Uncle Daniel's Bible Class Book (1890)
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Uncle Daniel's
BIBLE CLASS BOOK
FOR SCHOOLS, PUPIL TEACHERS, AND FAMILIES;
WITH
EXPLANATORY NOTES ON PLACES, CUSTOMS, ARTS, ANTIQUITIES,
AND NATURAL HISTORY;
AND
POEMS ON THE SUBJECTS OF THE LESSONS.
BY
JOHN EDGAR
M.A., B.Sc., M.B., C.M., F.R.F.P.S.G.
AND
MORTON EDGAR GLASGOW:
BONE & HULLEY, DUNDAS STREET
1890.
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CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX,
SHEWING THE CONTENTS OF THE 132 LESSONS.
PERIOD I.
From the Creation to the Deluge. 1656 years.
B.C. LESS. SUBJECTS OF THE LESSONS. PAGE.
4004 1. The creation; the sabbath; the fall of man ... 1
4003-3074 2. Cain, Abel, & Seth; descendants of Cain & Seth 4
3017-2348 3. Enoch translated; of Noah; the deluge ... 6
PERIOD II.
From the Deluge to the Death of Joseph. 712 years.
2347-2281 4. Covenant with Noah; conduct of his sons ... 9
2234 5. Building of Babel; confusion of tongues ... 11
2126-1921 6. Terah's family; Noah dies; call of Abram ... 13
1918-1910 7. Abram and Lot; Melchizedek; Ishmael born ... 16
1898 8. Abram & Sarai's names changed; doom of Sodom 18
1897-1859 9. Isaac born; Hagar and Ishmael cast out; Isaac offered; Sarah's death and burial ... 20
1856-1846 10. Eliezer fetches a wife for Isaac; Shem dies ... 23
Job is supposed to have lived; his history ... 25
1836-1760 12. Esau and Jacob; Rebekah and Jacob deceive Isaac 29
1752-1739 13. Jacob serves Laban; marries; becomes rich ... 31
1729-1716 14. Jacob comes to Mamre; Joseph sold; Isaac dies 34
1715-1706 15. Pharaoh's dreams; Joseph's brothers buy corn... 37
1689-1635 16. Jacob blesses his sons; dies; is buried; Joseph dies 39
PERIOD III.
From the Death of Joseph to the Death of Moses. 183 years.
1634-1491 17. Bondage of Israel; Moses born; flees to Midian 43
1491 18. Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh; the plagues ... 46
,, 19. The Passover; death of the first-born; the exodus 49
,, 20. Pillar of cloud and fire; passage of the Red Sea 51
,, 21. Bitter water; manna; quails; Amalek conquered 54
,, 22. The delivery of the law; Moses in the mount ... 57
1491-1490 23. The golden calf worshipped; the tabernacle ... 60
1490 24. Nadab and Abihu slain; the Levites consecrated 63
1489 25. Miriam's leprosy; quails; spies sent to Canaan 66
1489-1471 26. Rebellion of Israel; rebellion of Korah ... 69
1453 27. Miriam dies; Moses offends God; Aaron dies; the fiery serpents; Sihon and Og conquered ... 72
1452 28. Balak and Balaam; idolatry in Moab... 74
1451 29. Inheritance of the Renberites; death of Moses ... 77 PERIOD IV.
From Entrance into Canaan to Anointing of Saul. 355 years.
| B.C. | LESS. | SUBJECTS OF THE LESSONS. | PAGE. |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 1451 | 30. Joshua; spies sent to Jericho; fall of Jericho ... | 81 |
| 1451-1445 | 31. Achan; Ai taken; the deceit of the Gibeonites... | 85 |
| 1444-1427 | 32. Tabernacle set up; Canaan divided; Joshua dies | 88 |
| 1425-1413 | 33. Bezek, Hebron, &c. taken; idolatry commences... | 92 |
| 1413 | 34. Micah—the Danites; wickedness of the Benjamites | 95 |
| 1413-1285 | 35. Servitudes of Israel for their sins; their deliverance | 98 |
| 1252-1245 | 36. Oppression of the Midianites; history of Ruth ... | 101 |
| 1245 | 37. Gideon delivers Israel; refuses to be their ruler ... | 104 |
| 1235-1206 | 38. Abimelech king; Jephthah delivers the Israelites | 107 |
| 1182-1143 | 39. Samson born; Samuel dedicated; Eli is reproved | 110 |
| 1130 | 40. Samson’s riddle; he slays many Philistines ... | 113 |
| 1120-1117 | 41. Samson takes away the gates of Gaza; he pulls down the temple of Dagon; his death ... | 115 |
| 1116 | 42. The ark of God taken; Hophni and Phinehas slain; Eli’s death; the ark returned ... | 118 |
| 1096 | 43. The people repent; they ask for a king ... | 122 |
PERIOD V.
From Anointing of Saul to Death of Solomon. 120 years.
| B.C. | LESS. | SUBJECTS OF THE LESSONS. | PAGE. |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 1095 | 44. Saul is anointed; he conquers the Ammonites ... | 125 |
| 1093-1063 | 45. Saul reproved; rejected; David is anointed ... | 128 |
| 1062 | 46. Goliath defies Israel; David slays him ... | 131 |
| „ | 47. Jonathan’s friendship to David; Saul’s enmity ... | 134 |
| 1060 | 48. David at Nob; flees to Adullam; many join him ... | 137 |
| „ | 49. The priests at Nob slain; Samuel dies ... | 140 |
| „ | 50. Nabal’s churlishness to David; Abigail’s present ... | 144 |
| „ | 51. Nabal dies; David marries Abigail; spares Saul ... | 147 |
| 1055 | 52. Saul consults a witch; Samuel appears to him... | 150 |
| „ | 53. David spoils the Amalekites; the battle on Gilboa ... | 154 |
| „ | 54. David’s lament for Saul; David anointed ... | 157 |
| „ | 55. Abner proclaims Ishbosheth king; Abner is slain; Ishbosheth is slain ... | 160 |
| 1048-1045 | 56. David anointed; takes Mount Zion; ark removed ... | 164 |
| 1044-1043 | 57. David’s prosperity; he resolves to build a temple ... | 168 |
| 1036-1031 | 58. David’s sin; Nathan reproves him; Solomon born ... | 171 |
| 1030-1025 | 59. Amnon’s wickedness; Absalom’s conspiracy ... | 175 |
| 1025 | 60. David flees; Absalom comes to Jerusalem ... | 178 |
| „ | 61. The Council; of Ahithophel; Absalom slain ... | 181 |
| 1022 | 62. David returns; Sheba’s revolt suppressed ... | 185 |
| 1019-1017 | 63. Gibeonites avenged; David numbers the people... | 188 |
| 1015 | 64. David’s charge to Solomon; Adonijah rebels ... | 192 |
| 1014 | 65. Preparations for the temple; death of David ... | 195 |
| „ | 66. Solomon’s sacrifice and vision; of Adonijah ... | 198 | B.C.
