The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-05-15
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
THE FORBEARANCE OF ISAAC
By HIGHT c. MOORE
By HIGHT c. MOORl

country could but be theirs.
Though he could plead the right
of discovery and the legitimate
fruit of both searching and dig
cling, yet Isaac rather than foster
trouble, gave up the well to the
clamorinS PhilistineS, calling it
ESek which means contention.
The digging Of another well in
the same vicinity was crowned
with no better success. No soon
er had it been completed than a
brood of the enviouS natives de-
manded its use. Again the peace
fulness Of Isaac'S nature was
manifest. Naming the well Sitnah,
signifying enmity, he abandoned
it, moved away, and dug another
well. At last kindness won its vic
tory. The Philistines made no
claim or contention for the well
which Isaac named Rehoboth since
the Lord at last had made room
for him. Thus events terminated
far more happily than if Isaac
had maintained his right by force.
Commendable were his sacrifices
in the interest of peace.
SETTLEMENT AGAIN
AT BEERSHEBA
Genesis &c: 23-25)
Piety was exhibited by Isaac
upon the return to BecrShcba.
How long Isaac remained in the
upper valley of Gerar we do not
know; probably during the season
or until the pastures were tenn
porarily exhausted OF until the
famine had stayed its ravageS at
his old home. Then he returned
to Beershcba. No sooner had he
reached the spot of sacred mem
! ory than he was favored with the
: appearance and the blessings OF
God. The night Of his arrival the
Lord appeared to him as the God
of his father, calming his spirit
and promising him peace and
prosperity. The Philistines had
turned against him hut God was
still his friend and would make of
him a great nation. So the patri-
arch could blot out the troubled
past and look onward toward
the glorious future. In Beersheba,
wilderness countr-' that it was,
he obtained more than the envied
wealth of Gerar and founded a
sanctuary. Infinitel" happier was
Isaac with God anon the unset
tied hills than with contentious
hcrdsmen in the crowded pastures
of the valley 1t is to the credit
of Isaac that nc built the altar
before he pitched his tent and
had his servants dig the well.
| Isaac knew that the success and
happiness of his home depended
more upon the blessing of God
than upon his own unaided eff
forts. And so after the stormy
scenes in the city and valley OF
Gerar he reposes in the blissful
quiet of a happy home.
PRACTICE AND PROMOTE
PEACE
Cd The Industry of Peace.
Isaac sowed in that land He
devoted himself to the arts of
peace. His time and energy were
not wasted in preparing for con-
flict whether militar-' or civil. He
chose Il good occupation. He was
diligent at his task. He located to
the best advantage. He wrought
diligently. Isaac was a model
planter.
(2) The Prosperity of Peace.
Received in the same year nun,
dredfold: and the Lord blessed
him." Such crop Isaac had new
er raised before. The agricultural
records of even rich Philistia con-
tanned few paralleIs to it. Isaac
had won instant and amazing
success. His industry and skill ac-
counted for it in part. But the
main secret of his success was
found in the blessing of Jehovah
upon him. Blessing from God is
blessing indeed. ~
(3) The Peril Of Peace. "The
Philistines envied him" Isaac
trespassed on no neighbor. He at
tended strictly to his own bust
ness. His character and conduct
were above reproach. But his
, nrosneritv brought upon him. an
avalanche of Philistine dislike,
What life is without its peril?
What path is without its pitfall?
(D The Sacrifice of Peace.
"Go from us-and Isaac departed
thence" Sometimes good man
must give way to others of less
ability and character. Philistla
was losing its best citizen. And
he was leaving with white soul
and clean hands. Yet he was leav-
ing, And he made the sacrifice IN
| the interest of peace.
90 The Perseverance Of Peace
Isaac digged again" The ancient
wells had been filled through Phil
istine envy. 1t was enough to
make Israel indignant. Men might
have excused him if his soul had
famed with wrath at the needless
;ndipnitv. But peaceful Isaac sim
NV redug the wells in order to
water his flocks.
" C6J The Patience of Peace
"Esek-Sitnah.' was isaac
wcakIing who retired under every
stroke Trk Of Philistine hate? On the
contrary, his patience revealed
his strength. When trouble rose
over one of his wells ne called ii
contention" and passed on
When he was followed there nc
named NJ the well "Enmity" and fell
back farther. He did not believe
o".N ~ any price hut he was