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EXPLANATIONS.

sojourned, &c.-dwelt temporarily in the neighbourhood and kept his flocks there. deceived, &c.-as he did the king of Egypt. Les. 7.

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in a dream-in ancient times God frequently made known his will by dreams. rebuked-blamed. Such cowardice as Abraham evinced deserved censure. Isanc-when the promise of this child was repeated to Abraham, Sarah laughed incredulously, but like Abraham (Les. 8) she now laughed for joy at Isaac's birth. Ishmael-the son of the Egyptian slave was now sixteen years old. mocked, &c.-this occurred at the feast which Abraham made when Isaac was weaned. Ishmael aspired to the honour of obtaining the birthright, which was the cause of his disrespectful conduct. cast out, &e.-Hagar had been guilty of contempt before Ishmael's birth; (Les. 7) now her son's conduct, following her example, procured the expulsion of both. God had told Abraham that it was not his will that the son of the bond-woman should be heir with the son of the free

woman.

thirst-often the cause of death to men and animals in the wilderness. provided, &c.-pointed out a well which Hagar, in her grief, had not observed. a great nation-especially as to their independence of all other nations. The Arabs have never been conquered. See 'wild, &c.' Les. 7. archer-he became expert in the use of the bow and arrow as a hunter, which

trained him for becoming a warrior. mother took, &c.—the privilege of Eastern mothers to select wives for their sons had been already prevalent. offer up, &c.-this is the only instance of a divine command for the sacrifice of a human victim. See Lay not, &c.' prepared, &c.-"Being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, (with respect to Isaac) he was able also to perform"-"accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead"; for he said to his servants, "Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will

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go yonder and worship, and come again to you." went to, &c.-the place appointed was distant three days' journey, so that he might have time to consider and act laid his son-Who can sufficiently admire deliberately. the dutiful submission of this young man, now 25 years old. Lay not, &c.-this is God's declaration against human sacrifices. provided, &c.-thus God can relieve his faithful followers from all distressing circumstances.

possess the gate, &c.—inherit the cities of Sarah-is held forth as an example to

the Canaanites.

Christian wives. 1 Peter iii. 6. bought-this was the first possession of the Hebrew race in Canaan.

CONTEMPORARY CHARACTERS.

PHICHOL-the chief captain of Abimelech's host, who witnessed a treaty of EPHRON-the chief of the Hittites from amity between the king and Abraham. whom Abraham purchased Machipela for a burying-place.

QUESTIONS.

When did Abraham remove to Gerar?
What occurrences took place?
Where did Abraham live when Isaac was
born?

What offence did Ishmael commit when
Isaac was weaned?
What was the punishment of Hagar and
Ishmael?

Did Ishmael perish in the wilderness?
How far southwards does the wilderness
of Paran extend?
What promise did Hagar receive from
God?
What command did God give Abraham
respecting his son Isaac?
How did Abraham obey it?
What is the situation of Mount Moriah?
How was the sacrifice prevented?
What does this transaction teach us as to
sacrifice and obedience?
Whose death is next recorded?
Who was Ephron?
Where was Sarah buried?

PRECEPTIVE LESSONS.

Although God again interposed for Abraham's happiness, we are not to presume upon a deceitful course of conduct in the hope that God will save us from its consequences. We learn to wait patiently on the Lord, from seeing that Abraham received the long promised son through whom Christ should come to bless all nations. The social ev.ls of polygamy, commenced by the seed of Cain, and continued after the flood, are shown in the history and expulsion of Hagar, while we also learn that those whose offences arise from bad social customs are not severely dealt with by Him who canrot "look on iniquity." We learn from the severe trial of Abraham's faith, and the dutiful submission of Isaac, that strict obedience to the commands of God, however trying, is our duty.

10. The Marriage of Isaac.

Genesis xi. 10,11; xv. 2; xxiv.-xxv. 16.

