Evening star., 1932-04-30
Sunday School Lesson
BY
Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

ment a regret that circumstances had
reached the point that 1t was neces-
sary for them to separate. There was
nothing personal, but the King recog-
nized the attitude of his people.
Redigging Wells.
Isaac left the community that had
been the source of vast increase of his
wealth and possessions. He pitched NhiS
tent in the Valley of Gerar. He opened
up the wells in that section which his
father, Abraham, had dug and which
the Philistines had filled upon his
fathers death. He called the reopened
wells by the names that his father had
given to them. The Philistine herds
men observed what he had done and
claimed the spring water that came
from an underground stream as their
own. This caused contention, so Isaac
named it strife" and moved on further
into the valley. He opened another
well and found that this was also
claimed, although from every point of
Naming it "enmity," he moved on and
dug another well without insisting upon
his rights, which is the basis of many
lawsuit and war.
Finally Isaac succeeded in digging
a well which the PhiIistine herdsmen
did not claim to be their property
This he called Rehoboth, which means
room. Having reached a point where
evidently he would be free from any
controversy with the PhiliStines. Isaac
moved to Beersheba. in the southern
border of the country. Abimelech evi-
IDENTIFY appreciated the peaceful atti-
tude Of Isaac. for he visited him in
Beersheba. This was the favorite home
of Abraham. whose example was a
guide and inspiration for Isaac.
Divine Revelation.
That night Isaac reached his new
home he was surprised to receive a call
from jehovah, who revealed Himself
unto Isaac as the God of his father
He assured Isaac not to fear the nearby
Philistines, for there was no danger Of
their ever molesting Isaac, because He
was with him. The presence of the
unseen God who had been with his
father brought confidence, courage and
conviction to Isaac that Jehovah ap
proved the methods of peace he had
adopted.
Isaac showed his appreciation Of the
divine revelation by building an altar
to Jehovah and there worShiping him.
He also had his servants reopen the
famous well that Abraham had dug
there. 1t was in this place where Isaac
pitched his tents and took up his resi-
dence, free from any danger of con-
troversy with the Philistines or any
other power, because he had faith
enough to leave in Jehovahs care the
protection of his possessions and prop
erty. In the career of Isaac ore can
see the triumph of the principles Of
peace.
Facing at the moment possible perils,
We need as individuals to determine
that we will sustain every effort made
for the advancement of peace and good
Will among men. The experience of
Canada and the United States proves
conclusively that nations can exist, de-
velop and enlarge their possessions
without any army or force upon the
borders to protect the national defenses.
Differences have arisen, but they have
been settled by conference and spirit
OF cooperation. Speaking before an
aSsemblage of Odd Fellows when the
grand sire was a citizen of Canada. the
late President Harding delivered one of
his brilliant extemporaneous addresses
that all who heard him regretted had
not been taken down by a stenographcr.
The late President pleaded for the de-
velopment of a spirit of brotherhood
among nations He cited the large
place that fraternities could play in
bringing in that era Of peace and good
will among men and nations. This is
Americas mission among the nations
OF the world. Let us carry the spirit
of Isaac into our daily life with one
another and in our national contacts
with other countries.