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STUDIES IN THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

—INTERNATIONAL S.S. LESSONS—

SUGGESTIVE THOUGHTS DESIGNED TO ASSIST THOSE OF OUR READERS WHO ATTEND BIBLE CLASSES, WHERE THESE LESSONS ARE USED; THAT THEY MAY BE ENABLED TO LEAD OTHERS INTO THE FULLNESS OF THE GOSPEL. PUBLISHED IN ADVANCE, AT THE REQUEST OF FOREIGN READERS.

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LESSON XIII., SEPT. 25, ISA. 5:11,22; 28:7; PROV. 20:1; 23:19-21,29-35; GAL. 5:19,21; HAB. 2:15; HOS. 14:9

Golden Text—”Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”—Prov. 20:1

The lesson chosen by the International Committee as a temperance lesson for this quarter was 1 Cor. 11:20-24. But some, seeing no reference to temperance in these Scriptures, have made the above selection, which we will here treat briefly, referring the reader to our issue of March 1891 for an exposition of the lesson in 1 Cor. 11:20-34. We still have a few on hand which can be supplied to any requesting it.

While some of the above Scriptures are well chosen for a temperance lesson, there is much more in some of them, as will be observed by those who will study them in connection with their various contexts. Let us here pursue such a study of them, though we must necessarily be brief.

ISAIAH 5:11,22. The reference here is not to literal wine, but to the intoxicating spirit of the world, so freely imbibed by nominal Israel, both fleshly and spiritual. It was through such intoxication that fleshly Israel rejected the Lord at his first advent, and that nominal spiritual Israel is now stumbling over that same stumbling-stone. (Isa. 8:14.) The whole chapter, like chapter 28 of the same prophecy, was given as a warning to both fleshly and spiritual Israel against imbibing the intoxicating spirit of the world. Woe indeed came upon fleshly Israel in the end of their age of favor, because of their intoxicated and miserable condition of heart and mind. It came in the dreadful overthrow of Jerusalem and their complete destruction as a nation. And a similar woe upon nominal spiritual Israel—”Christendom” so-called—will, according to the sure word of prophecy, be visited upon them in the closing days of this harvest, because nominal spiritual Israel has partaken also of the same intoxicating wine.

And while all who constitute a part of that great system, which because of its intoxication is now cast off and disowned of the Lord, and out of which he is now calling those who are still his people (Rev. 18:2,4), will share in the woe that is coming upon it, the prophet (verse 22), makes very special mention of woe that is to come upon those who are mighty to drink this wine, and men of strength to prepare the cup for others. In other words, the prophet seems here to indicate special condemnation to those who are the public leaders and promulgators of false doctrine.

ISAIAH 28:7. This scripture refers to the same class as that last mentioned—the priests and the prophets, the leaders and teachers in nominal spiritual Israel now, and in nominal fleshly Israel at the close of the Jewish age. Because of their intoxication with the wine of this world’s pleasures, etc., they are all out of the way: they err in vision, they stumble in judgment, and are unable to discern and follow the truth, and much less to teach the truth, though they occupy the position of teachers. For further notes on this chapter, see treatment of Lesson III., in our issue of January 15th.

PROVERBS 20:1. This proverb of Solomon evidently has reference to literal wine and strong drink, and its truthfulness is so manifest as to require no comment here. Well would it be if all men would ponder and heed this wise warning against a foe so subtle and so destructive to peace and righteousness.

PROVERBS 23:19-21 classes drunkenness and gluttony together. Both are unworthy of true manhood and bring their sure reward of poverty and disgrace.

PROVERBS 23:29-35 extends the wholesome counsel further, picturing the miserable results of intemperance; for the momentary pleasure

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at last “biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder.”

GALATIANS 5:19-21 classes drunkenness among the miserable works of the flesh, which Paul here contrasts with the beautiful fruits of the spirit of God among those who have become the children of God. And thus the Apostle arrays himself, and all the saints who seek an inheritance in the Kingdom of God, on the side not only of temperance, but also of every good work and disposition.

HABAKKUK 2:15 seems, from the context, to have special reference again to the spirit of the world, and declares woe unto such as endeavor to lead others to imbibe of this intoxicating wine. But the condemnation would apply equally to those who tempt others to the use of intoxicating drinks.

HOSEA 14:9. This scripture has no reference whatever to the subject of temperance, but closes an exhortation to fallen Israel to return unto the Lord.

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— September 1, 1892 —