When Abraham was very old, he called his faithful servant 'Eliezer unto him; and made him promise not to take a wife for Isaac3 of the daughters of the Canaanites. He told him to journey into "Mesopotamia, and bring Isaac a wife from Abraham's own kindred. Eliezer 'obeyed the directions of his master, and went to Haran, the city of Nahor. It was evening when Eliezer came to a well near the city, to which the women usually came to draw water; and while his camels rested, he prayed to the Lord for success, saying, "O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the 'daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water; and let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, "Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also; let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast showed kindness unto my master." Before he had finished his prayer, Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel, Abraham's nephew, came to draw water. The servant asked her to give him drink, she did so, and also drew water for his camels. When Eliezer knew who she was he blessed God for having brought him to his master's kindred. He afterwards went to her father's house, where he told his errand, and asked Rebekah in marriage for Isaac. Bethuel, and his son Laban, answered, "The "thing proceedeth from the LORD;" and Rebekah 'consented to go with Eliezer. They *blessed her and sent her away with her nurse. She and her damsels rode on camels11 and followed the servant into Canaan. Rebekah first saw Isaac when he was meditating in the fields. She became his wife, and Isaac loved her.

Soon after Isaac's marriage, Abraham married Keturah, and had six sons. He died at the age of one-hundred-and-seventy-five years, and his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah.9 Ishmael became the father of twelve princes. Shem was the last of the race who had lived before the flood. He died at the age of six-hundred years.

GEOGRAPHICAL NOTE.

Mesopotamia-a large province of Asia, situated between the rivers Euphrates and Tigris. The name is derived from two Greek words, signifying between the rivers, and was applied to the whole extent of country so situated. In a part of Mesopotamia, called the land of Shinar, were the first dwellings of men after the Deluge, where they began to build the tower of Babel. (Les. 5.) In the same plain after many years, the great city Babylon was built. Mesopotamia became a part of the Assyrian Empire, and afterwards, successively, of the Babylonian, Persian, and Macedonian Empires. It is now included in Persia.

EXPLANATIONS.

Eliezer my God is a help.' It was customary in those days for parents to give expressive names to their children, see

'Seth,' Noah'; Les. 2,3, &c. a wife for, &c.-though Isaac was of age yet he submitted to the decision of his father now that Saralı, his mother, was no more. See mother took, &c.' Les. 9. daughters of, &c.-Abraham knew that improper marriages had already brought

ruin upon Seth's posterity. See Les. 3. kindred-Abraham did not forget that a blessing was pronounced on Shem's posterity, and a curse on Ham's. Les. 4. obeyed, &c.-in the discharge of the important duty entrusted to him he exemplified the Apostles' exhortation, "Servants obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice as men-pleasers; but in simpli

city of heart, fearing God." a well-in the East travellers usually encamp near wells, outside the cities. women, &c.-it is one of the regular domestic duties of Eastern women to fetch water for the household. to draw, &c.-by means of a rope let down into the well. prayed, &c.-to pray for the success of every lawful business is proper. Thus should every Christian follow the exhortation of the Psalmist, "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." daughters, &c.-young unmarried women,

called also in this lesson 'damsels.' Let down, &c.-from either the head or left shoulder upon which the pitcher was alternately borne. pitcher or large earthern jug; such vessels are still common for carrying and holding water. she shall say, &c.-according to the courteous and hospitable customs of the times. appointed, &c.-Eliezer knew that "a

blessed-thanked and praised.

thing... from the Lord-they saw in it the hand of God; they did not view it as a common or chance occurrence. consented, &c.-seeing that her father and brother regarded it as from the Lord, she acquiesced. blessed her-gave her rich and useful presents, as well as offered prayers for her prosperity.

her nurse-at the present day in Syria, Hindostan, and elsewhere the nurse who has brought up a bride from her infancy accompanies her to her new home. Shem-he lived seventy-five years after the call of Abram.

