and make them the light of the world. He wanted to show the whole world
what wonderful things He would do for those who were faithful to Him.
But they preferred their own way, and in consequence perished as a
nation.
The apostle Paul says that "all these things happened unto them for
ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends
of the world are come." 1 Corinthians 10:11.
[Illustration: Daniel in the Den of Lions]
[Illustration]
The Prophets of Israel.
AFTER Samuel, the sixteen prophets whose writings bear their names in
the Bible, may be classified as follows:--
(1) Those before Israel's Babylonian captivity, namely: Jonah, Joel,
Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah.
(2) Those near to, and during the captivity: Nahum, Zephaniah,
Habakkuk, Jeremiah, Daniel, Obadiah, Ezekiel.
(3) Those after the return from the captivity in Babylon: Haggai,
Zachariah, Malachi.
The books which bear these names in our Bible are not arranged in the
order in which they were written; but in the order of their supposed
importance. But man can not tell which part of God's word is most
valuable. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God."
Peter says that "the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man;
but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2
Peter 1:21.
We will refer to a few prophecies which have been fulfilled:
Isaiah mentions by name the Persian prince, Cyrus, 200 years before he
was born, and tells what he should do. Compare Isaiah 44:28 with Ezra
1:1, and notice the dates in the margin of your Bible.
Isaiah also foretold and described the sufferings of Jesus. Compare
the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah with Luke 22:37; John 1:10, 11;
Matthew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24, 25; Acts 8:32-38; Luke 22:37; Matthew
27:57-60.
Forty-seven of the sixty-six chapters in Isaiah are referred to in the
New Testament, and Jesus twice mentioned Isaiah by name. Matthew 13:14;
Matthew 15:37.
Jeremiah prophesied that Jerusalem should be destroyed, and that during
the siege the famine should be so great that the Jews should "eat the
flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters." Jeremiah 19:9.
This prophecy was given six hundred and five years before Christ, and
it was fulfilled when the Roman army surrounded Jerusalem, A. D. 70,
thirty-six years after the crucifixion of Jesus.
Some of the most wonderful of the prophecies are in the book of Daniel.
The history of the world since his time is given plainly in chapters
two, seven and eight.
[Illustration: Daniel Interpreting the King's Dream.]
In the second chapter the Lord foretold, by a dream, what should come
to pass from that time to the end of the world.
Daniel, a prophet of the Lord, was given wisdom to tell the king his
dream, which he had forgotten, and also its meaning, after the false
prophets had confessed that they could not do so.
Daniel said: "There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and
_maketh known_ to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the _latter
days_." Daniel 2:28.
So the interpretation is for us, because "the secret things belong unto
the Lord our God; but _those things which are revealed belong unto us
and to our children_." Deuteronomy 29:29.
Prophecy is history told in advance. The Lord is the only one who can
do this without making a mistake.
Turn to Daniel 2:31-36, and read the dream. Verses 37 to 45 interpret
it plainly, showing that the four parts of the image mean four great
kingdoms.
History tells us that the Babylonian kingdom, symbolized by the head
of gold, was conquered B. C. 538 (five hundred and thirty-eight years
before the time of Christ), by the Medo-Persians, represented by the
breast and arms of silver. Cyrus was their general.
The Medo-Persians were overcome by the Grecians, under Alexander, 331
B. C. The brass thighs of the image represent their kingdom.
The Romans, "strong as iron," signified by the legs of iron, subdued
the Grecians in the year 168 B. C.
The feet and toes of the image represent the ten parts into which the
Roman empire was divided between the years 351 and 476 after the birth
of Christ.
These parts of Rome exist in Europe to-day, under the names, England,
Germany, France, Spain, Italy, etc., and will continue separate (see
verse 43) until the kingdom of Christ is set up, represented by the
stone "cut out of the mountain without hands," which "shall break in
pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and shall stand for ever." Jesus
said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
[Illustration: Swords and Plowshares, Spears and Pruning Hooks.]
[Illustration: They that take the Sword shall Perish with the Sword....]
What the Bible Says About War.
THE great Teacher said, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use
you." Matthew 5:9, 39-44.
When everybody does this, there will be no war. All will be righteous;
for "love is the fulfilling of the law," God's standard of right-doing.
But no person can love everybody without a change of heart. "Ye must be
born again," said Jesus. This change, or new life, comes by _believing_
that God will change us. It is only when we stop believing right that
we stop doing right.
If the world would believe, the world would be converted, or changed;
but the parable of the tares and the wheat (Matthew 13:36-43), and
what Jesus said about the "many" in the broad way and the "few" in
the narrow way (Matt. 7:13, 14), show that "many are called, but few
chosen."
Yet thousands of people are prophesying "peace and safety" (1
Thessalonians 5:1-5), forgetting that "evil men and seducers shall wax
worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:13), and
that the "tares," or sinners, are finally to be destroyed instead of
being changed over into wheat. "Ye will not come unto Me," said Jesus.
