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 I.—SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1895.
JOHN THE BAPTIST BEHEADED.
17. For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her. 18. For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. 19. And Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him; but she could not; 20. For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous man and a holy, and kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was much perplexed; and he heard him gladly. 21. And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee: 22. And when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and them that sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 23. And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. 24. And she went out, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. 25. And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou forthwith give me in a charger the head of John the Baptist. 26. And the king was exceeding sorry; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat, he would not reject her. 27. And straightway the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring his head; and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28. And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother. 29. And when his disciples heard thereof, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb. Golden Text: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matt. 10:28. NOTE.—The section of history which belongs to this lesson includes Matt. 14:1-12; Mark 6:12-30; Luke 3:19, 20 and 9:7-9, together with other mention of John's mission in the various gospels. The time was probably the spring of A.D. 28. He was beheaded a year later, in 29. The place of our lesson was Galilee. The place of John's imprisonment was Macherus, a strong fortress and castle at the southern extremity of Perea, near Arabia, nine miles east of the northern end of the Dead Sea. Here it is probable that the feast of Herod was held, at which Herodias demanded the head of John the Baptist. 1. When Herod heard of the fame of Jesus, what did he say? See note 1. 2. What had Herod done to John the Baptist? Verse 17. 3. For whose sake did he do this? 4. What relation did Herod sustain to Herodias? 5. How did John the Baptist regard this unlawful union? 6. How did his heaven-sent reproof affect Herodias? See note 2. 7. What did Herodias desire to do because of John's reproof? Verse 19. 8. Was she able to accomplish her purpose? 9. How did Herod regard John? Verse 20. 10. What effect did John's preaching have upon him? See note 3. 11. What did Herod do on his birthday? 12. What part did the daughter of Herodias there act? 13. How did her dancing affect the king? 14. What did he promise her? See note 4. 15. How did he confirm his promise? Verse 23. 16. What council did she seek? Verse 24. 17. What was the reply of the mother? 18. What did the daughter immediately do on receiving this reply? Verse 25. 19. How did her request affect the king? 20. What induced him to comply with this request? Verse 26. 21. What did he immediately do? Verses 27, 28. See note 5. 22. What did John's disciples do? Verse 29. 1. The chronological setting of our lesson is about one year after John the Baptist was beheaded. In bringing in the fame of Jesus and Herod's supposition concerning who he was, the evangelist takes occasion to give the history of John's death. It was on hearing of the mighty works of Jesus that Herodias said that it is John the Baptist risen from the dead. 2. Herod's (Antipas) lawful wife was the daughter of Aretas, an Arabian king, but he abandoned her for the sake of Herodias. Herodias was the wife of her Uncle Philip, an elder brother of Herod Antipas, but she deserted him and eloped with the younger brother. Herod was guilty of the basest treachery to his brother, for it was while visiting his brother Philip that he became acquainted with Herodias, his wife, and as a guest plotted against the honor and happiness of one who was his brother and host. Herodias is described as an "able, ambitious, unprincipled, but bewitching and ensnaring woman." She probably thought when she married Philip that he would become heir to the throne, as he was the oldest son of Herod the Great; but when she found that he was to be poor, and his brother Antipas rich, she won the affections of the latter. This sin of Herod's John faithfully rebuked. From the tense that is used, it seems that he reproved him repeatedly, but Herod seemed to be so under the power of his unlawful spouse that his heart was hardened against all reproof. On the part of Herodias the reproof seemed to bring out all the devilish malignity of her character. The only way in which she could stop the reproof was to repent, or destroy the reprover. She would not repent, but slew the reprover. 3. Peloubet says, on the expression "when he heard him," "All the verbs are here in the imperfect tense, describing actions continued or repeated from time to time." He seems to have been fascinated by John, whose strong character overawed him at14times. "He did many things." "His conscience being touched, he tried to make a compromise with it," says Morison, "by doing a variety of good things from which he would have otherwise abstained." The Revised Version translates, instead, of "he did many things," "he was much perplexed," that is, whether to obey his conscience or to continue in sin. He wanted to kill John to please Herodias, and yet his conscience held him back, and he kept him safe. 4. Says Schaff: "This was not a common dancing girl, but her own daughter was put to this degrading task for the accomplishment of her malignant purpose." Josephus gives her name as Salome, daughter by Philip, Herod's brother. "Dancing women were abundant," says the American Commentary, "and in such banquets it was common for them to appear, transparently robed, and execute voluptuous and impurely suggestive dances. This was the Roman fashion." It was the work of her mother, too, who was adapting her wiles to the man she had to play upon. In all probability Herod and his guests were more than half intoxicated. Says Prof. Isaac H. Hall, "The wine and drunkenness of to-day, bad as they are, are but the preserved remnant of the ancient horrid riotous revels." And yet those ancient feasts were largely pagan. Peloubet remarks upon Herod's promise: "Herod was willing to give away half of his kingdom for the sight of an immoral dance. Poor fool! But how many in our day give away the whole kingdom of their souls, with health and hope, prosperity, peace, and goodness,—yea, the whole kingdom of heaven,—for the paltry price of a glass of wine, the pleasure of the table, the gratification of passion or pride, the acquisition of a little money. The race of Esaus still thrives who sell their birthright for a mess of pottage." 