THE SABBATH SCHOOL

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Jun 25, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 26.

THE SABBATH SCHOOL

I N T E R N A T I O N A L S E R I E S

LESSON 2.—JULY 12.—CEREMONIALISM LEADS TO BONDAGE.

NOTE.—This series of lessons is entitled, "Studies on the Gospel Message." For introduction and excellent suggestions as to their study, we refer the student to the Lesson Quarterly.

ALTHE the Lord had done so much for His people (Isa. 5:3, 4), yet they did not yield the fruits of righteousness (verse 7). Their service was mere formalism (Isa. 29:13); their confidence was placed in that which was merely external (Jer. 7:4), and their ceremonialism became an offense to God (Isa. 1:11-15). Thus what was given as a means of salvation from sin was perverted into a place of protection for sinners (Jer. 7:9-11), and this led to the announcement of the destruction of the temple (verse 14), and the scattering of the people (verse 15). Confidence in the flesh left the people under the power of sin (Jer. 17:5, 6), and this made them the prey of their enemies (Jer. 5:6). The evil which was deferred during the days of Hezekiah (2 Chron. 32:26), began to come in the days of his son. The sin of Manasseh was very great (2 Chron. 33:9), and all messages of reproof were disregarded (verse 10). Then the Lord used other means of dealing with His people (verse 11), which had the desired effect (verse 12), and opened the way for the Lord to work a deliverance (verse 13). The wicked reign of Amon (verses 21-23) was followed by a great reformation under King Josiah (2 Chron. 34:33), but the next king returned to the evil ways of his fathers (2 Kings 23:31, 32), and Jerusalem became tributary to Egypt (verse 33). The people lost their independence, and a foreign king appointed their ruler. 2 Chron. 36:4. A continued course of evil (verse 5) brought upon the people the wrath which was kindled in the days of Hezekiah (2 Chron. 32:25), and Jerusalem came under the power of Babylon (2 Chron. 36:6, 7).

QUESTIONS.

Who were called upon to judge of the Lord's dealings with His people?
What inquiry showed the fulness of His provision for them? What question reveals their failure to meet His expectation?
What fruit ought the Lord to find upon His "pleasant plant"? What did He actually find?
In what ways did the people make a profession of religion? What was lacking? What became the basis of their teaching?
What shows that they had lost sight of the reality of the teaching of the sanctuary and its services?
What were some of the outward forms of service which the Lord Himself had established for His people? Why did He reprove them for their zeal in these matters?
To what extent had the people perverted the central feature of their worship? How is the same thing being done to-day?
What former experience would be repeated as a result of such a perversion? What would become of the people?
What kind of trust fails to deliver from the curse of sin? In what comparison is this truth taught?
What relation was there between the sins of the people and their ability to hold their place among the nations?
What delayed the evil result of Hezekiah's wrong course?
What indicates the greatness of the sin of his son?
What did both Manasseh and the people reject?
What other means did the Lord then use to bring them to repentance?
What effect did this have upon Manasseh?
What deliverance did the Lord then accomplish for him? What lesson did this teach him?
What course did the son of Manasseh pursue?
What happened during the reign of the son of Amon?
What is said of the reign of the son of Josiah?
What befell the nation as a consequence of his conduct?
What event proved that Jerusalem had lost its independence?
What kind of record did the newly-appointed king make?
What king came to make war against him? With what result?
What event definitely marked the beginning of that downward course which ended in the Babylonish captivity?