One of the prophecies of Isaiah (2:2-5) says that "many people" "in
the last days" shall talk about peace as if it were coming soon by the
conversion of the world. The marginal reading of Isaiah 2:16, calls
such talk "pictures of desire," and says they shall "be brought low"
(verse 12).
Verses three to five tell what the "_people_" are saying. Verses six to
twenty-two are the _prophet's_ declarations because of what the people
have said. He foretells destruction for those who do not repent, the
same as does the prophet Joel. It will be a time of general war. Here
are the _people's_ sayings and the _Lord's_ sayings, side by side. They
are direct opposites; yet both refer to "the last days," when "the day
of the Lord is near:"
"It shall come to pass in _THE LAST DAYS_ that ... _MANY PEOPLE_ shall
say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the
house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we
will walk in his paths:...
"And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people:
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into
pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither
shall they learn war any more.
"O house of Jacob, come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord."
Isaiah 2:2-5.
Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles. Prepare war, wake up the mighty
men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
"Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears:
let the weak say I am strong.... Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest
is ripe: come, ... for their WICKEDNESS is great.
"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the
Lord is near in the valley of decision." Joel 3:9-16.
The _DAY OF THE LORD_ "shall come as _A DESTRUCTION_ from the
Almighty." Isaiah 13:6-11.
[Illustration: John the Baptist by the Jordan.]
[Illustration]
The Birth of Jesus.
"THERE was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
"The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all
men through Him might believe.
"He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light."
John 1:6-8.
"As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send My Messenger before
Thy face, which shall prepare Thy way before Thee.
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the
Lord, make His paths straight.
"John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of
repentance for the remission of sins.
"And there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of
Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan,
confessing their sins.
"And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin
about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
"And preached, saying, There cometh One mightier than I after me, the
latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
"I indeed have baptized you with water; but He shall baptize you with
the Holy Ghost." Mark 1:2-8.
[Illustration: The Wise Men Following the Star.]
In ancient times, when a king made a visit to another country, he sent
messengers before him. These messengers would see that there was a good
path for him to travel, and that the people where he was going were
ready to receive him.
John the Baptist was God's messenger, sent to arouse the people of this
world, and prepare them to receive Jesus when He should come to visit
them.
Before Jesus came to this earth He was a great King in heaven. Paul
says He was "equal with God." Philippians 2:6.
We can never understand how the Son of God, the great King of heaven,
could come to this earth as a babe. This is one of God's great
mysteries.
But he did come in just this way. He was born in a manger in Bethlehem.
Coming in this humble manner, the priests and rulers of Israel were not
ready to receive this Babe as their Saviour. They were looking for Him
to come as a great King, in pomp and splendor.
But there were on the plains of Bethlehem some humble shepherds who
were looking and waiting for the promised Messiah. To them angels were
sent to tell of the birth of Jesus.
And the angel said, "Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a manger." And they went to Bethlehem in haste, and
found the infant Jesus as the angel had told them.
God meant that others, as well as the Jews, should know that the
Saviour had come to begin His work on earth. Away off in the Eastern
country there were wise men who had read the prophecies about the
Messiah, and believed that He would soon appear.
One night these men saw a wonderfully bright star in the sky, moving
toward the land of Judea. They believed this to be a sign that the
Messiah had come. So they followed the star, and it brought them to the
manger in Bethlehem.
"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child
with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him; and when they
had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and
frankincense, and myrrh.
"And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to
Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
"And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth
to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and His
mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word:
for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him."
[Illustration: The Shepherds Worship Jesus.]
Find the second chapter of Matthew, and read about the flight into
Egypt, and why they finally went to Nazareth, in Galilee, instead of to
a city of Judea. Verses 15 and 23 tell the reason.
[Illustration]
The Childhood of Jesus.
THE early life of Jesus was spent in Nazareth, a small city in the
northern part of Palestine. His parents were very poor, and He had only
what poor children have.
His father was a carpenter, and Christ learned the carpenter's trade
and worked with him. From His earliest days He was a pattern of
obedience and industry. He was used to a life of hardship and toil, and
can comfort all those who must work for a living.
Of the childhood of Jesus it is written, "The child grew, and waxed
strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon
Him." Luke 2:40.
The mother of Jesus was His first earthly teacher. From her lips, and
by reading the prophecies, He was taught of heavenly things and of His
mission to this world.
The wonderful truths which He Himself had spoken to Moses and the
prophets, He was now taught by His mother. The Holy Spirit gave her
wisdom to teach Him aright. All parents should teach their children as
Jesus was taught, that every child may obtain knowledge as Jesus did.
Jesus left all His glory and power when He came to earth as a babe. He
took His place by the side of the fallen men of earth. He came "in the
likeness of sinful flesh." He was subject to all the temptations and
weakness of our fallen race.
