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In the morning. They had passed that way on the previous evening, but it was, doubtless, too dark to see what had happened to the fig-tree. Cursedst. -To curse, in this sense, is to doom to destruction. The tree, it should be remembered, had no owner; and, being incapable of fruit-bearing, it served but to mock the hunger of the weary traveller. Have faith in God, -i.e., a firm belief that nothing is difficult to Him. This important lesson was cheaply purchased by the destruction of a barren fig-tree; and the solemn words of Jesus, the speedy fulfilment of the curse, and this conversation on the subject, should have made it indelible. Verily I say, &c.-This saying about removing mountains was a proverb. It means here that he who believes in God will overcome all his difficulties. What things, &c.-This is an encouragement to prayer, founded on the power of faith.

FOR

VI. FORGIVENESS FOR THE GIVING.-V. 25, 26. When ye stand praying,―i.e., when ye pray. Standing was a usual posture in prayer, as well as kneeling. The latter seems more humble. That your Father, &c.-How can a child, who will not forgive his brother, expect his father's forgiveness ?

VII. QUESTIONERS QUESTIONED. V. 27-33. By what authority doest Thou these things?—viz., (1.) accept such homage, v. 8-10; (2.) cast out the traders, v. 15-17; (3.) teach in the temple, like a priest? I will also, &c. His works already bore ample witness to His Sovereign authority; and had He answered, they would not have believed Him. From heaven, or of men ?-Was John sent of God, or was he a deceiver?

REFLECTIONS.-1. Christ knows all things. He knew where the colt was; and He always knows, not only where you are, but also everything about you.

How careful you should be to please Him!

2. The Lord has need of our service.He has no necessities, such as we have ; but His work in the world is to be carried on by human instrumentality. He has made the coming of His kingdom depend largely upon the prayers, and labours, and liberality of His people. Come "to the help of the Lord!" See Judges v. 23.

3. They who love Jesus do not begrudge Him their property.-The man to whom the colt belonged, as soon as he knew the Master's "need," gave it to Him. What does He ask of you? Whatever it is, if you withhold it you do not

love Him.

4. Christ's followers must be humble.They are frequently poor; but the poor are often vain, self-willed, and proud. We cannot be His disciples unless, like Him, we are "meek and lowly." He did not disdain, while about His Father's business, to ride upon an ass; and we must cheerfully engage in any service, however humble, if thereby we can do good and promote His glory.

5. Fig-trees are worthless if not fruitful.-All men may be regarded as God's fig-trees. Many are covered only with the "leaves" of a fair profession; and very many more have not even leaves, but stand utterly and always bare, as fig-trees are in winter. All these may yet bear fruit; and if they do not, they will be "cursed." Barrenness is punished (1.) with exposure, v. 20; (2.) with burning. Sec Matt. iii. 10.

QUESTIONS.-What did Jesus "need?" How did He obtain it? What did He do with it! What What prophecy was thus fulfilled? did the people cry? What did they mean! What did Jesus do in the temple? Why was the fig-tree "cursed?" What passed between Peter and Jesus about it? How should we pray? Why did not Jesus answer "the chief priests?" &c.

Illustration.-FIG-TIME.

See v. 13. "There is a kind of tree which bears a large green-coloured fig, that ripens very early. I have plucked them in May, from trees in Lebanon, a hundred and fifty miles north of Jerusalem, where the trees are nearly a month later than in the south of Palestine; it does not, therefore, seem impossible but that the same kind might have had ripe figs at Easter, in the warm, sheltered ravines of Olivet."-The Land and the Book.

JULY 12.-MORNING LESSON.

THE SCRIBE AND THE WIDOW.-Mark xii. 28-44.

SUMMARY.-Our Lord discourses on the great commandment, asks a question concerning Himself, denounces the Scribes, and commends the liberality of a poor widow.

I. THE GREAT COMMANDMENT. V. 28-34. Scribes,-teachers of the law. Heard them,-i.e., the Sadducees and Jesus. The first,-in importance. Hear, O Israel.-Deut. vi. 4. One Lord. -The unity of God is the foundation of all the commandments.

