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BdMANliq.
Presented to
THE LIBRARY
of
YK IORIA UNIVERSITY
Toronto
by
The late Rev. Charles F. Tilbury
NOTES FROM MY BIBLE
By Dwight L. Moody.
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NOTES FROM MY BIBLE
FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION
BY
D. L. MOODY
FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY
CHICAGO : : : NEW YORK : : : TORONTO
Publishers of Evangelical Literature
THE GOSPEL NEWS Co., CLEVELAND.
EMMAH T
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1895, by
FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. D. C.
TO THE READER.
THE power of anecdote and illustration to press home
the truth into the hearts and minds of their hearers is
largely utilized by preachers and teachers of to-day.
The occasion often happens, however, when an anecdote
would put the text out of sight, and when some trite say
ing, some deep thought crystallized into a few words, would
serve the preacher s purpose better, in order to flash light
upon his subject.
During the course of my reading, I have always tried to
gather " nuggets" by the way, and make a note of them on
the margins and blank leaves of my Bible. I have found
it to be a useful habit, preserving for use many seed-
thoughts and apt sayings that otherwise would have es
caped my memory.
Notes from My Bible " is the harvest of many years
gathering in this direction, and I want it to be distinctly
understood that its contents are not claimed to be original.
The flowers in this book have been culled from many gar
dens. I would be glad to give full credit to the men to
whom I am indebted, by attaching their names to their
sayings ; but I found that this could be done only very
pnrtialh*, and therefore decided to omit names in every
instance.
[5]
TO THE READKlt.
The arrangement of the book is simple. Over against
the text is the thought or illustration. At the beginning
of the books and chapters of the Bible is placed whatever
has a general reference to that section. A number of
miscellaneous outlines are added at the end of Revela
tion.
I take this opportunity of impressing upon you, reader,
the advantage of making notes. Let this book serve you
not only as a storehouse, but also as a stimulus. Whether
you are minister or layman, you will find that you will
grow more deeply interested in your Bible day by day if
you follow the course of making notes of sayings similar
to those contained in this volume, of outline sermons, and
of anything that helps to light up some well-known truth
and fasten it in the memory. It is a good thing to be
ready with new thoughts to present the old truths of the
Bible.
God grant that this lxx>k may be very helpful to you.
NOTES FROM MY BIBLE
OLD TESTAMENT
THE BIBLE.
THIS Book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you
from this Book.
Here search, and proat shall bo your store :
Horn drink, and you shall thirst no more.
Sir Walter Scott, on bis deathbed, said, "There is but
one Book," and asked his friends to read the Bible.
Dean Stanley used to peruse a book first for the story,
second for the thought, third for the style three separate
readings. A good rule to follow in reading the Ixxjks of
the Bible.
In reading the word of God, I am not only to arrive at
comprehension, but also at appropriation.
NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
GENESIS.
Adam illustrates Human nature.
Cain " The carnal mind.
Abel " The spiritual mind.
Enoch Communion.
Noah Regeneration.
Abraham " Faith.
Isaac Sonship.
Jacob Service.
Joseph " Suffering and glory.
THE BOOK OF BEGINNINGS.
Creation, chapter 1.
Origin of Human Race, 1 : 26.
" Sabbath, 2:2, 3.
Marriage, 2:18, 21-24.
Sin and Death, 2:16, 17; 3:4-7.
" Sacrifice (grace), 3:21.
" Covenant Promises, 8:20-22; 9:1-17.
" " Nations, Races, and Tongues, 10:11.
The Chosen People, 12:1-3.
Genesis 1. How the world was made.
Genesis 3. How lost.
John 1. How redeemed.
Rev. 20. How to be reconstructed.
[0]
10 NOTES FROM Vr BIBLE.
Gen. 1. Seven stages of creation, illustrative of stages in
the new creation: chaos, brooding of the Spirit,
light, life, growth, fruit, rest.
Creation, light, separation, growth, fruit-bearing.
God creating, moving, speaking, observing, calling,
dividing, blessing.
"It was so" seven times.
"It was good" seven times.
"God" Elohirn thirty-one times; in every verse
but five.
Verse 1. God the Father.
" 2. God the Spirit.
" 3. God the Son. (See John 8:12.)
" 3. Conversion.
4 4 7. Separation.
44 12. Fruit-l>earing.
1 : 1. The Bible oi>ens without an apology.
41 1 do not know anything more difficult to believe
than just the first veree of the Bible. If we
master this verse, anything else that happened
in the heavens or in the earth which God created
will not stumble us."
" Through faith we understand that the worlds were
framed by the word of God." Heb. 12:3.
God first came down to create, then to save. To
create, God ii:id only to sj>eak ; to redeem, he had
to suflVr. lie made man by His breath ; He
saved him by His blood. Rom. 5:0.
26. In l>earing God s image, man could bear God s rule.
He who gave His image to us must of necessity like
to see His image in us.
GENESIS. 11
1 : 26. Man is the excellency of the creature ; the saint is
the excellency of the man.
2 : 2. God rested on the seventh day, yet he had not made
woman ! In making her, he seems to have be
gun again. woman, love thy maker !
4. "Lord God" in the Hebrew, Jehovah Elohim.
8. Eden is our home ; we are exiles now.
9. Not the tree of knowledge in general, but the test-
tree, by which Adam would gain the knowledge
of good and evil.
The tree of knowledge has often been planted and
has flourished where the tree of life never grew.
17. When all around was life, God spake of death.
Now, when all is death, God speaks of life.
18. How does God propose to meet loneliness ? For
man to be alone means suicide; for two men to
gether, homicide (Cain slew Abel); the only
chance of keeping society together is by the
marvelous influence of woman.
21. In forming woman, God did not take a part from
his head to dispute his supremacy; nor from his
feet, lest he should despise her; but from near
his heart so that he should love and cherish her.
So much is being done for us when we are uncon
scious of it !
3: 1. God tests the devil tempts.
God made man for his crwn glory, but he joined the
devil and became a rebel.
Satan began with the woman because novelty and
12 NOTES FROM J/T DIBLE.
mystery appeal more to her than to man. Also
because woman can influence man more than any
one else.
"Every"- R. V. reads "any." Thus Satan lies.
If woman originally tempted man away from God,
now she tempts him back.
Satan s three lies are still in the world :
1. God does not love you, for He has forbidden
some things.
2. Ye shall not surely die.
3. Ye shall be as gods.
3 : 3. Man lost life by l>clieving the devil, and regains it
by believing the Son of God. We must rise at
the point where we fell.
" Lest ye die" spiritual and natural death which
would begin the very moment they eat of the
fruit, but which would not be completed on that
day. But in both soul and l>ody the process
was begun: they had passed the line that
separated life and death. See Rom. 5 : 12.
4. The first lie!
5. Tempted to an upward fall!
Satan s words are ambiguous. Eve s eyes were
opened and she did know good and evil, but the
experience was more bitter than she expected.
They saw, not visions of glory, but their own
nakedness and sinfulness.
6. ( Good for food " " The lust of the flesh. "
Pleasant to the eyes " " The lust of the eyes. "
GENESIS. 13
To make one wise " " The pride of life.
1 John 2:16.
Satan s pills are sugar-coated.
We are sons and daughters of a woman who was
too curious.
9. God s first question "Where art thou?" Man
asked the first question in the New Testament
< Where is he? " See Matt. 2 : 2.
God s second question was Where is Abel thy
brother?" Ch. 4:9. Human responsibility.
" Where art thou?" Hiding from God. Why? From
fear.
Reasons for fear :
a. God s holiness. P]x. 3:6; Isa. 6; Rev.
1:17.
1>. Man s sinfulness. Job. 42:5, 6.
Behind what to hide?
It is impossible Prov. 28: 13; Amos 9: 2-4; Ps.
139:7-12; Jonah 1:3.
Only one safe hiding-place Jesus. Rev. 6:12-17.
10. Men hide behind :
a. False hopes.
/>. Indifference.
c. Excuses.
d. Self-righteous acts.
e. Innocence.
/. Ignorance.
14. The first curse!
The serpent is the only animal with a bony skele
ton that goes upon its belly.
14 XOTKS FKO.V J/T I1WLE.
3 : 16. Seven things that came by the Fall and have their
complement in Christ:
By the Fall:- In Christ: -
V. 16. Pain. Isa. 53:11; Acts 2:24.
V. 16. Subjection. Gal. 4:4.
V. 17. The Curst-. Gal. 3:13.
V. 17. Sorrow. Isa. 53:3.
V. 18. Thorns. Matt. 27:29.
V. 19. Sweat. Luke 22: 44.
V. 19. Death. Phil. 2:8.
"Night has fallen upon the guilty pair, but in the
night there are stars that lead on to a manger, a
child, a Saviour. "
17. "Cursed is the ground. 1 The ground teaches
many lessons :
a. The land is the true wealth of a nation,
and other trades and professions depend
on it.
k. You get nothing out of it except by labor.
c. It teaches patient industry and hojrefulness:
there is no use getting mad with it. So
spiritual cultivation takes time. See James
5:7; 2 Cor. 9:6; Gal. 6:7; Eccl. 11:6.
18. Thorns the curse of man, the crown of Christ.
20. The name "Eve" was not given until after the
Fall.
21. First occasion of death and of blood "Unto
Adam also ami to his wife did the Lord God
make coats of skins, and clothed them."
GENESIS. 15
Before Adam fell, he was clothed in glory. Pri
marily, clothes are the trappings of guilt.
3 : 21, 23. Grace.
24. Government.
Man by sin closed one way. Jesus opened a new
and living way.
Results of sin :
3 : 8. Remorse ; alienation from God.
3:9. Discovery.
3:12, 13. Selfishness; blaming others.
3 : 1(>, 17. Sorrow.
3:10. Death.
I: 1. When Eve bare Cain, she said "I have gotten
a man from the Lord." Cain s subsequent con
duct showed that the Lord had very little to do
with him.
Saint Augustine said he did not know but that his
family would turn out bad, for in the family of
Adam there was a murderous Cain.
Noah a scoffing Ham.
Abraham a persecuting Ishmael.
Isaac a profane Esau.
David an undutiful Absalom.
Elisha a lying Gehazi.
Christ s disciples a traitorous Judas.
8. The first grave in the Bible was dug by a brother.
Abel was the first solo singer iu heaven. The
angels could not sing the song of redemption,
of Moses and the Lamb. He was the first saint
in the church triumphant.
16 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
As Abel s body was the first that took possession
of the earth, so his soul was the first that was
translated to heaven.
4 : 9. Cain thought it was not his duty to be his brother s
keeper, but did not consider it against his duty
to be his brother s murderer.
10. Abel s blood demanded vengeance on the murderer;
Christ s blood spoke mercy, atonement, and
pardon.
Abel was a type of Christ, yet a contrast. His
sheep died for him, but Christ died for his sheep.
John 10 : 14.
13. Oh, the consequences of sin! We can best know
sin by its results and effects. Note its evil effect
on personal appearance, character, etc.
17. The first city established on earth.
5 : A chapter of nobodys.
"Names, nothing more. But such people are un
justly underestimated. The best part of human
history is never written. Guy Fawkes was well
known, but your honest father was unknown, six
doors from his house. You do n t know where
a flat road will lead to: Seth to Jared, then
Enoch ! Your son may be a big man yet. Me-
thusalah was known for longest life, Blondin for
walking a tight rope, but noblest deeds are
often forgotten. "
21 Enoch was one of the few men in the Bible against
whom God had nothing.
GENESIS. 17
The Path of Fellowship with God. V. 24.
The Path of Holiness before God. Gen. 17:1.
The Path of Obedience after God. Deut. 13 : 4.
Walking with God is a condition of life consistently
lived through years; e. g. , Enoch, three hundred
and sixty-five years. Not rapturous, occasional.
Chief characteristic constant consciousness of
God ; e. g. , husband and wife.
Character of life (1) joyful. Ps. 16:11; (2)
peaceful; (3) brave, because life is difficult.
Ps. 118 :6, 14.
How attained? Only by believers. (1) Remember
God s promise to walk with us. Lev. 26 : 11, 12;
(2) Keep out of our lives things that would of
fend God and break communion. Separate your
self from sin; e. g. , Enoch, Noah. 2 Cor. 6 :
16, 17; (3) Wait upon God; cement the friend
ship in secret.
3. God s first warning : My Spirit shall not always
strive with man. "
6. Sin has troubled God. Has it troubled you?
8. There are good men in the worst of times. Bad
times test faith and virtue.
"God saw that the wickedness of man was great in
the earth, and that every imagination of the
thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
. . . But Noah found grace in the eyes of the
Lord." Who would have looked for so fair a
bird m so foul a nest?
2
18 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
7 : 1. The first "come" of the Bible is one of salvation
"Come thou and all thy house into the ark."
So is the last " come "" The Spirit and the
bride say, Come. Anil let him that heareth
say, Come. And let him that is athirst come.
And whosoever will, let him take the water of
life freely." Rev. 22:17.
A woman was once telling what a wonderful preacher
she had. Some one objected, saying that if he
were, more people would go to hear him. But, "
she asked, < were there many who went into the
ark after Noah s preaching ?"
The seven " forty days" of the Bible :
(1.) Forty days of sin and its judgment. Gen.
7:4, 12, 17.
(2.) Forty days of law and mercy. Ex. 24 : 18 ;
34 : 28.
(3.) Forty days of faith and unbelief. Deut.
9:9; Num. 13 : 14.
(4.) Forty days of human weakness and divine
strength. 1 Kings 19 : 1-8.
(5.) Forty days of repentance and forgiveness.
Jonah 3.
(6.) Forty days of conflict and victory. Luke
4 : 2.
(7.) Forty days of redemption and glory. Acts
1 :3.
18. The Lord shut Noah and his family in, and shut all
others out.
8 : 90. Beautiful to think, that after the flood, there was a
church before there was a house ! But human
GENESIS. 19
nature was the same. Destruction (for the sake
of reform) was a failure as regards the survivors.
Punishment can never regenerate the heart of
man.
The second dispensation was founded on the doc
trine of atonement. With sacrifices Noah took
possession of the new world.