LESS. SUBJECTS OF THE LESSONS. PAGE.
1013-1011 67. Solomon's marriage; of Hiram; Shimei slain ... 201
1005 68. The temple built, and furnished with costly vessels 204
1004 69. The temple dedicated; God accepts the temple ... 206
1003-992 70. Tadmor built; Queen of Sheba visits Solomon... 209
992-980 71. Solomon's dominion; his fame; he forsakes God 213
978-975 72. Solomon's enemies; repentance; Proverbs; death 216
PERIOD VI.
The Kingdoms of Judah and Israel. 369 years.
*** THE LINES IN ITALICS REFER TO THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL.
975 73. Rehoboam reigns; revolt of the ten tribes ... 220
974 74. Jeroboam's idolatry; the altar rent; his arm is withered; the disobedient prophet ... ... 222
972-958 75. Rehoboam forsakes God; Shishak's invasion ... 226
957-953 76. Abijah's success; Asa reigns; Jeroboam dies ... 228
951-941 77. Asa conquers the Ethiopians; he purchases aid against Baasha, and is reproved ... ... 232
930-918 78. Omri builds Samaria; Ahab reigns ... ... 235
917-912 79. Asa dies; Jehoshaphat reigns well and prospers ... 238
910-906 80. Elijah's mission to Ahab; his miracles; a famine 240
905 81. The sacrifice on Carmel; the priests of Baal slain 243
902 82. Elijah at Horeb; God comforts him; Elisha is called 246
901 83. Siege of Samaria; victory promised to Ahab ... 249
900 84. Benhadad taken; Ahab's covenant with him ... 252
899 85. Ahab covets Naboth's Vineyard; Naboth stoned ... 255
897 86. Battle at Ramoth-gilead; Ahab is slain... ... 258
896 87. Jehoshaphat reproved; conquers the Moabites, &c. 261
” 88. Ahaziah's impiety; Elijah is translated to heaven 263
” 89. Elisha succeeds Elijah; the Moabites conquered ... 267
892 90. Elisha multiplies the widow's oil; heals the potriage 270
” 91. Naaman is cured of his leprosy; Gehazi punished 272
889 92. The Syrian host smitten with blindness ... ... 276
” 93. Jehoshaphat dies; Jehoram reigns; restores idolatry 279
886-885 94. Benhadad besieges Samaria; Hazael's conspiracy... 281
884 95. Jehu anointed; Jezebel slain; Jehu destroys Baal 284
878-856 96. Athaliah reigns; Joash succeeds; temple repaired 288
856-840 97. Of Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Jehoash; Elisha's death... 290
840 98. Idolatry & ingratitude of Joash; Hazael's invasion 293
839-825 99. Joash is slain; Amaziah reigns; wars with Jehoash 295
810-808 100. Uzziah reigns; wars with the Philistines, &c. ... 298
801-787 101. Hosea, Amos, and Joel prophesy ... ... 301
” 102. Jonah commanded to cry against Nineveh ... 305
784-776 103. Death of Jeroboam II; interregnum in Israel ... 308
772-762 104. Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, and Pekah reign in succession; Uzziah's transgression ... 311 758-742 105.
Reigns of Jotham and Ahaz; Isaiah prophesies ... 313
741-730 106. Wickedness of Ahaz; he is taken captive; Pekah invades Judah; idolatry of Ahaz ... 316
(740) (FIRST CAPTIVITY OF ISRAEL.)
730 (Shalmaneser makes Hoshea tributary)
726 107. Ahaz dies; Hezekiah reigns; the passover kept ... 319
725-721 108. Prophecies of Micah; Shalmaneser subdues and imprisons Hoshea; he takes all Israel captive 322
(721) END OF THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL.
720-713 109. Hezekiah resists Assyria; his illness; the dial ... 325
711-706 110. Hezekiah's ostentation; Sennacherib's invasion ... 328
699-698 111. Isaiah prophesies; Hezekiah's prosperity and death 331
698-643 112. Manasseh's captivity; his repentance; Amon reigns 334
641-624 113. Josiah's good reign; the book of the law found ... 337
,, 114. Zephaniah and Jeremiah reprove the Jews ... 339
611-609 115. Josiah slain; Habakkuk prophesies; of Jehoahaz 342
608-606 116. Jeremiah's predictions; he is accused; the Rechabites 345
,, 117. Jeremiah specifies the seventy years' captivity; Nebuchadnezzar spoils Jerusalem & the temple 348
PERIOD VII.
The Captivity and the Return of the Jews. 206 years.
606-599 118. Of Daniel; Jehoiakim rebels; Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem; Zedekiah made king ... 351
,, 119. Jeremiah prophesies of the captivity and resoration 353
,, 120. Denounces the princes; Ezekiel prophesies ... 356
593 121. Zedekiah rebels; Jeremiah is imprisoned ... 359
590-588 122. Jerusalem besieged; Zedekiah slain ... ... 362
(588) THE COMPLETE CAPTIVITY OF JUDAH.
,, 123. Gedaliah; Ezekiel prophesies against Tyre ... 365
570 124. Nebuchadnezzar's vision; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are cast into a fiery furnace ... 368
569-561 125. Nebuchadnezzar's pride punished; Daniel's vision 372
555-538 126. Belshazzar's feast; the hand-writing on the wall; Cyrus takes Babylon; Belshazzar is slain ... 375
537-536 127. Daniel is accused; God preserves him in the den of lions; Cyrus proclaims liberty to the Jews 378
534-464 128. The second temple; conspiracy of the Samaritans 382
462-458 129. Ahasuerus deposes Vashti and marries Esther ... 385
453-452 130. Haman's enmity to the Jews; Mordecai promoted 388
452-444 131. Haman is hanged; Nehemiah visits Jerusalem ... 391
440-400 132. The walls completed; Nehemiah testifies against the Jews; Malachi prophesies of John Baptist 394 PERIOD I.
FROM THE CREATION TO THE DELUGE. B.C. 4004-B.C.2348. 1656 years.
THE CREATION AND THE FALL OF MAN. Genesis i.-iii.
