Divine Object-Lessons by Stephen N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 17, 1903

Divine Object-Lessons

By Stephen N. Haskell

S. N. HASKELL

God’s first method of instructing the human race was by objects in nature. When they failed to comprehend, he gave them the written Word. Afterward he sent his Son to illustrate what there is in nature and in the written Word, and how to teach it. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.” John 1:14.

Christ’s life in the world is an object-lesson. His teaching was by parables. “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 13:34, 35.

Christ’s parables and lessons were drawn from nature, and from circumstances with which the people were familiar, so that when those objects were seen, or the same circumstances again occurred, the spiritual lessons drawn therefrom would come fresh to their minds.

The creation of the world was an object-lesson of the love of Christ; for it was he who spread the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth; it was he who filled the earth with beauty, and the heavens with songs of praise. All created things in heaven and earth are object-lessons of the love of Christ. This planet, working out the problem of salvation, is an object-lesson to the universe. Angels and unfallen inhabitants of other worlds are watching with the most intense interest the details of each person’s life; “for we are made a spectacle

unto the world, and to angels, and to men.” 1 Cor. 4:9.

When the cloudy mist that now obscures our view, is rolled back, and eternal things appear in their reality, and the great problem of life is worked out, “every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them,” will be heard saying, “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” Rev. 5:13. “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and their honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Rev. 4:10, 11.

Every step in the working out of the problem of redemption, even that which may appear mysterious and obscure to us now, will finally be seen as important, when the great plan of the salvation of the human family is completed. Each event has its appointed hour and place. Every individual has a life distinct from all others, and an experience differing essentially from them. God desires that our praise shall ascend to him, marked by our own individuality. So intimately is Christ connected with the human family, that he never leads his children, or in any manner deals with them, otherwise than they would choose to be led and dealt with, could they have seen the end from the beginning, and the wise purpose of him who would have them co-workers with him.