Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

LESSONS.

706. Before the man had done speaking, Rebekah came to the well, ver. 15.-God will hear and answer the prayer of faith.

707. Rebekah was very fair to look upon, ver. 16. -Beauty is a blessing for which we should be thankful, but of which we should never be proud.

708. Rebekah, though beautiful, carried water from the well, ver. 16.-Beauty or outward accomplishments, should never make us ashamed of innocent, though lowly, acts of honest industry,

709. The servant respectfully solicited water to drink, ver. 17.-We should be respectful and courteous to all, especially to the unprotected, and those who are in our power.

710. Rebekah stood and calmly heard the stranger's request, ver. 18.-We should beware of all affectation of fear, and be always calmly confident in the paths of modesty, prudence, and duty.

711. Rebekah rested her pitcher on her hand, that the man might drink, ver. 18.-We should not only supply the wants of others, but we should endeavour to do so in the best and most acceptable way.

712. Rebekah asked permission to draw water for the camels also, ver.-19.-We should delight in doing good to others, and should feel obliged to those who give us the opportunity.

713. Rebekah hastened to perform what she had asked permission to do, ver. 20.-We should not delay to do good, when we have the opportunity afforded us.

714. Rebekah drew water for all the camels, ver. 20. -We should never grudge the benefits we are enabled to confer upon others, but should do as much good as prudence and our present circumstances will allow.

715. The man wondered at Rebekah's conduct, ver. 21.-We should approve, admire, and commend kind

and obliging conduct in others, especially in the young.

716. The man held his peace that he might observe God's work in Rebekah's conduct, ver. 21.-We should piously observe, and exultingly admire, the wisdom and goodness of God in the daily occurrences of his providence.

717. The man was grateful to Rebekah, and made her a present, ver. 22.-The frank liberality of others should make us more grateful and more bountiful.

718. The servant gave Rebekah, golden ornaments for her person, ver. 22.-The modest adornment of the person is not sinful; and when it is regulated by prudence, and with a reference to station and circumstances, may be both proper and praiseworthy.

719. The servant asked for, and sought to lodge and confer with, her parents, ver. 23.-We should, in general, transact our business, in the first instance, with the parents of children, in preference to the children themselves.

720. Rebekah, when asked, gave an account of her parents, ver. 24. We should never be ashamed of our parents, or refuse to honour and to acknowledge them in the presence of others.

721. Rebekah said they had straw, and provender, and room, but she gave the man no invitation till she had told her mother, ver. 25.-We should never outstep our station, nor ourselves give invitations, when it is not we, but others, who must entertain.

722. The man worshipped God, ver. 26.-We should gratefully acknowledge the hand of God in every instance of success, or prosperity.

723. The man praised God aloud, ver. 27.-We should never be ashamed of our religion, nor blush when found worshipping, praising, or praying to God.

724. The man praised God for his goodness to his master, ver. 27.We should be grateful for the

blessings conferred on our masters, relations, or friends, as well as for those received by ourselves.

725. The man put himself in the way of his duty, ver. 28. We should be diligent in the use of the proper and appointed means, for the accomplishment of lawful and desirable ends.

726. Though the man was in the way, it was the Lord who led him to the house, ver. 27.—God directs and overrules all the circumstances of his providence, for accomplishing his designs in behalf of his people.

727. Rebekah ran home, and told those of her mother's house, ver. 28.-We should not conceal the benefits or the bounties which we may have received from others.

728. Rebekah told Laban of the man's bounty, and wishes, ver. 29.-When we cannot do good to others ourselves, we should apply in their behalf to those who can.

729. Laban ran out to the man at the well, ver. 29. -We should willingly assist others in doing good to strangers.

730. It was the sight of the ear-ring and bracelets which made Laban so zealous in serving the man, ver. 30.-We should neither be covetous nor hypocritical in our bounty, nor selfish and designing in our hospitality.

781. The man remained at the well, ver. 30.We should never be intrusive upon the privacy or hospitality of others; but should modestly await a suitable invitation.

732. Laban invited the stranger as the blessed of the Lord, ver. 31.-We should never try to cloak covetous thoughts, or selfish designs, by religious expressions.

733. Laban asked the stranger why he stood without, ver. 31.-We should be candid, and avoid all empty show, or useless professions, in the exercise of hospitality and kindness.

734. Laban said, evidently contrary to the truth that he had prepared the house and room for the camels, ver. 31.-We should never allow our professions of kindness to encroach upon truth, or tell lies to gain a

purpose.

SECTION XXXVIII.

The Narrative given by Abraham's Servant
Gen. xxiv. 32-49.

32. And the man came into the house: and (1) he (2) ungirded his camels, and gave (3) straw and (4) provender for the camels, and water to wash (5) his feet, and the men's feet that were with him.

1. Laban.-2. Took the loads from the backs of.-3. Bedding.-4, Food.-5. Abraham's servant's.

32. Who came into the house? Into what did the man come? What did Laban do when the man came into the house? What did Laban ungird? When did Laban ungird the camels? Whose camels did he ungird? What did he give? For what did he give straw and provender? Who gave straw and provender for the camels? What did Laban give for the men? To wash whose feet? That were with whom?

33. And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat until I have told (1) mine errand. And, (2) he said, Speak on. 1. The reason of my having come here, and what I want.-2. Laban. 33. What was set before him? Before whom was the meat set? What did the man say when meat was set before him? Who would not eat? Till when would he not eat? Told what? Till who had told his errand? What did Laban say to the man? Who was to speak on?

34. And he said, I am Abraham's servant.

34. Whom did the man say he was? Whose servant? What was he to Abraham? Who was Abraham's servant?

35. And the Lord hath (1) blessed my master (2) greatly, and he is become (3) great and (4) he hath given (5) him flocks, and herds, and

silver, and gold, and men-servants, and maid-servants, and camels, and

asses.

1. Prospered.-2. To a very great degree.-3, Rich and powerful.— 4. God.-5. Abraham.

35. What had the Lord done? Whom had the Lord blessed? Whose master? Who had blessed his master? In what manner had the Lord blessed his master? What had the Lord done greatly? What had his master become? Who had become great? How had Abraham become great? What had God given to Abraham? What had God given to Abraham besides flocks and herds? Who had got silver and gold? What kind of servants had Abrabam got? What had Abraham got besides men-servants and maid-servants?

36. And Sarah, my master's wife, bare a son to my master when she was old and unto (1) him hath (2) he given all that he hath." 1. That son.-2. Abraham.

36. Who bare a son? Who was Sarah? Whose wife was Sarah? What had Sarah done? To whom had she borne a son? When had Sarah borne a son to Abraham? What had Sarah done when she was old? What had Abraham done? To whom had Abraham given all that he had? What had Abraham given to his son? How much of what he had did Abrabam give to his son ?

37. And my master made me (1) swear, saying, Thou shalt not (2) take a wife to my son (3) of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell.

1. Take an oath.-2. Bring.-3. From among.

37. What had his taster made him do? Who swore? Who made him swear? What did he make him swear to do? Of whom was he not to take a wife? To whom was he to take a wife? To whose son? Of whose daughters was he not to take a wife for Isaac? What Canaanites? Who dwelt in their land? In whose land did Abraham dwell?

38. But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my (1) kindred and (2) take a wife unto my son.

1. Relations.-2. Bring.

« AnteriorContinuar »