The One

God is entitled to all our love. Is like, -in character and comprehensiveness. As thyself.-See Luke vi. 31. Is more, -of greater importance and value. Not far,-standing as it were at the door. "If thou art not far off, come in

otherwise thou hadst better been far off."- Bengel.

II. DAVID'S SON AND LORD.-V. 35-37. That Christ should at the same time be David's son and Lord involved a problem which His enemies could not solve; for they were ignorant of His incarnate Godhead.

III. THE SCRIBES.-V. 38-40. Long clothing,--flowing and stately robes, to show their importance. Salutations,— marks of respect, or deference. Devour widows' houses, &c.-Their pretence was to impress these women with their piety, and thus win their confidence, the more easily to plunder them. Their pretended sanctity would increase their damnation.

IV. THE WIDOW.-V. 41-44. To give to the cause of God is the duty of all who have the ability; and it would

Illustration.-"

seem that our Lord had stationed Himself near the treasury, to see how the people discharged this duty. Cast in much,-which was creditable to them, and acceptable to God. Two mites,which were all that she had: this, therefore, was more than the much of the wealthy,-"more," that is, in God's reckoning. Jesus called unto Him His disciples, to consider this beautiful example.

REFLECTIONS.-1. God must be loved supremely. He who loves God with all his heart loves nothing in comparison with Him, and anything only in reference to Him.

2. Our love for our neighbours must be pure and fervent.-We must do for them whatever we could reasonably desire them to do for us, were our conditions reversed. If this principle were universally acted upon, what a happy world ours would be!

3. Jesus knows what is given to His cause.-Whenever you give anything to Him, think that He sits "over against the treasury," and sees how much you give. Do not forget that He estimates the value of what we do for Him, by what it costs us. Giving which involves no self-denial, amounts to little.

QUESTIONS.What did the Scribe ask? What was the answer? If Christ is David's Son, how is He his Lord? What was the character of the Scribes? What did Jesus see at "the treasury?" What did the "rich" do? the "widow?" What did Jesus say? What did He mean?

THE TREASURY."

See v. 41. "There was a treasury' in the Temple, in which much precious metal was collected for the maintenance of public worship. The gold and silver of the Temple was, however, frequently applied to political purposes; and the 'treasury' was repeatedly plundered by foreign invaders."-Kitto.

JULY 12.-AFTERNOON LESSON.

THE PASSOVER APPOINTED.-Exodus xii. 1-28.

For repetition, verses 12, 13.

SUMMARY.-The beginning of the year is changed; the Passover is instituted, and directions for its observance are given, with orders for its perpetuation.

I. "THE BEGINNING OF MONTHS.' V. 1, 2. The measure of Pharaoh's wickedness was now well nigh full; and the period for the last plague to fall

upon the Egyptians, and for Israel to be set free, was fixed. In honour of this great event, not only was the Passover instituted, but the month in which it took place became the first in the Jewish year. The redemption of the world was so great an event, that from it we now reckon time: thus, this is the year of our Lord, 1868. The beginning of months,-literally, "the head month." It is called "Abib," ch. xiii. 4; and "Nisan," Esther iii. 7. It answered to the latter half of March, and the former half of April. Abib is "the month of green ears. It does not appear which was the first month previously.

II. "A LAMB FOR AN HOUSE."-V. 3-10. All the congregation of Israel, -i. e., the nation, as represented by its elders, v. 21. In the tenth day,-four days before the Passover, v. 6. A lamb, -or, "kid." (Margin.) The word denotes the young of either a sheep or a goat. The lambs thus taken typified Christ. See John i. 29; 1 Cor. v. 7. V. 4. Let him and his neighbour, &c.,Two families might join when one was not sufficiently numerous to eat the lamb. Shall make your count.-In fixing the number of persons to be present at the feast, they were to estimate the quantity each was likely to eat, so that one lamb might suffice for all. The number, at a later period, was fixed at ten. V. 5. Without blemish,-to symbolize the moral purity of "the Lamb of God." A male,-to take the place of the male first-born of Israel. Of the first year,-literally," a son of a year;" i.e., a year old; because it was not till then it reached the vigour of life. Or from the goats.-The choice was afterwards restricted to lambs. V. 6. The whole assembly, -i.e., the fathers or heads of all the families. In the evening, -or, "between the two evenings." (Margin.) This is supposed to mean between sunset and the time of total darkness. V.7. And they shall take of the blood. The law of sacrifice was not yet given, nor a common sanctuary erected: each house, therefore, was to serve for the "tabernacle," and its doorposts for an "altar." V. 8. Roast,probably, because a whole lamb could be more conveniently roasted than boiled. Unleavened bread,-i.e., bread containing nothing but the pure meal. Leaven is dough in the course of fermentation, and fermentation is corrup

