AFTERNOON LESSONS. which had just been put away in the ark, were objects of highest reverence to the Jews; Paul begins, continues, and concludes with them. Let us see how many times he quotes them: (1) I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after Mine own heart, which shall fulfil all My will, ver. 22; Ps. lxxxix. 20; 1 Sam. xiii. 14. (2) The messenger who went before His face to prepare His way before Him, ver. 24; Mal. iii. 1; Matt. xi. 10. (3) Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee, ver. 33; with Ps. ii. 7. (4) I will give you the sure mercies of David, ver. 34; with Isai. lv. 3. (5) Thou shalt not suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption, ver. 35; Ps. xvi. 10. (6) In ver. 41; from Hab. i. 5. These passages are not all just the same as they are in our Bible, for Paul spoke from memory, and quoted the Greek version of the Old Testament, which varied slightly from the original Hebrew. What did he teach from these passages? With the first, he introduced the hope of a Saviour which the Jews had entertained from Abraham to David. The second he applied to John the Baptist, and by it introduced the history of Jesus Christ. The third is fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus, whilst the fourth indicates the blessings which Jesus the Saviour would give. The fifth declares these blessings secure in the hands of the ever-living Jesus; whilst the last warns 59 his hearers against the unbelief which had too commonly characterised the conduct of his countrymen towards the Gospel. THE RESULTS. - V. 42, 43. The congregation breaks up in excitement; the proselytes are prepared at once for the Gospel; they wish to hear such words again during the week, (see Margin,) or at any rate, on their assembling on the following Sabbath. Several, still more decided, seek out the missionaries at home, and openly enter into fellowship with them. REFLECTIONS.-1. God's providence guides the apparent accidents of our lives. 2. Little things should not hinder us in the way and work of the Lord.-Do not be like Mark. 3. Commit passages of Scripture to memory. They will be of use some time. See how Paul was indebted to memory. 4. The "mercies of David" are sure to us, ver. 38, 39. 5. Beware of rebellious unbelief, ver. 41. QUESTIONS.-What induced the missionaries. to go to Perga? Why thence to Antioch? Where did they resort on the Sabbath-day? How was the worship of the synagogue conducted? How did Paul get the opportunity of preaching? How did he endeavour to conciliate the Jews? What were the principal topics of his discourse? What were the results of it? MAY 24.- -JOY AND PERSECUTION.-Acts xiii. 44-52; xiv. 1-7. INTRODUCTION.-The monotony of continuous historical narrative is broken by our treatment of the present Lesson. The eye of the reader is carried along the high-way which the missionaries first reached at Antioch to the other towns mentioned. Then the classes of the population at Antioch and Iconium are so far similar as to permit of their being grouped together. Lastly, the two missionaries engage our attention as they pass amongst the people and from one town to another. Suggestions for practical lessons are attached to each paragraph. Perga in Pamphylia; thence to Antioch in Pisidia. Now let us look through the Lesson for the new places visited by Paul and Barnabas; verse 51, Iconium; ch. xiv. 6, Lystra, Derbe, Lycaonia. So we have three towns in one district. The name of the latter is Lycaonia; for the most part a dreary plain, almost treeless. Its inhabitants were semi-barbarous, and had a speech of their own, ch. xiv. 11; either a corrupt form of Greek, or the remnant of some ancient Eastern tongue. Iconium was about eighty miles west of Antioch, on the Roman road referred to in our previous Lesson. Lystra was situated about twenty-five miles further along the same road, and Derbe about fifty miles further. There the missionaries would meet with another road coming from Cilicia, past Paul's own city of Tarsus, and they would have to decide whether they should reach the coast by that path, or return by the way which they came. Jesus did good as He went about the cities and villages of Palestine. Paul and Barnabas do good as they go about the towns of Asia Minor. Our geography is small home, school, the houses of friends; let us in our little sphere copy the example of the Apostles and the Master, and do good as we go about. Their THE PEOPLE.