T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S ing “ Jehovah’s messenger” , is probably the official title of the unknown author as the word is not found elsewhere in the Scriptures as a proper name. He filled a position in the reformation under Nehemiah similar to that of Isaiah un der Hezekiah and of Jeremiah under Josiah. He was a prophet in one of the most important periods in the history of Israel. The captivity had weaned the people from idolatry and shattered their hopes of world power. The religious prominence of the Jewish system had been restored, but Judah was still under Persian rule, paying heavy tribute, and her m,en were being drafted for recruits in the Persian army. The temple had been completed and the ritual was in observance', but the people were mer cenary and employed unworthy mean's (8) And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course. (9) A ccording to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the tem ple o f the Lord. (10) And the whole multitude of the people were pray ing w ithout at the time o f incense. (11) And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the righ t side of the altar of in cense. (12) And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. (13) But the angel said unto him, Pear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy w ife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. (14) And thou shalt have jo y and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. (15) F or he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled w ith the H oly Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. (16) And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. (17) And he Outline: (1) The Aged Priest, vs. 5-10. (2) The Angelic Presence, and As-
953
to increase their wealth. They were slack in their sacrifices. The religious life was low, the spiritual vision was dim and the very foundations of moral ity and religion seemed to be giving way. Malachi’s message was timely and remedial. He denounced the sins of priests and people, plead with them in the tenderness of a father’s love and looked out hopefully upon the foreign world, predicting that Jehovah’s name would be great among the Gentiles. There is a striking contrast between the close of the Old and the New Testa ments. The Old ends with the awful threat of a Divine malediction on the earth. The New ends with the gracious benediction, “ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” shall go before him in the spirit and power o f Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the w isdom of the ju st; to make ready a people pre pared for the Lord. (18) And Zach arias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my w ife well stricken in years. (19) And the angel answer in g said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. (20) And behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not be able to speak, until the day that these things shall be per formed, because thou believest. not m y words which shall be fulfilled in their season. (21) And the people waited for Zacharias, and they mar velled that he tarried so long in the temple. (22) And when he came out, he could not speak unto them : and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; fo r he beck oned unto them, and remained speechless. tonishing Promise, vs. 11-17. (3) The Announced Pun'.shment, vs. 18-22.
October 1, 1922. THE BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST Golden Text.—He shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. Lu. LESSON TEXT Lu. 1:8-22. (Read Lu. 1:1-80; Isa. 40:3-5; Mai. 4:4-6.)
(See Inside Front Cover)
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter