Newspaper Page Text
Popular
BIBLE CLASS
Notei
THE BOOK OF GENESIS
Chapter 17
By J. W. SMITH
CHAPTER 18
The Heavenly Viiitori
After the hearty and
ous obedience (H Abraham to the
vine command concerning
tion, the Lord appeared to him
less glory, and permitting greater
miliarity, than on previout
The manifestation was very
like the gr< ■at visit of Him, Who, in
the fullness of time, assumed
flesh, and for 33 years lived
men and went about doing good.
The heavenly visitors had a two
fold mission to perform; viz., to
liver a message full of grace and
gladness to Abraham, and to destroy
the wicked cities of the plain. They
came to Abraham in mercy; they
came to Sodom in judgmc nt. God
is merciful; but He is as just as He
clear the guilty.
1. The Time, v». 1. “The Lord ap
peared unto him in the heat of the
day.” It was at high noon when rest
was needed and the chief meal of the
day w'as taken, At this time Abraham
sat in the door of his tent which was
shaded by the great tree whose
branches spread over it, watching, as
js the custom in the East to this day,
for weary travelers needing rest and
refreshment. This shows that: A lira
ham, whose riches were great, was
“given to hospitality,” and “not for¬
getful to entertain stangers. 1 1
2. The Reception, v*«. 2-8. How
beautiful was this hospitality! How
gracefully he behaved himself! He had
’a willing mind; for, in his old age,
he ran out to meet the strangers,
though at the time, he knew
nothing about them, except that they
appeared to be respectable. In bow¬
ing himself before them he
ed the genuine courtesy which comes
only from a heart filled with love to
God. In his proposals to serve them,
he manifested true humility; so that
his distinguished guests felt that
they were rot t< < roachiug up in hi:
generosity. “Let a little water be
fetched” and “a morsel of bread.”
In the preparation made for them he
revealed his liberality; for the kill¬
ing of a kid, a lamb, or a fatted calf
was only for special occasions, and
for the entertainment of visitors of
high rank.
Paul tells us to make a practice of
hospitality (Rom, 12: 13); and Pe¬
ter says, “Be hospitable to each
er, and do not grudge it” (I Pet. 4: !
9). Service rendered to others
a believeing, loving heart is done for 1
Christ. Whenever we show kindness
to one of Christ** followers we are
obliging our Lord,
3. The Question, v«. 9. Where
Sarah, thy wife? ' • That the strang- 1
,ers mentioned his wife by name 1
sur
prised the patriarch und gave him a \
clear intimation that they knew all
* about ntion his became household. As interesting the cbnver- he j
more |
discovered that he had entertained
no less a petsbilage than the Angel
of the Covenant and two of llis min- 1
isteimig spirits.
' Sarah was “in the tent.” She was
in her place. To be a keeper at home
is regarded by Paul as a great vir¬
tue in a woman (Tit. 2:5), while he
styles those who hardly ever
home idlers, tattlers, and busyhod.es.
1 Tom. 5: 13.
Fort Valley Crate & Lumber Co.
Manufacturers of
Fruit Packages
TTTTTTV .t. J.A | A.f. ,f| VVTYttVTTTTT | -t.-f. -t.-t. -t. TTVV -f. -t- Y -t.
Exclusive Manufacturers in the South
of the E. Z. Pak Bushel Shipping Basket for
Peaches, Apples Oranges and all kinds of
Fruits and Vegetables.
This package conceded to be the best and
safest package on the market
uaiBingR aaia iiiia gfia^^
4. The Promi«e, vii. 10-15. (i Sa
rah, thy wife, shall have a son.” Sa¬
rah, who was not a strong believer
in miracles, received the announce¬
ment will) the mirth of a skeptic
and not like Abram with the joy of
faith. 17: I 7. When h - saw that her
inner feelings were known to the
heavenly Guest, she was, as Peter
says, “afraid with amazement” and
denied that she had laughed. The
Angel having asked Abraham in her
presence, “Is anything too hard for
the Lord?' 1 said to Savuh “Nay, but
thou didst, laugh.” It wu when
rah received the gentle rebuke
graciors promise, and the glorious
4*ev«dat ion of Ood’s power that she
judged Him faithful Who had prom¬
ised. Hob. 11:11. After this we do
not find Sarah doubting.