CONTEMPORARY CHARACTERS. BETHUEL-one of the sons of Nahor;

and the father of Laban and Rebekah KETURAH-the second wife of Abraham; she bare him six sons who settled round the eastern borders of Canaan; the most noted of them wasMIDIAN-the fourth son, and the father of the Midianites, a warlike and also a trading people, of Arabia Petrea. QUESTIONS.

Who was Eliezer?

What important commission did his
master, Abraham, give him?
Why did Abraham send so far for a wife
for his son, Isaac?
Tell me something about Mesopotamia.
To what city did Eliezer go?
Who met him, and at what place?
What did Eliezer regard this interview
with Rebekah as an answer to?
Who were the father and brother of
Rebekah?

How did they view the occurrence?
Did Rebekah consent to become Isaac's
wife?

Who accompanied Rebekah?
Was Isaac pleased with his wife?
Whom did Abraham marry?
How many sons had she?
Which of them was the most noted?
How old was Abraham at his death?
By whom, and where was he buried?
At what age did Shem die?
PRECEPTIVE LESSONS.

prudent wife is from the LORD.' Before, &c.-Thus the Lord "will fulfil the desire of them that fear him." "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

The care which Abraham took to obtain a suitable wife for his son, and the submission of Isaac to his father's wishes, teach both parents and children their reciprocal duties. We learn from this lesson also, 1st. The importance of suitable marriages. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." 2. The value of fidelity and piety in those who are servants. 3. That prayer for God's guidance is to be used on all important occasions; "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." 4. That civility and kindness are due to strangers; such was Rebekah's conduct. 5. That husbands should love their wives, as Isaac loved Rebekah. And lastly-To attain a good old age should be the desire of those who live to serve and honour God among their fellow men.

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11. The History of Job.

Book of Job.

Job is supposed to have lived in the time of Abraham. He had great possessions at **Uz, in **Idumea. He was an 'upright man, and God had blessed him, with seven sons and three daughters, and 'great riches.

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Satan 'obtained leave to tempt Job; messengers came, one after another, to tell him that all his cattle had been carried off by a band of Sabeans; that his servants were slain; that the fire of God had fallen from heaven, and burned up all his sheep; that three bands of "Chaldeans had fallen upon his camels, 14 and carried them away; that a wind had smitten the house in which his children were assembled, and they were all slain. Job's faith in God was not shaken by these calamities; he bowed with submission to God's will, and said, “The LORD gave, and the LORD 'hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

After this Satan was permitted to tempt Job still further; and Job was smitten with a painful 'disease. His wife tempted him to forsake God, but he answered, "What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Three of his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, came to him to comfort him; instead of which they 'aggravated his distress, by telling him that his afflictions were sent upon him as a punishment for some great sin. Job denied the accusation, and in declaring his own innocence, expressed some impatience at the afflictions he endured. He allowed that God afflicts the wicked, and blesses the righteous, but he also showed them that the righteous often suffer severe trials. Another of his friends named Elihu, a younger person than those who had spoken, then reproved Job's three friends for condemning Job, and showed that God is just in all his ways. He called on Job to reflect upon his own impatience, and to remember that God's power and wisdom are beyond man's comprehension. After this God addressed Job out of the whirlwind, showing him by reference to his own mighty power as displayed in the formation of the universe, and the structure of animals, the insignificance and ignorance of man. Job then humbled himself, and said, "Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth." He also said unto the Lord, "I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee . . . I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." God reproved the three friends of Job; but he healed Job of his disease, blessed him with greater riches than he had possessed at first, gave him, also, another family of sons and daughters, and bestowed upon him a long life.

GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

Uz-so called because it was originally peopled by the descendants of Huz, the eldest son of Nahor, by whom the city was founded.

Idumea-the country to the south of Canaan, called also Edom; it extends into Arabia Petrea and to the borders of the Red Sea; it was peopled afterwards by the descendants of Esau, who are called Edomites.

