Manasseh (continued) Aeneas was the hero whose travels formed the fame of this poem. Achates was his faithful friend, hence the name of the precious stone is associated with the great explorer of mythology — Ae- neas and with a great river. The Word of God tells us of the greatest of all explorers — God Him self, for He came to earth to seek and to save lost mankind. Also, the thought of rivers is found throughout the Bi ble — the Book of Ezekiel being one of the great river books of the Word. But we find at Calvary, the mightiest river of centuries, the river of Grace, flowing down from the Cross with its priceless treasure for the human soul! Now to revert to Manasseh for furth er thinking, we leam that Joseph so named his firstborn — the name car rying the meaning of “forgetfulness.” The name of his second son, Ephraim, carried the meaning of “fruitful.” This is the correct order of names and when we forget the things which are be hind; when we forget self and sin, then it is that the Lord makes us to become spiritually fruitful. The Apostle Paul emphasized this thought in Philippians 3:13, 14 — “ . . . forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Joseph could afford to forget the sorrows and injustices of the past, for these were the things God allowed him to forget. Alas, how many Christians there are who embalm such things in an unforgetting spirit, and then they wonder why it is that God never gives them an Ephraim of fruitfulness! We read' that the agate comes from volcanic origins or conditions. When volcanoes poured forth their mighty rivers of molten lava, air pockets some times developed inside. Nature always fighting empty spaces, poured into some such pockets materials that alter to form the well known gem, the agate — formed as the result of pressure, burning, and the trials of the volcano. May this lead us to think of the great
treasures formed in the darkness of Calvary’s hours to meet the sinner’s need. Again, we ask that you notice, if you will, what Jacob saiu, “The angel which redeemed me from all evil bless these two boys.” Since in the text we see that “Angel” is spelled with cap ital A , this is no doubt the Lord, and no doubt the same Angel which wrest led with Jacob. The Angel who changed Jacob the supplanter into Israel the Prince with God, thus redeeming his life from destruction. Jacob asks that the Angel who did such great things "Quite Suddenly" Quite suddenly — it may be at the turning of a lane, Where I stand to watch a skylark from out of the swelling grain. That the trump of God shall thrill me, with its call so loud and clear. And I'm called away to meet Him, whom of all I hold most dear. Quite suddenly — it may be as I tread the busy street, Strong to endure life's stress and strain, its every call to meet. That through the roar of traffic, a trumpet, silv'ry clear, Shall stir my startled senses and pro claim His Coming near. Quite suddenly — it may be in His house I bend my knee, When the kingily voice, long hoped for, comes at last to summon me; And the fellowship of earth-life that has seemed so passing sweet, Proves nothing but the shadow of our meeting round His feet. Quite suddenly — it may be as I lie in dreamless sleep, God's gift to many a sorrowing heart, with no more tears to weep. That a call shall break my slumber and a voice sound in my ear; "Rise up, my love, and come away! Behold the Bridegroom's here! for me bless these two grandsons of mine as He did me. These two men grew into two tribes numbering 72,700 — second in number to Judah, only. These tribes stretched across the cen- 18
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