LESSON XIII. Dec. 24, 1882. time, as the one from which the longedfor Messiah was to come. Christmas Lesson. Isaiah here foretells: (1) that the Messiah would come from Jesse, the father of David. (2). He would be born, not when the family was great, rich, prosperous, and sitting upon the throne; but when it had fallen into decay or had been hewn down. The rod or branch (Christ) should grow out of the stem, (trunk or stump) of Jesse ; " 'like a root out of dry ground," instead of coming out of a root by the watercourses. Thus according to His human nature Jesus came out of Jesse and David; but according to His divine nature, He is he Root out of which David sprang. INTRODUCTION.-"This chapter is connected with the preceding one as part of the same general prophecy. In that the prophet had described the invasion of Sennacherib, and had given the assurance that Jerusalem should be safe, notwithstanding the threatened invasion. The general design of that prophecy was to console the people with the assurance of their deliverance from impending calamity. But it was a general principle with the Hebrew prophets, Elsewhere the prophets speak of the and particularly with Isaiah, when any coming Christ as a Branch; but always event tending to console the people, or as springing from the Kingly root of to excite the nation's gratitude occurred David. At other times He is spoken of to cast the eye forward to that great future as a Son. Unto us a Child is born, deliverance which they anticipated under unto us a Son is given. *** And He the Messiah. The contemplation of shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, present objects dies away; the mind * * * and the Prince of Peace." fixes more intently on the glories of the Messiah's reign; the prophetic vision ranges over the beauties of H's Person and the glories of His Kingdom, until the prophet seems to have forgotten the subject with which he commenced. This was perfectly natural. It was by an obvious law of association in the mind by which the mention of deliverance in any form, however humble, would suggest that great deliverance on which the eye of every Jew would rest. It hence follows that, wherever the prophet begins, he usually ends with a glowing description of the reign of the Messiah However far from this central object of revealed religion he may commence, yet there is a tendency everywhere to it in the prophetic writings; and the moment that by any law of association this object is suggested, or the eye catches a glimpse of it, the former objects sink out of view, and the Person and reign of the Messiah becomes the sole theme of the prophetic description."-Barnes. I. THE PRINCE OF PEACE. David was the son of Jesse, the Bethlehemite, and reigned as King of Israel 1000 years B. C. His descendants occupied the throne for about 400 years. The greatest of them were Solomon, Hezekiah, and Josiah. The last was Zedekiah. For 600 years the family was in humility, poverty, and obscurity; and yet faithfully preserved during all that On Christ the Holy Spirit came and abode, in all His fullness of graces: the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and knowledge. When He preached in the Synagogue at Nazareth He announced: "the Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach," &c. He is also the Judge of all men, who exercises justice, shuns partiality, protects the poor and the meek and "puts down the mighty from their seats " of violence and fraud. But instead of smiting with the sword, He smites with His word, which is "sharper than any two-edged sword." The rod of His mouth is His command, decision, threatening. "Out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword." (Rev. 1: 16). And yet all His power and influence shall bring peace, and show that He is the King of Peace. II. THE KINGDOM OF PEACE. Vs. 6-9. The two leading ideas here are peace, and safety. If all animals could be so changed, that the ferocious would not hurt the gentle, and the gentle would not fear the strong and savage, we would have a type of the Messiah's reign. When He was born the angels sang: "Peace on earth, good will to men." Jesus curbed all cruel passions of men, encouraged meekness and gentleness, taught Jews to cease hating Gentiles,declared that there should be one fold. in which all should dwell in peace and security. "Under His gospel the mad passions of men have been subdued; their wild, ferocious nature has been changed; their love of conquest and war and blood taken "'*** but away;" the scene has not yet been fully realized, and will not be until the gospel shall be everywhere" truly preached and truly followed"-when the waters of life, peace, and love shall cover the earth. "When Paul, who had persecuted the saints, joined himself to them then the wolf dwelt with the lamb" (M. Henry). The strongest men cannot rule over their fellow-men; but a child can lead true Christians. The Christ Child does it; and ministers and teachers, who are innocent and gentle as the child, have little trouble in leading their flocks. But you can lead them, not drive them. In my holy mountain, says God, this peace shall fully prevail. Mount Zion was first meant; but the Church in general. "Peace be within thy walls." In the heavenly Zion peace is never disturbed, but reigns eternally. "The knowledge of the Lord" is spreading rapidly over the earth; missionaries seek entrance into all lands. And wherever men have a heart-knowledge of God's word, they are disposed to peace, they hate war, treat prisoners kindly, lay aside brutal, cruel, and bloody games. We judge a nation's Christianity by the peace, gentleness, and kindness that prevail, and by its absence of bloodshed and cruelty. Our hope is that this kingdom of peace may soon spread, until the Prince of Peace shall reign as King of all nations. THOUGHTS ON CHRIST'S KINGDOM. 1. It is a Kingdom heralded by prophets for centuries before its rising. Verse 1. 2. It is of noble origin, from the royal line of David. 3. It arose in a time of depression or humiliation, when the house of David had become lowly and poor. 4. It is a Kingdom under the influ ence of the Spirit of the Lord, and built up by His power. Verse 2. 5. It is ruled in righteousness. Verses 2-5. 6. It sets aside the standard of earth, and introduces the laws of heaven. 7. It transforms the dispositions of men, rendering the ferocious gentle, and making society peaceable and safe. 8. It is destined to overspread the earth. Verse 9. WELL-DOING. Think the good, And not the clever; That grow; forever Bearing richest fruit in life. Such alone can make The thinker Strong to conquer in the strife. Love the good, And not the clever, The world can never Cease to praise the good they've done. Harvests which their deeds have won. Do the good, And not the clever. With true endeavor; Do the very best you can. -Independent. OUR BOOK TABLE. THE CENTURY, Illustrated Monthly Magazine. November, 1882. This number begins another volume of this superb magazine. The Frontispiece is a portrait of Florence Nightingale, and further on there is also a fine portrait of Henry James, jr., with a biographical sketch by W. D. Venice, Victor Hugo, the Beginning of a NaHowells. There are also excellent articles on tion, the Jury System, etc, with the usual allotment of serials. The Rev. Washington Gladden contributes the beginning of "The Christian League of Connecticut," which of fers many practical ideas on Christian work. To lovers of ancient art the "Sculptures of the Great Pergamon Altar," offers an abundant feast. The engravings are, as usual, of the highest order of excellence. |