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TRAINING THE TEACHER
BY
A. F. Schauffler, D.D.
Antoinette Abernethy Lamoreaux
Martin G. Brumbaugh, Ph.D., LL.D.
Marion Lawrance
Supplementary chapters by
Charles A. Oliver
Ira Maurice Price, Ph.D.
Approved as a First Standard Course by the
Committee on Education,
International Sunday School Association
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TIMES COMPANY
PHILADELPHIA
COPYRIGHT, 1908,
BY THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TIMES COMPANY
ENTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL, LONDON, 1908
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
CONTENTS
ORGANIZING AND CONDUCTING A TEACHER-TRAINING CLASS 5
CHARLES A. OLIVER
1. THE BOOK 11
A. F. SCHAUFFLER, D.D.
HOW THE BIBLE CAME TO US 123
IRA MAURICE PRICE, PH.D.
THE GIST OF THE BOOKS 129
COMPILED
2. THE PUPIL 139
ANTOINETTE ABERNETHY LAMOREAUX
3. THE TEACHER 181
MARTIN G. BRUMBAUGH, PH.D., LL.D.
4. THE SCHOOL 219
MARION LAWRANCE
APPENDIX
TEACHING HINTS 259
PAUL'S JOURNEYS 266
THE TWELVE TRIBES, MAP 270
ASSYRIA AND CANAAN, MAP 270
EXODUS AND WANDERINGS, MAP 271
Organizing and Conducting the Teacher-training Class
CHARLES A. OLIVER
Teacher-Training Superintendent Pennsylvania
State Sabbath School Association.
#Teacher-training Needed.#--No more serious problem faces the
Sunday-school to-day than the question of securing more teachers and
better teaching. We owe it to those who are called to teach the Word
to see that means of thorough preparation be brought within their
reach. The best teachers will welcome a better training for Christ's
service and many good people who have not found their place in the
work of the church will gladly engage in Sunday-school teaching after
they have been specially instructed in the Bible and in the principles
of teaching.
This book provides the essential elements for the teacher-training
course in four sections: (1) The Bible material which is the basis for
all Sunday-school instruction, under the title of "The Book," by Dr.
Schauffler. (2) A study of the working of the mind at various ages and
under differing conditions (a brief study of psychology), under the
title of "The Pupil," by Mrs. Lamoreaux. (3) A study of teaching
principles and the application of these principles (a brief study of
pedagogy), under the title of "The Teacher," by Dr. Brumbaugh. (4) A
study of the place in which this instruction should be given, that is,
"The School," by Mr. Lawrance. Additional material for instruction
will be found in the chapter "How the Bible came to Us" by Professor
Ira Maurice Price, and "The Gist of the Books."
#Starting a Class.#--(1) No better beginning can be made than a
prayerful conference between the pastor and the Sunday-school
superintendent to determine the need and possibilities of
teacher-training within the local school. (2) The nearest
representative of organized Sunday-school work in your county or
State will gladly furnish you with printed matter pointing out the
teacher-training plans in successful use in your denomination.
(3) Select your text-book and familiarize yourself with it. (4) Call
the teachers and officers together. Have a half-hour social feature,
to be followed with an earnest address on the need and the plan of
teacher-training. Teach a sample lesson from the text-book. Endeavor
in that meeting to secure at least a few persons who will agree to
enter a class and will promise to do personal work to secure other
members. But do not make the mistake of requiring a large class before
beginning. A leader and two or more students will constitute a class.
#Who Should Enter the Class?#--Two general plans are now in operation.
One provides for a training class for _present teachers_. This class
should meet at a convenient time during the week to follow the course
in a teacher-training text-book. A whole evening could profitably be
given to class work. If this is not feasible the class may meet for
study at the time of the weekly teachers'-meeting or before or after
the mid-week prayer service.
A second plan provides for the training of _prospective teachers_, and
this may be done in a class meeting at the time of the regular school
session. These should be found in the senior and adult departments of
the school and should be sixteen years of age or older. The most
promising young people in the school should be sought for membership
in this class. If possible, a separate room should be provided so that
the time of the closing exercises of the school could be added to the
lesson period of the class. This will enable the class to devote ten
minutes to a brief study of the spiritual teachings of the general
Bible lesson for the day and yet leave a half-hour or more for the
training lesson.
It should not be overlooked that if a class for present teachers
is established, the officers of the school will find the course
invaluable and parents will secure very helpful instruction in the
care and nurture of young children.
#Making the Class a Success.#--It is possible for one student to
follow a teacher-training course alone, but it is very desirable for
two or more to join and take the course in class. Several persons
meeting for conference will bring better results than the same persons
studying individually. The class should have a leader who is a
sympathetic, patient, tactful Christian man or woman, who will
inspire the members to continue in their work, and who will see
that every session of the class is a conference and not a lecture.
Indifferent work should be discouraged. The members of the class are
more likely to continue to the end of the course if they have the
consciousness of mastering the work. The question and answer method
should be emphasized, and the entire period of the class should be
given at frequent intervals to reviews. Illuminating essays and talks
may be brought into the class, but these should be brief, and should
deal in a simple way with side-lights on the lesson assigned for that
period.
