International S. S. Lessons

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 25, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 33.

International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

Lesson II.—Sunday, July 8, 1894.

PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture, Luke 2:25-38.

AND behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law,
Then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Now lettest thou thy servant depart, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace;
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples;
A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
And his father and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him;
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and rising up of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against;
Yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity),
And she had been a widow even for fourscore and four years; which departed not from the temple, worshiping with fastings and supplications night and day.
And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks unto God, and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Golden Text: "A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." Verse 32.

NOTE.—The time of this lesson is forty days after our last, or B.C. 4. The place is at the temple in Jerusalem, where Joseph and Mary had gone for one day to present the child Jesus to the Lord. The name "Jesus" was the Greek form of the Hebrew name "Joshua," that is, Saviour, or Jehovah the Saviour. The name means Saviour. The history covered is from the 20th to the 30th verse in this lesson. In presenting the child in the temple two ceremonies were required, the first ceremony for the purification of the mother, described in Leviticus 12, for which two offerings were required, and, secondly, the redemption of the firstborn, commonly called "presentation in the temple." In this case the ceremony was performed in the temple, though not necessarily. Every firstborn male child was consecrated to the Lord, as belonging to him, because the firstborn of the children of Israel had been preserved when the firstborn of the Egyptians were slain. Ex. 13:2, 13-15. The oldest sons would naturally become priests and religious teachers of the people; but God afterward chose the whole tribe of Levi for this service. Num. 3:12, 13. In grateful recognition of this the firstborn son was consecrated to God, and redeemed

to the family by the payment of five shekels, nearly three dollars. See Num. 3:44-48; 18:16. This is what parents ought to do with every child, consecrate him to God, and ever keep him before the Lord with earnest prayer.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

What pious man was dwelling in Jerusalem at this time? Verse 25.
For what was he waiting? and by what Spirit was he possessed?
What was revealed to him by that Spirit? Verse 26.
How did he come to be in the temple when Mary brought in Jesus? Verse 27.
When Jesus was brought in, what did Simeon do? Verse 28.
What did he say? Verses 29, 30. See note.
To whom did he say Christ would be a light and a glory? Verse 32.
How did Joseph and Mary regard his words?
What did Simeon say to Mary? Verse 34.
How did he speak of her suffering?
What would be the effect of the manifestation of Christ to Israel? Last clause of verse 34 and last clause of verse 35.
Who came in at that instant? Verse 36.
Of what tribe was she? and what is said of her life? Verses 36, 37.
Of what did she speak? Verse 38.

NOTE.

SIMEON was waiting for the consolation of Israel. His heart was opened to receive whatever instruction God had to give; therefore, just as soon as Jesus was brought in, he knew him; and the fact that Simeon knew him showed that there was no excuse for those that did not know him, but rejected him, for God is no respecter of persons, and his secret will be revealed to everyone that fears him. "To as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God." John 1:12. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant." Ps. 25:14.

Lesson I.—Sabbath, July 7, 1894.

TAUGHT OF GOD.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 12:1-21.

In the meantime, when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
But there is nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
Wherefore whatsoever ye have said in the darkness shall be heard in the light; and what ye have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them which kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
But I will warn you of whom you shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings? and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; ye are of more value than many sparrows.
And I say unto you, Everyone who shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God;
But he that denieth me in the presence of men shall be denied in the presence of the angels of God.
And everyone who shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Spirit it shall not be forgiven.
And when they bring you before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, be not anxious how or what ye shall answer, or what ye shall say;
For the Holy Spirit shall teach you in that very hour what ye ought to say.
And one out of the multitude said unto him, Master, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me.
But he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully.
And he reasoned within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where to bestow my fruits?
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my corn and my goods.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, Thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry.
But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be?
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

This lesson may be divided into three sections, as follows: Warning against Hypocrisy; Fear of God, and Dependence upon Him; The Poor Rich Man.

How great a company gathered to hear Jesus?
Against what did he warn them?
Why is it useless to act the part of a hypocrite?
How clearly will hidden things be made manifest?
Of whom are we not to be afraid? Why?
Whom should we fear?
What assurance have we of God's care for us?
How close is God's watchfulness over his creatures?
What promise is given to those who confess Christ?
What of those who deny him? Compare 2 Tim. 2:11-13.
Yet may one find forgiveness for denying Christ? Give a notable instance.
What is said of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost?
What preparation for reply should men make when they are brought before magistrates for their faith?
How will they know what to say?
What did one of the company request Jesus to do?
What did Jesus reply?
Of what did he then warn the people?
Why should we not be desirous of gain?
By what did Christ enforce this teaching?
Repeat the parable.
How should we be rich?

NOTES.

1. WITH verses 2 and 3 may be compared Eccl. 12:14; 1 Cor. 3:13; 4:5. The hypocrite hides his real character from a few, only to have it fully exposed to the multitude in the judgment.

2. "Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Col. 3:3. "In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:10. God can utterly destroy, while man cannot, though he burn the body to ashes and scatter them to the four winds. Therefore the righteous need never fear what man may attempt to do.

3. "Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Some choose to believe that this is figurative, and not an actual fact. They think so because of the seeming impossibility of the thing; but that is measuring God by man. "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." Luke 18:27. Compare Ps. 139:1-6. God even remembers every sparrow. With confidence then can we trust ourselves in his hands, when we are assured that he not only knows, but that he cares for us. 1 Peter 5:7.

4. WITHOUT trying to define just what constitutes blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, it is sufficient to note one or two points. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9. This assures us that everyone who wants forgiveness is sure to receive it. Therefore it is certain that, no matter how grievously one has sinned, he has not sinned against the Holy Ghost, if he desires forgiveness. No repentant soul is rejected by the Lord. "Him that cometh to me, I will in nowise cast out." John 6:37. This should be sufficient to comfort the hearts of those who tremble lest they have committed the unpardonable sin. The man who has committed that sin is not troubled over it.

5. "For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to speak." Still more emphatic is the instruction in Luke 21:12-15. But one who receives the Spirit's aid at such a time must have formed an acquaintance with the Spirit before that time. He must previously have learned to depend upon the Spirit for guidance in speaking. The one who has never dared to speak God's message without settling beforehand just what he would say, will not be likely to begin in the greatest emergency of his life. But not taking thought what one shall say, or how he shall speak, does not mean neglect of preparation. The word of God must be meditated upon day and night. "Meditate on these things; give thyself wholly to them," is the instruction of Paul to every servant of God.

6. "Thou fool." The fool is the one who says in his heart, "There is no God." Ps. 14:1. This was just what the rich man in the parable said. Every man whose soul is absorbed in amassing wealth for himself and for his children, as well as the poor man whose anxiety day and night is how he can make a living, really says in his heart, "There is no God." He acts as though God was not in existence, and everything depended on himself. Life is something besides eating and drinking and having plenty of clothing. Life, indeed, is rest in God, and trust in his care. "He that hath the Son hath life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:12.