9 : 13. "I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a
token of a covenant between me and the earth. "
Old forms may be put to new uses. The stars
and the sand may become Abraham s family
register. Cultivate the spirit of moral interpre
tation : then the rainbow will keep away the
flood ; the fowls of the air will save you from
anxiety ; the lilies of the field will assure you of
tender care.
11 : 3. Our business is to build upon a right foundation,
and in a right spirit. Beware of atheistic build
ing. 1 Cor 3:10.
7. The Lord s ways of punishing and of fulfilling his
purposes are many. Who would have thought
of this means of scattering men Let us go
down and there confound their language"?
Has your tower been thrown down? Was it hon
estly built? If so, remember, the foundation
abideth forever. Continue to build and be
assured of the final reward.
98. Ur of the Chaldees has been unearthed. It was the
seat of a public library.
20 NOTES FRO)f MY BIBLE.
12: 1. Man-made and God-made plant.
11:3,4. " Go to, let us make, . . . let us build,"
luck.
12:1,2. "Gettheeout, . . . I will make,"-
God.
The first was a failure: the second a success.
Compare, Cain Abel ; Jacob Israel ; Saul
-Paul.
Gen. 11:3. They built Babe! with artificial
bricks.
Ex. 20:25. God commanded the Israelites to
build altars out of stone.
God s calls are upward; Christianity ennobles.
Abram was the minister of God to all around him.
Had he wavered, the others would have been
disorganized.
S. Flow did God fulfil his promise to Abram?
7. Abram was on the right road, so God s faithful
ness followed him.
18. n. Reproof by the heathen for telling lies.
b. The divine forbearance of human infirmity.
God did not send Abram home in disgrace, but
forgave his weakness.
13; 4. Returning to first faith: from indifference, skepti
cism, iniquity, etc.
12. "Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom." Always
unsafe.
12, IS. A. great estate, but bad neighbors. So men take
their families into a moral desert for the sake
of a garden to play in.
GENESIS. 21
14 : A New Testament picture. We are all taken cap
tives by Satan, but Christ recovers us.
15 : 6. First use of believe," in the Bible.
17. The awful furnace the cheerful lamp. .
The furnace of conviction; the lamp of pardon.
The furnace of trial ; the lamp of consolation.
The furnace of want; the lamp of prosperity.
The furnace of death; the lamp of glory.
16 : 9. u Submission " is a great Christian law, but we find
it early in Genesis.
17 : 1. "The Almighty God " EL SHADDAI.
See note to Gen. 5 : 24.
18: 9. "Sarah thy wife." So Jesus called Zachaeus un^
expectedly by name.
14. Abraham took God at his word, and so he became
the friend of God.
18. Abraham, in communion with God, knew, long be
fore Lot himself, of the destruction of the city
of Sodom.
23. God transcends man s reason, mocks at his specu
lation, but He will not violate his conscience.
See 19 :24; John 15 : 15.
32. Abraham ceased asking before God ceased giving.
A member of Parliament brought in a Temperance
Bill into the House of Commons. It was re
jected eighteen times, but on the nineteenth it
passed, to his surprise.
19: Warning Angels. The Bible, the Holy Spirit,
friends, Providence conscience.
22 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
19 : 37, 38. The Moabites and Ammonites became Israel s
bitter enemies. The bitter fruit of backsliding.
21 : Isaac born : opposition of Ishmael. The two nat
ures in the believer.
15. A soldier s canteen was once found with this on it:
"Died for want of water! "
19. Provision for the sinner s need. "I was brought
low and He helped me."
22: 1. "Tempt" rather, test. James 1 : 12.
2. Calvary was a spur of Mount Moriah.
13. The lamb was there, although they did not see it.
16. Abraham withheld nothing, and God gave him
everything.
23 : 2. Sarah is the only woman whose complete age, death,
and burial are recorded in Scripture.
3. The first account of a funeral.
9. The earliest money transaction on record.
24 : A model servant :
True. Vs. 2, 35.
Earnest. V. 33.
Praying. V. 12.
Single-eyed. V. 52.
The marriage of Isaac is the first in Scripture of
which we have particulars. A long chapter is
devoted to it.
58. "I will go." Decide for j-ourself.
GENESIS. 23
25 : 32. " Behold, I am at the point to die : and what profit
shall this birthright do to me? " Did Esau mean
by this that he had only a short time to live
anyway? "Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow
we die."
33. There was never any food, except the forbidden
fruit, so dearly bought as this broth.
Esau was bad stock. See 26 : 34, 35.
26 : 34. A sin is sometimes aggravated (or the reverse) by
the age of the sinner.
27 : 6. Jacob led astray by his mother!
Tlie Deception of Isaac. < In solving this moral
puzzle, do not forget that Jacob was divinely
appointed to be the inheritor of the blessing
(Gen. 25 :23). His error was not in feeling the
pressure of destiny, but in taking it into his own
hands and pushing it. Rebekah knew Esau had
done wrong (Gen. 26 : 35). So she wanted to
make this straight perhaps."
21. Only one man in the whole Bible wanted to feel,
and he was deceived.
23. It is a grand thing to want the blessing of the
Lord, but a poor thing to get it by fleshly craft.
38. Esau wept because he had lost the blessing, not be
cause he had sold his birthright. Men mourn
for the evil that sin brings, not for the sin which
brings the evil.
28 : 5. Isaac lived sixty-three years after Jacob left home,
but he drops out of importance now. We can-
24 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
not tell the end of a man s life from the begin
ning, or vice versa.
28 : 12. None of the angels on the ladder stood still.
Visions leading God-ward. See Gen. 48 : 3.
An answer to prayer. See Gen. 35 : 3.
{For loss of country : "To thee will I give this
land." V. 13.
For loss of friends : "I am with thee." V. 15.
15. "I will keep thee in all places whither thou goest,"
not only whither I send thee. "
" With thee " companionship.
11 Keep thee " guardianship.
" Bring thee "- guidance.
29 : 25. How human Jacob was in his innocence ! How for
getful of his own deception !
God spared Jacob : therefore I must not strike
him. We may not know the whole story. In
the meanest of us there is a soul meant for
heaven.
31 : 47. Different names for the same thing.
49. Mabie thinks Jacob meant to make a clean cut
with Laban here. " Separation" getting clear
of the worldly ties.
32:27. "What is thy name?" "My name is Money,
Moderation in religion, Ananias, Frivolity, Lust,
Uncleanness. " How few can answer: "My
name is Honesty, Principle, Purity."
31. Meyer once overheard a lady say his address was
" lovely ! " Did Jacob limp into the tent and
GENESIS. 25
say to Rachel he had had a " lovely " time with
the angel ? Rather was he not pale and serious ?
On this side of eternity we shall never be perfect.
Jacob limped.
Better limp to heaven than leap to hell.
33: 9. " Enough the first man who ever said so.
Christianity should be proved by being con
tented, not by being satisfied, with this world.
35 : This- chapter recounts four burials :
(1.) Jacob s idols. V. 4.
(2.) Nurse. V. 8.
(3.) Wife. V. 19.
(4.) Father. V. 29.
35 : 19. The first mention of Bethlehem. In the N. T. its
first mention is in connection with the birth of
Jesus. Matt. 2:1.
37 : 8. Fulfilled in Ch. 50: 18. See Luke 19: 14.
20. A plan is not right because it is easy. It is con
venient to have a beast to blame.
39 : 3. Some of us have a skilful way of concealing our
religion; not so Joseph.
5. It is Joseph who blesses the house of Potiphar. It
is Jesus through whom we are blessed.
40 : 14. A touch of human nature.
God will answer your cry in His own good time.
41 : 8. The old school of thought was unable for the new
difficulties of. life.
46. It took thirteen years to fulfil Joseph s dream 1
26 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
But it was a great dream, and God took time to
work it out. The baker and butler had theirs
answered in three days.
Thirteen years discipline for Joseph. But remem
ber, God was now training a spoiled child.
42 : 1. Why did the sons tarry? Because the mention of
"Egypt" brought back the memory of their
sin, and they were afraid to go thither.
21. (1.) Conscience.
(2.) Memory.
(3.) Reason.
Learn the moral impotence of time to blot out sin.
There is a moral memory. Conscience never
forgets, although intellect does. Seech. 50:15.
24. Twenty years of harsh experience had not de
stroyed the tender feelings of Joseph s heart.
28. Troubled by an act of generosity and consideration!
By the mercies of God!
36. Think of a man writing a history of his life, and
God writing it in a parallel column!
43 : 23. Preaching peace in his Master s name.
45 : 9. Contrast the story of Joseph s career with the story
of the prodigal son. God does not wait to call
us unto him till we become lords.
27. Jacob always had an eye for the practical, and
when he saw the waggons his heart revived.
Christ had to become man before he could
teach us.
OEKESI8. 27
46 : 34. We are the sheep ; Christ the shepherd ; and both
are abominable to the world.
48 : 3. Where will Jacob begin in his autobiography? Not
at his early scheming and deception, but at his
second birth. Not at his fleshly birthday which
was in reality his death-day. Ps. 79: 8.
19. What memories Jacob must have had when he gave
the blessing to Joseph s younger son!
49 : 22. Ths boys outside got some of the fruit. If we are
overflowing, the world around will get some of
the benefit.
EXODUS.
Genesis left Israel in Egypt as a "house," or
family. See Gen. 50 : 22.
Exodus leaves them a nation of about two million
souls (ch. 18:21-24), with chiefs, code of laws,
judicature, and settled form of worship.
Exodus finds them a family" (ch. 1:1-0), and
leaves them a theocracy, the people of God.
Ch. HO: 3-1 3; 29: 0; 40: 84. See John 3: 1G.
1 : 9. All bad kings have feared the rise of manhood.
Never neglect young life.
10. In dealing with the children of Israel, nothing
better than murder occurred to this short-sighted
king. He never thought of culture, kindness,
social development, etc.
2 : 1. Renown may have obscurity for a pedestal.
28 NOTE 8 FROM MY nTBLE.
2 : 3. Jochebed hud the ark in the flags by the river s
brink, but first she laid it on the heart of God.
8. Where the heart is moved to do some noble and
heroic thing, the first thought should be taken
as an inspiration from God. Do n t think about
it, but do it.
We call the early life of Moses miraculous, and
find in our own nothing to excite religious won
der or thankfulness.
12. Rashness makes work for repentance. Judges 1 1 :
31; Dan. 6 : 14. Moses killed the Egyptian and
next day his influence was gone. Murder for
liberty; wrong committed for the right.
14. So Christ was rejected by his brethren. Matt.
10 :3G.
17. Men can be held by the heart forever, but not by
the throat.
3 : Objections raised by Moses for dec-lining and avoid
ing God s call:
Lack of fitness. V. 11.
" words. V. 13.
" authority. Chap. 4 : 1.
" " powers of speech. 4 : 10.
" " special adaptation. 4 : 13.
" " success at first attempt. 5 : 23.
" " acceptance by Israelites. G : 12.
1. Moses had gone back to the occupation of his
ancestors.
5. Under the law: " Put off thy shoes."
EXODUS. 29
Under grace: "Put shoes on his feet." Luke
15 : 22.
3 : 10. The call of Moses.
11. "Who am I? " God could have accomplished the
exodus by an angel, or by a word, but he uses
men to speak to men. Mediators. See 1 Tim.
14. Whose business was Moses going on? Magnify
your office. Do not belittle your duty.
Moses remembered his failure, in chap. 2.
"I AM that I AM. "A name as mysteriously
human as the bush is mysteriously equal to the
solemn occasion: another name not human at all
in its first impression on the mind, a verb whose
conjugation cannot go beyond the first line, an
I AM that doubles back upon itself, and waits
with mysterious patience to become flesh and
dwell among us.
God did not date far back into history, but placed
himself in living relations with men with whom
Moses was familiar. See v. 6.
: 1 We are not told to be successful, but to be obe
dient. It is the work of the Spirit to make men
believe; we must deliver the message. Every
preacher has to face human mistrust.
5. When God joined himself to Moses s rod, it worked
wonders.
10. Moses s excuse now becomes personal. He claims
30 NOTES FROM Mr BIBLE.
he is not eloquent, yet, in Deut. 32 :1, he calls
heavens and earth to hear him.
. As if the Maker of man s mouth could not touch
his lips with eloquence !
Not eloquence, but truth. 1 Cor. 2 : 1-5. Paul.
Don t be self-conscious. Think of Moses turning
his great mission into a question of his own
eloquence !
4 : 13. What Moses would have missed if God had chosen
Aaron, or Joshua, or Caleb instead ! John
6:66.
21. Hardening of Pharaoh s heart. See chapter 7 : 13.
If a man rejects mercy he becomes hardened.
The same sun that melts the ice hardens the clay.
See Ps. 81 : 12 ; 2 Thess. 2:11; Gen. 6 : 3.
If you want to see what hardening would do, look
at Pharaoh ; if you want to see what mercy
would do, look at Israel. Both failed.
A child can treat God with sulkiness and silence.
The tiniest knee* can stiffen and refuse to bow be
fore him.
Without water, clay becomes like stone. Without
the grace of God, the heart becomes hard.
24. Moses had married into the world, and now his
reaping-time had come.
We may learn three things from the plagues :
1. The divine right in life.
2. Human opposition to divine voices.
3. God always wins. Acts 9:5; Ps. 99 : 1.
7 : 19. The first plague was to turn the waters of Egypt
EXODUS. 31
into blood. The first miracle of Jesus was to
turn water into wine (joy). See John 2 : 1-12.
We wonder about the river turned into blood, but
not about the heart turned into stone.
8:15. "When Pharaoh saw there was respite, he hard
ened his heart, and hearkened not unto " Moses
and Aaron. Like the newsboy who only said his
prayers at night ; he could take care of himself
by day.
8 : 11. The power of the magicians broke down at last.
You cannot run the whole race with God : He will
conquer in the end.
27. Pharaoh s first confession of sin.
12 : Kedemption.
There must have been at least two hundred ctnd
fifty thousand lambs slain at Passover ; yet we
never find the word " lambs." " Kill it " one
grand representation of the Lamb of God.
6. Not a live lamb. Not the life of Christ, but his
death and his blood are efficacious.
7, 8. The blood of the lamb was safety.
The flesh of the lamb was nourishment.