It is very desirable that the class should be enrolled with the
denominational teacher-training department and with the State Sunday
School Association. This enrolment will furnish the officers of these
organizations with information which will enable them to keep in touch
with the class and to send from time to time helpful and inspirational
suggestions. The enrolment of the class will also cause the members to
feel the importance of the course and will strengthen the sense of
obligation to do thorough work.
The official examinations are of the greatest importance, and should
be taken by every member of the class. These examination tests
intensify interest, and help to hold the class together until the end
of the course.
Great encouragement will be given to the members of the class if
public recognition is made of their work from time to time. Brief
words spoken in public commending the work which is being done will
often tide some faltering member over the crisis of hesitation.
The denominational Sunday-school leaders and officers of organized
Sunday-school work frequently may be called upon to lend encouragement
by their helpful presence at some public function of the class.
The diploma issued by the denominations or by the International Sunday
School Association is a fitting recognition of work done, and gives
the student a place in the enlarging fellowship of trained teachers.
Alumni Associations are being formed in the States with annual
reunions. Graduating exercises should be provided, and these should
be impressive and dignified services that will show to the church and
community the emphasis the Sunday-school is placing on high grade
work.
The Sunday School Times Company does not offer any certificates or
diplomas, nor does it conduct any teacher-training classes. All this
is carried on by the denominations, or through the agency of the State
Sunday School Associations.
THE BOOK
A. F. SCHAUFFLER, D.D.
PAGE
The Bible 11
LESSON (OLD TESTAMENT)
1. The Old Testament Division 14
2. From Creation to Abraham 19
3. From Abraham to Jacob 23
4. Joseph 28
5. Moses 33
6. Joshua to Samson 39
7. Saul to Solomon 44
8. Rehoboam to Hoshea 49
9. Abijam to Zedekiah 54
10. Elijah 59
11. Return from Captivity 64
(NEW TESTAMENT)
1. New Testament Division 71
2. The Life of Jesus--Thirty Years of Preparation 76
3. The Year of Obscurity 82
4. The Year of Popularity 88
5. The Year of Opposition 94
6. The Closing Week 100
7. The Forty Days 106
8. The Early Church 110
9. The Life of Paul 116
How the Bible Came to Us 123
Ira Maurice Price, Ph.D.
The Gist of the Books 129
Compiled
Teaching Hints
Leaders of classes, and individuals pursuing these studies
apart from classes, are urged to read the chapter entitled
"Teaching Hints," on page 259, before beginning this section
The Bible
#1. Methods of Bible Study.#--Microscopic study of the Bible is the
study of smaller portions, such as single verses, or parts of
chapters. Many sermons adopt this method. It is good for many
purposes. But it fails to give the larger views of Bible history that
the teacher needs for effective work. The telescopic method takes in
large sections of the Word, and considers them in their relation to
the whole of revelation. This is the method that will be adopted in
these studies.
[Illustration:
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500
| | | _\|/_ | _\|/_ _\|/_
| | | | | EE |
-------------------------------------------------------
| | _\|/_ | |
A J E N A M S Z C]
#2. To assist in the study# of a general survey of Bible history, we
give as a memory outline above a chart of the centuries between Adam
and Christ. We use in this the chronology in our Bibles, not because
it is correct, but because scholars have not yet agreed on a better,
especially for the ages before Abraham.
All the names are well-known but that of Jared, and his is put in
merely to mark the close of the first half-millennium. Memorize these
names so that you can reproduce the chart without looking at the book.
This exercise of memory will enable you to locate the chief events of
Bible history roughly in their appropriate chronological environment.
Are you reading about any event in the wanderings of Israel? Of course
you are between the letters M. and S. Is it a story of Elijah that you
are studying? Then the event must lie between the letters S. and Z. Or
is it the biography of Nehemiah that forms your lesson? Then it must
lie to the right of the letter Z.
#3. One peculiarity of the Bible narrative# is that at times it is
quite diffuse, and covers much space on the sacred page, while at
other times it is most highly condensed. For example, the first twelve
chapters of Genesis cover over 2000 years at the lowest computation.
All the rest of Genesis (thirty-eight chapters) covers the lives of
four men, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. The first chapter of
Exodus covers centuries while all the rest of Exodus, all of
Leviticus, all of Numbers and all of Deuteronomy cover only forty
years. Surely there must be some good reason for this. Again, two
chapters in Matthew and two in Luke cover thirty years of our Lord's
life, while all the rest of the four Gospels cover only three and a
half years.
#4. Another peculiarity# of the Word is that the miraculous element is
very unevenly distributed. At times miracles abound, and at other
times they are but few in number. In the first eleven chapters of
Genesis, covering more than 2000 years, there are few miracles,
outside of those of the creation. But in the period after that,
covered by the four great Patriarchs, we find more miracles than
before.
During the Mosaic period, beginning with Exodus 2, we find that
miracles begin to multiply as never before. For instance, God fed his
people for forty years (except on the Sabbath) with manna. Again, in
the times of Elijah and Elisha, the narrative amplifies, and the
miracles multiply. And once more when we come to the Messianic period,
as exemplified in the story of Christ, the narrative becomes fourfold,
and the miracles multiply as never before. What is the reason for this
amplification of narrative and simultaneous multiplication of the
miraculous? It is because these periods were exceptionally
significant. In them God was trying to teach men lessons of peculiar
importance. So he led the writers to tell the story more in full, and
he himself emphasized the teaching by his own Divine interposition.
#5. In the Patriarchal period# God was calling out him who was to be
the founder of that people which was to preserve God's law through the
ages, and from whom at last was to come Jesus, the Redeemer of the
world. This was a most important period, and one with which we might
well become acquainted.
#6. In the Mosaic period# God was bringing out his people from bondage
and was giving to them laws that were to shape their national life
for all time. He was also giving to them a typology in high priest,
tabernacle, and sacrifice that was to lead them in the way of truth
until, in the fulness of the time, he was to come who was the
fulfilment of both law and type, Jesus of Nazareth, the Lamb of
God, and the Son of God.
#7. In the period of Elijah# and his great pupil, Elisha, God was
making a great effort to call back to himself Israel, or the Northern
Kingdom, which had been led into gross idolatry by Jeroboam, and later
by Ahab.
#8. In the Messianic period# God was fulfilling all that he had
promised from the beginning as to a Redeemer who was to come. He who
had spoken to the fathers through the prophets, and the various types,
was now to speak to men through the person of his Son. Good reason
then why, at the four periods to which we have called attention, God
should provide that the narrative should be more full than at other
times, and that simultaneously there should be the marked intervention
of the miraculous, to prove that God was truly speaking to men, and
giving them divine directions as to how to act, and what to believe.
#9. It follows, then,# that there are four periods to which we should
pay especial attention, as being of unusual importance, and these are
the Patriarchal period, the Mosaic period, the period of Elijah and
Elisha, and the period of the Messiah. If the student be well posted
as to the occurrences during these periods, and their teaching, he
will have at least a good working outline of the whole of the Bible
history in its most important developments. To emphasize these periods
we have added on the chart in the Memory Outline the dots that will be
seen, multiplying them at each period somewhat in proportion to the
multiplication of the miraculous element in the narrative.
Test Questions
What two ways are there of studying the Bible?
What advantage is there for our purposes in the second method?
Give the nine names that divide the Old Testament times into periods
of five centuries each.
What chronological peculiarity do we find in the Bible narrative?
Give some examples of this. (Pick out other instances of this
yourself.)
What peculiarity do we find in the distribution of the miracles?
Name the four periods in which the narrative amplifies and at the same
time the miracles multiply.
Lesson 1
The Old Testament Division
PRINCIPAL EVENTS
#Prelude.#--The story of creation (Gen. 1, 2). God was the
author of all and no idolatry was to be permitted.
#First Period.#--Adam, the first man; sinned and fell (Gen.
3).
#Second Period.#--Noah, the head of a family, saved in the
ark from a devastating flood; a new beginning for the human
race, followed by another failure (Gen. 6, 7, 8). The tower
of Babel (Gen. 11:4). Confusion of tongues (Gen. 11:5-9).
#Third Period.#--The chosen family, under Abraham, broadens
to tribal life. The descent to Egypt (Gen. 46). Prosperity
(Gen. 47:11), followed by oppression (Exod. 1:8-22). Moses
the deliverer (Exod. 3:1-11). The march out of Egypt (Exod.
12). Legislation at Mount Sinai (Exod. 20). Entry into Canaan
(Josh. 1-4). Times of the Judges. (Judg. 1 to 21).
#Fourth Period.#--Three kings in all Israel--Saul, David,
Solomon (1 Sam. 10 to 1 Kings 12). The divided kingdom.
#Fifth Period.#--The captivity (2 Kings 25). The return. Ezra
and Nehemiah.
#Leading Names.#--First and Second periods--Adam, Noah; Third
period--Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samuel;
Fourth period--Saul, David, Hezekiah, Josiah, Elijah, Elisha,
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Hosea; Fifth period--Zerubbabel,
Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.
#TIME.#--From an unknown time to about 400 B. C.
#LANDS.#--Armenia, Chaldea, Palestine, Egypt, Persia.
[Illustration]
#SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS.#--The Old Testament begins with a statement of
the creation; tells of the introduction of man, "made in the image of
God;" records the downfall of man and God's many efforts to redeem
him; recites the incidents of God's dealings with chosen individuals,
selected families and a particular nation; continues with this nation
separated into two parts and held captive by a foreign power, and
closes with the return of a part of Judah. With the entrance of sin
came the promise of salvation through one who should come out of the
chosen (Jewish) nation.
The Old Testament Preview
NOTE.--The Chronology used throughout is based on
"The Dated Events of the Old Testament,"
by Willis Judson Beecher.
#1. Two Great Divisions.#--In biblical history here are two great
divisions, that of the Old Testament and that of the New Testament. It
is well to have clear outlines in our minds with regard to the great
outstanding characteristics of these periods. In making these
divisions into the periods that follow we have no "Thus saith the
Lord" for our guidance, but use the best common sense that we have.
Others might make a different division, but we give that below as at
the least suggestive.
#2. Prelude.#--The great prelude of creation. Here we are told that
all things find their origin in God. This teaching is in
contradistinction to the claim that matter is eternal. It also denies
the doctrine that the world was made by chance. It places the
beginning of all things seen in the power of One who is from eternity
to eternity. This satisfies the cravings of the human heart as no
other teaching does.