\\* The words, phrases, &c. of which explanations are given, are preceded by a full-point (·); the names of places noticed are in italics.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. On the first day God created light. On the second day God made the firmament. On the third day God divided the waters from the land, and created plants. On the fourth day God made the sun, moon, and stars. On the fifth day God created the fishes and the birds. On the sixth day God created the cattle, the beasts, and creeping things; and last of all he made man, in his own image. God having created all things in six days, pronounced them to be very good. He rested on the seventh day, and blessed it.
And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and out of the ground he made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And the Lord God put Adam, the man whom he had formed, into the garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it. And the Lord God brought unto Adam every beast of the field and every fowl of the air, to see what he would call them; and whatsoever he called every living creature that was the name thereof.
And God said "It is not good that the man should be alone, I will make him a help meet for him;" so he formed a woman and brought her unto the man. And Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was to be the mother of all living.
God permitted Adam and Eve to eat of all the fruits that grew in Eden except one; that one was the tree of knowledge. The serpent deceived Eve, and tempted her to sin. She ate of the fruit which God had forbidden and gave also to her husband; thus they both disobeyed God. God cursed the serpent, and promised a Saviour to redeem man from his power. He said to the woman that her sorrow should be increased with the increase of children; and to the man he said, "Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken; for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return:"
When God had thus sentenced Adam and Eve to suffering and to death, he expelled them from the garden of Eden.
NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS.
beginning—the commencement. created—caused to exist.
heaven—the expanse which surrounds the earth, including the celestial bodies planets, stars, and comets.
earth-the planet on which we live, with its various productions.
without form and void—not in its present shape, nor occupied by the numerous beings and productions which exist upon it.
darkness—absence of light.
face of the deep—surface of the waters which covered the whole earth.
light—the medium of vision.
firmament—the atmosphere, or aerial medium surrounding the earth, and in which it revolves; by its means light and sound are transmitted, and animals exist.
divided, &c.—gathered the waters into channels, or hollow places, thus causing the dry land to appear.
plants—everything included in the vegetable kingdom, viz.: grass, herbs, and trees; there are more than 80,000 species of plants.
fishes and birds—the animals of the waters and the firmament.
cattle and beasts—domestic and wild animals.
creeping things—this term is supposed to apply to such animals as the lizard, snake, &c. as well as creeping insects. made man—formed man in his bodily parts and gave him a living soul.
in his own image—having dominion; Ps. viii.6; true knowledge, Col. iii.10; holiness, Eccles. vii.29; Ephes iv.24.
very good—admirably adapted for the purposes intended.
rested—ceased from further acts of creative power.
blessed--added happiness to a holy observance of it.
eastward—toward the sun-rising.
tree of life—the means of renewed and prolonged existence to man.
tree of knowledge—the test by which it should be known whether man would remain good, or prefer becoming evil.
Adam—'the ground,' or 'earth'; the human body is composed of earthy elements. Paul says, the first Adam is of the earth, 'earthy'; Cor.xv.47.
dress and keep—to keep the trees and the plants in order, and to preserve the various species, not only by observing their various habits, but by pruning, grafting, planting, &c.
name many of the Hebrew names of animals express some peculiarity or quality of size, form, disposition, &c.
help meet-a being endowed with a rational soul, and having feelings similar to his own.
Eve—'life;' the companion and 'help-meet' of Adam, and the mother of the whole human family. Neither Adam nor Eve had to pass through the years of infancy and childhood.
serpent—the devil. Rev. xii. 9; xx. 2. deceived—caused to err, by making her believe a lie.
templed—offered inducements; spoke of the advantages of disobedience.
cursed—given over to punishment and misery.
redeem—to restore by paying the price.
in sorrow—with feelings of anxiety, care, and trouble, yet not without hope sentenced—pronounced the punishment for disobedience.
expelled—drove out.
GEOGRAPHICAL NOTE.
EDEN is supposed to have been situated near the head of the Persian Gulf, where the rivers Euphrates and Tigris empty their waters; but several other situations have been assigned to the garden of Eden. The name, Eden, means pleasure or delight, thus indicating the great beauty and richness of Adam's first inheritance; hence it was not uncommon for pleasant localities to be called Eden.
GOD'S EXISTENCE SHOWN IN THE UNIVERSE.
"GOD CREATED THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH."
Who gave the sun his noonday light? Who taught the moon to shine by night? Whose hands the sheet of heaven unrolled, All set with stars like drops of gold?
Who gave the winds their course to know?
The ocean-tides to ebb and flow?
And day and night preserve their bounds?
And changing seasons know their rounds?
Could man conceive the vast design? Could he the grand machine combine? Stretch his weak hands from pole to pole, And bid them on their centre roll?
'Twas God who gave creation birth, God formed this wondrous globe of earth, And breathe'd throughout the mighty whole, The likeness of a living soul.
Bow then to God, O all that live!
To God eternal praises give;
Who fashioned by his mighty hand
Sun, moon, and stars, and sea, and land.
CAIN, ABEL, AND SETH.
Genesis iv.-v. 5.
Cain was the eldest son of Adam and Eve. His brother Abel was their second son. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. They both brought offerings to God. Cain's offering was of the fruits of the earth. Abel's offering was of the firstlings of his flock. God accepted Abel and his offering, but unto Cain and his offering he had not respect. Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell. The Lord reproved Cain, and said "Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doesest well, shalt thou not be accepted?"
And Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. The Lord then said unto Cain, "What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground, and now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive, and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth." Cain feared that some one would slay him, but the Lord said unto him, "Whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold." And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. Here he built a city, and had many descendants. One of his descendants, named Jabal, invented tents; another, Jubal, invented musical instruments; another, Tubal, was an artificer in brass and iron.
God gave Adam and Eve a son who was called Seth. He was a good man. His descendants were called the children of God. The descendants of Cain were called the children of men. Adam was one-hundred-and-thirty years old at the birth of Seth. Adam and Eve had many other sons and daughters. Mankind increased very fast because they lived so long. Adam lived nine-hundred-and-thirty years.
NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS.
Cain—'possession;' implying a high sense of value; Eve imagined this child was the promised deliverer, hence she exclaimed on first seeing him 'I have gotten a man from Jehovah.'
Abel-'vanity;' this name plainly shows that our first parents had their hopes centred in Cain, in contrast with whom they esteemed this child as 'vanity.'
tiller—a husbandman, a cultivator of the ground.
offerings—things dedicated to God, as expressive of the gratitude and dependance of the offerer.
fruits—produce of the soil.
firstlings—the first born.
accepted—showed favour towards by a visible sign.
not respect—not regard; took no favourable notice of it.
countenance fell—looked sullen and revengeful.