33. Pharaoh at first said the children of Israel should
not go out of Egypt, but God said they should.
Unbelief says, "No." Fear says, "No." The
devil says, "No." But God says, "Yes."
13 : Sanctification.
The Passover shows the work of Christ, whose blood
cleanses from sin.
32 NO TES FROM MY Bl* L E.
The Rod Sea passage his work in delivering his
people from the power of Satan.
The passage of Jordan our standing in Christ s
resurrection.
13 : 21. While you are in the wilderness, the only way to
walk is to follow the cloud of glory.
14 : Deliverance.
10. Old enemies pursuing. You do n t step right out of
Egypt on to the throne of God. Old sins and
habits assert themselves. The devil never says
"Good-bye." After you think he is dead, he
turns up in your heart.
13. Moses said, "Stand still." The Lord said, "Go
forward " : which was their salvation.
No one can "go forward " in the strength of God,
until he has first " stood still " in his own help
lessness.
20. " The one came not near the other all the night."
It must amaze the devil, says John Me Neill,
that he has not gotten us before now. When
everything seems in his favor, and we seem to be
selling ourselves to him, there is an invisible and
impenetrable wall between us, and he has not
golten us yet.
22. Faith xrrms to be as feeble as a wall of waters : but
it is strong as a wall of iron.
25 : Triumph.
1. The redeemed sing this same song in heaven. Rev.
15:3.
EXODUS. 33
There was no song in Egypt. Infidelity has no
songs.
15 : 13. " Led forth, " then guided. "
23. Bitter waters after the passage of the Red Sea.
Life s greatest triumphs may be succeeded by
vexatious incidents, even though you are in the
right path.
16 : 21. The daybreak blessing is a day-long gain.
Seek the heavenly manna in the morning of your
life.
32. The way to enrich life is to keep a retentive mem
ory in the heart.
17 : 9. First mention of Joshua. He was probably forty-
five years old.
18 : 25. " Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made
them heads over all the people. " Moses never
thought that hitherto he had been letting the
talents of others lie idle.
19 : 5. "Ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all
people." The gospel originated in heaven; no
desire was first expressed by the people.
God first prepares the heart, later he gives the
word of the law.
8. " All that the Lord hath spoken we will do." Bold
and self-confident language. The golden calf,
the broken tables, the neglected ordinances, the
stoned messengers, the rejected and crucified
3
34 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
Christ, are overwhelming evidence of man s dis
honored vows.
20t If man puts himself under the law, it is duty or
damnation.
The ten commandments exhibit :
1. God s strict justice.
2. Man s awful depravity.
8-11. Under the law, they labored first, then rested.
But under grace we first find rest in Jesus, and
then work.
25. No hewn stone "no works," no human effort.
" If thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted
it." Polluted, not polished.
26. We have no steps to climb when we approach God.
24 : The Old Testament Transfiguration.
Under the law :
V. 1. "Afar off."
V. 2. "Not come nigh," "neither go up."
Under grace :
Heb. 4:16. "Come boldly unto the throne of
grace."
Heb. 10 : 22. " Let us draw near."
We may search from end to end of the legal ritual,
and not find the words "draw nigh."
25 : The inspired house, like the inspired Book, em
ploys only willing hands to carry out God s plans.
Invention is not invited.
18. The cherubim represent "the redeemed." Eze-
EXODUS. 35
kiel s living creatures were cherubim (Eze. 10 :
20), and in Rev. 5:9 they sang, "Thou hast
redeemed us. "
26 : 14. The rams skins would always remind them of the
ram caught in the thicket. Gen. 22 : 13.
15. The boards, taken from nature and covered with
gold, were fit for God s house. So sinners are
prepared for Christ s spiritual temple.
19. The silver sockets on which the boards rested,
were made out of the ransom-money. Ex. 30 :
12-16. Christians stand on the redemption of
Christ.
28 : 12. Aaron bore the names of the twelve tribes on his
shoulders. So Christ bears the church. Luke
15:5.
29 : 4. " Wash. " A clean body for a clean soul.
10. Identification with the offering : hence death,
v. 11; atonement, v. 12; judgment satisfied in
God s acceptance, vs. 13, 14.
20. The ear God-ward hear.
hand man- ward work,
foot earth-ward walk.
The same rites were used in consecrating the priest
and in cleansing the leper !
33. But a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they
are holy." No more should an unconverted man
partake of the Lord s Supper.
39. " The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning;
36 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
and the olher lamb thou shalt offer at even."
This custom was kept up for fifteen hundred
years.
30 : 15. One ransom-price for all. So one Christ for all.
Both within reach of rich and poor, who are on
a level as regards redemption.
31 : 2. Hezaleel = in the shadow of God.
Uri = light of Jehovah.
For the work of the tabernacle, or of the ministry,
there should be :
(I.) The divine selection and call.
V. 2. "I have called."
V. 6. "I have given. "
John 3 : 27.
(2.) The divine qualification.
V. 3. "I have filled."
V. 6. "I have put wisdom."
(3.) The divine commandment.
V. 6. " I have commanded. "
32: 1. "How singularly like the apostasy of professing
Christendom in the last days, as foretold by
Christ and his apostles, is this apostasy of Is
rael. They were tested by the prolonged ab
sence of Moses, as the Church is tested by the
prolonged absence of Christ. In Matt. 24 : 48,
our Saviour teaches us that the apostasy begins
by the evil servant saying, My Lord delayeth
his coming. In Matt. 25 : 19, we read, After
a long time the Lord of those servants cometh
and reckoneth with them. In 2 Peter 3:3, 4,
EXODUS. 37
we read, There shall come in the last days
scoffers, walking after their own lusts and say
ing, Where is the promise of his coming ?
Human nature is the same from generation to
generation. "
When Moses was gone, Aaron failed. He was not
God-called and chosen.
" Up, make us gods. Manufactured gods ! The
graving tool of unbelief (v. 4).
11-13. Moses found no plea in Israel s conduct or charac
ter, but only in the glory of God, the vindication
of his holy name, and the accomplishment of his
oath.
14. God s repenting is not a change of his will but of
his work.
28. Three thousand lose their life at the proclamation
of the law. Three thousand gained life everlast
ing at the first preaching of the gospel.
33. Under the law God speaks of blotting out the *t n-
ner ; under grace, he is seen blotting out .tin.
33 : 18. When Moses met God at the burning bush, he was
afraid ; but when he got better acquainted, he
was bold.
34 : 6, 7. Note the attributes of God : -
Merciful ; gracious ; longsuffering ; abundant in
goodness, and truth ; keeping mercy for thou
sands ; forgiving iniquity and transgression and
sin ; by no means clearing the guilty ; visiting
the iniquity of the fathers upon the children.
38 NOTES FROX MY BIBLE.
29. " Moaes wist not that the skin of his face shone."
Spurgeon said of a certain man that he always
thought he was sinless until the man said so
himself !
The Athenians at one time used to have their
prisoners tried in the dark, lest their counten
ances should influence the judges.
The face is often a better witness than the lips.
35 : In this chapter we have :
Willing hearts three times, vs. 5, 22, 29.
Wise hearts three times, vs. 1 0, 25, 35.
Heart stirred twice, vs. 21, 20.
Heart to teach once, v. 34.
Free will in the work, vs. 5, 21, 22, 29.
Fitted for the work, vs. 10, 25, 31, 34, 35.
Fired to the work, vs. 21, 2(5.
4-10. Note the qualifications here given for partnership
in the Lord s work :
1 . Out of Egypt : redeemed by blood.
2. Commanded by (Jod to do the thing.
3. Willing-hearted to give.
4. Wise-hearted to make.
5. Kagrr-hearted to act.
Men would murmur less if they worked more.
36 : 6. " And Moses gave commandment, and they caused
it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying,
Let neither man nor woman make any more work
for the oirering of the sanctuary. " Many would
be late. How they would be filled with remorse!
LEVITICUS. 39
38 : 8. The laver of brass not only furnished water for the
priests to wash in, but its shining, polished sur
face revealed any spots or pollution in them.
LEVITICUS.
TJic Offerings.
1:3. What shall I bring? Myself. Komans 12:1.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mer
cies of God, that ye present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God: which is
your reasonable service."
Whereto? the cross.
How? Willingly. In spirit and in truth. John
4:23.
4. "He shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt-
offering. " This implies confession, substitution,
atonement, satisfaction, forgiveness.
9. The careful cleansing of the sacrifice before it was
placed on the altar, teaches of God s holiness and
the righteous requirements of His law. What
God accepts must be clean.
8:4. It is said fifty times of Moses that he " did as the
Lord commanded him."
9 : 3, 4. Sin-offering : Christ the sin-bearer.
Burnt-offering: Consecration. Horn. 12:1.
Peace-offering: Christ our peace. Eph. 2: 14-16.
Meat-offering: Feeding on the Word.
6. The glory of the Lord shall appear unto you. "
40 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
23. " The glory of the Lord appeared unto all the peo
ple."
11 : 3. Parting the hoof outward walk.
Chewing the cud inward life.
35. Precaution against sin and defilement, in the
kitchen as well as in the tabernacle.
14 : V. 5. One bird killed Christ dying on the cross.
V. 7. One bird loosed Christ risen and ascended
on high.
15 : 10. Influence over others.
19 : 27. Baal-worshipers rounded their beard and hair to
make their faces look like the sun. Avoid the
appearance of evil.
23 : Seven feasts :
1. Sabbath Rest.
2. Passover Death of Christ.
3. First-fruits Resurrection.
4. Pentecost Descent of the Hoi} Spirit.
5. Trumpets Ingathering of Israel.
6. Atonement Mourning for sin.
7. Tabernacles Christ s indwelling in the Chris
tian.
25 : 5. The only place in the Bible where the word its "
occurs.
10. " Liberty throughout all the land unto all the in
habitants thereof. " Inscribed on the Independ
ence Bell that rang in Philadelphia, July 4,
1776.
NUMBERS. 41
NUMBERS.
1 : 18. The Christian s pedigree.
" Sons of God. " 1 John 3 : 2.
" Children of God by faith in Jesus Christ." Gal.
3 :26.
Heirs of God." Gal. 3 : 29 ; Roin. 8 : 14, 17.
6 : 12. Lost days !
24-26. Here is a benediction that can go all the world
over, and can give all the time without being
impoverished. Every heart may utter it : it is
the speech of God : every letter may conclude
with it ; every day may begin with it ; every
night may be sanctified by it. Here is blessing
keeping shining the uplifting upon our
poor life of all heaven s glad morning. It is the
Lord himself who brings this bar of music from
heaven s infinite anthems.
27. All differences disappear all tribal names pass
out of view ; and the name of Jehovah is upon
all.
11 : 31. " Upon " should be < < above. " Gen. 1 : 2, 20 ; 8 : 1 ;
Zech. 5 : 3.
12 : 1. The Jew has ever been jealous of the Gentile being
received into the covenant. Eph. 3 : 6.
15. The sin of God s people still hinders the progress of
his cause.
13: Faith says, We are well able. " V. 30.
Unbelief says, " We are not able." V. 31.
42 NOTES FROM M7 BIBLE.
13 : 31. Israel said, " We be not able." But the weakness
of God is stronger than men. 1 Cor. 1 : 25.
32. Israel said, "The land eateth up the inhabitants."
God s word was, "They are bread for us."
Chapter 14 : 9.
33. Israel said, " We are grasshoppers in their sight."
God said, those nations were as a drop of a
bucket : " "as the small dust of the balance : "
" as grasshoppers." Isa. 40 : 15, 22.
14 : 16. Our unsuccess attributed to God.
33. " Your children shall wander in the wilderness
forty years." So Christians wander about, and
call it Christian progress !
Many die in the wilderness ; their souls are saved,
but their lives are lost.
18:19. "A covenant of salt a perpetuity of God s
covenant mercies.
21 : 6. The Hebrew for "fiery serpents" is "seraphim,"
for their burning heat and glow. See Luke
10 : 18, where Satan is called a fallen seraph.
21 : 7. God does not always answer in the letter, but in
the spirit, of prayer. He did not remove the
fiery serpents, but provided a remedy. We live
among serpents still, and must look to Christ for
salvation.
There was no particular "reason" in the brazen
serpent ; but God was in it.
22 : 23. The ass saw the angel which Balaam saw not.
NUMBERS. 43
His eyes were blinded by the dust of covetous-
ness.
23 : 10. " Let me die the death of the righteous, and let
my last da}-s be like his. " Why not rather live
the life of the righteous ?
You cannot live a vicious life and die a righteous
death.
19. There are three things God cannot do :
1. He cannot lie.
2. He cannot deny himself.
8. He cannot see our sins through the blood of
Jesus Christ.
God writes with a pen that never blots, and speaks
with a tongue that never slips, and acts with a
hand that never fails.
26:51. (501,730 as against 603,550 in chapter 1. Israel s
growth ceased for forty years. So it may be with
us as churches, and so forth, if we are un
believing.
27 : 1. The first movement for women s rights.
12. Moses (representing the Law) was not to have the
privilege of leading the Israelites into the prom
ised land. It was for Joshua (Jesus) to do so.
13. Old age is a sunset and a sunrise in one. We can
not climb the hills as in youth, but we can mount
up as on eagle s wings, if we have found in Christ
the secret of eternal life.
44 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
28 : Offerings aud sacrifices.
3. Daily.
*
9. Weekly.
11. Monthly.
32 : 23. You cannot bury your sins so deep but they will
have a resurrection by and by, unless they have
been washed away by the blood of Christ.
%
DEUTERONOMY.
1:44. "Chased you as bees do, and destroyed you."
" The sting of death is sin."
2 : 31. The Lord does not give all at once. It is accord
ing to our readiness to take that he gives. Chap.
3 : 24.
3:23. Moses, Elijah (1 Kings 19:4), and Paul (2 Cor.
12 : 8) all prayed; but God answered in his own
way.
6 : 6. Consecration in the heart first.
12. Full flesh often causes heart failure. So prosperity
often proves a danger to piety.
16 : The holy feasts were (in general) appointed for
these ends and uses :
1. To distinguish the people of God from
other nations.
2. To keep afoot the remembrance of the
benefits already received.
3. To be a type and figure of benefits yet
DEUTERONOMY. 45
further to be conferred upon them by
Christ.