5. The Revelation, v»». 16-22. 1 lie
, men having performed their mission
of mercy, now’ prepares for their
work of vengeance. The men arose
J and went toward Sodom, and A bra
ham, according to Eastern custom,
j escorted them a little on walked their way.
A. Jehovah ami Abraham to
gether the Lord made known unto
him what he was about to do to Sod
om. “The secret of the Lord is with
them that fear Him.” Ps. 25: 14.
The Lord gave this revelation to
; Abraham for the following reasons:
: Kirst, Jehobah and Abraham were
a “covenant of strong friendship, *>
1 q cond, Abraham to become
( t . was a
* great nation and be a blessing to the
I nations of the earth; therefore, he
was In he interested in what con
j earned other nations. Third, that he
might intercede for Sodom. The Lord
wanted him “to stand in the gap”
that the wicked cities might be
spared. Eze. 22: 30. Fourtn, God
could depend on him to instruct his
children in the way of life by con¬
versation, counsel, and catechism.
Abraham had 318 trained servants
who were born in his house. The
Hebrew word “ctyiiniyk” rendered
“trained” comes from “chanak,
meaning “to discipline,” ; “to train
up >. “ to ca techise. ’ This shows that
Abraham gave religious instruction
> lo sou | s that were entrusted to
him. Can the Lord depend on you to
teach those who are under your care
in the way of righteousness and
peace? Matthew Henry says, “Those
who expect family-blessing, must
make conscience of family-duty. *»
6. The Interceuion, v»». 23-33. This
is the first long intercessory prayer
recorded in the Bible and contains
the following elements: (1) Holy
*
]) Fort Valley
T
< ‘ Tourist Camp
1
))
| < I) ) > Grounds
Convenient and comfortable. In Avera’s Grove, near road
from Barnesville, just inside city limits. Any citizen of
Fort Valley will direct you.
THE LEADER-TRIBUNE, FORT VALLEY, CA., THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1925.
boldness—he drew near to the
(2) An appeal to God’s
ness. “Be it far from Thee to do
er this manner.” It would
that Abraham was troubled not
for the safety of Sodom, but, as
Thomas says, “was evidently
cerned for God also, and was
ularly anxious that the
around should not get a wrong
pression of the God of Abraham,
(3) Unselfishness—His prayer
braced the city. Lot s name is
mentioned. (4) Humility—“I am
and ashes.’ (5) Recognition
justice "O, let not the
i be angry, and I will speak yet
i this once. (0)
he spake unto Him yet again.” (7)
Confidence in God that He
do the right- “Shall not the
of all the earth to do right?” (8)
Blessed communion “The
went His way, a soon as He had
communing with Abraham. >»
Sometimes it is asked why
ham stopped praying for
when he reached ten. (1; He
spected God’s sovereignty (2t
knew Sodom deserved punishment.
(3) He rested in God’s justice. 1 4 t
He was not fully aware of the ex¬
tent of the wickedness of the city.
(5) He did not know the depth of
I the ocean of God’s mercy.
Intercessory prayer is the greatest
work in whieh a Christian can he en
gaged. God’s response to Abraham’s
prayer, “If 1 find, 1 will spare,”
should encourage us to pray without
ceasing. God has given us a similar
promise, “If ye ask, l will do. W hen
we fail to pray for others, we miss
not only blessed communion with
God, but sin against Him. “God for¬
bid that I should sin against the
Lord in ceasing to pray for you. ’
1 Sam. 12: 23. We have not because
we fail to ask. Jas. 4: 2. Abraham
got all he asked for. If he had asked
for more, God would have given it
to him.
We learn from this portion of
God’s word that—(1) Courtesy
should characterize the Christian.
(2) Opportunities to help others are
Divine calls which should be obeyed.
(3) True liberality will not shun sac¬
rifice. (4) Unbelief dishonors God.
(5) God reproves us for our good.
