November 1924
T HE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
726
ditions in our own land is so marked, and so much needed that we would advise every teacher to put special emphasis upon the steps in Israel’s fall: (1) LESSON Indifference to God’s law. (2) Inde- EXPOSITION pendence of authority. (3) Ingrati- T. C. Horton tude toward God. (4) Indulgence in known sins. (5) Intrigue with ene mies. ( 6 ) Idolatrous worship. (7) Invoking the judg ment of God. The word “ Sin” can be written in large letters over the history of Israel. 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. Eighteen kings followed during two hundred and fifty years, and it was written of each one, “ He did evil in the sight of the Lord.” Hoshea filled the cup of iniquity to the brim. God’s long-suffering forbearance was rewarded by Israel’s shutting her ears to God’s entreaty :and boldly and baldly going over to Satanic worship. We have a wonderful country, blessed beyond any other nation by reason of our greater light; a nation founded on the Bible, nurtured and cultured by all possible bless ings of schools and churches. Yet heathen worship of the most atrocious kind is practised. God’s Word is denied and set aside. God’s worship is mingled with the worship of false gods. God’s forbearance is ignored, and God’s judg ment is sure. There should come to us out of this solemn lesson from God’s Book a call to confession of sin and consecration of life to God. (1) GOD’S RECITATION OF ISRAEL’S SINS, vs. 7-12. “ . . . and walked in the statutes of the heathen.” v. 8 . Israel was God’s peculiar people. They had been sepa rated unto Himself by the blood of the lamb (Ex. 12:22, 23). He put a difference between them and the Egyptians (Ex. 11:7). The distinction which God makes between people is the separating mark of the blood of Christ. “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Blessed is the man or woman who is sheltered beneath the blood of Calvary (1 Pet. 1: 18, 19). . “ Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things » * * hut with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” The first seven verses of the lesson specify the sins of Israel which resulted in God giving them over to captivity. (1) They walked in the statutes of the heathen, v. 8 . (2) They committed secret sins, v. 9. (3) They built high places in the cities, v. 9. (4) They set up images in groves, v. 10. (5) They burnt incense in high places, v. 11. ( 6 ) They wrought wicked things, v. 11. (7) They served idols, v. 12. God has recorded these things for our admonition (1 Cor. 10: 11). Israel learned their evil ways from the heathen (Psa. 106:35). God had given them the most fearful warning against idolatry (Deut. 13:6-8). “If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy daughter, or the w ife of thy bosom, or thy friend which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly saying, l e t us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou or thy fathers, “ Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee or far oif from thee from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; “Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him.” (Deut. 27:15.) They had been commanded to destroy the heathen altars (Ex. 34:13). The last king of Israel— Hoshea— took the throne through intrigue and murder (2 Kings 15:30).
many prisoners and much spoil after their attacks on the cities of Judah. Oded went to some of the royal princes of Israel and told them that God had allowed the soldiers to burn the towns of Judah because King Ahaz, of Judah, had been wickedly worshipping idols; but if King Pekah, of Israel, and the princes allowed the soldiers to bring the prisoners into the city, they would surely be punished, be cause the people in Israel were idol worshippers, too. Oded talked earnestly with the princes and the people, and advised them to release the prisoners. The princes listened to Oded, and when the soldiers marched up to the gate of the city of Samaria, they went out and called to Captain Zichri, who led the army. “ You shall not bring the pris oners in here,” said the princes; “ we have sinned against the Lord already and you will add more to our sins.” Upon hearing the words of the princes, the soldiers marched away leaving the prisoners standing there before the gate of the city. Then the hearts of the princes were touched, and as they looked at the mothers and grandmothers, and boys and girls and babies, they thought of their own mothers and children. So they went out to the prisoners, took clothing, helped dress those whose clothes were in rags, and brought san dals for the poor aching and bleeding feet that had tramped so far. Then they prepared a great supper so that each one had plenty to eat and drink; and best of all, these princes took perfumed oil and anointed each one on the forehead, as it was the custom to so treat their guests. When the pris oners had finished eating, and had rested and bound up their sore feet, the princes brought mules to carry the poor old grandmothers, and those who were too feeble to walk all the way back home. And then, sending a guard to accom pany the prisoners they were taken back to tlieir own beau tiful city of palms, Jericho, and set free, and how happy they must have been to meet their loved ones again! Don’t you think the princes of Israel kept the Golden Rule that time? “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” But they kept it because they listened to the prophet of God and the Word of God, just as we listen to the words of Jesus and let Him live in our hearts. “ Slightest actions often meet the sorest needs, For the world wants daily little kindly deeds. Oh, what care and sorrow you may help remove; With your songs and courage, sympathy and love— Scatter sunshine all along your way, Cheer and bless and brighten every passing day.” — (From song, “ Scatter Sunshine” ) DECEMBER 7, 1924 (LESSON 62) ISRAEL’S DOWNFALL AND CAPTIVITY 2 Kings, Chapter 17 Golden Text: “ He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Proverbs 29:1. 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, vs. 18-23. (4) Israel'Re-peopled by Assyria, vs. 24-26. (5) Reversion of the People to Idolatry, vs. 27-41. INTRODUCTION Three or four Sundays would be necessary to thoroughly consider this great lesson. Its application to present con
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