4. To unite God s people in holy worship.
5. To preserve purity in holy worship pre
scribed by God.
The Passover, Pentecost, and Feast of Tabernacles
typify a completed redemption :
1. By the passion of the cross : Suffering.
2. By the coming of the Holy Spirit : Grace.
3. By the final triumph of the coming King :
Glory.
21:22. "And if a man have committed a sin worthy of
death, . . . and thou hang him on a tree,
his body shall not remain all night upon the
tree."
Only two instances of the observance of this law
fully recorded: Joshua 8 : 29 the wicked king
of Ai; and John 19 : 31 the King of Glory.
28 : 25. Thou shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of
the earth." Over the entrance to a cemetery in
New Orleans are these words (in Hebrew) : The
dispersed of Judah."
28 : 32. " Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto
another people." In the horrible persecutions
of the Jews by the Romanists in Spain, four
centuries ago, their children were stripped from
them to be reared in the Popish faith.
33. < The fruit of thy land and all thy labors shall a
nation which thou knowest not, eat up : and
46 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed al-
way." Fulfilled under the Assyrians, and Rom
ans, for centuries, and now fulfilled under the
Turks, who, by their misrule, do literally "eat
up " the lands they govern.
58, 59. During the scourging of Jewish culprits these two
verses used to be read, and, immediately after
them, Psalms 78 and 38.
65, 66. The case of every backslider: "Thou shalt find no
ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest:
but the Lord shall give thee there a trembling
heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind."
29 : 5. When the Lord leads, he provides shoe-leather.
19. There is not one of the Christian graces and fruits
that the devil does not counterfeit.
19 21. The Lord is absolute in threatening and resolute in
punishing.
32:10. Precept: "Keep my law as the apple of thine
eye." Prov. 7 : 2.
Prayer: "Keep me as the apple of thine eye."
Ps. 17 : 8.
33: V. 3. "Hand," Safety.
" Feet,"-- Learning.
V. 12. "Side," Fellowship.
Shoulders, " Power.
V. 27. "Arms," Rest.
29. Saved shielded defended.
DEUTERONOMY. 47
"Thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee, "
i. e. , thy character shall be restored.
34:4. "This is the land which I sware unto Abraham.
... I have caused thee to see it with thine
eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither."
This was Moses s second great disappointment.
At the age of forty, he thought the Israelites
would choose him as their leader.
p
JOSHUA.
Miriam, Aaron, and Moses, all died before the
passage of the Jordan. Prophet, Priest, and
Law bring us to the borders of the promised
land. Only Jesus, our Joshua, can lead us into
our inheritance.
The rod was Moses s symbol.
The spear was Joshua s symbol.
1 : 8. God s instructions for Bible study.
7 : 1. Only one Achan in the camp: but Israel was de
feated on his account.
10. Prayer before repentance is unavailing. We must
put away our sin.
21. Steps in Achan s sin:
1. "I saw."
2. "I coveted."
3. "I took."
4. "I hid."
Compare Eve, Gen 3:6; Ananias, Acts 5: 1-10.
"How mean was the sin of Achau! He saw the
48 NO TKS FR Otf MY BIBLE
Babylonish garment, and all the soldier in him
withered up and he became a sneaking thief. "
9 : 14. " And asked not council at the mouth of the
Lord. " The cause of most of our wrong-doing.
Eph. 6:18.
13 : 22. We thought we had douc with Balaam, but who
knows where his own name may come up again?
The mention of some brings thoughts of pain and
woe ; of others, joy.
33. Self-denial is best for one s self, for then we oblige
God to take care of us.
He only is a happy man whose sole dependence is
on God.
15 : 15. Kirjath-sepher book-city. Dr. Gregg, of Brook
lyn, says it was so called because it was the seat
of a public library. Prof. Sayce says knowledge
was far advanced in this early period, so that
philosophy and science were common.
20 : What storms have to beat upon us before we will
fall in with God s appointment and fly to Christ
as our refuge.
The cities of refuge are a type of Christ, and their
names are significant in that connection. Kadesh
means holy, and our refuge is in the holy Jesus;
Shechem, a shoulder, "and the. government is
upon his shoulder;" Hebron, fellowship, and
believers are called into the fellowship of Christ
Jesus our Lord; Bezer, a fortification, for He
is a stronghold to all them that trust in Him;
JOSHUA. 49
Rainoth, high, or exalted, "for him hath God
exalted with his own right hand;" Golan, joy,
or exultation, for in Him all the saints are
justified and shall glory.
As the cities of refuge were so situated as to be
accessible from every part of the land, so Christ
is ever accessible to needy sinners. 1 John
2:1, 2.
22 : 26. An altar of witness, that was not commanded.
The motive was good, but it may have led their
children astray. Cf. Ornate altars, etc., in
churches.
23 : 6. Courage in obedience!
14. Joshua had tried God forty years in the brickkilns,
forty years in the desert, and thirty years in the
promised land, and this was his dying testimony.
JUDGES.
Weak things made strong.
The left hand. Chap. 3: 21.
An ox-goad. 3:31.
A woman. 4: 14.
A nail. 4:21.
A barley-cake. 7:13.
Pitcher and trumpet. 7 : 20.
Piece of millstone. 9: 53.
Jaw-bone of an ass. 15:16.
3, 4, 5 : Note the steps in Israel s trouble. They
1. Failed to drive out the idolaters.
4
50 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
2. Dwelt among them.
3. Inter- married with them.
4. Served their gods.
5. Forgot God, and
6. Were sold by God to their enemies.
5:23. The sin of omission. Do- Nothing s curse:
"Curse ye Meroz, curse ye bitterly the inhabit
ants thereof, because they came not to the help
of the Lord. "
24. " Blessed nltnve women shall Jael be." She got a
higher salutation than the virgin "Blessed
art thou among women." Luke 1 : 28, 42.
6 : 15. Gideon s power came through humiliation.
7 : 16. Empty pitchers light shining in them trumpets
to proclaim. Such should Christians be.
15 : 5. The country was undivided by hedge or fence, so
that once a fire started, it would burn the whole
crop.
16 : 4. Samson was at a bad place, for a bad purpose,
and of course he came to a bad end.
19. Sleeping in the lap of temptation.
17 : 6. Ever)* man did that which was right in his own
eyes, and then they soon did that which was evil
in the sight of God.
This verse is the key to the book. It is the teach
ing of the socialist and anarchist ; but it did not
work in Israel.
HUTU. 61
RUTH.
Subject, the redeemer.
Chapter 1. Decision.
" 2. Toil.
11 3. Rest.
4. Reward.
Ruth is the one book of the Old Testament that
sets forth the person of the Redeemer.
1 : 6. The true child of God never dies in the far country,
but returns to his Father s house.
7. To get to Bethlehem } T OU must leave Moab.
14. Orpah profession : Ruth possession.
21. "I went out."
The Lord hath brought me home. "
Boaz a type of Christ :
Lord of the harvest.
Near kinsman.
Supplier of wants.
Redeemer of the inheritance.
Man who gives rest.
Wealth} kinsman.
Bridegroom.
I SAMUEL.
2 : 1. The heart is at rest after answered prayer.
4 : 18. Old Eli s heart (by reason of his sons conduct and
the disaster they brought on the ark of God) was
broken before his neck.
52 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
5 : 4. There is a tradition that when Christ was brought
into Egypt, all the idols fell. When Christ en
ters the heart, all idols fall before him.
7 : 7. The Israelites had learned one useful lesson to
be afraid of the Philistines. So the church and
the world.
9 : 2. Believers are among others what Saul was among
the Israelites, the tallest by head and shoulders.
3. Saul went out after asses and found a nation of
them ready to make him king.
10 : 6. " Another man."
9. "Another heart."
11 : 2. When man makes a covenant with sin, he must pay
dearly for his pleasure.
12 : 7. " Stand and listen. "
16. " Stand and see."
20. Satan tempts man to presume, then to despair.
24, 25. How to serve the Lord.
Why serve the Lord.
Results of not serving Him.
15 : 22. Sacrifice without obedience is sacrilege.
24. Saul feared the people and became cowardly and
disobedient. A man who fears God need have
no other fear.
30. Saul said, "I have sinned." David said, " I have
sinned against the Lord." 2 Sam. 12 : 13.
/ SAMUEL. 53
David said, "Create in me a clean heart." Ps.
51 : 10. Saul says, " Don t let the people know
my heart is not clean."
There is little worth in outward splendor, if virtue
yield it not an inward luster.
16 : 13. Fn 1065 B. c. no one took David as king.
Three years later he had 400 followers. 1 Sam.
22 :2.
Four years later he had GOO followers. 1 Sam.
27 :2.
A great host. 1 Chron. 12 : 22.
Three years later, The men of Judah. " 2 Sam.
2:4.
The men of Israel. 2 Sam. 2:17; 5:3.
See the accessions to the disciples, in Acts.
18. David s "cornel} " person ; his pastime ; his pat
riotism ; his prudence ; his piety ; the Lord was
with him.
17 : 8. No preacher can build up his church without the
active co-operation of the members. He is not
a Goliath to go forth alone, but a leader, under
God, to direct others.
37. There were doubtless many in Saul s army who
knew God could use them to overcome Goliath,
but David was the only one who knew God would
use him.
The atheist counts his enemies; the saint looks up
to God.
18:1,2. Saul took David to his home, but Jonathan took
him to his heart.
54 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
20:3. "There is but a step between me and death."
The "step " was forty-seven years. Under God s
care, it was a long one.
21 : 8. The King s business must l>e done
a. With haste.
I. Heartily. Col. 3 : 23.
c. Diligently. Ezra 7 : 23.
22 : 2. PN i s T R E s s .
EBT.
S C O N T E N T .
D:
30 : 13. Two good questions:
To whom belongest thou?
Win-nee art thou ?
II SAMUEL.
1 : 10. Saul neglected to punish Agag the Amah-kite, and
at his death he was stripped of his crown and
ornaments by a prowling Amah-kite.
3 : 3. David married a princess who was not of Israel,
in order to strengthen his kingdom: and Absa
lom was her son.
11 : 2. Absalom was guilty of incest at the same place as
David his father on the king s roof.
Chap. 10:2. As you sow, you will reap.
8. Do you stumble at the lives of some of these Uible
characters? The Bible tells how salvation comes
to the sinner, not to the righteous. Chap.
12 : 14.
II SAMUEL. 55
12 : 1. A short sermon from a God-sent man.
When his hearers resented St. Augustine s frequent
reproofs, he said: "Change your conduct and I
will change my conversation. "
The rough hewing of reproof is only to square us
for the heaven ly building.
7. Notice the "I s," "thou s, " " thee s. " A pointed
and personal application.
J.4. "By this deed thou hast given great occasion to
the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme." How
often David is held up by infidels now! The
Scripture is fulfilled.
A man may become of no use in this universe
except as a warning "to point a moral, or
adorn a tale."
If you commit one sin, it will cause you many sor
rows and the world man)- triumphs.
The world will sooner make an excuse for its own
enormities than for your infirmities.
14 : 15. Not only must we talk to Jesus, but we must listen
to him. Not pray less, but listen more.
18 : 18. Cato said he would rather have men ask why he
had no monument, than why he had one.
19 : 2. Many can mourn over a body from which the soul
Jias departed, when they do not mourn over a
soul whom God has deserted.
22 : Praise for deliverance!
23 : 11. The patch of lentils was a small thing to fight for;
but Shammah was fighting on the right side,
F1WM MY
and the Lord wrought a great victory through
him.
20. "Benaiah . . . went down also and slew a lion in
the midst of a pit in time of snow." So Christ
left the Father and came down to earth to kill
sin in our fallen nature.
I KINGS.
2 : 27. God never forgets. One hundred and twenty
years had elapsed since the sentence on Eli s
house was pronounced.
3 : 26. The devil does not mind if a man s heart is divided ;
but Christ, the true lover of hearts, must have it
all or none.
8 : 56. Unclaimed promises are like uncashed checks.
They will keep you from bankruptcy, but not
from want.
10 : 8. As Solomon was magnified by the words and con
duct of his servants, so Jesus ought to be hon
ored by the words and conduct of Christians.
17 : 1C. Some one has said of Christianity that the more
you export, the more you have at home.
18 : 28. Trying to make a blood -covenant with Baal.
19 : 10. "I have been very jealous for the Lord God of
hosts. ... I, even I only am left." Elijah
indulged in three capital "I s" here.
18. There are a great many Christians who have lifo,
but like the seven thousand who had not bowed
I KINGS. 57
uuto Baal, they are not good for much when
it takes the Almighty to find them. See Acts
18:10.
II KINGS.
2 : 1-10. Testing before blessing.
1. What events Elijah and Elisha would chat about
as they passed through Gilgal, Jericho, Bethel,
and Jordan, recalling God s dealings with their
fathers in former days ! Gilgal, a new start,
Josh. 5:0; Bethel, no confidence in the flesh,
Gen. 28 ; Jericho, the manifestation of Jeho
vah s power in times gone by ; Jordan, can the
Lord s presence do the same to-day ?
Gilgal circumcision ; public profession.
Bethel church-going.
Jericho Bible study (school of the prophets).
Jordan death to the world ; consecration.
What are any of these worth if you " tarry " while
the Lord goes on ? Go with him through these
stages, then return to the world in his power, to
glorify him, to make the bitter sweet (v. 19), etc.
11. The three dispensations had each a representative
who went directly to heaven Enoch, ante-dilu-
vians ; Elijah, children of Abraham ; Christ, the
church.
To-day we look upon an ascended Saviour.
14. Faith before knowledge.
4 : 21. The Shunamite woman laid her dead boy on the
prophet s bed, determining to give him no rest
until he restored him to life.
58 NOTES FROM M7 BIBLE.
5 : 3. A little maid said a few words that made a com-
, motion in two kingdoms. God honored her faith
by doing for Naaman, the idolater, what he had
not done for any in Israel. See Luke 4 : 27.
How often has the finger of childhood pointed
grown-up persons in the right direction.
The maid boasted of God that he would do for
Naaman what he had not done for any in Israel ,
and God honored her faith.
5 : 10. Naaman had two diseases pride and leprosy.
The first needed curing as much as the second.