(6) We should approach God rever¬
ently. (7) We should pray for wick¬
ed men. (8) Answered prayers
should encourage us to pray more.
(9) God keeps the door of mercy
open until the last sign of repen¬
tance is gone.
U3 S 19001! i J l J l J lUlii lJOO T B u K 1 T T.
£ £ \
£ £ :«St»
£ £ I
£ £
£ £ (J BU
£ £ 1 v>" . v'
£ S f > j/r ijsmsag* r wj
$ £
$ £
- £
DOLLAR FRIDAY £
£ K :■ m
IS £ DAY AND
£ £ / / SATURDAY *
s SALE / £
s £ i I • r JAN. 30 * ND 31 bh in
£ s .
£ £ K ifi
s £ s
£ *:wi ti :? >•
£ pi
s f/y ip- 1 s \ £
I £
m tP kV X
£ M ; \\\
1 0 —s
kiln* -
£ • I
£ £ ( %U * i
i ii DEPARTMENT if, STORES
.* DOLLAR DAY SALE
% i ill: II
11 FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
£ £ •pp-Jt L JANUARY 30 AND 31
£ £
£ £
£ 97/
£ N ;
£
£ SR I
i p
:*t;
'*
One table mid winter Hats
values up to $5.95 to go
dollar days at
$1.00
Boys’ Union Suits up to 16
year size. 3 pr. for
$ 1.00
Men’s medium weight Un¬
ion Suits, special at
$1.00
£ Men’s Knit Shirts. Values
to $1.00 each. Special at
2 for ....
$1.00
Table 32-inch Ginghams,
36-inch Percales and 27
|£ £ inch Outings regular 19c
seller. 7 yards for
$ 1.00
£
JUST RECEIVED—delightful hats in smart shapes; new braids; silks, £
!$ and silk combined with straw. Predominant in the collection are the
£ high shades for Spring; Oxheart, Apple, Tangerine, Powder Blue,
I m Dreft, Cocoa, Beige and Honey Dew; each artfully trimmed with col¬ is
orful French flowers or ribbons. Models suitable for older women as
well as young. Quite a number to suit long hair. Some very beautiful £
. blacks, and black and white combinations. Splendid range of prices:
$1.95 $2.95 $3.98 $4.95
$5.95 $6.55 $7.50 $8 50 £
DOLLAR DAY 9 Ihe DOLLAR DAY
SALE LEE SALE
1
CHAIN VALLEY^
FORT VALLEY FORT
GEORGIA V GEORGIA
I DEPARTMENT STOR ES FOR LESS department stores
iiij i iiaizrajiimEiiiniK
32-inch Ginghams and 36
inch Outing, regular 25c
seller, special 5 yds. for
$ 1.00
Table Napkins, good qua¬
lity table damask, per doz.
$1.00
Silk Scarfs, good quality,'
regular $1.98 seller, spe¬
cial at
$ 1.00
HOSE
Table ladies silk Hose,
regular 98c seller, special
at 2 pr. for
$ 1.00
Ladies’ full fashioned Silk
Hose in a good variety of
colors, regular $1.48 sell¬
er, special at
$ 1.00
$1.00 off the price of any
Shoe in the house priced
from $3.98 up.
We will give $1.00 off the
price of any wool jersey,
serge or flannel Dress in
the house.
'i
Table ladies’ Winter Hats,
values up to $10.00 to go
dollar days special at
$2.00
Table Ratine, plaid cotton
suiting, etc., regular 48c
seller special 4 yds. for
$1.00
Cotton Crepe in a good
variety of colors, regular
25c seller, 5 yds. for
$1.00
Table Boys’ and Girls’
sweaters, coat style, reg¬
ular $1.98 seller, special
at
$1.00
One counter ladies’ Out
ing gowns, children’s
sleeping garments and la¬
dies’ outing pajamas, val
ues up to $1.98, special
$1.00 e
Children’s Coat and Slip¬
over cotton Sweaters, spe¬ £
cial at 2 for
$1.00
Good quality Middy
Blouse in white only, spe¬ £
cial at £
$1.00 £
One lot Cotton Crepe Ki A
monas, special at
$1.00