#3. First Period.--Adam to Noah.# Here we have the first stage in the
drama of human history. In it we find the beginnings of the human
race, of sin, and of redemption. Three most important beginnings. It
is covered by Genesis 2 to 5 inclusive. It is marked by total failure
on the part of man. "Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart
was only evil continually" (Gen. 6:5). Man proved himself recreant to
God's holy law.
#4. Second Period.--Noah to Abraham.# Chapters 6 to 12. God makes a
new beginning with the family of Noah. But, as before, man proves
himself disobedient and faithless to his God. We find a great
civilization, but little godliness. For the second time man proves a
failure, so far as obedience to God's law is concerned. Man in his
pride says, "Come, let us build," while God on his part says, "Come,
let us confound" (Gen. 11:4 and 7).
But little space is given in the Bible to these two periods, for they
are in reality preliminary to the third, which is of vastly more
importance than the two put together.
#5. Third Period.--Abraham to Kings.# Genesis 12 through to 1 Samuel
9. This is a most important period. Here God changes his method of
treating man. From henceforth he will chiefly communicate truth to
mankind through a chosen family and nation. Not that no man outside of
this circle can know God's will, but that especially through Abraham
and his seed God chooses to make his will known, until, in the fulness
of time, Jesus, the son of Abraham according to the flesh, shall come
and reveal clearly God's love and redemption to men.
In this section we have the story of the patriarchal family, first
coming out of Ur of the Chaldees, and living for a while in Canaan.
Then they go down to Egypt, and at last are oppressed. After being
welded together in the furnace of affliction they are brought out with
a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and in the wilderness they
receive the law of God through their great leader, Moses. Here too
they learn the way of acceptable worship, and are prepared for entry
into the Land of Promise. Then follows the conquest of the land under
Moses' successor, Joshua. Now comes the period of the Judges, when God
rules his people directly through these divinely called men. This is
easily seen to be a most important period. All this time Israel only
is monotheistic (believing in one God), but all the other nations of
the earth are grossly idolatrous. During this period we see that so
long as God's chosen people obey him they prosper, while as soon as
they disobey disasters begin to multiply.
In this period, too, was given that legislation which has been the
foundation of all the legislation of civilized nations from that time
to this. Here also we have the foundations of that system of types
that culminated in Jesus, great David's greater Son. Sacrifice, high
priest, tabernacle, here have their origin or their development. In
all the history of the world up to that time there was no period so
fraught with blessings for mankind as was this period.
#6. Fourth Period.--Kings to captivity.# 1 Samuel 9 to 2 Kings 25.
This may be divided into two parts:
(1) The united monarchy. This lasted one hundred and twenty years, and
had three kings, Saul, David, Solomon. Saul brought something of order
out of national chaos. David carried this still farther and made
Israel truly a great nation. Solomon, however, through too much luxury
and many political alliances, sowed the seeds of national decay.
(2) Now comes the division of the monarchy, brought on by the folly of
Rehoboam, Solomon's son. Because of his refusal to lighten the heavy
taxes, ten tribes revolted and established a kingdom under Jeroboam.
Ever after this they were known as Israel, also called by us the
Northern Kingdom. The Kingdom of Judah is also known as the Southern
Kingdom.
Israel, or the _Northern Kingdom_ went from the worship of the golden
calves to that of Baal, and continued on the downward course until
they went into captivity. They had only one good king, named Jehu, and
he was none too good.
Judah, or the _Southern Kingdom_ fared somewhat better, though even
here there was much idolatry. At last Judah too went into captivity,
on account of its sin. It is most suggestive to compare the triumphant
entry of Israel into the land, and its shameful exit in chains and
tears. It was all brought about through abandoning the God of Abraham.
There are some in modern days who claim that Israel had naturally a
monotheistic tendency, and on that account slowly worked its way out
of polytheism into monotheism. The writer does not so read the
history, but finds that Israel had an inveterate tendency to
polytheism, and that God only cured it of this sin through the sorrows
of the captivity.
#7. Fifth Period.--Captivity and return.# Read Ezra and Nehemiah.
This is not a period of great glory, like that of Solomon's reign. But
it is a period most remarkable on account of the fact that Judah was
now strictly monotheistic, and from that day to this, over two
thousand years, it has remained so. In the furnace fires of captivity
God cured his people once and forever of their besetting sin,
idolatry. This is a most remarkable fact, for the nations into which
they went as captives were themselves totally idolatrous.
In this period comes the building of the second temple, the reform
under Ezra, and the building of the walls of Jerusalem, under
Nehemiah.
#8.# Now the story closes for four centuries and does not open until
the New Testament times (with which we shall deal later on) begin.
Test Questions
Into what two great divisions is the Bible divided?
Give the theme of the Prelude to the Old Testament.
Give the extent of the first period.
What was its outcome?
Give the extent of the second period.
In what moral condition did its termination find mankind?
From whom to whom did the third period reach?
What change in God's method of revelation did the third period
manifest?
With what family did God begin now to deal more specifically?
Where did family life merge into national life?
What two important phases of divine revelation did this period
include?
Give the limits of the fourth period.
Give the two divisions of period four.
Give the cause of the division of the United Kingdom.
What was the course of history in the Northern Kingdom?
What course did history take in the Southern Kingdom?