14. Naaman had (1) to get down from his chariot of
pride ; (2) afterwards, to wash according to the
prescribed way.
6 : 14. Trying to catch God ! Herod tried it (Matt. 2 :
16), and the Jews, when they killed Jesus.
The hosts of hell now encompass Christians in our
cities.
16. Two classes only, " with " or tl against " us (Matt.
24 :34, 41).
17. The horses and chariots were not made for the
occasion ; they were all there, and only the eye
failed. The eye of faith could see them.
7 : 2. "If you would believe, you must crucify the ques
tion, how ? See Mark 8 : 4.
8 : 13. We do not know ourselves.
10:31. "Departed not" better, "renounced not," did
not take active part against.
I CHRONICLES. 59
I CHRONICLES.
15 : 16. Sacred music, vocal and instrumental.
29 : 5. Co-workers with King David.
11. Do not sing or preach to your own praise. " Thine,
Lord, is the greatness."
17. A tried heart, an upright heart.
18. A thankful heart, a prepared heart.
19. A perfect heart.
II CHRONICLES.
7 : 14: The pathway of blessing : " If my people, which are
called by my name, shall humble themselves,
and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their
wicked ways : then will I hear from heaven, and
will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
It brings heaven within speaking-distance.
12 : 14. " Prepared " margin, fixed. " There is no fixity
of purpose in the sinner.
14 : 11. Dependence upon God.
Confession of weakness.
Confidence in His help.
Request.
12. Request granted.
18 : 11. Ahab had his preachers and prophets. No man is
so corrupt, but he will find some one who
preaches to suit him.
60 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
30. Do not try to overcome your failings and mistakes
one by one ; but deal at once with the cause of
your failure.
20 : 21, 22. Praise first, then victory.
35. Man never gains by doing wrong in order that good
may come of it.
EZRA.
3 : 8. First the temple is built ; afterward, (in Nehemiah)
the walls of the city the inner before the outer.
Cleanse the heart and all else will be clean.
7 : 10. Ezra prepared his heart, not his head, to seek the
law of the Lord, and to do it.
NEHEMIAH.
Nehemiah had seven lorms of opposition : n his
work :
1. The laughter of the enemy, chapter 2 : ?9.
2. " grief " " " " 2 : 10.
3. " wrath " 4:1.
4. " mocking " " < 4:3.
5. " conflict with " " " 4:8.
6. " subtility of " " " 6:1.
By within, " 6:10.
7. " craft without " 11:35.
Nehemiah l>egan jiis work in pra}-er. Chap. 1 : 4,
" I prayed Ixjfore the God of heaven."
Nehemiah continued his work in prayer. Chap.
4 :4, "Hear, O our
NE II EMI AH. 61
Nehemiah did not cease at the end of his work.
Chap. 8:31, "Remember me, O my God, for
good. "
3 : 10. " Against his house. " There is work for Christ at
home, as well as in foreign lands.
4 : 8. Hindrances :
What things are hindrances ?
How can they be removed ?
13. Walk, war, and work.
8: The word " understand " occurs six times in this
chapter, vs. 2, 3, 7, 8, 12, 13.
13 : 18. A warning from history.
24. They intermarried with the heathen ; hence, mixed
principles and mixed speech.
ESTHER.
The name of God is not found in Esther, but the
activity of God is overruling history, reward
ing the good, punishing the evil, etc. It is the
one book in the Bible devoted to showing the
providence of God in human affairs.
This book teaches:
1. The overruling providence of God.
2. His love for his own people.
3. His power to overturn the devices of the
wicked.
JOB.
Job has no mention of the ancient patriarchs or
old Jews.
ft
62 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
1: 1. Job is called "perfect" here: in last chapter,
verse 6, he "abhors himself. 7 The more one
, grows in grace, the meaner he is in his own
eyes.
8. "There is none like him in all the earth." Job was
so like God that there was none like him.
12. Men and devils can only give what God prescribes:
they cannot themselves appoint our physic.
21. Affliction is like the wind that blows one vessel
into port, another to destruction.
"How much did he leave? " said a man when the
death of a wealthy friend was mentioned. " He
left it all. "
2 : 3. Job was a perfect man, but needing correction.
3 : 3. Instead of cursing the sin in which he was born,
Job cursed the da}* in which he was born.
5 : 17. By chastening, the Lord separates the sin that he
hates, from Uie sinner whom he loves.
7 : 13. God sometimes puts his children to bed in the
dark.
14:14. " If a man die, shall he live again?" Answered
by Christ at Lazarus s grave. They looked for
resurrection before Christ s time. See Acts 23:
6; 24:14, 15; 2 Sam. 12:23; Acts 26:6, 7;
28:20.
18 : 14. Death may be the king of terrors, but Jesus is
King of kings.
19 : 25, 28. Redemption Resurrection.
JOB. 63
23:10. God s furnaces are still burning: e. g. , physical
suffering, mental distress. Gold comes forth
pure, precious. Cf. Mai. 3:3.
29 : Job says "I," twenty times. Cf. Chap. 42: 6.
Some nftm write the letter small "i" but no
one can get rid altogether of the self-life. One
cannot jump from his shadow; but if he turns
toward the sun, it is cast behind; and if he
stands beneath it at its zenith his shadow is be
neath his feet.
33 : 4. " The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath
of the Almighty hath given me life." You
have but one arrow to shoot at the mark. If it
be shot at random, God may never put another
into your bow.
V. 24. Ruin, Ransom.
V. 25. Regeneration.
V. 26. Reconciliation, Righteousness.
V. 28. Resurrection.
34 : 21-24. Hiding from the presence of God. See Gen.
3:8, 10; Matt. 10:26.
Hiding under false hopes. See Ps. 10:11; Job 8:
13, 16.
Hiding under false peace. 1 Thess. 5:3; Matt.
25:44, 46.
Hiding under self-righteousness. Luke 18: 11, 12;
Rom. 10:1-4; Job 29.
Hiding under God s works. Acts 8: 9-13.
Hiding under a lie. Acts 5:1-11; 2 Kings 5:25;
Isa. 28:17.
Hiding desired at judgment time. Rev. 6: 12-17.
64 NOTES FROM MY 1UBLE.
23. A lx>y received a number of parcels from his father,
to carry. His brother said, " You have got too
man}-. " "Never mind," he replied, "father
knows how many I can carry. "
38:7. "The morning stars sang together" vibrated.
Light is produced by motion.
42 : 2. The Lord s doing and thoughts. Margin.
6. "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes."
Moses hid his face at the burning bush. Ex. 3: 6.
Peter realized his sinfulness. Luke 5: 8.
Paul fell to the earth. Acts 9 : 4.
John " fell at His feet as dead." Rev. 1 : 17.
13. God doubled Job s family. He had ten children
on earth and ten in heaven.
14. Jemima dove.
Kezia cassia.
Keren-happuch horn of paint.
Three names signifying beauty j so that Job s
leprosy left no taint
PSALMS.
In Job man had been taught to know himself. In
Psalms he is taught to know the Lord.
1 : 1. Walketh, standeth, sittcth.
3. All the Lord s trees are evergreens.
3 : T RIAL. Vs. 1, 2.
RUST. Vs. 3, 7.
RIUMPH. V. 8.
T
PSALMS. 65
4 : How to win the ungodly to Christ:
V. 1. Prayer for help.
V. 2. Expostulation.
V. 3. Warning.
Vs. 4, 5. Exhortatipn.
Vs. 6-8. Testimony to the joy of religion.
7. The believer s heart is God s storehouse.
5:3. To be miserable, look within.
To be distracted, look around.
To be happy, look up.
8:4. " What are men that He should heed us ? " cried
the king of sacred song ;
" Insects of an hour, that hourly work their brother
insect wrong. "
9 : 8. When Roland Hill was asked what would become
of the heathen, he said that if he did not meet
some of them in heaven, he would see the reason
why.
V. 17. The forgotten God.
V. 18. The unforgetting God.
11 : 5. God tests the righteous, but detests the wicked.
12:2. "Double heart."
"Fixed heart." Ps. 67:7.
"Glad heart." Ps. 16 : 9.
14:1. "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no
God." The Bible was not written for fools : a
wise man knows there is a God, so he need not
be told so in the Bible.
Root no God.
5
66 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
Trunk corrupt.
Fruit alx>minable works.
15 : 3. Righteousness in word, act, and thought.
16 : 11. Joy : Quantity fulness.
Dignity at thy right hand.
Duration forevermore.
For short sorrow, we shall have eternal joy.
For a little hunger, an eternal banquet.
For a little sickness and affliction, everlasting health
and salvation.
For a little bondage, endless liberty.
For disgrace, glory.
For evil surroundings, the elect.
For Satan s temptations, the comfort of Christ.
For the lion s den, the presence of the Lion of the
tribe of Judah.
17 : 15. a. Man s life, a sleep.
I. Death, man s awakening.
c. The inheritance at the other side.
(I. Satisfaction.
19 : 7. Fourfold action of God s word : converting ; mak
ing wise ; rejoicing ; enlightening.
20: V. 1. The defending name.
V. 5. The displayed name.
V. 7. The name depended upon.
Ps. 22. Yesterday.
Ps. 23. To-day.
Ps. 24. For ever.
Ps. 22. The good Shepherd laying down his life for
his sheep.
PSALMS. 67
Ps. 23. The good Shepherd blessing them.
Ps. 24. The good Shepherd leading them to the
promised land.
22 : 1. This Psalm begins with the atonement-cry of Christ,
and ends with the cry that indicated the finish of
the atoning work.
31. The original reads: "They shall come and shall
declare his righteousness unto a people that shall
be born, It is finished."
23 : " Blessed is the day, " said an old divine, when
Ps. 23 was born ! "
Nearly everyone can repeat Ps. 23 from memory,
but not everyone from the heart.
Perfect satisfaction. V. 1.
Rest, quietness. V. 2.
Restoration, guidance. V. 3.
Consecration, joy. V. 5.
With me the Lord.
Beneath me =- green pastures.
Beside me still waters.
Before me a table.
Around me mine enemies.
After me goodness and mercy.
Ahead of me the house of the Lord.
Happy life. V. 1.
Happy death. V. 4.
Happy eternity. V. 6.
3. "He restoreth my soul." "That s a dead un,"
said an army doctor, as he pointed to one of the
bodies in the trenches before Sebastopol. "Oh,
68 NOTES FROM MY HTBLE.
no," said the body, "I m worth a good many
dead men yet." And the "dead un is now
, Lord Wolseley.
23 4. You may talk about Jesus, but as soon as you pet
into the valley you will talk to him.
A shadow will not hurt, but the shadow of a dog
means a dog somewhere around.
5. When-fore doth the Lord make your cup run over,
but that others might taste, the liquor ?
6. The Shepherd leads, and goodness and mercy bring
up the rear.
, All God s children have two footmen, goodness
and mercy, coming on behind them.
The niirnfg of (foil illustrated l>y J salm 23.
*Ps. 23 : 1. Jehovah-reah, the Lord my Shepherd.
Gen. 22 : 14. Jehovah-jireh, the Lord will provide.
Judges 6 : 24. Jehovah-shalom, the Lord send
peace.
Ex. 15 : 26. Jehovah-rophi, the Lord that healeth.
Jer. 23 : 6. Jehovah-tsidkenu, the Lord our right
eousness.
Eze. 48 : 35. Jehovah-sham raah, the Lord is there.
I-.-.. .">- :11. Jrhovah-nakah, the l.: l will -uiilr
thee.
Isa. 1 : 9 (Rom. 9 : 29). Jehovah-sabaoth, the Lord
of hosts.
Ex. 17 : 15. Jehovah-nissi, the Lord my banner.
Jer. 51 : 56. Jehovah-gemulah, the Lord of rec
ompense.
24 : 1. This verse is inscribed on the wall of the Royal
Exchange, London.
PSALMS. 69
3. "Ascend." V. 3.
"Stand in." V. 3.
Abide." Ps. 15 :1.
25:11. David prayed, "Pardon mine iniquity. " Pharaoh
prayed, "Take away the frogs." The latter
prayed to escape the punishment; the former,
the cause of it.
26 : The heart. V. 2.
Eyes. V. 3.
Hands. V. 6.
Voice. V. 7.
Feet. V. 12.
27 : 5. A man must have both feet firmly planted on the
Rock before he can pull sinking men out of the
floods.
28 : 1. Sometimes God is silent because of his love to us.
Zeph. 3:17.
Sometimes, to test our faith. Matt. 15 : 23.
Sometimes, because he has spoken, but we have not
listened.
30: 5. "In His favor is life," or, "His favor is for a
life-time." R. V. margin. "Life-time" con
trasted with "moment." Cf. Isa. 54:7, 8.
32: 1, 2. Seven steps to blessedness of forgiven sin, etc. :
Conviction. Vs. 3, 4.
Confession. V. 5.
Forgiveness. V. 5.
Prayer. V. 6.
Protection. V. 7.
70 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
Guidance. Vs. 8, 9.
Joy. Vs. 10, 11.
1, 2. Sin forgiven and subdued.
34 : 8. Men must taste of God s grace here, or they will
never taste of bis glory hereafter.
36: 1-4. Seven steps of wickedness:
(1.) No fear of God before his eyes.
(2.) Flattereth himself in his hateful iniquity.
(3.) Words of his mouth, iniquity and deceit.
(4. ) Left off to be wise and do good.
(5.) Deviseth mischief upon his bed.
(6.) Setteth himself in a way not good.
(7.) Abhorreth not evil.
37:38. Strauss, when dying, said to his daughter, "This
is the last of me. Now we separate. I sink
into nothing."
40:2,3. Pit rock song celebration.
Till you know the depth of the pit into which you
have fallen, you will never properly praise the
hand which raises you out of it.
7. "In the volume of the BOOK it is written of ME."
Luther asks: "What book and what person?"
"There is only one book the Scriptures; and
only one person Jesus Christ."
41: 4. Saul and Judas both said, " I have sinned ;" David
adds : against Thee. "
42 : 11. Hope is like the sun, which, as we travel toward
it, casts the shadows behind us.
PSALMS. 71
44 : 1. While the songs of other nations sing of the hero
ism of their kings, the songs of Israel celebrate
the doings of God.