[Illustration: Jesus among the Teachers of the Law.]
Yet by the power of God He was kept from yielding to the temptations
which surrounded Him. This power He gained by earnest prayer to His
Father in Heaven. This power every child and man can obtain in the same
way.
In His humble life, as the child of poor parents, He faithfully did
His part of the work. Ever obedient and cheerful, He was as a pleasant
sunbeam in the home circle.
Once a year His parents went up to Jerusalem to attend the passover.
When Jesus was twelve years of age He went up with them.
When the feast was over, Joseph and Mary started for home with a
company of friends, but Jesus remained in Jerusalem. They supposed He
was in the company, and did not miss Him until they had journeyed a
whole day. Then they turned back to find Him.
[Illustration: Jesus in the Carpenter Shop.]
"And it came to pass, that after three days, they found Him in the
temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and
asking them questions." Luke 2:46. These doctors were learned men in
the Scriptures, yet they were astonished at the questions and answers
of Jesus. They soon saw that He had a deeper knowledge of the Word of
God than they had, although He was so young.
Jesus seemed to know the Scriptures from beginning to end. He repeated
them in such a way that their true meaning shone out. His knowledge of
the Scriptures made them ashamed.
"Though Christ seemed like a child that was seeking help from those who
knew a great deal more than He did, yet He was bringing light to their
minds in every word He spoke." While appearing to instruct Jesus, these
doctors were asking questions and learning Bible truths which they did
not understand.
And while Jesus was thus teaching others, "He Himself was receiving
light and knowledge about His own work and mission in the world; for it
is plainly stated that Christ 'grew in knowledge.'"
When Mary found Him she said, "Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with
us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing." And Jesus
answered, "How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be
about My Father's business?"
His parents could not understand Him then, but when He began His
ministry it was plain to them.
"And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto
them; but His mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus
increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Luke
2:41-53.
[Illustration]
The Early Ministry of Jesus.
WHEN Jesus was about thirty years of age, He went to be baptized by
John in the River Jordan. He was not baptized because He was a sinner,
but to set an example for all to follow.
When He came out of the water the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove,
descended from Heaven upon Him. Then the voice of God was heard, saying
"This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
The descent of the dove upon Christ was His anointing for the work of
the ministry that was before Him. From the Jordan the Spirit led Him
into the wilderness, where He fasted forty days, and where the devil
tempted Him in many ways, as recorded in Matthew 4:1-11.
From the wilderness He returned to the Jordan, and began to choose His
disciples. We next hear of Him at the marriage at Cana of Galilee,
where He performed the wonderful miracle of turning water into wine.
Soon after this, Jesus went to Jerusalem to attend the feast of the
passover. As He entered the temple where God was worshiped, He found
the court filled with cattle, sheep, and birds, for sale to those who
would buy sacrifices for their sins.
Cheating and robbery were carried on in the very temple court. Even
priests and rulers were engaged in this unholy traffic. As Jesus stands
on the temple steps His eye views the whole scene. His countenance
changes, and all seem compelled to look upon Him.
[Illustration: Jesus Drives the Buyers and Sellers from the Temple.]
All trading ceased, and there was silence in the temple court. Then,
raising a whip of small cords, He cried, "Take these things hence; make
not My Father's house an house of merchandise." John 2:16.
Priests, and rulers, and merchants fled in terror from the temple. They
could not endure the look on His face nor the power of His voice. The
divine power had flashed through the humanity of Christ.
After a time the crowd that had fled at the words of Jesus came slowly
back; but what a change had taken place! Instead of unholy trade, they
saw the Saviour healing the sick who were pressing around Him.
On every side was heard the urgent, pitiful appeals, "Master, bless
me." All were healed who came to Him. The lame were made to walk, the
dumb to speak, and the blind to see.
The mothers brought their children to be healed and blessed. The little
sufferers were returned to their mother's arms with the bloom of health
and the smile of happiness on their faces.
Jesus loved the children because they were so pure and innocent and
simple in their ways. He took them as an example of the purity and
simplicity that should show in the lives of those who should follow Him.
One day some mothers brought their children to Jesus, hoping that He
would bless them. But He had worked a long time, and needed rest. So
His disciples rebuked the mothers, and told them not to trouble the
Master.
"But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto them,
Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of
such is the kingdom of God." Mark 10:14.
The pen of Julia Gill has given the following beautiful description of
this scene:--
[Illustration: Jesus Blessing the Children.]
Christ and the Little Ones.
"THE Master has come over Jordan,"
Said Hannah, the mother, one day,
"He is healing the people who throng Him,
With a touch of His finger, they say.
"And now I shall carry the children--
Little Rachel, and Samuel, and John,
I shall carry the baby, Esther,
For the Lord to look upon."
