LESSON XIII.—SABBATH, SEPTEMBER 23, 1899.
Perea and Judea, A.D. 30. 11 "And He said, A certain man had two sons; and the younger 12 of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his 13 living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country; and there he 14 wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he 15 began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields 16 to feed swine. And he would fain have been filled with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him. 17 But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I 18 perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, 19 and in thy sight; I am no more worthy to be called thy son; 20 make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell 21 on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight; I am 22 no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on 23 him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make 24 merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was 25 lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew nigh to 26 the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called to him one of the servants; and inquired what these things might be. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe 28 and sound. But he was angry, and would not go in; and his 29 father came out, and intreated him. But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my 30 friends; but when this thy son came, which hath devoured thy 31 living with harlots, thou killedest for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is 32 mine is thine. But it was meet to make merry and be glad; for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." NOTE.—The texts inclosed in marks of parentheses, while not essential to the lesson study, will be found to throw much light upon the lesson, and are suggested for those who wish to study further. - What parable did Jesus speak to the people? Verses 11, 12.
- What course did the younger son pursue? Verse 13.
- What experience did he then have? Verses 14-16.
- What change came over him? What did he say? V. 17.
- What decision did he make? Verses 18, 19.
- What did he then do? Describe the scene when he met his father. Verses 20, 21. (Ps. 103:13, 14.)
- What orders did the father give? Verses 22, 23.
- What reason did he give for these festivities? Verse 24. (Luke 15:6, 7, 9, 10.)
- Where was the elder son? What did he do? Verses 25, 26.
- What answer was given him? Verse 27.
- What were his feelings on hearing the cause of the rejoicing? What did his father do? Verse 28.
- What answer did the son make? Verses 29, 30.
- What assurance did the father give him? Verse 31.
- What reason did he give for making merry? Verse 32. (Matt. 18:12-14.)
- What lessons should we learn from this parable?
- What prediction did Jesus again make to His disciples? That He should at Jerusalem be betrayed, condemned to death, be crucified, and rise the third day. See Matt. 20:17-19.