-The same classes are represented both at Antioch and Iconium; Jews, proselytes, devout women and Gentiles. The Jews, instead of realising their own position as the appointed channels of the new dispensation, boast their isolation, and resent the growing popularity of the Gospel amongst the Gentiles as a national insult, ch. xiii. 44, 45, 50; xiv. 1-4. The "proselytes were Gentiles who had become converts to the Jewish religion, and had been admitted to the Jewish Church by baptism. sympathies were, however, foreign, and everywhere they formed the nucleus of the Christian community. The women, devout and honourable, were the female members of influential heathen families. Large numbers of this class had become quasi-adherents of Judaism, and were found in connection with the synagogues. Compare ch. xvii. 4, 12. In this case the Jews influenced the ladies, and the ladies influenced their relatives, and the chief men of the city became involved in the expulsion of the Apostles from Antioch, and probably from Iconium, ch. xiv. 5. The Gentiles were the heathen population generally, and at Antioch they appear in a very favourable light. On the second Sabbath they crowded the synagogue with eager interest, ch. xiii. 44; and many of them became professed adherents of Christianity, xiii. 48. Not so at Iconium, ch. xiv. 2. What these unbelieving Jews said, may be inferred from other events recorded in the Acts. They would affirm that the two missionaries proclaimed another king than Cæsar; that they were bringing in customs novel and illegal. Political feeling was aroused; prejudice awakened; parties were formed in the town, ver. 4; the magistrates ultimately took part with the Jews, and the missionaries were expelled. True Christians must expect opposition, and with decision prepare to take no dubious stand for Jesus. Misunderstanding and misrepresentation are still common amongst unbelievers. Youth is the time for preparation for such after experience. The character may be strengthened ere the difficulties begin. THE WORK OF THE APOSTLES.-The same plan was pursued both at Antioch and Iconium. First, the rejection of the Jews, ch. xiii. 45; xiv. 2, 5. What they were to do in such a case, Jesus had Himself told them; and Paul would know what his call and vision meant, ver. 46; ch. ix. 15; xxii. 21. Then followed the formation of a Christian Church, composed of Jews and Gentiles, and the commencement of separate Christian worship; probably in some private dwelling-house. Thence the work extended, by the aid of the new converts, into the villages and hamlets around the "principal station," ch. xiii. 49; xiv. 6. Services for instruction, explanation, and discussion, distinguishable from those for worship, were held in the "meetinghouses" of the Christians. So the work went on. What vigour true religion imparts to the soul! The career of Paul and Barnabas has had, and may have, many a counterpart in smaller and different spheres; weakness made strong, difficulties conquered, a life with an unpromising beginning, crowned with a triumphant end; all through the grace of Christ "strengthening." Religious joy is independent of circumstances: compare ch. xiii. 52, with the circumstances in which the Christians were placed. QUESTIONS.-With what town has the first part of this Lesson to do? What other towns are mentioned? Where were they situated? Who were the proselytes? the "honourable women?" What action did they take at Antioch? How is their influence to be explained? What course did the Apostles pursue when the Jews rejected the Gospel? when they were driven out of Antioch? induced them to remain some time at Iconium? What led to their expulsion thence? The remaining Lesson for May will be inserted next month. J. ROCHE, PRINTER, 25, HOXTON-SQUARE, LONDON. What EXERCISES ON SCRIPTURE LESSONS. MORNING LESSONS. JUNE 7. -FATHER AND SON.-1 Samuel xiv. 33-48. SAUL'S FIRST ALTAR.-V. 33-35. Recall the last Lesson. What sin were the people committing? The object of rolling the great stone to Saul was that the Israelites might kill the animals upon it under the King's immediate supervision. Thus he could assure himself that the blood was properly drained out. Then Saul built the first altar he had dedicated to Jehovah. It was erected partly in expiation of the general sin, partly as a thank-offering for the victory. There seems to be some reproach in the statement, that altar he began to build unto the Lord, (Margin,)—he had been king three years, had received many mercies from God, yet never before had thanked Him publicly and formally. SIN DISCOVERED.-V. 36, 37. Impetuous and self-confident, Saul proposes to attack the Philistines by night. Taking them by surprise, he counted upon destroying them utterly. The priest checks him; had he not better inquire of God? The enterprise, began by Jonathan's faith, evidently owed its success to Jehovah. Saul cannot object; the question is put; but, lo! no answer is returned! If the Lord had either sanctioned or forbidden the King's scheme, he would have known how to act; but now all is uncertainty. Why does God refuse to speak? Guilt must be resting upon the nation. Saul will discover and punish its author, that the Divine displeasure may be averted. FATHER AND SON. V. 38-44. Again Saul speaks rashly; surely he will put to death the sinner, whoever hemay be; he actually names Jonathan; he had no conception that he had violated his father's oath. The people knew, but no one had courage to speak the dreadful truth; all leave the King to find the transgressor as best he may. The lot is cast, first between the nation and the royal pair; then between Saul and Jonathan. The VOL. IX. NEW SERIES.