45 : 7 . The cause,
The nature,
The measure,
of God s anointing.
10. Four calls :-
Hearken.
Consider.
Incline thine ear.
Forget.
49 : 7, 8. The bod}- might be redeemed from man by money
(Lev. 25 : 47-49), but God himself redeems the
soul. V. 15.
51: 4. A saint says, "What have I done?" A sinner
says, "What must I suffer?" One mourns for
the active evil, the other for the passive evil.
52 : 5. The wicked rooted out of the land of the living.
8. The righteous rooted in the house of God.
55:9-11. Seven terms declaring the wickedness of the city:
Violence and strife; mischief, and sorrow, and
wickedness in the midst of it; deceit and guile
in her streets.
19. They have no changes, therefore they fear not
God." When all goes well with a man, it is
almost sure to be his ruin.
72 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
55:22. "Cast thy burden upon the Lord." The original
is, "roll thy burden onto the Lord." We could
not pick up the heavy ones and cast them.
56 : 3. Fear should lead to faith.
11. Faith should put away fear.
58 : 2. Outward acts are more scandalous among men,
but inward wickedness is more dangerous before
God.
61 : Distance the end of the earth. V. 2.
Distress overwhelmed. V. 2.
Deliverance the Rock. V. 2.
Defense a shelter and a strong tower. V. 3.
Dwelling-place thy tabernacle. V. 4.
Duration forever. V. 7.
Destiny abide before God. Vs. 4, 7.
Determination I will sing praise unto thy name
forever.
62: "Only."
10. "I do not observe that grace always grows in the
same ratio with a growing income."
It is often said that such a man owns millions; but
most frequently the millions own the man.
63 : 1. My soul thirsteth for thee.
5. My soul shall be satisfied.
8. My soul followeth hard after thee.
7. Seven shadows:
Wings, for shelter. Ps. 63 : 7.
Tabernacle, from daily trial. Isa. 4 : 6.
PSALMS. 73
Hand, for service. Isa. 49 : 2.
Rock, for refreshment. Isa. 32 : 2.
Cloud, the Lord s presence. Isa. 4:5, 6.
Almighty, for power. Ps. 91 : 1.
Beloved, for rest. Cant. 2 : 3.
66 : 5. Come and see.
16. Come and hear.
66 : 12. God brings through fire and water into a wealthy
place. Satan casts into fire and water in order
to destroy. Mark 9 : 22.
71 : 3. Continual abiding.
14. Continual hope.
72 : 15. Continual prayer and praise.
78:11. A lively faith is blessed with a good memory.
Forgetfulness is an early and sure sign of un
belief.
22. No sin dishonors God like unbelief.
24. Manna to eat, not to analyze.
27. Fowls for food.
Food for fowls. Ps. 79 : 2.
31. Fat in body; lean in soul. Ps. 106 : 15.
38. See note on Deut. 28 : 28.
80 : 5. " Thou f eedest them with the bread of tears. "
" He should have fed them also with the finest of
the wheat." Ps. 81 : 16.
81 : 3. Nowadays we have made an atheist of the trumpet.
74 NOTES FROM MY JiJBLE.
83 : 3. The Lord s Hidden Ones" :
With Christ in God, for salvation and life.
1 John 5: 11, 20; Col. 3:3.
Under the shadow of his wing, for shelter and
safety. Ps. 17:8.
In the secret of his presence, for communion
with him. Ps. 31 : 20.
In his pavilion, for testing and proving. Ps.
27:5; 18:11.
In his quiver, ready for use. Isa. 49 : 2.
In the shadow of his hand, for strength and
service. Isa. 49 : 2.
84 : 11. The soul of man depends on God to keep it in its
true orbit, just as the earth depends on the sun.
Sever man from God, and he starts away into
darkness and disorder.
86: 6. In all thy prayers let thy heart be without the
words, rather than thy words without the heart.
89 : " Mercy of the Lord. "
"I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever."
V. 1.
" Mercy shall be built up forever." V. 2.
" Mercy shall go before Thy face." V. 14.
" My mercy shall be with him." V. 24.
" My mercy will I keep for him f orevermore. "
V. 28.
90: 12. "So teach us to number our days that we may
apply our hearts unto wisdom." St. Augustine
says we will never do that unless we number
every day as our last day.
PSALMS. 75
The last day is hidden that every day may be
heeded.
I expect to pass through this world but once. If,
therefore, there be any kindness I can show, any
good I can do, any help I can give, let me do it
now : let me not defer it or neglect it, for I will
not pass this way again."
91 : The believer s security. Vs. 1-12.
His victor y. V. 13.
His exaltation. Vs. 14, 15.
His eternal satisfaction. V. 16.
Saints are safe " Surely He shall deliver thee
from the snare . . . and from the noisome pes
tilence. " V. 3.
The evil is limited L Only with thine eyes shalt
thou . . . see the reward of the wicked. " V. 8.
The Lord has reasons for preserving his own
Because thou hast made the Lord, my refuge,
the Most High, thy habitation. " V. 9.
4. The feathers of God s wings are his tender mercies.
See Psalm 145 : 9.
91 : 11, 12. Satan s version Presumptuousness.
Christ s version Trustfulness.
14-16. Seven things God will do for the believer :
" I will deliver him." Vs. 14, 15.
" I will set him on high." V. 14.
1 will answer his call." V. 15.
" I will be with him in trouble." V. 15.
" I will honor him." V. 15.
76 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
" I will satisfy him. 1 V. 1C.
" I will show him my salvation." V. 16.
92 : 7. The wicked flourish to become fuel.
14. The righteous flourish for fruit.
94 : 13. Grace withereth without adversity. The devil is
but God s muster-fencer, to teach us to handle
our weapons.
96 : 6. Some people say there is no need of beauty in
God s sanctuary ; you should use the money for
the heathen meaning themselves.
97 : 2. God s government is often mysterious, yet always
righteous.
101 : Years ago a prince of Saxe-Gotha, whenever he
thought that one of his ministers or judges was
not what he ought to be, used always to send
him Ps. 101 to read.
103 : The mercy of God.
Its quality -tender." V. 4.
Its measure plenteous. " V. 8.
Its extent as high as heaven. V. 11.
Its duration "from everlasting to everlast
ing." V. 17.
13. Fatherly pity filial fear.
105:37. "He brought them forth with silver and gold :
and there was not one feeble person among
their tribes." Wealthy and healthy.
106 : They believed and sang. V. 12.
They believed not and murmured. Vs. 24. 25.
PSALMS. 77
106 : 15. Fat in body lean in soul. See Psalm 78 : 31.
107 : Note the contrasts :
No city to dwell in. V. 4. A city of habita
tion. V. 7.
Hungry, thirsty, faint. V. 5. Satisfied and
filled. V. 9.
Caused to wander. V. 7. Led forth. V. 40.
Sit in darkness. V. 10. Brought out of dark
ness. V. 14.
Bound in affliction and iron. V. 10. He
brake their bands in sunder. V. 14.
Draw near to death. V. 18. He saveth out of
distresses. V. 19.
Go down to the sea. V. 23. Bringeth to the
desired haven. V. 30.
Commandeth and raiseth stormy wind. Y. 25.
Maketh the storm a calm. V. 29.
19. Free grace is a harbor into which few ships run,
except through stress of weather. Till the end
of the creature is reached, men will not seek the
Creator.
116 : A Christian s experience :
Conviction "I found trouble and sorrow."
V. 3.
Prayer "0 Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my
soul." V. 4.
Gratitude What shall I render unto the
Lord for all his benefits ? " V. 12.
Assurance "0 Lord I am thy servant.
V. 16.
78 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
116:16. Freedom under Christ "Thou hast loosed my
bonds."
117 :, 2. " The truth of the Lord endureth forever." " I
am the truth."
il9 : 18. Disciple s prayer. " Hide not thy commandments
from me.
Promise. " I will instruct thee and teach thee."
Ps. 32 : 8.
Fulfilment. Then opened he their understanding,
that they might understand the Scriptures."
Luke 24 : 45.
SI. " I have stuck unto thy testimonies." The best
law for Bible study is perseverance, stick ing- to.
59. 60. The prodigal son s epitaph.
Thinking for himself.
Thuikmg about himself.
Practical and prompt.
71. It is a good wave that was^o* the mariner on to the
rock.
94. Profession "I am vhiue ; "
Prayer save me ; "
Plea "for I have sought thy precepts."
" Thine,"- by purchase, surrender.
"Save me" from sin, error, enemies, carelessness,
temptation, self.
105. >4 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet" to walk by ;
not to our tongues to talk about.
114. "Thou art my hiding-place." Hidden in Him,
never from Him
PSALMS. 79
136. Bendetti, a Franciscan monk, author of Stabat
Mater," one day was found weeping, and when
asked the reason of his tears, replied, I weep
because Love goes about unloved."
166. Trust and obedience. "Lord, I have hoped for
thy salvation, and done thy commandments."
121 : 4. Let not any think that the devil is now dead no
nor yet asleep. As "He that keepeth Israel,
so he that hateth Israel, "neither slumbereth
nor sleepeth. "
A poor woman in the East was robbed in the night.
The sultan asked, "Why did you sleep ? u be
cause I thought you never slept."
Alexander the Great told his soldiers, < I wake that
you may sleep. "
5. The Lord is thy keeper day and night, in and
out, forever.
122 : 6 Wherever thou canst send a thought, God can com
mand a blessing.
125 : 1, 2. As the Lord encircles his people like a mountain-
rampart, he must be removed before they can be
removed. Hence, "Stand fast in the Lord."
Phil. 4:1.
131 : 1. Present.
2. Past.
3. Future.
138 : 6. Pride never prepares a man for Paradise, but for
perdition.
80 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
140 : 5. The net is " 1>y the wayside; " there is no danger
in the way.
>
141 : 7, 8. " Our lx>nes are scattered at the grave s mouth,
as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood u|xm
the earth. But mine eyes are unto Thee, O
God the Lord: in Thee is my trust; leave not
my soul destitute."
These texts are inscribed on the cross which
marks the site of the well into which the dead
bodies were dropped every night during the
siege of Cawnpore, 1857 (preceding the mas
sacre of Cawnpore, in which about one thou
sand Europeans were murdered).
143 : Full of prayers " Hear! " " give ear! " " an
swer! " etc.
5. Remembrance meditation -- musing upon.
The works of God s hands cause eager desire
and thirst.
145 : 14. Lifting up.
15. Looking up.
17. What the Lord is " righteous in all his ways,
and holy in all his works."
18. Where the Lord is " nigh unto all them that
call upon him, to all that call upon him in
truth."
19. What the Lord will do "He will fulfil the de
sire of them that fear him : he also will hear
their cry, and will save them. "
PSALMS. 81
150 : The most complete directory of praise:
V. 1. Whom shall we praise? Where?
V. 2. Why?
V. 3-5. Wherewith? (Whatever is most help
ful.)
V. 6. Who shall praise?
PROVERBS.
When a young man said to Carlyle that there was
nothing in the Book of Proverbs, he replied:
c Make a few proverbs and you will think dif
ferently of the book."
He that would be wise, let him read Proverbs. He
that would be holy, let him read Psalms.
1 : 22. Simple ones scorners fools.
V. 25. They "would none of my reproof."
V. 30. " They would none of my counsel. "
" Israel would none of me." Ps. 81:11.
32. Bacon said, Prosperity doth best discover vice,
but adversity doth best discover virtue."
4 : 18. I am walking toward a great light, and the nearer
I get, the brighter it is.
The last words from Longfellow s pen :
"Out of the shadows of night,
The world rolls into light :
It is day-break everywhere."
When St. Cuthbert was overtaken in a terrible
storm, his companions said to him, " The sea is
before us, and the path behind us is blocked
6
82 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
with snow. What shall we do ? " He replied,
"Thank God, the road to heaven is not ob
structed."
6 : 22. Shall lead shall keep shall talk.
7 : 18-20. Like a faithless wife, the world takes advantage
of the Lord s absence to seek guilty pleasure ;
but this can only last till his return. On the
other hand, the Lord s return ends his people s
sorrows and brings them holy and everlasting
joy-
8 : 34. Willing, watching, waiting.
10: 7. "The memory of the just is blessed."
" Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in their dnst."
22. The blessings we enjoy are not the fruit of our own
merit, but the fruit of God s mercy.
13 : 15. "The way of transgressors is hard," because,
(1.) Sin begets sin ;
(2.) it makes a guilty conscience ;
(3.) it always turns out hideous ;
(4.) it brings future punishment.
24. Better the child cry than the father sigh.
14 : 12. The cream of earth s pleasures floats on the top.
He that thinks by a deeper draught to find yet
more, fares worse.
15 : II. Some things come to the poor that can t get into
the doors of the rich, whose money blocks the
way: peace, contentment, etc.
PROVERBS. 83
16 : 18. Be humble or you 11 stumble.
17 : 17. A true friend is like ivy the greater the ruin, the
closer he clings.
18 : 24. We have not to hold on to Christ; he sticks to us.
22 : 6. Happy are they who learn their first lessons in their
mother s arms!
Children old enough to sin are old enough to re
pent.
Satan does not wait till the children grow up;
why should you?
28 : 1. If Christians should shrink back at every contrary
wind that blows, they would never make their
voyage to heaven.
ECCLESIASTES.
9: 10. Better say, " This one thing I do," than to say,
" These fifty things I dabble in."
12 : 1. God prizes a Christian in the bud, and delights in
the blossoms of youth more than in the sheddings
of old age.
Usually where the devil pleads antiquity, he re
tains possession.
As there are none so old that they need despair of
mercy, so there are none so young that the}
should presume on mercy.
Youthful sins lay a foundation for aged sorrows.
12 : 6. Pierson makes this verse set forth four ways of
death :
84 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
a. Silver cord loosed spinal cord loosed
paralysis.
6. Golden lx>wl broken the skull and brain.
c. Pitcher broken lungs asph} xia.
d. Wheel at cistern broken heart syncope.
SONG OF SOLOMON.
2 : 10. The experience of the believer who has found an
all-sufficiency in Christ.
15. Little foxes that spoil the vines : -
Selfishness spoils love.
Discontent spoils joy.
Anxious thought spoils peace.
