282
THE K I N G ' S BUS I NE S S
v. 14. Did not believe in the Ijord. This was the root of all Israel’s trou bles, and it is the root of all sin today. — Sel. There is no strength in unbe lief.—Macdonald. Surely, Scripture is right when it makes the sin of sins that unbelief which is at bottom nothing else than a refusal to take the cup of salvation. No sharper grief can be in flicted upon the Spirit of God than, when we leave His gifts neglected and un appropriated— Maclaren. What is the wonderful charm of evil? The philoso phers have not answered. The devil seems to be more attractive than God. Who can explain this? Is the explana tion in the heart? "The heart is de ceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” Who can find out human nature? "The Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two- edged sword, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.’ — Parker. v. 17. Divination and enchantments. Traffic with evil spirits and demons, identical with modern Spiritualism (see Deut. 18:10; Acts 16:16; Rev. 9:21).— Comp. Bible. v. 18. Removed them out of His sight. Those who try to be like the world may expect to be swallowed up by the world. Those who will not serve God in their own land need not be sur prised if they be forced to serve ene mies in a strange land.— Sum. Bible. Why would God ruin a people that were raised and incorporated, as Israel was, by miracles and oracles? Why would He undo that which He Himself had done at so vast expense? It was an act of necessary justice. Was it God’s do ing? Nay, it was their own. By their ways they procured all this to them selves. Rather shall heaven and earth pass away than one tittle of God’s Word fall to the ground.— Henry. Let us read carefully the bill of divorce which the heavenly Husband gave to the recre ant people whom He put away. Read the first three chapters of Hosea to learn how the divine heart was rent when the hour of separation came, but let us not forget the assurances of Romans 11 that the true Israel shall ultimately be saved.—Meyer. a s Pictorial Questions Who was Ahaz? Who was Hoshea? When did Hoshea reign?
How did he come to the throne? 2 Kings 15:30. LESSON How long d i d he QUESTIONS reign? W. H. Pike How long had Ahaz reigned when Hoshea came to the throne? Who was Elah? How did Hoshea act? Where did Hoshea do these acts? Was Hoshea worse than the other kings of Israel? Who besieged his kingdom, What two things did Hoshea do for the Assyrian king? What did Shalmaneser find out about Hoshea? In what way was Hoshea untrue to Shalmaneser? What did Shalmaneser do to Samaria? How long did it take him? What did Shalmaneser do to Israel? Where are these cities—Halah, Ha- bor? About what year did Israel go into captivity? 722 B. C. What brought this reverse of cir cumstances to Israel? What was the tower of the watch man in verse 9? “ They were erected in the wilderness for the security of the shepherds and to keep away maraud ers.” Bible Dictionary. What was Baal worship in Verse 16? Was Baal worship in Judah at this time? 2 Chron. 28:1-4. Practical Questions Whom had t h e children sinned against? Verse 7. What had Jehovah done for them? What was the- nature of Israel’s sin? How did Israel sin? Verse 9. What were these high places? Jer. 48:35; 2 Chron. 21:11. What was Israel commanded to de stroy when they entered the land? See Num. 33:52; Deut. 33:29. Were these images obscene and de moralizing? How did they worship these-images
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online