Give the two prominent features of period five.
What marked change had come over Judah between the captivity and the
return?
Give the great names that are prominent in the several periods into
which we have divided the Old Testament times.
Lesson 2
From Creation to Abraham
Old Testament Division--Prelude, First Period, Second Period
PRINCIPAL EVENTS
Prelude.
#Account of the Creation.#--The creation days: Light (Gen.
1:3-5); firmament (1:6-8); land and water separated,
vegetation (1:9-13); heavenly bodies--sun, moon, stars
(1:14-19); fish, birds and animals (1:19-25); man (1:26-31).
First Period.
#Creation of Man.#--Man made in God's image (Gen. 1:27);
creation of Eve (Gen. 2:21, 22). Entrance of sin and the fall
(3:1-6); Cain, son of Adam and Eve, killed his brother Abel
(4:3-8).
Second Period.
#The Flood.#--The prevalence of wickedness (Gen. 6:5) caused
God to destroy the population of the world by flood, with the
exception of Noah, his family, and selected animals (Gen.
6-8). God made a covenant with Noah not to destroy the people
again by flood (9:8-17)
#The Tower of Babel.#--The wickedness in the heart of men
found expression in the building of the great tower of Babel,
and the punishment therefor was the confusion of tongues
(11:1-9).
#TIME.#--From an unknown time to 1928 B. C.
#PLACES.#--Garden of Eden, Western Asia, Babylon.
[Illustration]
#SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS.#--The creative period marks God as the
supreme author of the universe and of its inhabitants; sinless at
first, man falls, and begins the battle with evil which shall cease
only with the ultimate complete triumph of Christ, the Redeemer. The
flood marks the first of a series of tremendous efforts to save the
world from the thraldom of sin.
Before the Chosen Family
#9. Prelude.#--This is the beginning of all things, and well suits the
cravings of the human mind. It says, "In the beginning God created."
This beginning does not go as far back as that of John 1:1, for that
antedates creation and points to a beginning before God created. That
is, John sweeps back to that beginning when as yet there was none but
God. If this statement of Genesis 1:1 is compared with creation myths
as found among other nations, it will at once be seen to be far
grander and more in accord with our best thoughts of the divine
activity. Unbelief may say, "In the beginning matter," or "in the
beginning force," but that does not satisfy the human heart as do the
words of the sacred writer.
#In this beginning# we see the origin of all things. Genesis means
"beginnings," and in this book we find the beginnings of matter, of
vegetable life, of animal life, of man, of sin, of sacrifice, of
material civilization, of the Covenant People, and of Redemption.
Truly a wonderful book. Well has it been said that "_Genesis enfolds
all that the rest of the Bible unfolds._" In this book we find the
germ of all that is to follow. If we would know the inner significance
of all that we find in Genesis we must look to Revelation.
#10. Period One.--Adam to Noah.# Here comes the story of the creation
of man. Innocent he was at the first, but in the trial to which he is
brought, man fails, and disobeys. As sinner, he now hides from the
face of God, and has to be sought out by his heavenly Father. Sin
created a barrier between God the Holy One and man the sinner. Then it
is that God begins his work of redemption, and in Genesis 3:15 we see
the first promise of that redemption that is to be fulfilled in Jesus
in later days. In this period we see the first sacrifice, and in it,
too, we come across the full fruitage of hatred, which culminated in
murder. Man proves to be a sad failure, and the record is that God
looks down from heaven to see how man is acting. "And Jehovah saw that
the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every
imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually"
(Gen. 6:5). From that day to this, man when left to himself reproduces
this picture, as may be seen in those lands where there is no light of
the gospel of the grace of God.
#The chief characters# of this period are Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel,
Enoch, who "walked with God: and he was not; for God took him," Noah
and his three sons--Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
#11. Period Two.#--This lasts from #Noah to Abraham#. God blots out
the human race as it then existed and begins it anew. So far, all that
we know of the human race lived in the Euphrates valley, and all
modern research confirms the Bible statement with regard to this. It
need not be maintained that the flood was universal, in the sense that
it covered the whole world, as we now know it. All that is needful to
believe is that the "known world" was subject to a devastating flood
that caused the human race to perish, with the exception of Noah and
his family. Warned by God Noah builds the ark, and embarks in it. The
rains descend and the fountains of the great deep are broken up, and
the land is submerged. In due time, the rains cease, and the floods
dry up, and Noah sends out first a raven, which returns not. Then he
sends out a dove, which comes back to the ark, not finding any
resting-place. In seven days he sends out another dove, which returns
bringing an olive-leaf in her mouth. The third time he sends forth a
dove, which returns not. Then in due time Noah goes forth from the
ark, which had rested on Mount Ararat in Armenia.
#12.# Now follows the beautiful story of the sacrifice that Noah
offers, and the promise of God never again to send a deluge on the
earth. This promise is confirmed by the symbol of the rainbow. Of
course there had been rainbows before this, but this time God takes
the rainbow and makes it a symbol of his mercy to sinful man.
