not hunt UP Lot to
make known unto him his purpose
concerning Sodom. lie never goes to
the persons who are entangled with
the things of the world The only way
to know Gods thought touching the
age in which we live is to remain
separate from il. "The secret of tie
Lord is With them that fear Him"
CPS 20 ;1j), The reason for this dis
closure may be stated as follows:
/. Because he was his friend Gas.
5 %; John 15:15). Friends confde in
each other The master reveals his
purposes to his friends, not to his
servants.
.. Because he was to be the head
of a great nation e.. 1S).
AS such he was to be the medium
Of blessings to them. The interests o.
humanity We're at stake in the deStruc-
ton of Sodom. 1t was good that Abra
ham should know that he might be
able to instruct coming generations.
g. Because of the responsibility OF
instructing his own family Alright ".
19) God is always careful that His
judgments have a rational explana-
ton, serving to deter others from the
same sin The Lord declared that His
purpose was to go down and see
whether the Sodomites had done ac
cording to the cry which had come up
from it (v. 2D.
~. Abraham's Intercession for Sod
ON and Gomorrah wv. 22-23).
The two men departed for Sodom
leaving Abraham alone in the presence
Of the Lord. He stood there as an in
tercessor. In this unsellish act Abra-
ham represents our High Priest (Heb.
I :23-2S; Rom. s IA | John , ID. Jesus
possesses the divine right to stand he
fore the Father. Abraham made his
plea ON the ground of justice to the
-ighteous who might be in the city.
Because of the infinite sacrifice which
Christ made BY His blood for our sins.
He can plead our cause before God on
The ground of strict justice He ven
lured his plea six times, each time
diminishing the number. We should
learn from this that petitions granted
give ENCOURAGEMENT 10 ask for others.
Abraham, power rs an intercessor was
limited lie was afraid Of oyerdraw-
ing his account With the Lord This
is not the case With our High Priest.
His credit and influence with the
Father are infinite He is able to save
unto the uttermoSt those who come
unto God by Him, seeing He ever
Iiveth 10 make interces>on for them
Ciieb 100.