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260 THE CONVENTION TEACHER Lights on the Lesson By Rev. Bernard O. Byrd [[column 1]] Light No. 1. In the collection of the Psalms and in other places in the Scriptures, we find writings which might well be styled poetic. The Scripture used for this lesson is far too little to give one an insight on the beauty, inspiration, and benefit which can be received from the poetry in the Bible. As verse has held a very important place in the literature of other nations, so among the Hebrews poetry was indispensably a part of their worship services. Light No. 2. By way of verse, the Israelites mused to themselves when despondent, when jubilant, when resentful of evil, praising and glorifying God, and when in any way expressing outwardly the feelings which had collected within. "Why do the heathens rage" expresses resentfulness. "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills," reveals inspiration. "Why art thou disquieted within me, oh my soul," displays despondency. "The Lord is my Shepherd," unfolds joyful security. This poetry as it came out of the hearts of God's chosen people may be [[/column 1]] [[column 2]] considered an outpouring of the feelings of the soul. Light No. 3. In Psalms 24: 1, 2 are expressions of security by a believing soul that all things are safe because the Father holds ownership title. Light No. 4. Verses three through five gives us questions and answers by the soul which feels that it can qualify for a stand in God's presence. Light No. 5. In verses 7-10 the soul in soliloquy lifts up praise to the Eternal. Here too it asks and answers its own questions. Light No. 6. These Psalms form the wording which being set to music was sung in the fields, in the homes, in connection with worship, and undoubtedly while in travel. They were used in times of battle, in times of peace, when in pursuit, or when in retreat; when lifted up in joy, or cast down in sadness. They like our modern songs, offered much inspiration. Unlike our modern songs, they were not composed for money, but generally were the outburst of feelings as a result of some experience. [[/column 2]] Editorial Reflections BY REV. S. A. PEASANTS, D. D. [[column 1]] The expression here tells us that all things and beings are owned by the Lord. Since He owns all, and we are His children, we are heirs to all His wealth. We worry about food, raiment, and a place to dwell, because we do not believe the Bible of His word. When we put our trust in Him to the end that we become to know Him truly thousands of things will not worry us any more. This text says the earth, the fulness of the earth, the world, and they that dwell therein. These take in all things, and all peoples. Not any of these things nor peoples own anything. Any of the things or people we need, if we be obedient children our Father will see to it that we get them, and no one can keep us from them. No one laid the foundation of the earth upon the seas, and established it upon the floods, but the Lord. No man can do that which is greater than he is, thus the Book is right. Here we are told the one or ones who shall ascend to God, and rest with Him in His dwelling place. They only who have clean hands, pure heart, whose soul has not been drug down by falsehood, and that one has not [[/column 1]] [[column 2]] sworn deceitfully. None other need expect to be so highly blessed. The gates of Heaven are asked to lift up their heads, that the King of Glory might come in. They did not wait for some one to lift them up. They were lifted by the power of Him, who was entering, showing that He was not a king entering, but the King of Kings. For any one to see gates lifted their heads, and opening for the One approaching, would know at once, that He was the King of Glory. When inanimate things act like rational beings, all should know that the One they are moving for, and giving service is the creating God. When the glory cloud turned to fire at night, and back to cloud, when the on-coming day approached the spiritual minded people knew that it was the Lord they were giving service to His people for. When the gates were lifted up as Jesus approached heaven, without His human body, all the angels knew that He was the One that they had told holy men to tell about. What He would do for the redemption of man. The gates gave them the signal. [[/column 2]] [[end page]] [[start page]] THE CONVENTION TEACHER 261 Lesson IX. November 28, 1948 PARABLES IN THE BIBLE SENIOR TOPIC: PARABLES IN THE BIBLE Matthew 13:31-33, 44-46; Luke 15:3-10 [[line]] AUTHORIZED VERSION [[column 1]] 31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. 33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having a hundred [[/column 1]] [[column 2]] sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. [[/column 2]] [[line]] REVISED VERSION [[column 1]] 31 Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32 which indeed is less than all seeds; but when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the heaven come and lodge in the branches thereof. 33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened. 44 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a merchant seeking goodly pearls: 46 and having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 3 And he spake unto them this parable, saying, 4 What man of you, having a hun- [[/column 1]] [[column 2]] dred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance. 8 Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. [[/column 2]] [[line]] MOTTO TEXT--No man ever spoke like this man! John 7:46 [[line]] [[column 1]] LESSON SETTING Time: A. D. 28 (Autumn). Place: At Sea of Galilee. LESSON OUTLINE I. The Mustard Seed and the Leaven. (VV. 31-33.) II. The Hidden Treasure. (VV. 44-46.) III. The Lost Sheep. (VV. 3-10.) [[/column 1]] [[column 2]] DAILY HOME READING November 22-November 28 M. An Old Testament Parable. Isaiah 5:1-7. T. "And He Told Them Many Things in Parables." Matthew 13:1-9 W. "Like a Grain of Mustard Seed." Matthew 13:31-32. T. "Like Treasure Hidden in a Field." Matthew 13:44-46 F. The Good Samaritan. Luke 10:25-37 S. The Lost Sheep. Luke 15:1-7 S. Why Speak in Parables? Matthew 13:10-16. [[/column 2]] INTRODUCTION [[column 1]] Our English word "parable" comes directly from the Greek, which means "a placing of two or more objects in [[/column 1]] [[column 2]] close proximity," usually for the purpose of comparison, and, ultimately, for illuminating moral and spiritual truth by [[/column 2]] [[end page]]