#13. The Tower of Babel.#--In this period we there is a great advance
in civilization, as may be seen by a careful reading of Genesis
10:1-32. Cities are built and nations are founded by the descendants
of the Patriarch Noah. But the evil tendency of the human heart again
shows itself, and the pride of man's achievement fills the heart of
the descendants of Noah. Then comes the story of the tower of Babel,
and in this we read most significantly, "And they said, Come, let us
build." To this God's reply is "Come, let us confound." Man's pride is
to be abased, and put to confusion. So the human race is scattered
abroad and its cherished plans are broken up. For the second time, man
is seen to be a failure, and there is call for another way of dealing
with the race if the truth is to be preserved. This third beginning is
to be found in Period Three, with which our next lesson will deal.
Test Questions
State how the Gospel of John has a sweep farther back even than
Genesis 1:1.
What beginnings may we find in the book of Genesis?
How does man act toward God, as soon as he transgresses his law?
Where do we find the beginning of the story of redemption?
Give the names of the chief actors in this first period of Bible
history.
Give the divine estimate of the moral condition of man before the
flood.
Where does the Bible place the story of the beginnings of the human
race?
Give the story of the building of the ark and of the flood.
In the second period, what may we say of civilization? How did its
magnitude show itself?
Give the record of the scattering of the human race.
Was the second trial of man any more successful than the first,
regarded from the religious standpoint?
Lesson 3
From Abraham to Jacob
Old Testament Division--Third Period
LEADING PERSONS
#Abraham.#--Lived in Ur of the Chaldees. Called by God to
leave country and home and kindred to go to Canaan, the
promised land (Gen. 12:1 to 25:11).
#Isaac.#--Son of Abraham (Gen. 21). Proposed as a sacrifice
(Gen. 22:1-19). Married Rebekah (Gen. 24).
#Esau.#--Son of Isaac. Sold his birthright to his brother
(Gen. 25:27-34).
#Jacob.#--Son of Isaac. By a trick secured his father's
parting blessing, to which Esau was entitled (Gen. 27:1-45).
Journeyed in search of a wife, and married (Gen. 28:10 to
31:16). Returned and was forgiven by Esau (Gen. 31:17 to
33:20). His name changed to Israel and he became the father
of the Jewish nation (Gen. 35:9-15). Had twelve sons, who
become the heads of the Twelve Tribes of Israel (Gen.
35:23-27).
#TIME.#--1928 B. C. to the birth of Joseph, 1752 B. C.
#PLACES.#--Ur of Chaldees, Canaan, Egypt.
[Illustration]
#SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS.#--With Abraham God began a course of dealings
with man which continued for about two thousand years. Setting apart
Abraham with his family was really the beginning of the chosen nation,
although the national life did not begin until after the escape from
Egypt (see Lesson 5).
Abraham, the Father of the Faithful
#14. The Bible Deals Largely in Biographies.#--If you know well the
stories of the great Patriarchs, you know the best part of Genesis.
Again, if you know the stories of Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel,
David, you will have mastered most of the history of Israel from
Exodus through 2 Samuel. This is the reason why in these lessons we
deal so largely with Bible biographies.
#15. Abraham.#--Abraham was one of the greatest men in all history. He
was the founder of that people through whom we have received all of
the Bible, excepting only what Luke, the beloved Physician, has given
us. This of itself is no small distinction. But more. He is the great
progenitor of him whom we know as the Messiah and the world's
Redeemer.
#16. Abraham and his Call.#--The call came to him in his home in Ur of
the Chaldees. Exactly in what way it came we are not told. It may have
been an inward call, such as believers to this day have at times. Bear
in mind that Abraham's ancestors were idolaters, and that the land in
which he lived was totally idolatrous.
This call was twofold. It was a call "out of," and a call "in to." Out
of home and family and religious antecedent. In to a new environment
geographically, socially, religiously.
This call he obeyed at once, and forth he went, not knowing his
ultimate destination. At Haran he paused until the death of his
father. Then on he went. How he knew what direction to take we are not
told. It may have been that he pushed forward as the migrating bird
pushes ahead, driven by a kind of inward impulse, blindly but surely.
This at least is my idea.
#17. Abraham and the Land.#--At last Abraham comes to Shechem, and
there for the first time God tells him that this is the land of which
he had spoken. There, for the first time in that land, an altar was
raised to the true God. From that day to this, and to the end of time,
that land and the Chosen People have been and will be identified.
#18. Abraham and Egypt.#--Driven by famine, the Patriarch goes down to
Egypt. There is no record that he was divinely guided in this, and
from the fact that there he gets into trouble, and that God does not
appear to him at all in Egypt, we may infer that this was not any part
of the divine plan. God does not appear to his servant again until he
returns to the Land, and builds his altar "where it was at the first"
(Gen. 13:1-18).
#19. Abraham and Lot.#--Lot was Abraham's nephew. His character
differs widely from that of his uncle. Mark, in his dealings with his
greedy nephew, the grandeur of the Patriarch's character. As the land
cannot "bear" the two sets of flocks, Abraham gives Lot the first
choice of the land, and declares that he will take what Lot leaves.
This is not after the manner of the "natural man." Decency would have
led Lot to decline his uncle's generous offer. But Lot was not decent,
and so seized all that he could. In the end this led to Lot's ruin. It
is most suggestive to note the steps in Lot's career. First he pitched
his tent "towards" Sodom. Then we find him "in" Sodom. Then he sits in
"the gate" of Sodom--that is, he has become a prominent man in that
accursed city. Soon we see him involved in the overthrow of Sodom by
the four kings. Still he returns to that city, after his rescue by his
uncle. And at last he has to escape from its final ruin, penniless. We
read in 2 Peter 2:7 that Lot was vexed with the wicked life of the
Sodomites. It has always seemed a pity that he was not sufficiently
vexed to get out from the city, bag and baggage, long before he did.