If thou doest well—Isa. i. 16,17; Ezek. xxxiii. 11-19; Rom. ii. 6,7.
fugitive—banished from the presence of his parents and kindred.
cursed from, &c.—not a spot on the surface of the world would yield him comfort; unhappiness and discontent would be his portion.
vagabond-conscious guilt would render him unsettled in his habits even though distant from his father's home, the scene of his awful crime.
descendants-offspring, children, grandchildren, &c.
invented—found out; contrived a new thing.
tents—these were the constant dwellings of men in early times; the coverings of the tents were generally of coarse hair-cloth. Lessons 7,20,116.
musical instruments—many are mentioned in the Bible which will be described under their respective names.
artificer-a clever workman in arts executed by the hand; a worker in metals.
Seth—'a substitute;' because given instead of Abel; the invention of letters is ascribed to him.
GEOGRAPIIICAL NOTE.
NOD-'land of wandering;' was a country east of Eden. It was so named because Cain the "fugitive" dwelt there, when he fled from the presence of his bereaved and sorrowing parents, after he had murdered his brother.
THE CURSE OF CAIN.
"WHERE IS ABEL THY BROTHER?"
O the wrath of the Lord is a terrible thing! Like the tempest that withers the blossoms of spring, Like the thunder that bursts on the summer's domain, It fell on the head of the homicide Cain.
And lo! like a deer in the fright of the chase, With a fire in his heart, and a brand on his face, He speeds him afar to the desert of Nod— A vagabond smote by the vengeance of God.
A vagabond smote by the vengeance of God.
All nature to him has been blasted and bann'd, And the blood of a brother yet reeks on his hand; And no vintage has grown, and no fountain has sprung, For cheering his heart, or for cooling his tongue.
The groans of a father his slumbers shall start, And the tears of a mother shall pierce to his heart, And the kiss of his children shall scorch him like flame. When he thinks of the curse that hangs over his name.
And the wife of his bosom—the faithful and fair Can mix no sweet drop in his cup of despair; For her tender caress and her innocent breath, But stir in his soul the hot embers of wrath.
And his offering may blaze—unregarded by Heaven;
And his spirit may pray—yet remain unforgiven,
And his grave may be close'd—but no rest to him bring:
O the wrath of the Lord is a terrible thing! W. Knox
ENOCH. METHUSELAH. NOAH. THE DELUGE. Genesis v. 6-vii.
Enoch was a descendant of Seth. God took him to heaven when he was three-hundred-and-sixty-five years old, because he walked with God. Seth died some years after, being nine-hundred-and-twelve years old. Enoch had a son named Methuselah. He was the oldest man that we read of. He lived nine-hundred-and-sixty-nine years. Methuselah had a son named Lamech. Lamech was the father of Noah. When Noah was born Lamech said he should comfort them. Noah became the father of three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
The wickedness of men increased on the earth. God said he would destroy mankind by a Flood, but he would save Noah and his family. God commanded Noah to make an ark of wood. He said "Behold I do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.
Of fowls after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. And take unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them."
Noah obeyed God by building the ark; while it was being built he warned mankind of the approaching flood. He then
went into the ark, as God had commanded him; the rain began to fall, and the fountains of the great deep were also broken up. The waters increased on the earth forty days and forty nights. The waters rose above the highest mountains. All flesh died, except Noah, his family, and the living things that were with them in the ark. The waters prevailed on the earth one-hundred-and-fifty days.
NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS.
Enoch—'dedicated;' this highly tricts of the East. From him descended
favoured saint foretold the judgment of God upon the wicked. Jude 14,15. This prophecy had, no doubt, a primary reference to the flood which God brought in upon the ungodly.
took him—removed him from this world without dying. St. Paul says "God translated him that he should not see death."
walked, &c.—his feelings, thoughts and conduct were in agreement with the known character of God.
Methuselah—'blessed be God.'
Lamech—'sending;' he died about five years before the flood.
the Messiah, who is called 'the plant of renown,' whose fame shall extend all over the earth. Ezekiel xxxiv. 29.
Ham-'hot;' referring, no doubt, to the regions his descendants would inhabit.
Japheth—'extension;' fulfilled in his numerous and wide-spread posterity.
wickedness—daring sin ; opposition to God's will, and denial of his power.
increased—became daily less tolerable.
flood—the waters were to cover the earth as they did at first. Less.1. ark—a vessel to float on the waters. establish—make sure; confirm.
Noah—'rest,' or 'comfort;' his father probably had a prophetic intimation that this son should be the peculiar object of the divine favour and the medium of blessing to the world; hence, concluding that he was the promised Saviour, he called him Noah.
Shem-'name,' 'renown;' his five sons peopled the most delightful dis-
covenant—the divine promise. Less.4.
warned—told them of their danger.
fountains—sources of rivers and springs. Job xxviii. 10,11, and Ezek. xxvi. 19.
all flesh died—because the human family had become morally corrupt.
WALKING WITH GOD. "ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD."
To "walk with God"—this Enoch did, And thus God's children do; They "walk by faith, and not by sight," With Jesus full in view.
To "walk with God"—as two dear friends, Conversing every day; Such company will make amends For troubles by the way.
To "walk with God"—that child who would, Must with his God agree; Sin he abhors—and loves what's good— And heaven he longs to see.
To "walk with God"—Ah! this is bliss! Our heaven begun below; And in a world of snares like this, It saves from many a foe.
To "walk with God" is my desire, Whatever others do; And lest I weary grow, and tire, I'll lean upon him too.
Yes, gracious God! I'll lean on thee Thy promises, thy word, My strength and my support shall be, Along this painful road.
And, when my journey here is done,
O let me come to thee;
And sit with Jesus on his throne,
Thy glorious face to see.
PERIOD II.
FROM THE DELUGE TO THE DEATH OF JOSEPH. B.C. 2347-B.C.1635. 712 years.
HISTORY OF NOAH AFTER THE FLOOD. Genesis viii. ix.
God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark; and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters assuaged. The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained. And the waters returned from off the earth continually, and after the end of one-hundred-and-fifty days the waters were abated; and the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat. Noah sent forth a raven and a dove; the raven did not return, but the dove returned. Seven days after, Noah sent forth the dove again and she returned with an olive leaf in her mouth. Noah sent forth the dove again seven days after, and it returned no more. God commanded Noah to leave the ark. Noah did so, and offered a sacrifice to God which he graciously accepted. God then promised that seed-time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, should never cease. God promised never more to destroy the earth by a flood, and as a token of his promise he set his bow in the cloud. He said, "And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth that the bow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh."