Impatience spoils longsuffering.
Bitter words spoil gentleness.
Indolence spoils goodness.
Doubt spoils faith.
Pride spoils meekness.
Love of pleasure spoils temperance.
8 : 5. Leaning, not leading.
ISAIAH.
1 : 2-4. A tenfold accusation:
1. Children have rebelled against God. V. 2.
2. Israel doth not know. V. 3.
3. My people doth not consider. V. 3.
4. A sinful nation. V. 4.
5. A people laden with iniquity. V. 4.
6. A seed of evil-doers. V. 4.
7. Children that are corrupters. V. 4.
ISAIAH. 85
8. They have forsaken the Lord. V. 4.
9. They have provoked the Holy One of Israel
to anger. V. 4.
10. They are gone away backward. V. 4.
6. From the sole of the foot even unto the head
there is no soundness." Most people would do
like the African princess who broke the looking-
glass because she was so ugly.
Civilization is a poor varnish. You have only to
scratch it to turn up the same old egotism that
has prevailed six thousand years.
16, 17. An eight-fold instruction:
1. Wash you, make you clean. V. 16.
2. Put away the evil of your doings. V. 16.
3. Cease to do evil. V. 16.
4. Lean to do well. V. 17.
5. Seek judgment. V. 17.
6. Relieve the oppressed. V. 17.
7. Judge the fatherless. V. 17.
8. Plead for the widow. V. 17.
18. No matter how fast the color is, the blood of Jesus
Christ can wash it out.
6 : 1. Uzziah s reign was a kind of Victorian era in Jew
ish history. It was when this passed away into
shame and disgrace that Isaiah saw the Eternal
King on his throne.
22 : 22. The Spanish Jews have a silver key of David, bear
ing the inscription, "God shall open, the King
shall enter. "
86 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
26: 3. P. P. Bliss used to say, "I love this verse more
than any other verse in the Bible, Thou wilt
keep him in perfect ix>ace whose mind is stayed
on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. "
The tree of peace strikes its roots into the crevices
of the Rock of Ages.
33 : This chapter is true literally of Sennacherib s in
vasion.
21. Jerusalem lacked a river, and nearly all large cities
are built on seas or rivers. The Lord promised
to be a river without the drawback that enemies
vessels could come up against the city. So there
is no drawback, no temptation in any blessing
the Lord gives.
40 : Nine aspects of man s insufficiency :
V. t>. Grass, flower of field.
V. 15. Drop, small dust, a very little thing.
V. 17. Nothing, less than nothing, vanity.
V. 22. Grasshoppers.
6-8. The frailty of human life. Ps. 103 : 15, 16 ; Matt.
6 : 30 ; Luke 12 : 28 ; 1 Peter 1 : 24.
In its short life. Ps. 90 : 6 ; Jumes 1:11.
In its full-blown glory. V. 6.
In its sure decay. V. 7 ; 1 Peter 1 : 24.
The permanence of God s Word. Mark 13:31 ;
1 Peter 1 : 25 ; Ps. 119 : 89.
Proclaimed among men. Col. 1 : 23.
Centered in the gospel. 1 Peter 1 : 25.
31. I never could understand the order mount up,
run, walk, until I saw a man riding a bicycle.
ISAIAH. 87
It is easy to mount, but to walk or go slowly
takes a clever rider. So with a convert.
41 : 10. Fear and despair are high points of atheism.
42 : 6. Called held kept used.
One da} Miss F. R. Havergal asked her attendant
to rend this verse : "I the Lord have called Ihee
in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and
will keep thee." "Well," she said, " I will just
go home on that " and she died that day.
43 : 2. "Where is Jesus of Nazareth, my old and faithful
friend?" asked Jonathan Edwards, dying, "I
know He will be with me." And he died tri
umphant.
45: 7. "I create evil"- not sin, but the punishment
thereof.
53 : Notice the paradoxes :
Despised, yet accepted and adored.
Poor, yet rich.
To die, yet to live.
The Rabbis said there must be a double Messiah to
fulfil this chapter.
2. In the sight of God, a tender plant; in the sight of
man, a root out of a dry ground.
55 : 7. God is angry with the wicked. Isa. 63 : 9, 10; Eze.
22:21, 22.
God is unwilling to punish. 2 Peter 3:9; Eze.
33 : 11 ; Jonah 4:11.
God is glad to forgive. Isa. 1:18; 1 John
2 : 1, 2.
88 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
God rejoices over the forgiven. Luke 15 : 6, 7,
22, 24 ; Isa. 62 : 3, 5.
59 : 1. If our water-supply runs short, I do not conclude
that the river or lake has run dry, but that our
pipes are out of order.
62 : 2. " By a new name " :
Saints, because of their holiness.
Believers, because of their faith.
Brethren, because of their love.
Disciples, because of their knowledge.
Christians, because of their head.
6 : 24. "And it shall come to pass that before they call, I
will answer." God sometimes answers before
we ask!
JEREMIAH.
1 : 11. The almond blossoms before any other tree. Hence
speed, haste. V. 12.
8 : 7. The Persians formed their almanacs by the move
ments of the storks.
a. Birds mingle music with work.
L. They fly high when migrating.
c. They know when to start.
d. All the family goes together.
16 : 2. Jeremiah was the only man in the Bible who was
told not to marry.
17 : I. Strong faith can live in any climate.
18 : The story of the potter and his clay.
JEREMIAH. 89
Three men in the Bible whom God made up
again :
Jacob, after Bethel, fell into double dealing,
but God met him again at the fords of Jab-
bok. So business men restored.
Simon Peter denied Christ, but Christ said to
him, "Feed my sheep." So ministers re
stored.
Mark started with Paul and Barnabas, but
went back ; yet God made him up again
into the friend of Peter (1 Peter 5 : 13).
So can backsliders be restored.
Man differs from clay; he can resist his Maker.
See Isa. 45 : 9.
LAMENTATIONS.
3 : 27. It is hard to cast off the devil s yoke when we have
worn it long upon our necks.
EZEKIEL.
5 : 5. The Rabbis said that Jerusalem was the actual
center of the earth, and in the church of the
Holy Sepulcher is a large stone that marks the
exact center.
11 : 16. Israel, though dispersed, would find God even
among the heathen.
17 : 54. Some Christians are a "comfort" to the worldly.
33 : 3. Four trumpet calls :
Beware. Eze. 33 : 3 ; Num. 10:5.
90 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
Be glad. Num. 10: 10.
Be useful. Rev. 8 : 6.
Be ready. Eze. 7:14; 1 Cor. 15 : 52.
34 : 10-29. Notice the "I will s" of the Lord God on behalf
of his sheep.
The Shepherd and the sheep :
V. 11. I will search them and seek them out.
V. 12. I will deliver them.
V. 13. I will bring them out.
V. 13. I will gather them together.
V. 13. I will bring them in.
V. 14. I will feed them.
V. 15. I will cause them to lie down.
V. 16. I will bind up the broken.
V. 16. I will strengthen the sick.
14. There are a good many lean sheep in God s fold,
but none in his pasture.
37 : 2. Many a preacher fails because he does not visit his
people and find out their actual condition.
Survey the ground where sin and death reign.
4. Preaching to dry bones!
9. Preaching to the wind!
DANIEL.
Nothing derogatory is recorded of Samuel, Jona
than, or Daniel, yet they were not sinless, but
confessed their sins.
1 : 8. Boy heroes. By reason of their purpose God gave
them
DANIEL. 91
a. Favor and tender love with the prince.
b. Health and comeliness of features.
c. Knowledge and skill in learning and wis
dom.
d. Pre-eminence.
Don t eat the king s fare ; do n t go with the tide if
it is wrong.
12. Don t be afraid to test 3 our theories.
15. Purity pays. He who abstains from drinking,
smoking, etc. , always has the more comely feat
ures.
5 : 27. Weighed and found wanting :
a. The moralist morality, integrity, upright
ness.
l>. The formalist ritual, outward prosperity.
c. The worldling riches, business, pleasure.
9 : 5-15. Notice the different wa}"s of expressing sin :
We have sinned. Vs. 5, 8, 11, 15.
" " committed iniquity. V. 5.
" " done wickedly. V. 5.
" " rebelled (by departing from precepts
and judgments). Vs. 5, 9.
We have not hearkened unto thy servants the
prophets. V. G.
We have trespassed. V. 7.
" " been disobedient. V. 10, 11.
" " transgressed. V. 11.
" " neglected (<> pray. V. 13.
92 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
9 : 10. Under the old covenant God set his laws before his
people ; under the new, he promised to put them
into our hearts. See Heb. 1U : 16.
HOSEA.
7 : 13-15. God s seven-fold charge against Ephraiin.
Fled from God. V. 13.
Transgressed against God. V. 13.
Spoken lies against God. V. 13.
Not cried to God with the heart. V. 14.
Assembled for corn and wine. V. 14.
Rebel against God. V. 14.
Imagined mischief against God. V. 15.
11 : 3. Guidance step by step.
AMOS.
4 : 12. " Prepare to meet thy God." Four things in this
text : -
a. There is one God.
I. We are accountable to him.
c. We must meet him.
</. We need preparation to meet him.
JONAH.
1 : 3. It is impossible to flee from God s presence. Ps.
139:7. Give up the vain attempt to-day.
Jonah "paid his fare" and never got it re
funded. Sin is an expensive business. He took
the wrong boat the wrong track.
JONAH. 93
1 : 4. Disobedience always leads us into troubled wa
ters.
5. The want of pardon is the only spring of a servile
man s duty. He plies his prayers as sailors do
the pumps only in a storm, or when fearful of
sinking.
11. Sin in the soul is like Jonah in the ship. It turns
the smoothest water into a tempestuous sea.
13, 14. The unavailing efforts of the Mediterranean oars
man have their counterpart,
a. In our efforts to convert others.
b. " " our families.
c. " " " " " ourselves.
The cure is Cry to God.
3 .- 2. After all the delay and discipline, Jonah had to go
back to his first starting- place.
4 : 7. Unbelief in the heart is like the worm in Jonah s
gourd an unseen adversary.
MICAH.
The Rod in Micah : -
5:1. Upon the Saviour ; cf. Lam. 3:1.
6 : 9. Upon the sinner , cf. Ps. 2 : 9.
7:14. Upon the saint ; cf. Ps. 23 : 4.
6 : 8. A trinity of precepts :
Do justly.
Love mercy.
Walk humbly with thy God.
94 NOTES FROM MT III RLE.
NAHUM.
1 : t Of the thirty Roman Kmi>erors and Governors who
persecuted Christians, not one came to a peaceful
end.
HABAKKUK.
2 : Five woes against five common sins :
Unsatiableness. V. 5.
Covetousness. V. 9.
Cruelty. V. 12.
Drunkenness. V. 15.
Idolatry. V. 18.
ZEPHANIAH.
3 : 9. There are only two newspapers published in Pales
tine to-day (1804), and both of them are in
Hebrew.
ZECHARIAH.
Christ The Branch. Chapter 3 : 8.
Priest and King. 6 : 13.
Just and Lowly. " 9:9.
A Fountain. " 13 : 1.
The Shepherd. 13 : 7.
3: V. 4. Cleansed.
Clothed.
V. 5. Crowned.
MALACHI.
2 : 5-7. The characteristics of a true minister :
a. Fearing God his state of mind.
MA L Af Hf. 95
/>. Proclaiming the truth his message.
c. Avoiding iniquity his purpose.
d. Walking with God his habit.
c. Turning men to God his work.
/ . Teaching the law of God his duty.
g. Acting as God s messenger his commission.
3 : 3. The refiner sits watching until his own image is re
flected in the metal. Job. 23 : 10.
"But, that thy fires may surely burn
All sordid, sensual dross away,
Lord at the furnace watch and yearn
Till from the silver s heart return
Thine image pure as day.
"O teach us lowly to remain
Without one murmur at thy feet,
Nor at the heaviest cross complain,
Till thou each. docile spirit train
Into thy will complete."
8. Men try to rob God of their time by desecrating
the Sabbath by toiling; but they die off younger.
17. White clouds are drawn up by the sun from swamps
and stagnant pools.
The church is "the pearl (Matt. 13 : 45), and in
dividuals are " jewels. "
4 ; 2. How many men and women who were doomed to a
life of poverty, monotony, and toil which almost
amounts to slavery, have been translated by
experience of the love of Christ out of darkness
into wondrous light. The grave has been trans
formed into the gate of glory. How many men
96 NOTKH FROM MY BIBLE.
and women, themselves apparently lost and
dragging others to ruin, have l>een arrested and
converted and transfigured so as to become like
the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her
feathers with yellow gold.
NEW TESTAMENT.
MATTHEW.
"Kingdom of heaven" used thirty-two times in
Matthew.
Sixty-five quotations from the Old Testament.
In the first two chapters the evangelist sees the
fulfilment of five prophecies.
Two genealogies of our Lord :
Matthew, the first: a king must have a genealogy.
Mark, none: all a servant needs is character.
Luke, the second: a perfect man must have one.
John, none: God needs none.
1 : 23. " They shall call his name Emmanuel . . . God
with us." This gospel closes with the prom
ise "Lo, I am with you alway!" Emman
uel.
2: 1. "Bethlehem" means "house of bread." Out of
Bethlehem came the "Bread of Life."
2. God caught the magi with a star, the fishermen
with a fish.
Wise men philosophers were the first who
came to worship Christ.
13. Obedience requires sometimes activity "flee;"
sometimes patient waiting " be thou there."
7 [97]
98 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
2 : 14. Even in his infancy Christ suffered for us.
God sent one man into the world without sin, but
none without sorrow.
3: 2. We do n t Iwlieve in a dry-eyed faith; repentance
is the tear in the eye of faith.
5. Sensational preaching.
11, 12. Those baptized with fire escape burning by fire.
16. The first time the Spirit rested upon man!
A dove the emblem of peace. Gen. 8: 11.
Of harmlessness. Matt. 10: 16.
Of purity. Song of Solomon 6 : 9.
Of beauty. Ps. 68:13.
4 : 5. The devil sets most of us on a pinnacle of self-con
fidence so that we fall.
7. " It is written again." Do not blot out one passage
of Scripture, but set another alongside of it.