tion; and as the lamb was to be pure, so must be the bread that was eaten with it. Bitter herbs,-in remembrance of their cruel bondage; but though bitter, when eaten with the sweet flesh of the lamb, they might not be unpleasant to the taste. V. 9. Sodden,-i.e., boiled. The purtenance,-i.e., as much of the offal as was fit for food. V. 10. Let nothing of it remain.-The lamb was to be cooked whole, and they were not to make two meals of it. This was, probably, to preserve the idea of unity and completeness; and if any part could not be eaten, it was to be given back to God by fire.

III. "THE LORD'S PASSOVER."-V. 11-13. With your loins girded.-The outer garments worn in the East were long and loose; and, when journeying, or at work, the wearers tied them round their loins. Thus, to have the "loins girt," in Scripture phrase, was to be fully prepared for strenuous exertion. Shoes on your feet.-These were "sandals," which were not usually worn in-doors. Your staff in your hand,like travellers ready for a journey. Shall eat it in haste,-because they were about to depart from Egypt in a hurried and anxious manner. It is the Lord's Passover.-The feast was ever after to be called by this name, because God passed over every Hebrew house, and spared its firstborn, when He slew the firstborn in all Egyptian houses. V. 12. Against all the gods of Egypt, &c. -The spiritual authorities and powers of the Egyptians were worshipped in their kings and sacred animals; and the king's son, and the firstborn of all animals were slain. 13. The blood shall be to you for a token, -a sign and pledge that God would spare them.

V.

IV. "A FEAST TO THE LORD."-V. 14-20. A memorial,- -an institution intended to remind them, in after times, of their great deliverance. A feast to the Lord,- -a joyous festival; not a period of mourning and repentance. Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread. -This is called "bread of atliction," Deut. xvi. 3; but this is, probably, only because it was eaten on the last night of the Egyptian bondage. It could hardly be a joyful feast, if for so long a time the only bread that might be eaten was unpalatable. An ordinance for ever,-i.e., through all ages. V. 16.

An holy convocation,- a meeting of the people for Divine worship. A stranger, -a non-Israelite who lived with the Israelites.

V. "AN ORDINANCE FOR EVER.' V. 21-28. None of you shall go out,because in that night of vengeance there would be safety only within those doors which were sprinkled with the blood of the Paschal Lamb. V. 23. The destroyer. Compare 2 Sam. xxiv. 16; 2 Chron. xxxii. 21. V 24. An ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.-They were to regard the Passover as an institution for their posterity, as well as for themselves; and, when they were settled in the promised land, they were to explain the meaning of this service to their children.

REFLECTIONS.-1. There is no salvation without obedience to God. - Israel was safe if God was obeyed. No plan of man's devising would have availed. Had they not fallen in with God's plan, they would have despised and rejected His mercy. It is the same with us. See John xiv. 6; 1 John iii. 23.

2. Without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.- Israel needed an atonement, and the blood of the Paschal Lamb was atoning blood. It pointed to "the Lamb of God," whose "blood cleanseth from all sin." The Israelites were to sprinkle their houses with the atoning blood; and our conscience must be sprinkled with Christ's blood. For this, repentance and faith are necessary.

3. Faith in Christ leads to fellowship

with the Father.-In the PassoverSupper, the sacrificé became a sacrament, showing the communion of Israel with God. The Lord's Supper now takes its place.

4. The blood of Christ is the saint's security.-The blood of the Paschal Lamb exempted the Israelitish houses from the vengeance which smote all the firstborn of Egypt; and "the blood of sprinkling" gives similar security to believers. It marks them for God's See Rom. viii. 1.

own.