After the flood, Noah planted a vineyard. He made wine of the grapes, of which he drank and was drunken. His son Ham mocked him. When Noah rose from his wine, he foretold that the descendants of Ham should be servants to the descendants of Shem and Japheth, whom he blessed because they were dutiful.
One of Shem's descendants was Heber, from whom the Hebrews were probably named. Shem is called the father of all the children of Heber; so that it would appear the Hebrews descended through Shem, the son of Noah.
NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS.
remembered—had a gracious regard. towards them
assuaged—decreased; became less and less.
windows—'flood-gates;' the clouds which retain the rain. Mal. iii. 10.
restrained—kept back. Gen. i. 7.
returned—gradually sank into their natural beds or channels.
abated—became less and less.
raven—a bird that would be lured to feed on dead bodies if any were visible.
dove-a bird strong in flight, that feeds on the earth, and that loves its home.
olive—a beautiful and valuable evergreen; it is abundant in the East.
sacrifice—an offering, or a thing devoted to God. Sacrifices were generally consumed by fire.
promised—Lesson 3, 'covenant.'
seed-time—from the beginning of October to the beginning of December.
harvest—from the beginning of April to the beginning of June.
cold—from the beginning of February to the beginning of April.
heat—from the beginning of August to the beginning of October.
summer—from the beginning of June to the beginning of August.
winter—from the beginning of December to the beginning of February. In Palestine and the neighbouring countries the Arabs still reckon the six divisions of the year here spoken of.
token—a sign or mark of remembrance.
bow—rainbow ; thus constituting that which is the invariable result of the sun shining through the rain as a sign of the unchangeableness of God's promise.
vineyard-a plantation of vines.
mocked—jeered; laughed contemptuously. Lesson 9, 'offence.'
servants—slaves; Africa, whence the negro slaves are procured, is peopled by Ham's descendants.
Heber or Eber—'from the other side'; referring to the emigration of his far-famed descendant, Abraham, from Mesopotamia to Canaan.
GEOGRAPHICAL NOTE.
ARARAT-cursed; a mountainous district lying near the centre of the kingdom of Armenia; in the north-east portion of the mountain range there are two peaks, the highest of which is said to be 17,000 feet above the level of the sea. It was probably on one of the lower slopes of this mountain that Noah, his family, and the living creatures which had been preserved during the deluge disembarked from the ark.
THE BOW IN THE CLOUD.
"AND THE DOVE CAME IN..AND LO IN HER MOUTH WAS AN OLIVE LEAF."
Sweet Dove! the softest, steadiest plume In all the sunbright sky, Brightening in ever-changeful bloom As breezes change on high;— Sweet Leaf!
the pledge of peace and mirth, "Long sought, and lately won," Bless'd increase of reviving Earth, When first it felt the Sun;—
Sweet Rainbow! pride of summer days, High set at Heaven's command, Though into drear and dusky haze Thou melt on either hand;—
Dear tokens of a pardoning God,
We hail ye, one and all,
As when our fathers walk'd abroad,
Freed from their twelvemonths' thrall,
God, by His bow, vouchsafes to write This truth in Heaven above; As every lovely hue is Light, So every grace is Love.
KEBLE.
THE BUILDING OF BABEL. THE PEOPLING OF THE EARTH.
Genesis xi. 1-9, x. & xi. 10-23.
About one-hundred-and-thirteen years after the flood, many people having journeyed from the East, settled in the plain of Shinar. And they said one to another, "Let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth."
They all spoke one language; but God said he would there confound their language, that they might not understand one another's speech. It was because God wished them to be settled in various parts of the world, that he made them to speak different languages. So they left off to build the city and the tower, and separated from each other. Therefore the name of the place is called Babel because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth; and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. Thus were they punished.
The descendants of Shem dwelt in Armenia and the East. The descendants of Ham peopled Canaan, Arabia, Egypt, and Africa. The descendants of Japheth inhabited western Asia and Europe. Nimrod, a descendant of Ham, built several cities in Babylonia. He was the first king. Asshur was a descendant of Shem; he built Nineveh, and other cities. A son of Ham, named Canaan, had eleven sons; they lived in different parts of the land of Canaan, and their descendants were called Canaanites; the eldest, Sidon, was the father of the Sidonians; the other sons of Canaan were the fathers of the Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgasites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Aradites, Zemarites, and Hamathites.
NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS.
settled—had fixed their residence. plain—an open level tract of country.
name—make ourselves, 'renowned' by the confederacy we have formed, and the work we have undertaken.
one language—the original language which God gave to Adam.
confound—confuse, so as to break up all possibility of working in harmony.
in various parts—that God's design in creating man—to replenish or fill the earth—might be carried out.
separated—parted from each other; spread abroad.
Nimrod—'rebel; the first who assumed dominion over his fellow-men.
Asshur—from whom the country called Assyria received its name.
GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES.
THE EAST—the portions of the world thus spoken of in the scriptures are generally those which lie east of Judea, particularly Mesopotamia, Armenia, and Persia.
SHINAR-an extensive & very fertile plain, and the proper name of Babylonia; it comprehended much of the countries between the rivers Euphrates and Tigris.
BABEL—'confusion;' the seat of the great confederacy of man to thwart the design of God.
CANAAN—the country inhabited by the descendants of Canaan, a son of Ham. It was a land of great fertility, flowing with milk and honey. God promised Abraham that his posterity should possess this land. Less. 6.
ARABIA-a large country south and east of Canaan and to the east of Egypt.
EGYPT-an ancient and a celebrated country and kingdom of Africa.
AFRICA-one of the five great divisions of the earth; known in Scripture as the land of Ham.
ASIA—the largest of the five divisions of the earth; the principal countries mentioned in the Old Testament, except Egypt, were in Asia.
EUROPE-the smallest of the five divisions of the earth; its inhabitants are intelligent and enterprising.
NINEVEH—the metropolis of Assyria, it was founded by Asshur, and situated on the river Tigris; its remains have been recently discovered, and some of its sculptures brought into England.
THE VAIN EFFORTS OF MAN. "LET US MAKE US A NAME."
"Deep be the building laid, The tower shall reach to heaven;"
The boasting word was said, The proud command was given,
And well the work was plann'd, Firm was the base and wide;
And who shall stay the hand, And stop the builder's pride?
The Lord the work surveyed, He saw the tower arise,
Whose top they proudly said Should reach unto the skies.
Wise men the work had plann'd Strong men the building raise;
Why do the workmen stand, And all confounded gaze?
With labour vast they toiled, Their labour proves in vain;
By change of speech they're foiled In their work on Shinar's plain.
