The Sabbath-School by W. N. Glenn

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 16, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 48.

The Sabbath-School.

By W. N. Glenn

Notes on the International Lesson.

CLOSE OF SOLOMON'S REIGN.

JEROBOAM, like Saul and David, was elevated from obscure life. And, like both these, he had some natural qualifications that were in his favor. But, like Saul, his ambition rendered him impatient; he could not, like David, bide the Lord's time, and in his rashness finally lost all the honors that God had designed to bestow upon him and his house. It is a significant expression of the text, after stating Jeroboam's plebeian position, that "even he lifted up his hand against the king." One of the "three things" for which "the earth is disquieted" is "a servant when he reigneth." Prov. 30:21, 22.

JEROBOAM'S advancement by the king contained a valuable lesson for young men. It seems that he was among the workmen engaged in repairing the defenses of Jerusalem, "and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph." That is generally understood to mean that he was made foreman, or overseer, over that part of the work assigned to Ephraim, or the house of Joseph, to which Jeroboam belonged. Commenting on this instance, Dr. Pentecost says: "Energetic and industrious young men are always in demand, and are sure to be found out. They need not of themselves seek recognition. It will come to them unsought. A man's work is his best recommendation."

THE Lord gave precious promises to Jeroboam, even such as he had given to David, but told him plainly that Solomon should reign all his life for his father David's sake. But Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam, who fled to Egypt and remained till after Solomon's death. Here he married a sister of the Egyptian queen, and learned the idolatrous worship of that country, which he afterward set up in Israel. So, with all his splendid prospect, he departed from the Lord, who had so highly honored him, forfeited his dynasty, and ignominiously passed into history as "Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin."

THE "golden text" connected with this lesson is a fitting comment upon the lives both of Solomon and Jeroboam: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl. 12:13. It is a fitting injunction for each one who studies the lesson to apply to his own life; and to it is inseparably added the verse which follows: "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

It may be easy for us to look back and reproach the follies of these men, and of a host of others before them, in whose path God laid golden opportunities, to be lost through disobedience and selfish lust. It may be easy for us to say, "If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them" in many of their foolish actions. But this generation may well take to itself the words of Paul in Rom. 2:1: "Thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."

THE present generation has light and privileges unknown to any in the past. We have before us all the wisdom of our predecessors, as well as the knowledge of their experiences. We can see in the past history of the race, all the results of every phase of conduct and principle. "Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning." Why?—"That we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Rom. 15:4. We may learn lessons of great value by contemplating not only the successful lives portrayed in the Scriptures, but also the failures. Even the turning of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes made them "an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly." 2 Peter 2:6.

THE examples of individuals and nations uniformly teach the one great fact that "the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish." Ps. 1:6. "For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be; yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Ps. 37:10, 11. If even those of antediluvian days were without excuse because they believed not the preaching of Noah, what shall be said of this generation, with evidence piled on evidence of God's inexpressible mercy, and his unfailing justice and judgments? For "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

THIS lesson ends the series for 1889, that for December 29 being left for the schools to supply as they think best, either in review or by special topics. There will therefore be no lesson notes in next week's issue of this paper.

W. N. GLENN.