THE K I N G ' S BUS I NE S S
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MARCÌ! 19, 1922 THE DOWNFALL OF ISRAEL Golden Text: Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people. Prov. 14:34. LESSON TEXT 2 Kings-17:1-18. (Read Hosea 7; Amos 2:6-16.)
(9) And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. I (10) And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree; (11) And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the LORD carried away be fore them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to an ger; (12) For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing. (13) Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, say ing, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law whch I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by the hand of my servants the prophets. (14) Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, Outline: (1) God’s Recitation of Israel’s Sins, vs. 7-12. (2) Israel’s Rejection of God’s Call to Repentance, vs. 13-17. (3) God’s Removal of Israel from the Land, v. 18. Introduction: Three or four Sundays should proper ly have been set apart for a thorough study of this great lesson, and yet hun dreds of teachers will not give over thirty minutes’ consid- LESSON eration to it. EXPOSITION Its application to T. C. Horton present conditions in our own land is so marked and so much needed that we would advise every teacher to give the following Sunday (Review Sunday) to its exposition. Suggested heads such as the following could be used: (1) The Privileges of Israel. (2) The Perils of Israel. (3) The Persistent Sin of Israel.
like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God. (15) And they rejected his .statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went (after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them. (16) And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. (17) And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and en chantments, and sold themselves to do that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. (18) Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and re moved them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. (4) The Punishment of Israel, or (1) God’s L o v e Manifested in Choosing Israel. (2) God’s Law of Separation for Israel. (3) God’s Long-suffering and Pa tience with Israel. (4) God’s Lordship Manifested in Judgment upon Israel. See the steps of Israel’s fall: (1) Indifference to God’s law. (2) Inde pendence of authority. (3) Ingrati tude toward God. (4) Indulgence In known sins. (5) . Intrigue with ene mies. (6) Idolatrous worship. (7) Invoking judgment of God. Write the word “ S IN ” in big let ters. Samuel’s sons perverted judgment (1 Sam. 8 :3). Israel desired a king in place of Jehovah. Saul sinned. David sinned. Solomon sinned in taking heathen wives. He had a thousand wives and one son, and he was a fool.
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