And children! have you power To strive against the Lord,
Who the men of Babel's tower Confounded by his word.
M. A. STODART.
FAMILY OF TERAH. THE CALL OF ABRAM. Genesis ix. 28,29; xi. 23-xii. 9.
Terah, a descendant of Shem, had three sons, named Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran was the father of Lot. Terah lived at Ur in Chaldea. Noah was alive when Terah lived in Chaldea. Noah lived to be nine-hundred-and-fifty years old. He probably lived in Armenia after the flood, and died there. Soon after the death of Noah, Abram was born. Haran, the eldest son of Terah, died before his father in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees, leaving one son named Lot, and two daughters named Milcah and Sarai.
The two remaining sons of Terah married the daughters of Haran; Milcah became the wife of Nahor; and Sarai was married to Abram.
God called Abram to leave Chaldea, and he, together with the whole house of Terah, came to Haran, at which place they remained some years. Terah died at Haran. Abram was then seventy-five years of age; the divine command was renewed. God said to him, "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land which I will shew thee; and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing; and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed."
Abram separated himself from the household of Nahor, and obeyed the call of God, for he came into Canaan with Sarai, his wife, and Lot, his brother's son. And when they came to the plain of Moreh, the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, "Unto thy seed will I give this land." Here Abram builted an altar unto the Lord, and he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east, and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord.
NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS.
Abram—'high father;' a prophetic intimation of his future greatness.
nativity—birth-place; one's country.
Sarai-'my princess;' she was the grand-daughter of Terah, and the niece of Abram.
kindred—relations by blood of every degree—fathers, brothers, cousins, &c.
father's house—the residence of his ancestors.
a land—God had not yet named it to him, that his faith might be exercised.
a great nation—to be the parents of a
numerous progeny, which should constitute in alter years a great nation, was an object of ambition among the ancients.
bless thee—give happiness to him personally, and in his family.
name great—cause him to be universally known and respected.
shalt be, &c.—good men are the means of blessing to others.
in thee—Abram and his descendants were the preservers of the divine truth during successive ages, till Christ came who brought salvation unto all men.
this land—Abram's faith being proved, God now names his inheritance.
altar-a low building of stone or other materials on which sacrifices were placed.
name of the Lord—the known character of God; proofs had been given of his terrible power, his goodness, and his faithfulness; as well as of his forbearance towards sinners notwithstanding his hatred of sin.
GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES.
Uz—'fire' or 'light;' probably a sacred city, specially devoted to the worship of the celestial bodies.
CHALDEA—or BABYLONIA; the original name of this region was Shinar. Chaldea is often used for Babylonia,
and the Chaldeans and Babylonians are mentioned as the same people.
HARAN—this name was given to the city by Haran, the father of Lot; it was situated in the north-western part of Mesopotamia. Terah died there after a residence of about sixty years.
MOREH—this place was in the vale of Shechem; near it grew a remarkable oak-tree. Gen. xxxv. 3; and Josh. xxiv.26.
BETHEL—'house of God,' at this time the place was called Luz, but Moses calls it Bethel by anticipation. It was first called Bethel by Jacob after his dream of angels ascending and descending.
HA1 or A1-a city about nine miles distant from the place where Jericho afterwards stood. Lesson 31.
WALKING BY FAITH.
"FAITH IS..THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN."
'Tis by the faith of joys to come We walk through deserts dark as night;
Till we arrive at heaven our home, Faith is our guide, and faith our light.
The want of sight she well supplies, She makes the pearly gates appear;
Far into distant worlds she flies, And brings eternal glories near.
Cheerful we tread the desert through, While faith inspires a heavenly ray,
Though lions roar, and tempests blow. And rocks and dangers fill the way.
So Abram by divine command Left his own house to walk with God;
His faith beheld the promise'd land, And fire'd his zeal along the road.
HISTORY OF ABRAM & LOT. ISHMAEL BORN. Genesis xxii. 9-xvi.
Abram went into Egypt, because there was a famine in Canaan. He told Sarai his wife to say to the king of Egypt, that she was his sister. The king took Sarai to his house, but God sent plagues upon Pharaoh, who soon after sent Sarai and Abram away.
Abram was very rich in cattle, and silver, and gold. Lot had also many flocks, and herds, and tents. They journeyed together to Bethel. Their herdsmen quarrelled because there was not food enough for all their cattle. Abram wished that there should be no strife between them. He told Lot to choose a part of the land for himself, and he chose the Plain of Jordan, near Sodom, because it was well watered. Abram dwelt in Canaan. The men of Sodom were very wicked. God renewed his promises to Abram, who removed to the plain of Mamre.
Four kings made war against the cities of the plain of Sodom. They conquered the kings of the plain, and they took Lot prisoner. Abram armed his servants, and pursued the four kings. He defeated them, and brought back Lot and all his goods. Melchizedek, king of Salem, and priest of the most High God, met Abram and blessed him. God afterwards renewed his promises to Abram, and said his seed should be as numerous as the stars of heaven. Abram then had a vision, and God made known to him the future bondage of his descendants in Egypt.
Hagar was Sarai's handmaid whom she gave to Abram. Hagar despised her mistress, and fled from her. The angel of the Lord found Hagar in the wilderness. He told her to return, and submit to her mistress. He said she should have a son, and call his name Ishmael. He said Ishmael should be a wild man; that his hand should be against every man, and every man's hand against him. Hagar called the name of the Lord that spake unto her "Thou God seest me." The well was called Beer-la-hai-roi. Soon after this Ishmael was born; at which time Abram was eighty-six years old.
NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS.
famine—scarcity of food, probably from long continued drought.
plagues—'strokes;' inflictions of Divine vengeance on account of sins.
Pharaoh—'the sun;' a name assumed by several of the ancient kings of Egypt.
herdsmen-care-takers of cattle; the patriarchs who followed the pastoral life had large possessions of flocks and herds. At this early period, the land was not enclosed for culture. In summer the shepherds moved northward for the protection which the hill-country afforded from the heat, and in the winter they removed to the plains of the south.
Melchizedek—'king of righteousness; it is not known whether he had a predecessor or successor in his kingly and priestly office. He was probably one of the chief princes of the Canaanites.
king—the chief magistrate or highest authority in a country.
priest-one appointed to offer sacrifices for others.
vision-a supernatural appearance of future events, usually shown in dreams at night, or in a trance.
bondage — servitude by compulsion, not by mutual agreement; slavery.
Hagar—an Egyptian slave, a descendant of Ham. Les. 4, 'servants.'
handmaid—a female servant who waits at hand.
despised.—scorned ; behaved contemptuously or disrespectfully.
submit—to yield meekly and obediently, not answering again.