The father looked at her kindly,
But he shook his head and smiled;
"Now, who but a doting mother
Would think of a thing so wild?
"If the children were tortured by demons,
Or dying of fever, 'twere well,
Or had they the taint of the leper,
Like many in Israel."
"Nay, do not hinder me, Nathan--
I feel such a burden of care;
If I carry it to the Master,
Perhaps I shall leave it there.
"If he lays His hand on the children,
My heart will be lighter, I know,
For a blessing for ever and ever
Will follow them as they go."
So over the hills to Judah,
Along the vine-rows green,
With Esther asleep on her bosom,
And Rachel her brothers between,
'Mong the people who hung on His teaching,
Or waited His touch and His word,
Through the row of proud Pharisees listening,
She pressed to the feet of the Lord.
"Now, why shouldst thou hinder the Master,"
Said Peter, "with children like these?
Seest not how, from morning till evening,
He teacheth, and healeth disease?"
Then Christ said, "Forbid not the children--
Permit them to come unto Me."
And He took in His arms little Esther,
And Rachel He set on His knee;
And the heavy heart of the mother
Was lifted all earth-care above;
And He laid His hands on the brothers,
And blest them with tenderest love.
As He said of the babes in His bosom,
"Of such is the kingdom of heaven,"
New strength for all duty and trial
That hour to her spirit was given.
[Illustration: At the Home of Mary and Martha]
[Illustration]
Jesus in the Home.
ON earth Jesus had no home of His own. He said of Himself, "The foxes
have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man
hath not where to lay His head." See Matthew 8:20.
He never remained long in one place. We read of His beautiful teachings
and wonderful miracles in all parts of Palestine. At one time He is on
the shore of the Sea of Galilee. At another time He is in Jerusalem,
cleansing the temple and healing the sick. Then He is by Jacob's well,
in Samaria, teaching the people of Sychar the way to everlasting life.
He had no home of His own, but many were glad to receive Him as a loved
and honored guest. When in these homes He more than repaid them for
their care, by the beautiful lessons He taught, and the sorrows He
comforted.
And we can have Jesus in our homes to-day just as truly as they had Him
when He was on earth. If we invite Him, He will come into our homes and
dwell with us, and teach us, and help us in all our trials, and comfort
us in all our sorrows.
In the little town of Bethany, near Jerusalem, was the home of Lazarus
and his sisters Mary and Martha. At this pleasant home the Saviour was
always welcome. This whole family believed in Jesus and His mission,
and eagerly listened to the words which He spake.
In this peaceful home Jesus often found rest. When weary, and feeling
the need of human sympathy, He was glad to escape from the throngs of
people, and the contentions of the wicked Pharisees, for the quiet and
peace of this humble home.
At the time of His first visit to Bethany, His disciples came with Him
to the home of Lazarus. Here He had no enemies to watch his words, and
He taught the great truths of the gospel plainly, and not in parables.
Prizing these lessons, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, an eager listener
to the wonderful words of life. But Martha was busy preparing food for
the guests. She was very anxious that they should be comfortably cared
for.
Martha felt that her sister was not helping in the work as she ought,
and came to Christ, and said, "Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister
hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me."
But Jesus answered, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled
about many things; but one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that
good part which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:40, 41.
The most important thing in this world is to learn the great lessons
which Jesus teaches. There is need for the Marthas with their zeal and
carefulness for the work and servants of God. But first they should,
like Mary, learn at the feet of Jesus.
"Happy the home where Jesus' name
Is sweet to ev'ry ear;
Where children early lisp His fame,
And parents hold Him dear.
"Lord, may we in our homes agree,
This blessed peace to gain;
Unite our hearts in love to Thee,
And love to all will reign."
[Illustration]
The Miracles of Jesus.
DURING His mission on earth, Jesus performed many wonderful miracles.
He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, made the deaf to hear,
cleansed the lepers, raised the dead, stilled the storm, and did many
other wonderful works.
At one time Jesus had been teaching all day in a desert place. As the
night came on the disciples asked Him to send the people away that they
might go into the villages and buy food to eat.
But Jesus answered, "Give ye them to eat." They were astonished at
this, for there were five thousand people to be fed, and they had only
five loaves and two small fishes.
Then Jesus took the loaves and fishes and blessed them, and divided
them among the people. "And they did all eat, and were filled. And they
took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes," Mark
6:39-44
At another time four of the disciples fished all night on the Lake
of Gennesaret, or Galilee, and had caught nothing. And Jesus said to
Peter, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your net for a draught."
But Peter was discouraged, and said, "Master, we have toiled all the
night and have taken nothing; nevertheless at Thy word I will let down
the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude
of fishes; and their net brake." Luke 5:1-7.
[Illustration: The Net Full of Fishes.]
Then Peter and Andrew called to James and John to come with their boat
and help them. And both boats were filled with the fish.