Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-06

OuT leoSOIAS lOI L.lc lcAb SAA ItlOiiLIlo
will furnish us with a survey Of Judah's
history. We will consider the period Of
the nations decline and study the
causes that brcugh. shout the fall Of
the Southern kinggouL Closely identi-
fled with the annals ~ Judah was the
work of the propcets, Their teaching
and leadership, az ass,as messengers. re-
veals the tremerGssys efforts that God
put forth in II. sTdeavors to save the
nation. Our lesson calls for us to con-
slider THE Prophetic Teaching and
Leadership of Judah" It viii be neces-
sary for us to summarize the story of
the Southern kingdom from the days
of Isaiah and Hezekiah up to the resto-
ration Of Balachi. During our study, we
viii consider some Of the more impof-
tant books Of the Old Testament, in
Guiding some Of the greatest In the
tory and the principles that underlie
the life Of all nations and the ones that
will determine the destiny Of every
modern nation.
Isaiah ranks among the greatest, II
not the very greatest Of all the prophets.
Due to his intimate relationship with
the brilliant king UZZiah, he was chosen
to be his biographer. The kings death
deeply moved Isaiah. He had died as a
leper. The nation considered his death
a national punishment. The king was
their representative. His tragic death
revealed to them Gods attitude of mind
toward Judah. It sounded for them
their tocsin. Isiah sought the consola-
ton of religion in his sorrow. He went
to the temple, where God revealed Him
self, surrounded by seraphims, whose
attitude revealed reverence, humility
and service. 1t marked the beginning
of a new era for Isaiah. The vision
taught him that the strength of a ma
ton was not in Uzziah, but in the Lord.
Rank, position and success cannot resist
the power of death or decay, while all
these evidences Of power must pass
away, Jehovah abideth forever.
The Prophet Called.
Every preacher, priest and prophet
whose personality has moved men has
FIRST been mastered by vision OF
Jehovah before they could deliver His
message to men. Isaiah was no excep-
ton. Having seen the Lord, he was
overcome with his own shortcomings.
Loyola, Bunyan, Wesley. Moses, Ezekiel,
jeremiah and Amos were changed men.
They saw the Lord and became new
men, Not until then did they receive
a call to enter the service of their God.
Before men can be used Of the Lord
they must pass through the crucible OF
affiiction, where they learn, as Mazzini
has pointed out, that "sufferings are
the temptations of egotism and arise
from a misconception Of life" In that
hour Isaiah. having seen the Lord,
thought that he was doomed. The
vision was given to fit Isaiah for his
work as q prophet of God. The reve-
lation revealed to Isaiah his Shortcom-
ings and he recognized his sinfulness.
He felt that this would disqualify him
for the Lords work. Whenever one
recognizes that they are disqualified the
Lord enters into that persons life and
fits them for His service just as He did
Isaiah. He cleanSeS the man He had
called by q coal from the altar.
One of the surest signs Of the genu-
ineness of ones conversion Is seen in
ones desire to win others for Christ
and His church. Isaiah had felt the
weight of the nations sins and was
deeply distressed by the, nations OUT
look. No sooner had the prophets lips
been clea1sed and the sin that was
deeper than the lips been removed
than the prophet felt the call for serv-
ice. It came to him first through Gods
showing Isaiah the country's need and
then he responded TO the urge of the
holy spirit by volunteering to do Gods
work.
The Prophets Ministry.
Isaiah was encouraged by the vision
Of the survival of the religious remnant.
When Judah's political power would be
overthrown, righteous element would
be saved from destruction. These were
to be founders of new kingdom. This
enabled Isaiah to see that ultimate
supremacy of righteousness In affairs OF
men and nations. He saw it triumph
not only in Judah but In all interna-
tional life. Isaiah saw with great clear
ness the nations peril. that it faced
from the approaching aggressive west
ern nations of Asia. He saw the de-
structive spiritual influence of entan-
Cling alliances. He held that Judah's
safety depended upon their loyalty to
Jehovah. He recognized that the mo-
ment they turned away from trusting
absolutely in Him their doom was seal
ed. He put forth every possible effort
to prevent the state from making any
alliances with Assyrian powers. He
called for them to trust God and do His
will in all things.
He pointed out to the weak and
foolish King Ahaz the danger Judah
would face in making an alliance with
any power other than Jehovah. Isaiah
saw with keener political insight than
the King that the intervention OF
Assyria In the affairs of Judah would
be more disastrous than the invasion
of the country by Israel in alliance with
Syria would be to the nation. This was
the foundation of his protest (vii.1-9)
and the significance of the sign he gave
in the promise Of the child Emmanuel.
His prophecy was more than political
insight into international affairs, for 1t
was based upon firmly fixed religious
principles and convictions. His conf
dence that God was planning the re-
newal Of Judah by saving q cody few
was fundamental In his thinking and
teaching. It was the foundation OF his
message Of coming victory. This was
the inspiration of his message Of re-
demption for people who had been
ruined by sin.
The Prophets Mission.
When Isaiah responded to Gods call