Sabeans-these marauders were probably descendants of Sheba one of Shem's posterity; but some have thought they were the Sabeans of Arabia Felix, descendants of Cush, the eldest son of Ham. Les. 4.

Chaldeans-the predatory warfare of this people led them far from their own country. See Chaldea, Les. 6.

EXPLANATIONS.

lived, &c.-by some commentators he is supposed to have lived about 130 years before the birth of Abraham, upright, &c.-he firmly maintained all the great articles of patriarchal belief, and his whole life was characterized by piety, benevolence, and justice. great riches-his property was very large. He resided in a city, and employed many servants to protect and tend his flocks and herds. Satan-an 'adversary' or 'enemy"; "that old serpent"; the great adversary of man; the accuser of the brethren; "the

devil." obtained, &c.-No harm can befal the saints of God except by his permission, and that for a wise purpose. cattle-some of these were employed in ploughing, and were much nearer home than the sheep and camels. sheep-they were probably in the wilderness, and far removed from the cattle and the camels.

faith...not shaken-his confidence in God's goodness and mercy did not

waver.

The Lord gave-thus Job ascribed all his prosperity to the good providence of God.

hath taken, &c.-he looked upon the Sabeans, &c. as God's agents in removing those blessings which had been lent him by the Lord. disease, &c.-probably the leprosy of the Arabians which is spoken of as 'a universal ulcer.'

aggravated, &c.—made it more grievous. for... sin-afflictions are not sure indications of a depraved course of conduct. "There is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked.

Many important doctrines are taught in the Book of Job. Among them are those of creation, of providence, of the depravity of man, of sacrifice, of the necessity of obedience, and of holiness, of a Redeemer, of the resurrection, and of future rewards and punishments.

CONTEMPORARY CHARACTERS. ELIPHAZ-called the Temanite, probably a native of Teman, in Idumea; he made the mistake of supposing that Job's punishment was the consequence of some gross iniquity, of which he had been guilty.

BILDAD-the Shuhite, probably derived from Shuah, one of the sons of Keturah; he spoke to Job of the certainty of God's wrath on the wicked and the hypocrite. ZOPHAR-the Naamathite, probably derived from Naamah, in Judah; he sternly denounced hypocrisy, as if under the impression that this was Job's particular sin. ELIHU-called the Buzite, and probably a native of Buz, in Idumea; he censured Job's friends for their rash judgment, and Job also for justifying himself before God. His discourse is full of piety, wisdom, and benevolence. He also spoke of the mediatorial office of Christ.

QUESTIONS.

Where is it supposed Job lived?
Where is Uz, and by whom is it supposed
to have been founded?

What was Job's character?
What are we told of his riches?
By whom was Job tempted?
Tell me his successive trials.
Who were the Sabeans ?-the Chaldeans?
How did Job bear his trials?
How did he express his meekness and
submission?

What disease attacked Job?
What counsel did Job's wife give?
What was his reply?

Who came to comfort Job?
Were they successful?

Into what mistake did they fall?
How did Job receive their unjust accusa-
tions?

Who interposed wise counsel?
What course did Elihu take?
How did God show Job the insignificance
and ignorance of man?
How did Job then show his humiliation?
Did God restore Job's prosperity?

PRECEPTIVE LESSONS.

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The history of Job teaches us the existence, activity, and malice of Satan, "your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.' His agency in human affairs, by permission of God, is plainly shown; he is allowed to afflict the righteous for their sins, or for the purpose of exhibiting the steadfastness of their faith. Job's devout recognition of all that he possessed as blessings lent him at the Lord's pleasure, should teach us the sin of repining at earthly losses. We moreover learn that, notwithstanding the sincerity of our character, even friends may form a wrong estimate of it; that false accusations may betray the righteous into hasty replies; that the aged sometimes lack wisdom, for, "Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment "; and that God will reward the faith and patience of his servants, by giving them a happy issue out of all their afflictions.

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