5. In this scripture we have a fearful object lesson of what it means to reject reproof which comes from God. Had the warning of John to Herod and Herodias been heeded, what a different history might have been written, not only of Herod, but of the countries over which he ruled! But he rejected the reproof, and, though he did not mean to kill John—in fact, had taken care to preserve him from the power of Herodias, with whom he (Herod) was unlawfully connected—yet, by rejecting the reproof which God sent, he placed himself in the power of the enemy. While Satan could not lead him to commit the crime when sober, he brought about the object in another way. Herod drunk promised what Herod sober would not, and then, by the false idea of pride and dignity, he was led to carry out what he had so rashly promised. Rarely, if ever, does Satan bring to bear on us the suggestion or temptation to the maximum of sin or iniquity into which he desires to lead us. It is step by step, little by little, a yielding to temptation here, a compromise of principle there, until we are so entangled in his toils that there is no hope for us. The only sure and safe way is to heed the reproof which the Lord sends when it comes. LESSON I.—SABBATH, JANUARY 5, 1895. THE SANCTUARY OF THE BIBLE.
[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.] The subject of the sanctuary is a very interesting and important one. When we remember that in it the whole plan of salvation centers, that an understanding of it is necessary to a knowledge of present truth and the work of God for this time, and that the prayerful study of it opens before us a vast and fruitful field of Bible truth concerning which the great majority of the Christian world is confessedly ignorant, then we will, perhaps, better appreciate its value and the importance of giving it careful and thorough study. For books of reference in studying these lessons we recommend "Patriarchs and Prophets," "The Atonement," "The Sanctuary and Its Cleansing," "Early Writings," and "Great Controversy," vol. 4. NOTE.—This outline lesson is placed before the mind at the commencement of our study of the subject, believing that it will be helpful in the lessons that will follow. This lesson is short, and the student should become familiar with every text used in it, and be able to locate them without hesitation. All of them are important proof texts, and should be remembered. 1. What is the meaning of the word "sanctuary?" Ans.—"A holy place, a sacred place, a dwelling place for the Most High." See Ex. 25:8 and "Webster's Dictionary." 2. How many times is this word used in the Bible? Ans.—144 times. 3. By what other names is it called in the Scriptures? Ans.—1. Tabernacle. See Heb. 8:1, 2. Temple. See Rev. 11:19; 15:5. 4. For what purpose are the Scriptures written? Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16. 5. What, then, must we conclude in reference to the subject of the sanctuary? 6. What has the sanctuary been from the beginning? Jer. 17:12. 7. Where is it located? Ps. 102:19. 8. What did the Lord command the people to do in the time of Moses? Ex. 25:8. 9. For what purpose was it to be built? 10. How was Moses instructed to made it? Ex. 26:30; Heb. 8:5. 11. Of what was it a pattern? Heb. 9:23. 12. What is said of the sanctuary in heaven? Heb. 8:1, 2. 13. How does it compare with the one which Moses built? Heb. 8:2; 9:11. 14. What relation does Christ sustain to it? Heb. 8:1, 2. 15. When did he begin his priestly work? Ans.—After he ascended. See Heb. 4:14; 8:1; 9:24. 16. Why did he not exercise the priestly office while he was here on the earth? Heb. 8:4. Note 1. 17. Why was there no ministration in the heavenly temple before Christ came? Heb. 9:8. Note 2. 18. When Christ finishes his work as priest, and redemption is completed, how will God dwell with his people? Rev. 21:1-3. Note 3. 19. What does John say of that city? Verse 22. 20. Whose throne will be in it? Rev. 21:5; 22:1, 3. 1. In the plan of God the typical services and offerings of the former dispensation were to extend to the death of Christ, which took place at the close of his earthly life. He placed before us in his spotless example "the way, the truth, and the life;" but he could not minister his blood before it was shed, and he could not officiate as priest at that time, because he was not of the tribe of Levi. Heb. 7:12-14. 2. The typical service which was performed in the worldly sanctuary was a shadow of a service which was still future. Type reaches antitype, but cannot exist at the same time. The shadow is past when the substance is reached. They cannot occupy the same space; hence Christ's ministration in the heavenly temple could not begin while the earthly sanctuary and its typical services were being carried forward under the divine sanction. It is also evident that the Lamb of God must first be slain before his precious blood could be ministered in our behalf. This did not prevent those who lived before Christ died from being benefited by his sacrifice, because by faith they grasped the saving truth that Christ was a Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Rev. 13:8. 3. From the Scriptures we learn that God will finally dwell with men indeed, not as in the days of ancient Israel, by a symbol—the shekinah—in a temple made with hands, having in it furniture which reminds of sin, and a service performed for its removal, but he will actually dwell with men by his personal presence, in the New Jerusalem, "our Father's house," with many mansions, all prepared for the eternal home of the redeemed by the One who will soon come again to receive us to himself. John 14:1-3. THE SECOND ADVENT.—Assorted Tract Package No. 3, contains 96 pages; price, 10 cents. Subjects considered—The Coming of the Lord, Is the End Near? Can We Know? The Signs of the Times, The Judgment, and The Second Advent of Our Lord. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE BOOKS AND TRACTS.—Assorted Package No. 2; price, 40 cents. Fifteen subjects treated; over 100 pages. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. LESSON II.—SABBATH, JANUARY 12, 1895. INSTRUCTION FOR BUILDING.