Again look at Abraham when he had gained the victory over the kings as
told in Genesis 14. How grandly he stands, refusing to touch what
comes from Sodom from a thread to a shoe latchet. By the laws of war
in that time all the "loot" was his. But he would not touch it. Bear
in mind that this was 2000 years before the Golden Rule was given, yet
here we have a man exemplifying it grandly. What a contrast between
Abraham and some of the troops in modern sieges, where they have
seized all that they could lay their hands on. This was nearly 2000
years after Jesus uttered the Golden Rule. Who was more truly
Christ-like, Abraham 2000 years B. C. or we, 2000 years A. D.?
#20. Abraham and Hagar.#--The Patriarch was not a perfect man. He
sinned in Egypt (Gen. 12:10-20), and again, as told in Genesis
20:1-16. Again, his faith in God's promise that he should have a son
seems to have grown dim. So he yields to Sarah's suggestion, and takes
Hagar. (Gen. 16). In judging him for this, bear in mind that he had
not the light that came in later days, through the further revelation
of God's will. Then Ishmael was born. It is most suggestive that from
Ishmael, who was not a "child of faith," sprang in later days Muhammad
the great antagonist of Jesus Christ, who came from Abraham through
Isaac, the "child of faith."
#21. Abraham and Isaac.#--To understand the command of God in relation
to the sacrifice of Isaac, we must bear in mind the customs of those
days in Canaan. As we now know, through excavations in that land,
human sacrifices were common. Remembering this, my own impression is
that God intended to teach his servant two things by this command.
First, that all human sacrifices were abhorrent to God; and second,
that his obedience must be unquestioning. God never intended that
Isaac should be sacrificed. This is apparent from the whole narrative.
His command was a "test" of the utter obedience of the Patriarch. This
test Abraham met grandly. He was willing to trust God to the last,
though he could not see the reason why. Then God showed him that his
son was not to be sacrificed, and provided in Isaac's place a ram for
an offering.
The story of procuring a wife for Isaac is truly oriental in its
setting. But bear in mind, it was accompanied with prayer. Though it
is not in accord with Western methods of courtship, it turned out
quite as well as many modern marriages made after the custom of
twentieth century "society."
#22. Abraham and Sodom.#--Here again we have this man in a grand
light. He pleads for Sodom, and that, in spite of its utter
worthlessness. But there are not in all of Sodom twenty righteous men
to be found. Lot's family even, merely scoff at him, and refuse to
believe his warning. It is most suggestive in this connection, that
"God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the
overthrow." (Gen. 19:29.) Lot's best asset in his life was not his
real estate in Sodom, but his godly uncle far from that wicked city.
Just so the best asset that any modern city has, is not its stocks and
bonds, or real estate, but the truly godly people who live in its
midst.
#23. Abraham and Machpelah.#--There are two places in Canaan most
intimately associated with Abraham. These are Shechem, where he first
learned that he was in "the Land" at last, and Machpelah, where he
laid Sarah to rest and where he himself was buried. Here also were
buried Isaac, Jacob, Rebekah, and Leah. (See Gen. 25:9, 49:30, and
50:13.) It would not be very surprising if some day we were to recover
their bodies from that historic burying-place. Stranger things have
happened.
Test Questions
In what does the Bible deal largely?
Give the names of the great characters of the Old Testament up to
David.
In what two respects was Abraham one of the greatest men of history?
In what respect was the call of Abraham a twofold call?
What was the religious environment of the Patriarch in his home?
Where did Abraham first know that he was in "the Land"?
What did he there "raise" at once?
What makes us think that God did not direct Abraham to go to Egypt?
What characteristics did the Patriarch show in his relations with Lot?
How did Abraham's faith show somewhat of an eclipse in the matter of
Hagar?
Who was one of Ishmael's descendants, and what does this suggest?
To whom did Lot owe his deliverance from Sodom at its overthrow?
Who were buried in the Cave of Machpelah?
Lesson 4
Joseph
Old Testament Division--Third Period (Continued)
LEADING PERSON
#Joseph.#--Son of Jacob. A favorite son (Gen. 37:3) and a
dreamer (Gen. 37:5-11). Hated by his brothers and sold into
Egypt (Gen. 37:12-28). A slave, but honored; then cast into
prison (Gen. 39:1-20). By interpreting a dream of Pharaoh he
was brought into high honor, and became Pharaoh's prime
minister (Gen. 40:1 to 41:45). Stored up grain in Egypt to
provide for a famine; relieved the needs of his brothers, who
journeyed to Egypt in search of food; finally invited his
father's family to live in Egypt (Gen. 42:1 to 47:12).
#Other Persons.#--Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Potiphar, an
officer of Pharaoh, owner of Joseph the slave. The butler and
the baker of Pharaoh, confined in prison while Joseph was
there, and the indirect means of Joseph's exaltation. Jacob,
Joseph's father; and Joseph's brothers who sold him into
Egypt.
