LESSON FOR THE PACIFIC COAST—JULY 11.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
Inheritance of the Saints. (Continued.)
1. When the Lord brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, what promise did he make them? “And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people; for all the earth is mine; and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” Ex. 19: 3-6. 2. Of what promise was this a continuation? “For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God; the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people; but because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” Deut. 7: 6-8. 3. Into what land were they to be brought? “And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” Gen. 17: 8. 5. To whom did the Lord say he had sworn to give the land which Joshua was to divide among the people? “Be strong and of a good courage; for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.” Josh. 1: 6. 7. Since the promise was made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in person, could the possession of the land by their descendants be a fulfillment of that promise? It evidently could not. 8. In making the promise to Abraham, what had the Lord said his seed should possess? “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.” Gen. 22: 17. 9. Was this fulfilled when Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan? “Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, but did not utterly drive them out.” Josh. 17: 12, 13. 10. What is Paul’s testimony on this point? “For if Jesus [margin, that is, Joshua] had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.” Heb. 4: 8. 11. Where do we find that “other day” mentioned? “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps. 118: 22-24. 12. What day was it of which David spoke? “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee; behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” 2 Cor. 6: 2. 13. Since another day was spoken of, what does Paul conclude? “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” Heb. 4: 9. 14. Who is it that leads the people into the true rest? “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matt. 11: 28, 29. 15. And who are they who are Christ’s? “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Gal. 3: 29. 16. Then through whom is the promise to Abraham and his seed fulfilled? E. J. W.