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lu stration of th e beginnings of evil, no t in proud denunciations of religious ob ligation bu t in its adulteration. Con science soon becomes drugged when com fort and well-being are apparently secured. P rom disobedience to idola try is no far step. But every man-made way of worship, however specious, is of u tte rly opposite influence. Anything akin to Jeroboam ’s ordinance m ust be strenuously resisted by all who would save themselves from sin and shame.— Holden. , v. 29. Set one in Bethel. Compare first a lta r to God (Gen. 1 2 :8 ).— Comp. Bible. v. 30. Became, sin. This innovation was a sin both because it was setting up th e worship of God by symbols and images, and departing from th e place wTiich He had chosen to pu t His name there.— Jam ieson. Who was Jeroboam? Who was Rehoboam ’ W hat king preceded Rehoboam? Where was Rehoboam king? Where did Jeroboam live? Who came w ith Jeroboam to Reho boam? W hat did Jeroboam build? How large an army did Rehoboam mobilize? W hat prophet spoke to Rehoboam? W hat was th e prophet’s message? W hat did Jeroboam say in- his heart? W h at plan did Jeroboam make for Israel? W hat happened to Jeroboam? W hat was Jeroboam ’s request? P ractical Questions Does i t pay to tak e counsel? Where did Rehoboam fail in taking counsel? Is it ever wise for a ru ler to usé op pression? W hat did Jeroboam fear? W hat did Jeroboam make? Who. reproved Jeroboam? LESSON QUESTIONS W. H. P ike P icto rial Questions
heathen w o r s h i p and only murmured a t its cost.— Gray. God serves His own wise and righteous purposes by the imprudences and iniquities of men and snares sinners in the work of th e ir own hands. Those th a t lose th e kingdom of heaven throw it away as Rehoboam did his, by th e ir own w ilfulness and folly.S-Henry. While it was a thing brought about by th e Lord, it was Reho- boam ’s sin none th e less. T h at which, looked a t from th e hum an side, is the sinful resu lt of th e free play of wrong motives, is, when regarded from the divine side, th e determ inate counsel of God. The g reatest crime in the world’s history was a t th e same tim e th e ac complishing of God’s most merciful pur pose. Calvary is th e highest example of th e tru th , which embraces all lesser in stances of th e w rath of man which He makes to praise Him and effect His deep designs.— Maclaren. The accom plishment of God’s purpose by wicked hands does no t excuse th e wickedness of th e hands.-—Haldeman. v. 26. Now shall th e kingdom r e tu rn . Jeroboam feared th a t if his peo ple still went to Jerusalem to keep th e feast, they would be tempted to re tu rn to th e ir allegiance to Rehoboam. He had not sufficient faith in God’s power to bring a b o u t.H is prom ise (1 1 :3 8 ), and so idopted measures to safeguard his newly won th rone which branded his name forever w ith infamy (14 :16 ) and brought calam ity both on his house and his people.—Dummelow. v. 27. They shall k ill me. When men get away from God they are al ways seeking to pro tect themselves.-— Sel. Expediency always deceives those who tu rn from God and rely on the de vices of th eir own h earts.—Devo. Com. v. 28. The k ing took counsel. Men are constantly seeking improved plans for worship th a t will be easier on the conscience. Jeroboam would be called a “ liberal,” an “ advanced th ink er,” and so please th e people.— P ettingil. No tice if was for political reasons Jero boam did this. He had no intention of throw ing off th e yoke of Jehovah altogether bu t was foolish enough to th ink He could be worshiped in one way as well as another.— C. W. Com. I t is too much fo r you. I t was a convenient religion which he provided for it ob viated the long periodical journeys which were enjoined upon th e nation. Not unn atu rally th e people fell under th is snare. All th is is a powerful il
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