#TIME.#--1752 B. C. to 1643 B. C.
#PLACES.#--Dothan, in Palestine. Egypt.
[Illustration]
#SIGNIFICANCE OF EVENTS.#--As a result of Joseph's invitation to his
father and brothers, with their family, to come to Egypt and partake
of his bounty, the Hebrew nation, through its leader, was transplanted
to Egypt. Their sojourn as a people lasted many years; and brought
them into subjection to the Egyptian monarch (Exod. 1:8-14).
Joseph--Prisoner and Prime Minister
Here we have a wonderful character. The life of Joseph may be divided
into two parts. First, his humiliation. Second, his exaltation.
#24. Joseph's Humiliation.#--Genesis 37, 39, and 40. We see him first
as his father's favorite, unwisely made conspicuous by the dress that
his doting father gave him. This arouses his brothers' envy. This envy
was further intensified when Joseph told them the dreams that he had,
which plainly foretold his exaltation, but which made them angry. Even
his father seems to have balked at the second dream (Gen. 37:10). Now
comes the cruel plot of the heartless brothers, planned at Dothan,
though, through the providence of God, not fully carried out. Their
definite purpose is to put him out of the way, "and we shall see what
will become of his dreams."
25. Here then we have a clear statement of God's plans and men's plans
with regard to this seventeen-year-old lad. God proposes to make him
mighty in deeds for the welfare of God's people. Men propose to put
him to death. These two plans cannot both be carried into effect.
Which is to prevail? The story is a fascinating unrolling of the
divine plan and the complete thwarting of the human plan.
#26. Joseph the Slave.#--The brothers change their plan, and sell
Joseph to traveling Midianites. These take him to Egypt, and sell him
to Potiphar, an officer in Pharaoh's court. Note here his fidelity in
all things, so that he becomes really the overseer in Potiphar's house
(Gen. 39:6). Instead of resenting his purchase by Potiphar, he takes
things most patiently, and does his duty bravely.
#27. Joseph in Prison.#--Once more, through no fault of his own,
Joseph suffers further degradation. To prison he goes. We said
"through no fault of his own." This is an understatement, for it was
on account of his fidelity to his master that he was shamefully
traduced, and so sent to jail. Yet even here his spirit of loyalty to
duty did not desert him. Again we find him trusted and put in charge
of all prison matters. (Gen. 39:22, 23.) But what has become all this
time of God's plans for Joseph? Are they to be thwarted? Nay, wait
until the fulness of time, and then note how God's plans ripen, and
are fully perfected. In the meantime note Joseph's wonderfully sweet
spirit. See how he notices the sad countenances of butler and baker in
prison. Note how he sympathizes with them, and tries to help them.
Here again, as in the case of Abraham, we see the exemplification of
the Golden Rule, long before it was uttered. Had Joseph been like some
modern men, he would have taken vengeance on the butler and baker,
they being Egyptians. He would have said, "These Egyptians have
enslaved and imprisoned me for no fault of mine. Now is my chance, and
I will pay them back." But no such bitter thoughts seem to have
entered his pure mind. In the meantime note his steadfast faith in God
and his persistent loyalty to duty, however hard that might be.
#28. Joseph's Exaltation.#--This came with a leap. The story is
familiar. But in studying the lesson, let the student not fail to read
it once more, most carefully. If it seem somewhat incredible that
Pharaoh should make a prime minister out of a prisoner at one stroke,
bear in mind that in the East they do not do things in Western
fashion. Even to this day
"East is East, and West is West,
And never the two shall meet."
The writer during his boyhood knew of a case illustrating Eastern
methods, which took place when he was living in his home in
Constantinople. The Sultan had a dentist. One day while his dentist
was off hunting, the Sultan got a toothache. He sent for his dentist,
but could not get him. His courtiers then got hold of a poor dentist
who could hardly make his living. He went to the palace and extracted
the offending molar. At once the Sultan deposed his regular dentist,
put this man in his place, created him a pasha, or peer of the realm,
gave him a large stipend, and a palace in the city and another in the
country. Thus at one stroke the man passed from obscurity to
prominence, and from poverty to wealth. This is the manner of the
East.
Now we begin to see God's plans working out manifestly. Yet all this
time his brothers think that their plans have succeeded and that the
"dreamer's" career is ended. No, the "dreamer's" career has just
begun.
#29. The Seven Years of Plenty.#--Now follow years of great activity,
and of much honor for the former prisoner. Up and down the land he
goes and gathers grain in untold quantities. As he goes they all cry,
"Bow the knee," and prostrate themselves in the dust before him. At
seventeen years of age he was sold by his brothers. For thirteen years
he was slave, or prisoner. Now for seven years he is prime minister.
Yet all the time Jacob thinks that his boy is dead. How little did the
old Patriarch suspect that during all these weary years God was
working out his blessed plans for his people.
#30. The Seven Years of Famine.#--Once more Joseph and his brothers
stand face to face. The last they saw of him was when they heard his
bitter cry, and turned a deaf ear to his entreaty. Twenty years have
made a great change in him and they do not recognize him. His
treatment of them may seem harsh, but he knew what kind of natures
theirs were, and that to do them good he must first humiliate them.
Out of kindness he was stern. To mend them and their ways he must
first break them.