20. Who was with the lad?

What is said of the lad?

With whom was God?

Who grew? Where did he dwell? Who dwelt in the wilderness? What did Ishmael become? Who become an archer?

did he become an archer?

Where

21. And he (1) dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother (2) took him a wife out of the land of Egypt. 1. Abode.-2. Got for.

21. Where did Ishmael dwell?

do? Who took him a wife?

What did his mother

To whom did she take

a wife? Out of what did she take a wife for Ishmael? What did she take out of the land of Egypt?

LESSONS.

551. The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, ver. 1. -We should confidently and constantly depend upon the promises and the declarations of God.

552. Sarah had a son at the set time of which God had spoken, ver. 2.—God will be punctual, as well as faithful, to his promises.

553. Abraham, in obedience to God, called his son Isaac, ver. 3.-We should punctually obey God in small, as well as in great matters.

554. Abraham circumcised Isaac when eight days old, ver. 4.-We should be desirous to have our children admitted into covenant with God.

555. Abraham was an hundred years old when Isaac was born, ver. 5.-We should not doubt, nor despair, of God's promises being fulfilled, although they may be long delayed.

556. Sarah said that God had made her to laugh, ver. 6. We should always contrast our own sins with God's mercies.

557. All that heard were to laugh with Sarah, ver. 6. We should rejoice in the happiness and prosperity of others.

558. Sarah rejoiced in having borne Abraham a son, ver. 7.-We should most prize our blessings and happiness when others enjoy them with us..

559. Abraham commemorated the weaning of Isaac, ver. 8.-We should remember and record the care and the goodness of God to us and ours.

560. Abraham made a great feast when Isaac was weaned, ver. 8.-We should never condemn that which is in itself innocent, because it is, or may be abused. Feasts are in themselves right and proper; it is the gluttony, drunkenness, and immoral conduct by which they are abused, that are sinful.

561. Sarah saw Ishmael mocking Isaac, ver. 9.Parents should be watchful to prevent evil, and provident to procure good for the future well-being of their children.

562. Ishmael mocked Isaac, ver. 9.-We should never envy, abuse, or persecute others.

563. Sarah wished the mother as well as the son cast out, ver. 10.-We should never punish the innocent with the guilty.

564. Sarah would suffer none to be with Isaac who might endanger his future inheritance, ver. 10.-Parents, in training and providing for their children, should be cautious and scrupulous in chusi g, or in recommending company, worldly situations, or connexions, which may tend to blunt their religious feelings, tempt them to worldly-mindedness, compel them to sinful compliances, or endanger their eternal welfare.

565. The request of Sarah was very grievous to Abraham, ver. 11.-Wives should be careful how, and for what, they importune their husbands; never to be carried away by temporary passion, or selfish feelings; never to allow their own envy or ill-will to individuals to tempt their husbands to cruelty or injustice; and never to be impatient under, or blame

their husbands, for the natural consequences of their own sins.

566. Abraham's grief was not so much for Hagar, as for his son, ver. 11.-We should always act from principles of strict justice, rather than from feeling; and should be more averse to injure the innocent however worthless, than to punish the 'guilty, however amiable. 567. Abraham would not comply with Sarah's demand till he was instructed by God, ver. 12.-We should never be hasty in our punishments, nor allow ourselves to be carried away by the rashness, the viclence, or the unceasing importunity of others.

568. Abraham was to do as Sarah required, ver. 12. We are never to refuse obedience to duty, merely because the message has been delivered to us in an imprudent manner, or by an angry, a passionate, an envious, a selfish, or even a wicked messenger.

569. God was to make Ishmael a nation, because he was Abraham's seed, ver. 13.-God often blesses and prospers children for the sake of their parents.

570. Abraham rose early to obey God, ver. 14.— We should not unnecessarily delay the performance of any duty enjoined upon us by God.

571. Abraham gave Hagar bread, and a bottle of water, ver. 14.-We should be merciful, considerate, and ever. kind, in our punishments,

572. Hagar wandered in the wilderness, ver. 14.— We should be diligent in our inquiries, and should use forethought and circumspection as to our future journey through life.

573. Hagar wandered till the water was spent in the Lottle, ver. 15.-We should not loiter, nor mispend our time in our journey to heaven.

574. Hagar, in despair, cast the child under one of the shrubs, ver. 15. We should, under difficulties, never cease in our exertions, nor despair of relief and help from God for ourselves or others.

575. Hagar removed from the child and left him to

die, ver. 16.-Parents should continue to strive and pray, and never to despair of salvation for their children, however hopeless their state and condition may apparently be.

576. Hagar removed, that she might not see Ishmael's death, ver. 16.-We should resolutely do our duty, without being led astray by our feelings.

577. Hagar wept, but did not pray, ver. 16.-We should lay all our wants and difficulties before God, and never shed tears which are unaccompanied with

prayer.

578. God heard the voice of the lad, ver. 17.-We should teach children to pray for themselves; and should train them to ask from God whatever they need, and whenever they need it.

579. Hagar was eared for by God, because he had heard the voice of the lad, ver. 17.--Children should be taught and enjoined to pray for their parents and teachers, who may expect a blessing in answer to their prayers.

580. Hagar was to lift Ishmael, whom she had formerly cast down, ver. 18.-Parents who have been indifferent or defective in the religious education of their children, should instantly set about that which they have hitherto neglected.

581. Hagar was not only to lift up the lad, but she was to hold him up, ver. 18.-We should not only begin to do our duty to the young, but should persevere in it, till, by the blessing of God, it be rendered effective.

582. God opened Hagar's eyes, ver. 19.-We are by nature unable to direct or to help ourselves.

583. Hagar filled the bottle with water, ver. 19.We must, for our spiritual relief, be diligent and active in the use of appointed means. God points out our duty and offers us help in its performance; but still the duty must be done by us.

584. Hagar gave Ishmael drink, ver. 19.-We

should be desirous of helping those who cannot help themselves.

585. God was with Ishmael, ver. 20.—We should seek to have God with us in all our doings and sufferings.

586. Ishmael became an archer, ver. 20.—We should learn to provide for our own wants and the wants of those who may depend upon us for support.

587. Ishmael supported his mother in the wilderness of Paran, ver. 21.-We should honour, venerate, and if necessary, provide for our parents.

588. Hagar took a wife for Ishmael out of Egypt, ver. 21.-Parents should wisely direct, and piously advise, the forming of connexions for their children.

SECTION XXXII.

Abimelech's Covenant with Abraham.
Gen. xxi. 22-34.

22. And it (1) came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the (2) chief (3) captain of his (4) host, spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest.

1. Happened.-2. Principal.-3. Commander.-4. Army.

22. When did this come to pass? What came to pass at that time? Who spake to Abraham? Who was the captain of Abimelech's host? What kind of a captain was Phichol? Of whose host was Phichol captain? What did Abimelech and Phichol say to Abraham? Who was with Abraham? Whom was God with? In what was God with Abraham? In all what? That who did?

23. Now, therefore, (1) swear unto me here by God, that thou wilt not (2) deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but (3) according to the (4) kindness that I have done unto thee thou shalt do unto me, and to the (5) land (6) wherein thou hast (7) sojourned. 1. Make oath.-2. Act in a treacherous, or deceitful manner. 3. In a manner corresponding.-4. Friendly acts and attentions.-5. People of the country.-6. In which.-7. Lived for a time.