5. God saves us that we may serve Him.-See Luke i. 74.

6. Children should inquire about the things of God.-It concerns us all to understand the meaning of the holy ordinances in which we worship God. Why were they appointed? What is their design? What do they require on our part? How may we be profited by them? They who carefully ask about the way to "the kingdom," are sure to find it.

7. It is the duty of God's people to teach His truth to children. The Jewish children were to be told all about the Passover. The children of Christians should be told about "God manifested in the flesh." See Deut. vi. 6,7; Ps. lxxviii. 3-8; 2 Tim. iii. 15.

QUESTIONS.-Why was the beginning of the year changed? What was the first month? What was to be done on the tenth day? Why a lamb? Why a male? Why without blemish? What was to be done with the blood? Why? What with the flesh? With what was it to be eaten? Why bitter herbs? Why unleavened bread? How were they to eat it? How long was the feast to last?

Illustration.-HYSSOP.

See v. 22. "What a pity that Solomon's botany is lost, in which he 'spoke of trees, from the cedar-tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall,' 1 Kings iv. 33. The cedar we know; but what is the hyssop of the royal botanist? Mr. B- French consul in this city, (Sidon,) and an enthusiastic botanist, exhibited to me two varieties of hyssop; one called z'atar by the Arabs, having the fragrance of thyme, with a hot, purgent taste, and long, slender stems. Á bunch of these would answer very well for sprinkling the Paschal and sacrificial blood on the lintel and posts of the doors; and over the persons and houses cleansed from leprosy... The other was a very small green plant, like a moss which covers old walls in damp places."-The Land and the Book.

JULY 19.-MORNING LESSON.
PHARAOH SUBDUED.-Exodus xii. 29-42.'

SUMMARY.-The firstborn of Egypt are slain, Pharaoh urges the Israelites to depart, they are enriched by the Egyptians, and journey as far as Succoth, where they are further charged as to the Passover.

I. THE DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN.V. 29, 30. The last of the ten plagues took effect while the Israelites, with closed doors and lighted dwellings, were

observing the newly-appointed feast. The palace was still, the guard set, Pharaoh secure, the Egyptian houses in darkness, and their inhabitants asleep. Then, at midnight, suddenly, all the firstborn of Egypt, both of men and of cattle, died; and great and bitter would be the cry which broke the stillness of the night, when it was found that one in every house was dead.

All

He

II. THE ALARM.-V. 31-36. the terms upon which Pharaoh had before insisted were now abandoned. For the moment, he was completely humbled. He was not only willing to let them go, but urged and entreated them to make haste; and even besought a blessing from Moses and Aaron. hoped, no doubt, that their blessing would be as efficacious as their curse had proved. The Egyptians also, fearing that all would die, joined in the entreaty. So Moses had foretold, ch. xi. 8. Accordingly, the Israelites shoulder their kneading-troughs, and take with them the dough for the next baking before it was leavened; for the command, v. 15, had not yet come into force. A very unfortunate word is used in our translation, in describing what they next did, which seems to make the Israelites guilty of fraud, and represents God Himself as the instigator of their dishonesty. Instead of borrowed, it should be "asked." In Psalm ii. 8, the same Hebrew word is translated "ask." The Israelites had most dearly earned these things, and God inclined the Egyptians to give them. Thus was fulfilled, Gen. xv. 14.

III. THE MARCH. - V. 37- - 42. Rameses, the ancient Heroöpolis, now Abu-Keished. It would appear from Ps. lxxviii. 12, that Pharaoh's residence was at "Zoan," or Tanis. Succoth.This was probably only a place of temporary encampment. The word signifies a covering formed by the branches of trees, and in memory of this place the Israelites kept the feast of tabernacles yearly in this manner. Six hundred thousand," from twenty years old and

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Illustration.-EASTERN CLOTHES.

See v. 34. "Over the tunic they wore a blanket, which the Arabs call a hyke, and is the very same with the plaid of the Scotch Highlanders. They are commonly six yards long, and five or six feet wide. . . Ruth's veil, which held 'six measures of barley,' might be of a similar fashion; as were the clothes worn by the Israelites, in which they folded up their kneading-troughs. The Arabs to this day fold up things of similar burden and encumbrance in their hykes."-Paxton.

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