Ishmael—'God shall hear;' because God heard Hagar's sighs of grief when in the wilderness.
wild—of a roving disposition; not subject to the restraints of a settled community; living by plunder; at continual war, but never in subjection. Such are the descendants of Ishmael, the Arabs, at the present day.
GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES.
PLAIN, &c.—the southern part of the valley of the river Jordan; this region was very fertile, part of it was called the plain of Siddim, where stood Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboim, and Zoar.
JORDAN—'fast-flowing; so called from the rapidity and the strength of its current. Notwithstanding the turbid state of the river, yet when its water is drawn off and allowed to stand, it speedily becomes clear and agreeable, and retains its purity for a long time.
MAMRE-a plain near Hebron; it is supposed that the name Mamre was derived from one of the three chieftains who accompanied Abram in the pursuit of Chedorlaomer.
SALEM—'peace;' the city of which Melchizedek was king; it is supposed to have been the first name for Jerusalem.
BEER-LA-HAI-ROI—'the well of Him that seeth me; it is in the wilderness of Shur, on the south of Canaan.
"THOU GOD SEEST ME."
Lord thou hast search'd and seen me through,
Thine eye commands with piercing view,
My rising and my resting hours,
My heart and all its inward powers.
My thoughts, before they are my own,
Are to my God distinctly known ;
He knows the words I mean to speak,
Ere from my opening lips they break.
PERIOD II.] THE NAMES OF ABRAM AND SARAI CHANGED.
Within thy circling power I stand; On every side I find thy hand: Awake, asleep, at home, abroad, I am surrounded still with God.
Amazing knowledge, vast and great! What large extent; what lofty height! My soul, with all the powers I boast, Is in the boundless prospect lost.
O may these thoughts possess my breast, Where'er I rove, where'er I rest! Nor let my weaker passions dare Consent to sin, for God is there.
THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM.
Genesis xvii.-xix. 29.
When Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to him, and said unto him, "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly." God then said to Abram, "And thou shalt be a father of many nations; neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham, for a father of many nations have I made thee." God also changed the name of Sarai to Sarah; and said she should be a mother of nations. Sarah was then nearly ninety years old. God said the name of Abraham's son should be Isaac.
Three angels visited Abraham, and were entertained by him. The promise of a son was repeated, and the coming destruction of the cities and people of Sodom was made known to him. God said their sins were very grievous. Abraham interceded for Sodom, saying, "Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?" The Lord answered that he would not destroy the city if there were ten righteous men in it.
Two angels went to Lot, and he entertained them in his house. The men of Sodom wanted to do wickedly. The angels struck the men of Sodom with blindness.
They hastened Lot and his family from the city, the Lord being merciful to him. God permitted Lot to take refuge with his daughters in Zoar. God then rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from heaven. He overthrew the cities of the Plain of Jordan, and all the inhabitants. Lot's wife disobeyed the divine command, not to look back as they fled from the city; she looked behind her, and became a pillar of salt. Abraham arose early the next morning and looked toward Sodom; he saw that the smoke of the country went up like the smoke of a furnace.
NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS.
Almighty God—the True God, the only Lord who has all power in heaven, and in earth; the worshippers of idols supposed their deities to possess attributes limited to their rank and duties. The true object of worship is, however, ALMIGHTV.
walk before—obey me confidently and cheerfully, as one who walks in the full light of day. The term implies unceasing obedience.
covenant—the solemn promise or engagement of Jehovah to bestow peculiar blessings on Abram and his posterity; which promise enjoined upon them the duty of unswerving obedience to his will. When parties who were equal made covenants either was at perfect liberty to accept or not accept the proposal of the other; but when God covenants with any of his creatures he only proposes and man accepts.
Abraham—'father of many nations; not only was he the father of the Israelites, but the Ishmaelites, the Midianites, and other nations traced their origin alike to him.
Sarah—' princess of a multitude.'
Isaac—'joy;' because Abraham laughed with delight when God repeated his promise of a son, whose mother should be Sarah.
angels—'messengers;' the holy and blessed spirits who are in the presence of the Lord, ever ready to execute his will.
grievous—heavy; hard to be borne; causing a feeling of grief.
interceded—prayed for ; stood for a time between them and punishment.
righteous persons who regulated their life by the laws of God, so as to please him. Those who act justly and benevolently are 'righteous.'
merciful-compassionate; pitiful. Ps.
ciii. 8.13.
permitted—allowed in answer to his prayer.
refuge—shelter ; protection.
brimstone...the inflammable and suffocating properties of this mineral rendered it an effective agent in this work of speedy and complete destruction.
furnace—metals are melted in furnaces, therefore an intense heat is required; the quantity of fuel they consume occasions much smoke.
GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES.
ZOAR—'small; though threatened with the same destruction as that which fell on the other cities of the plain of Sodom it was spared at Lot's entreaty; its former name was Bela.
SODOM AND GOMORRAH—two of the cities of the plain of Siddim; the Dead Sea or Salt Lake which now covers the site is about fifty miles long and eight miles wide; the Arabs call this lake the 'Sea of Lot.'
THE DEAD SEA.
"AND HE OVERTHREW THOSE CITIES, AND ALL THE PLAIN, AND ALL THE INHABITANTS."
THE wind blows chill across those gloomy waves Oh! how unlike the green and dancing main! The surge is foul, as if it roll'd o'er graves; Stranger,-here lie the cities of the plain.
Yes, on the plain, by wild waves covered now, Rose palace once, and sparkling pinnacle; On pomp and spectacle beam'd morning's glow, On pomp and festival the twilight fell.
Lovely and splendid all,—but Sodom's soul Was stain'd with blood, and pride, and perjury; Long warn'd, long spare'd, till her whole heart was foul, And fiery vengeance on its clouds came nigh.
And still she mock'd, and dance'd, and taunting, spoke Her sportive blasphemies against the Throne;— It came! The thunder on her slumber broke:— God spake the word of wrath! Her dream was done.
Yet, in her final night, amid her stood Immortal messenger, and pausing Heaven Pleaded with man, but she was quite imbued, Her last hour wane'd, she scorn'd to be forgiven!
'Twas done!—down pour'd at once the sulphurous shower, Down stoop'd in flame, the heaven's red canopy, Oh! for the arm of God in that fierce hour!— 'Twas vain, nor help of God or man was nigh.
They rush, they bound, they howl, the men of sin;— Still stoop'd the cloud, still burst the thicker blaze; The earthquake heave'd!—then sank the hideous din!— Yon wave of darkness o'er their ashes strays.