1. Who gave instruction for building the sanctuary? Ex. 25:1, 8. 2. To whom was this instruction given? 3. Where and at what time was it given? Ex. 24:12-18. 4. What kind of offerings were to be brought for the sanctuary? Ex. 25:2. Note 1. 5. Of what were the offerings to consist? Verses 3-7. 6. For what purpose was the sanctuary to be built? Verse 8. 7. How did Moses know how to make it? Verse 9. 8. Who were called to have the direct supervision of the work? Ex. 31:1-11. 9. How were they fitted for it? Verses 3, 6. 10. Into how many apartments was the sanctuary divided, and what were they called? Ex. 26:33; Heb. 9:2 (margin), 3. See also Revised Version. 11. Of what were the sides composed? Ex. 26:15. Note 2. 12. Of what length and width were these boards? Verse 16. Note 3. 13. How many boards were there to be on the north and south sides of the tabernacle? Verses 18-20. 14. How many on the west end? Verse 22. Note 4. 15. Of what did the corners consist? Verse 23. 16. What were all these boards to have in one end? Verse 17. 17. Into what were these tenons to fit? Verses 19, 21, 25. 18. Of what were these sockets made? and how much did they weigh? Ex. 38:27. 19. By what other means were the boards held in position? Ex. 26:26-28. 20. By what means were the bars held in place? Verse 29. 21. With what were the boards and bars overlaid? Verse 29. 1. There is an important lesson for us in the instruction which the Lord gave his people in regard to the offerings of the sanctuary. They were to offer willingly. We are to give "not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver." 2 Cor. 9:7. We may think, perhaps, that ancient Israel was a very wicked and rebellious people (and they were at times, and especially in the time of Christ), but their liberality in making offerings for the sanctuary is especially mentioned in the Scriptures. Ex. 36:5-7; 1 Chron. 29:9-17. We cannot afford to give grudgingly, or rob God in tithes and offerings, as the Lord declares we have done, and suffer his curse as a result. Mal. 3:8, 9. He wants us to cease robbing him, that he may pour us out a blessing that we will not have room to receive. Verse 10. When we remember that the Jewish people gave about one-third of all their income to support the work of God ("Testimonies," vol. 3, page 395), and that the early church in the days of the apostles gave all to carry the gospel, we ought to be provoked unto love and good works, cheerfully give of our substance, and take joyfully the spoiling of our goods, knowing that we "have in heaven a better and an enduring substance." Heb. 10:34. And now, as we are right on the borders of the promised land, and can carry nothing over, we should sell and give alms, that we may lay up treasure in heaven, and have our affections and interests center there, instead of being dwellers on the earth. Luke 12:23-36. 2. "SHITTH WOOD."—The wood of the shittah tree. "A tree that furnished the precious wood of which the ark, tables, altars, boards, etc., of the Jewish tabernacle were made, now believed to have been the wood of the Acacia Seyal, which is hard, fine grained, and yellowish brown in color."—Webster. The original word is translated acacia in the Revised Version. 3. "CUBIT."—There is no general agreement among the authorities in regard to the length of the cubit. The variation ranges from eighteen to twenty-two inches, hence the dimensions of the943sanctuary and everything connected with it can be easily ascertained approximately in feet and inches. 4. "The sides of the tabernacle westward." Of course on the west there could be but one side, more properly, end. The Revised Version renders this, "The hinder part of the tabernacle westward," which is evidently correct, as the tabernacle faced the east.