LESSON XI.—DECEMBER 14.—SHALL NOT GOD AVENGE HIS OWN?
NOTE.—In the preparation of these lessons all Scripture references, and the pages of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” should be thoroughly studied first, then the questions. The questions are not the lessons. They are only for the purpose of finding out what we have observed while studying. More of the preciousness of these lessons will be obtained if the lesson is studied each day throughout the week. In the parables of Jesus there is salvation from sin for every type of sinner—from the Pharisee to the prodigal. The notes are wholly selected from such portions of “Christ’s Object Lessons” as apply to each lesson.
1 “And He spake a parable unto them to the end that they 2 ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, and regarded not man: 3 and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto 4 him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, Though I 5 fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest she wear me out by her continual coming. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unrighteous judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge His elect, which cry to Him day and night, and He is long-suffering over them? 8 I say unto you, that He will avenge them speedily. Howbeit when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?”
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
1. To what intent was this parable spoken?
2. What sort of judge is here mentioned? Who came to him? For what reason? For a while how did he act? Why only did he comply with her request?
3. What are we admonished “to hear”? Is God less mindful of the needs of His elect?
4. Which requires stronger faith—an immediate answer to prayer, or a delayed answer? Why?
5. In persevering prayer, what encouragement may we gather from Zech. 3:1–3?
6. Who is our common adversary? 1 Peter 5:8. Who only can avenge us of him? To whom, then, should we appeal?
12. Whence will Jesus gather His people? Mark 13:27; see note.
NOTES.
THE Lord permits trials in order that we may be cleansed from earthliness, from selfishness, from harsh, unchristlike traits of character. He suffers the deep waters of affliction to go over our souls, in order that we may know Him, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, in order that we may have deep heart-longings to be cleansed from defilement, and may come from the trial purer, holier, happier.
THERE is no danger that the Lord will neglect the prayers of His people. The danger is that in temptation and trial they will become discouraged, and fail to persevere in prayer.
FROM age to age the Lord has made known the manner of His working. When a crisis has come, He has revealed Himself and has interposed to hinder the working out of Satan’s plans. With nations, with families, and with individuals, He has often permitted matters to come to a crisis, that His interference might become marked.
IN this time of prevailing iniquity we may know that the last great crisis is at hand.
FROM garrets, from hovels, from dungeons, from scaffolds, from mountains and deserts, from the caves of the earth and the caverns of the sea, Christ will gather His children to Himself.