CROLY.
THE BIRTH OF ISAAC. THE TRIAL OF ABRAHAM'S FAITH. Genesis xx.-xxiii.
After the destruction of the cities of the plain Abraham went southwards and sojourned in Gerar. He deceived Abimelech, the king, by saying Sarah was his sister. God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him to restore Sarah to Abraham.
Abimelech reproved Abraham for his deceit, but afterwards made him presents.
The son which God promised to Abraham was born. Abraham called the child's name Isaac. Abraham was then a hundred years old. He and his family lived at Beersheba. Ishmael mocked Isaac; and for this offence he and his mother were cast out of Abraham's house. Hagar went with her son into the Wilderness of Beersheba. Hagar thought Ishmael would die of thirst, but God provided water for them both. God promised Hagar that he would make of Ishmael a great nation. Ishmael grew up in the wilderness, and became an archer. His mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.
God commanded Abraham to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice. Abraham prepared to obey God. He went to a mountain which God told him of in the land of Moriah. There he built an altar, upon which he laid his son; but as he was about to slay him the angel of the Lord said, "Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me." Abraham then offered up a ram which God had provided instead of Isaac. Thus was Abraham's faith tried, and the sacrifice of Isaac prevented. God again blessed Abraham for his obedience. Sarah died at the age of one-hundred-and-twenty-seven years. Abraham bought of Ephron, the Hittite, the field and cave of
Abraham bought of Ephron, the Hittite, the field and cave of Machpelah for a burying-place. There he buried Sarah. Sarah is the only woman whose age is recorded in the Bible.
NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS.
destruction-complete burning up of the inhabitants and the plain; the site was then overflowed by the waters of the Jordan.
southwards—towards the meridian, or place of the sun at noon.
sojourned—resided for a time, not settled; we are sojourners upon earth as our fathers were.
Abimelech-'father of the king;' a common name of the kings of Gerar, indicating the hereditary nature of their royalty.
dream—God often made known his will to the ancients in dreams. Lesson 7, 'vision,' and Job xxxiii. 14-16.
deceit—falsehood in word or act; the fear of man was a snare to Abraham, and caused him to lie.
presents-'gifts;' either to make amends for his detention of Sarah, or to secure Abraham's friendship now that he knew he was the 'friend of God.'
offence—sin; God has always expressed his displeasure against the sin of mocking. Les. 4, 'mocked' & 'servants.'
archer—skilled in the use of the bow and arrow, both as a hunter and a warrior.
offer up—slay him as a being devoted to God in sacrifice.
angel of the Lord—' messenger ; ' one that is sent to execute the orders of Divine Providence.
lad—a youth; Isaac was at this time about twenty-five years of age.
ram-a male goat or sheep, much used in sacrifice in after times.
tried—proved his faith in God's power to raise Isaac again from the dead. Hebrews xi. 19.
tion; caves were used in ancient times as burial places.
Ephron-a descendant of Heth; the owner of the plot of ground which Abraham purchased for a burial-place; this curious transaction is fully recorded at the close of the twenty-third chapter of Genesis.
cave—a natural or artificial excava-
GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES.
GERAR-a royal city and country of the Philistines, near Gaza, the territory of which was extensive.
BEERSHEBA—'the well of the oath ; was the place in the south of Canaan where Abraham and Abimelech, king of Gerar, made a covenant of peace.
WILDERNESS-an uncultivated and dreary district; the wilderness here spoken of extended southward from Palestine to Mount Sinai. Less.25.' W. of Paran.'
MORIAH—the name of a mountain on the north-east of Jerusalem.
MACHPELAH—the name of the cave, near Hebron, which Abraham purchased of Ephron, the Hittite. Several of the patriarchs and their wives were buried there.
HAGAR IN THE DESERT.
"GOD OPENED HER EYES, AND SHE SAW A WELL OF WATER."
Injur'd, hopeless, faint, and weary, Sad, indignant, and forlorn, Through the desert wild and dreary, Hagar leads the child of scorn.
Who can speak a mother's anguish, Painted in that tearless eye,
Which beholds her darling languish, Languish unreliev'd, and die.
Lo! the empty pitcher fails her, Perishing with thirst he lies,
Death with deep despair assails her, Piteous as for aid he cries.
From the dreadful image flying, Wild she rushes from the sight;
In the agonies of dying, Can she see her soul's delight?
Lo! the angel of the Lord, Comes thy great distress to cheer,
Listen to the gracious word, See, divine relief is near.
"Lift thine eyes, behold yon fountain, Sparkling 'mid those fruitful trees; Lo! beneath yon sheltering mountain Smile for thee green bowers of ease.
"In the hour of sore affliction, God hath seen and pitied thee; Cheer thee in the sweet conviction, Thou henceforth his care shall be." MRS. TIGHE.
THE MARRIAGE OF ISAAC.
Genesis xxiv.-xxv. 6,12-18,&xi.10,11.
When Abraham was very old, he called his faithful servant Eliezer to him; and made him promise not to take a wife for Isaac from the daughters of the Canaanites. He told him to journey into Mesopotamia, and bring Isaac a wife from Abraham's own kindred. Eliezer obeyed the directions of Abraham, and went to the city of Nahor. It was evening when Eliezer came to a well near the city, to which the women usually came to draw water; and while his camels rested, he prayed to the Lord for success, saying, "O Lord God of my master Abraham I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water; and let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink and I will give thy camels drink also; let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master." As soon as he had finished his prayer, Rebekah, a daughter of Bethuel, Abraham's nephew, came to draw water. The servant asked her to give him drink, she did so, and also drew water for his camels. When Eliezer knew who she was he blessed God for having brought him to his master's kindred. He afterwards went to her father's house, where he told his errand, and asked Rebekah in marriage for Isaac. Bethuel, and his son Laban, answered, "The thing proceedeth from the Lord;" and Rebekah consented to go with Eliezer.
They blessed her and sent her away with her nurse. Rebekah first saw Isaac when he was meditating in the fields. She became his wife, and Isaac loved her.
Soon after Isaac's marriage, Abraham married Keturah, and had six sons. Ishmael became the father of twelve princes. Shem was the last of the race who had lived before the flood. He died at the age of six-hundred years.
NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS.
faithful—true to his master's commands; loyal.
Eliezer—'God's help;' it is thought he was a kinsman of Abraham.
promise—this was in the form of an oath, which form pledged Eliezer to act true to his own convictions of God's faithfulness to Abraham and his seed.
evening—in the east evening or early dawn is better suited to laborious duties than the middle of the day, owing to the great heat at noon.
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