-June, 1874. latter is taken. The explanation follows; the father's hasty words have condemned the son to death. Jonathan makes no remonstrance; his speech expresses natural grief at an early and a violent death on account of so trivial a thing as the tasting a little honey, but he sees, if not the justice, at least the necessity, that his father's oath should be kept. Had Jonathan really committed sin ? Certainly not: he had not heard Saul's injunction, he had not consciously transgressed. The true culprit was the King, whose unwise, rash words had brought about the difficulty. If any one were worthy of death, it was the guilty father, not the innocent son. JONATHAN RESCUED. V. 45, 46. Ought Jonathan to be executed? He had done no wrong: was it not to him, under God, that the success of the day of triumph was due? The people felt that the death of an innocent man, that man one who had wrought with God that very day, could not be in accordance with the Divine will. It would be a crime to slay him. But Saul's oath? Let him bear the consequences of his own rashness. Besides, if the nation forcibly delivered Jonathan, the King would be clear of guilt for not fulfilling his vow. He possessed the will, but lacked the power to do as he had sworn. Doubtless, Saul was not sorry thus to escape from his dilemma. But what a humiliation! He had promised what he could not perform; had nearly spilt his son's blood; had obliged his subjects to save him by disobedience to his commandment, from the results of his own rashness. We may judge how he felt from ver. 46. He did not continue his pursuit of the Philistines, but allowed them to return unmolested to their own country. THE WARS OF SAUL.-V. 47, 48. Saul's victory over the Ammonites secured him general recognition as King of Israel; the rout of the Philis f tines caused his rule to be universally and permanently acknowledged. He waged other wars, always successful. Zobah-was a district of Syria on this side the Euphrates. The war with Amalek forms the subject of our next Lesson. Mark how many evils followed upon Saul's rash vow; they are shown in this and the previous Lesson. Recount them the soldiers grew faint, so that they could not inflict as much damage upon the enemy as they would have inflicted but for their exhaustion; when the evening was come, in their hunger, the people ate their food with the blood still in it, thus breaking the law of God; Jonathan transgressed unconsciously; the Lord did not reply to the priest's inquiry as to a nightattack upon the Philistines, thus Israel's enemy was advantaged; the father was near becoming his son's executioner; the King was humbled before his subjects, who disregarded his authority; the Philistines were permitted to withdraw the remnant of their defeated army into their own territories. Other examples of the ill effects of hasty words will occur to the teacher: e.g., by them Moses was shut out of the Promised Land, compare Ps. cvi. 33; Jephthah's vow; Herod's oath to Herodias. Let us learn to be careful of our words, see Matt. xii. 36, 37; James iii. 2-8. Only the grace of God can enable us to rule our tongues. Will you pray David's prayer about this? Ps. cxli. 3. Read Hymn 251, "Methodist Scholars' Hymn-Book." From Jonathan's exclamation, ver. 43, a lesson may be drawn on the importance of little things. We cannot tell how important the action or event we think most trifling may prove. Our only safety is to do everything, great and little, as in God's sight. JUNE 14.- --THE DESTRUCTION OF THE AMALEKITES.-1 Samuel xv. 1-16. INTRODUCTION. Do you remember who the Amalekites were? They were an Arab tribe, probably descendants of Esau. They dwelt in Idumea. They were the implacable enemies of Israel. In the march through the wilderness they attacked the Israelites, and, at first, inflicted considerable damage, but were defeated by Joshua on the morrow. Then God vowed vengeance against them, Exod. xvii. 14, 16. (See Morning Lesson, August 18th, 1872.) Balaam had foretold their doom, Num. xxiv. 20. Now the long-impending chastisement is about to be inflicted. More than four centuries have passed since the first act of hostility, the spirit manifested then has continued all those years. The Amalekites were the hereditary foes of the Hebrews, annoying the southern tribes by predatory incursions, harassing the shepherds who were compelled to pasture their flocks in their neighbourhood, ever ready to join any nation in an attack upon Israel. Thus the severity of their punishment is justified. By commanding Saul to destroy the Amalekites, two ends were served: the sentence upon them was executed; the character of the King was tested and made known. THE COMMISSION.-V. 1-3. How did Saul's office differ from that of other kings? He was only the deputy Consult pre of Another. Whom? vious Lessons. Samuel was God's messenger to Saul; commands from his mouth were really commands from God. Through him the God-King issues His orders to the human viceroy. These orders are peremptory and explicit. No discretion is left to Saul; he is simply to perform what he is commanded; neither more nor less. He must regard himself as the executioner of Divine judgment. The sentence passed upon Amalek was utter destruction. So Saul must not spare man, woman, or child; ox, sheep, ca.nel, or ass. OBEDIENCE AND DISOBEDIENCE.-V. 4-9. Saul mustered his forces in Telaim. It lay on the eastern border of south Judah. His army consisted of two hundred and ten thousand men, -amply sufficient to overpower all resistance. The situation of the capital city of Amalek has not been ascertained. The statement that Saul laid wait in the valley, indicates an attempt at surprise. The Kenites dwelt among the Amalekites, but their extermination was not included in Saul's task. An ancient friendship existed between Israel and the Kenites; possibly their MORNING LESSONS. residence with Israel's foes had impaired that friendship; still, for its sake they should be afforded opportunity of escape. Ye showed kindness, etc.-Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, and Hobab, Israel's guide through the wilderness, were Kenites, Judges i. 16; Num. x. 29-32. The Kenites profited by the warning. Then Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.-Shur is that portion of the desert of Arabia which lies next to Egypt; Havilah was not far from the modern Yemen, in Arabia Petræa. The slaughter was so great that the historian could write without exaggeration, that Saul utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. Thus far he fulfilled his commission. In two points he disobeyed: he spared Agag,-it flattered his vanity to have a royal captive; he spared the best of the sheep, etc.,-it seemed waste to destroy what would be so useful to himself. Thus he acted upon his own judgment, in direct opposition to the commands of God. ACCUSATION AND EXCUSE.-V. 1016. In the night the Lord speaks to Samuel, It repenteth Me, etc.-Once the King had obeyed the Divine King faithfully, then God supported him; now his rebellion has forfeited the crown. The prophet spent the night in prayer for him, but the sentence 63 was irrevocable. Carmel,-not Mount Carmel, but a town to the south-east of Hebron. Set him up a place,-a trophy of victory, commemorative of his own prowess. An altar expressing gratitude to God would have been more in accordance with the facts. And Samuel came to Saul.-Note Saul's brazen-facedness; his lie; Samuel's unanswerable question; Saul's lame excuse about sacrifice, evidently an after-thought; his silence about Agag; his attempt to shift the blame to the shoulders of the people. Without deigning a reply to this weak pleading, Samuel proceeds to deliver God's message. See next Lesson. REFLECTIONS.-1. Read Eccles. viii. 11. The punishment of the Amalekites, though long delayed, feli upon them at last. "Though the mills of God grind slowly, Yet they grind exceeding small; Though He stand and wait with patience, With exactness grinds He all.' 2. God has given us plain commands which we must obey implicitly.-Mention some. 3. Never try to throw the blame of your own wrong-doing upon others. 4. Remember and requite benefits received, kindness shown. 5. Give God the glory of every good action you perform, every conquest you gain over sin. JUNE 21.-" TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE."-1 Samuel xv. 17-35. For repetition, verse 22. THE REJECTION OF SAUL.-V. 1731. How eagerly and anxiously would the King wait to hear God's message to him! In his conscience he knew he had sinned against God: what penalty would be inflicted upon him? First, Samuel reminds him of his obligations to Jehovah. He had not himself to thank for his kingdom. The Lord had raised him from obscurity to a throne, without any exertion on his part. He was little even in his own sight. (Give instances of Saul's modesty and humility.) Why, then, had he disobeyed Jehovah, his Sovereign and Benefactor? Saul repeats as boldly as ever the answer he had made before, ver. 13-15, Yea, I have, etc.,-and throws the blame The upon the people again, But the people took, etc., and alleges the old excuse, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God.-He says "thy God," as though he would thereby do honour to Samuel. prophet tears his sophistry to pieces, and pronounces the sentence of God. Hath the Lord, etc.-Sacrifices were demanded by God, but they were valuable only as evidence of the feelings of the offerers, see Ps. 1. 8-14; Isai. i. 11-17; lxvi. 3; Jer. vii. 21-23; Micah vi. 6-8; Matt. ix. 13; Mark xii. 33. For rebellion, etc.,-the sin of witchcraft lay in the attempt, whether successful or no, to make a covenant with evil spirits. To rebel against God, was in fact to league with His enemies. |