The Bible is self interpreting. John 19 : 37.
God must be trusted, not tempted.
11. The first Adam was tempted in a garden, and fell :
The second Adam in a wilderness, and he came
off victorious.
19. If you would be fishers of men, you must leave your
old nets.
5 : The Law was given on a mountain to a man of God.
The Law was expounded on a mountain by the
Son of God.
MATTHEW. 99
5 : 5. A missionary in Jamaica asked a little black boy,
"Who are the meek ? " He answered, " Those
who give soft answers to rough questions."
8. You must pass through the narrow gate of purity
before you can see the King.
11. Who would shake those trees upon which there is
no fruit ?
13, 14. Salt to preserve, and light to guide. Both silent in
action but great in effect.
14. Poor world ! What a faint light it receives from
most Christians !
The lighthouse, if its light is not burning, is u peril
instead of a safeguard.
Men do not stumble when the lamp shines
brightly.
16. It is not you that is to shine, but your light. The
moon shines by reflected light. A diamond is
dull in the dark.
The brighter the light, the less people remark about
the lamp.
The light abides pure, though the air be corrupted
in which it shines.
20. Soul-justifying Saviour.
Self-justifying scribes.
28. There may be guests in the house, although they
look not out of the windows. So there may be
lust in the heart of a man when his outward life
seems pure.
100 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
5 : 38. To rise above simple justice is a great question, not
, of education, but of sanctification.
44. To do evil for good is human corruption.
To do good for good is civil retribution.
To do good for evil is Christian perfection.
Plutart h said, "A man should not allow himself
to hate even his enemies, because if you indulge
this passion on some occasions, it will rise of
itself on others. If you hate your enemies, you
will contract such a vicious habit of mind, as
by degrees will break out upon those who are
your friends, or those who are indifferent to you. "
Never contract a friendship with a man that is not
better than thyself this was Confucius s advice
regarding friendship.
46. As an echo returns the voice it receives, so many
will return a kindness when kindness is shown.
48. We have got a good many Christians who are good
in spots, but mighty poor in other spots.
The serene beauty of a holy life is the most power
ful influence in the world, next to the might of
God.
6 : 1. " Take heed that ye do not your alms before men,
to be seen of them : otherwise ye have no reward
of your Father which is in heaven. "
He who desires honor is not worthy of honor.
The harp sounds sweetly, yet it hears not its own
melody.
Good ends do not make bad actions lawful, yet bad
ends make good actions sinful.
MATTHEW. 101
If some bestow a little money on the repairs of a
church, it must be recorded in glazed windows.
Where self is the end of our actions, Satan (not
God) is the rewarder of them.
He that traffics in God s service in order to procure
men s praises, suffers shipwreck in the haven and
loses his wages.
2. Hypocrisy.
The gospel professed may lift a man to heaven:
but only the gospel possessed will bring him into
heaven.
We need not sound a trumpet for anything we be
stow: for when the last trumpet shall sound,
every work will be revealed.
Saints should be like spire-steeples, smallest where
they are highest.
Religion is the best armor a man can have, but the
worst cloak.
Hypocrites are like looking-glasses which present
the faces that are not in them.
The hypocrite would not put on the appearance of
virtue and religion if it was not the most proper
means to gain love.
14. Christ said, " Forgive to be forgiven."
Paul said, "Forgive because forgiven." Eph.
4:32.
16. It is both meat and drink to a formalist to fast if
others do but see him. Some professors are like
hens thpt no sooner drop their eggs than they
begin to chatter.
102 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
6 : 26. Object lessons : fowls, lilies, grass, foxes, raven,
, etc.
The river of God s truth flows down before us pure
and clear as crystal ; but we take our theological
stick and stir it up, until you cannot see the lx>t-
toni. Oh, for the simplicity of Christ in all our
instructions the simplicity He practised when
standing among the people, He took a lily, and
said, There is a lesson of the manner I will
clothe you ; " and, pointing to a raven, said,
"There is a lesson of the way I will feed you ;
consider the lilies behold the fowls of the air."
Providence that does the housework of the uni
verse ; bus}*, kindly, thoughtful, the hospitable
word, that makes things ready for us, cares for
all our life, busies itself about us, and that says
to us, " The very hairs of your head are all num
bered ! "
7 : In this chapter we have :
Two gates strait, and wide ;
Two ways broad, and narrow ;
Two classes many, and few ;
Two destinations life, and destruction
Two trees good, and corrupt ;
Two fruits good, and evil ;
Two things done to trees hewn down, and cast
out ;
Two houses ;
Two foundations rock, and sand ;
Two builders wise, and foolish ;
MATTHEW. 103
Two storms ;
Two results the one house stood, the other
fell.
: 2. He that blovrs into a heap of dust is in danger of
putting out his own eyes.
7. Many pray like boys who knock at doors and then
run away.
13. If a man goes into the evil way, the great enemy
of souls goes after him and blots out his foot
prints.
16. " Shake the tree, said Luther, "and you will see
if there is any fruit. "
When the wheels of a clock move within, the hands
on the dial move without.
19. If ye be not fruit-bearing plants, ye will become
burning brands.
24. Build on the Rock, and fear no shock.
"Upon a rock." R. V. : "upon the rock." A
bed of limestone underlies all Palestine, and
Christ speaks of the man who digged down to it.
; Four typical miracles :
Leprosy, typifying guilt.
Palsy, impotence.
Fever, passion.
Demoniacy, " slavery of sin.
10. Christ marveled at unbelief. Mark 6 : 6.
How is it ye have no faith ? " 4 : 40.
Oh, thou of little faith. Matt. 14 : 31.
104 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
Great is thy faith. Matt. 15 : 28.
, So great faith. " 8 : 10.
8 : 17. The key to Christ s atoning death : " Himself took
our infirmities and bare our sicknesses."
24. " He was asleep " Christ s humanity.
26. "He rebuked the winds " His divinity.
25. Lord We. )
Save Perish, j
When a man really wants the Saviour, he does not
need any one to teach him how to pray.
9 : 9. It was a great victory to win a promising business
man.
36. What are the " multitudes " that Jesus sees to-day,
from his throne in glory ? Eight hundred mil
lions heathen, two hundred millions Mohammed
ans, etc.
10 : 8. The motive free grace.
The measure free giving.
The Christian s commission " Raise the dead."
How? "Go, preach." V. 7.
Who are the dead ? All. 1 Cor. 15 : 22.
Why are they "-dead"? Because they are
"alienated from God." Eph. 4 : 18.
To what to be raised ? To " sit together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Eph. 2 : 6.
9. Faith is better than funds for the life that now is,
and for the life that is to come.
38. A saint is often under a cross ; never under a curse.
MATTHEW. 105
11 : 29. The eastern yoke is made for two necks. If Christ
is with us, we are blessed. There is no room for
a third neck. 2 Cor. 6:14.
The only description of Christ s heart "lowly."
The burden of law remains eternally the same, but
the inspiration of grace enables men to bear it.
Something to do " Come unto me."
Something to take His yoke.
Something to leave Your burden.
Something to find Rest.
"Learn of me." If the life of Christ be not your
pattern, the death of Christ will never be your
pardon. What He was by nature, we should be
by grace.
30. He that deems the yoke of Christ heavy, will not
find his crown easy.
When Christ takes the burden of guilt off a sinner s
shoulders, He places the yoke of obedience upon
his neck.
12 : 31. Those who think they have committed the unpar
donable sin seldom worry themselves about other
sins.
45. If godly sorrow takes possession of the house, it
will quickly shut sin out.
13:23. Understanding the Word with the heart (v. 15) is
the result of the Spirit s dealing, and indicates
regeneration. 1 Cor. 2: 10, 16.
45. The " pearl of great price" is the church. Jesus
Christ is the merchantman and gave all to^pur-
106 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
chase the pearl. Could not pay a higher price.
Not "pearls," but the "pearl." Brought from
great depths, into changed surroundings, at risk
of diver s life; noted for purity; no need of pol
ishing; perfect when found.
The church is the pearl. Believers are "jewels."
14 : 4. John the Baptist was an uncompromising preacher.
9. The head of John the Baptist was a high price for
u few moments entertainment.
31. "0 thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou
doubt? " Peter had enough faith to keep him
from drowning, but not from doubting.
15 : The woman s faith overcame His
Silence. V. 23.
Sovereignty. V. 24.
Severity. V. 26.
25. Christ heard the woman when she dropped the title,
"Son of David " (v. 22). She was a Gentile.
A prayer of three links, connecting earth with
heaven: " LORD HELP ME."
27. Do n t be satisfied with crumbs. Go for the whole
loaf.
16 ; 13 17. The answers of opinion and of revelation. %
Why did Jesus come into the world? 1 John
3 : 5, 8 ; John 1 : 29 ; 1 Tim. 1 : 15 ; Luke 19 :
10, etc.
13. It makes a great difference to men what they think
of Jesus.
MATTHEW. 107
16 : 15. It makes less difference to a ruaii what others think
of Jesus than what he thinks.
16. A great confession.
22. A great collapse.
22, 23. The devil hates to consider the death of Jesus,
knowing that it is so important.
26. The devil gained the whole world and lost his soul.
Who would change places with him?
Pleasure, Profit, and Preferment are the wicked
man s trinity: and his carnal self is these in unity.
17 : 2. The law was given with thuuderings, lightnings,
and darkness. Christ was manifested in glory
and peace.
5. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased; hear ye him." God here quotes three
Old Testament texts:
a. This is my beloved Son. Ps. 2: 7.
b. In whom I am well pleased. Isa. 42: 1.
c. Hear ye him. Dent. 18:15.
This was the last time God spoke to men.
He who refuses to hear the voice of Jesus Christ
shall never see his face.
18: 3. "As little children." Not foolish, not playful;
but gentle, obedient, truthful, pure, trusting.
5. The pastor who leads the lambs will be able to
lead the sheep. Every time you lay your hand
on a child s head, you lay it on his mother s
heart.
108 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
18 : 7. He that sina is weak; but he that leads others into
sin is devilish.
19:21. "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou
hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have
treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."
It was the force of these words that moved Francis
of Assisi to give up the world and become tho
power he was in the Church.
22. Wealth is no harm: but the inability to give it up
is deadly.
23. Christian men often become rich, but rich men
seldom become Christians.
28. Now the world judges the godly. Hereafter the
godly shall judge the world.
20 : 27. A humble saint looks most like a citizen of
heaven.
21 : 37. Men would never have known that they would put
God to death, unless Christ had been born.
23 : 27. Whitewashed, not washed white in the blood.
Some very good-looking people are deformed on
the inside.
24 : 2. John does not mention the destruction of Jerusalem,
as he wrote after it had taken place.
18. In the ruins of Pompeii there was found the petri
fied body of a woman in the act of snatching her
jewels.
22. "The elect" are the "whosoever will s": the
non-elect " are the " whosoever wont s."
MATTHEW. 109
24 : 42. The Lord s exhortations to holiness are never based
on the fear of death, but on the hope of his
return, and its unexpectedness.
We know the duty (" watch "), but not the day.
47. The promotion God gives is not like earthly promo
tion, wherein the eminence of one excludes that
of another but rather like the diffusion of love in
which the more each has, the more there is for all.
49. Unkinduess to the Lord s people, and fellowship
with the ungodly, are two great marks of hypo
crites.
25 : 15. Many thousands of watchsprings can be made out
of a pound of iron. See that you improve faith
fully the talent God has given you.
21. Not "well done good and successful" servant, but
faithful" servant.
God has three kinds of servants in the world (1)
slaves, who serve him from a principle of fear;
(2) hirelings, who serve him for the sake of
wages; (3) sons, who serve him under the influ
ence of love.
34. The Church was chosen before the foundation of
the world. Eph. 1:4; Titus 1:2. The Jews*
(here) "from the foundation of the world."
35. Many love at their tongue s end; but the godly
love at their fingers end.
26 : 20. The Lord s Supper is a memorial of a departed
Friend, a prophecy of a returning Friend, and a
parable of a present Friend.
110 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
26 : 56. Christ s circle gradually narrowed down. F >t,
, the multitudes left him ; then, many so-called
disciples ; lastly, the twelve.
27: Christ s innocence attested by:
Judas. V. 4.
Pilate s wife. V. ! ..
Pilate. V. 24.
Herod. Luke 23 : 15.
Thief. Luke 23 : 41.
Centurion. Luke 23 : 47.
33. On Golgotha there were skulls of all sizes.
35. The soldiers took from Jesus his garments, but
He laid aside the robe of flesh of his own will.
36. Twelve views of the cross. Luke 23 : 48.
The soldiers saw in Christ :i criminal, with
cruelty.
The women saw in Christ a l>enefactor, witli
sorrow.
His mother saw in Christ a son, with anguish.
The disciples saw in Christ blighted hopes, with
perplexity.
The first thief saw in Christ a malefactor, with
hardness.
The second thief saw in Christ a King, with
penitence.
The centurion saw in Christ divinity, with con
viction.
The priests saw in Christ an impostor, with
mockery.
MATTHEW. HI
Angels saw in Christ love, with wonder.
Devils saw in Christ the seed of woman, with
dismay.
Jehovah saw in Christ obedience, with affection.
The passers-by saw in Christ nothing, with in
difference.
The cross cannot be explained. To nail our poor
theories on that tree but shows how our love has
cooled and stiffened and expired.
57. None of the Gospels forget to mention Joseph of
Arimathaea.
63. Christ s enemies remembered what his disciples
forgot: "We remember that that deceiver said,
while he was yet alive, After three days, I Avil!
rise again.
28:19,20. "Go ye . . . I am with you." In other words,
"Come with me to this work."
God only had one Son, and he sent him on a for
eign mission.
MARK.
Christ, the servant, goes about his work at once.
1:22. There is an awful possibility of being "aston
ished," without being convinced, persuaded,
saved.
23. A devil in a synagogue!
30. The French for mother-in-law is " belle-mere "-
beautiful mother.
Suffering everywhere:
112 NO TES FROM M7 BIBLE.
In the synagogue. V. 23.
In the home. V. 30,
In the city. V. 32.
But Christ is there too.
2 : 1. If Christ is in the house, your neighbors will soon
know it.
3. Four men thought it worth while to bring one man
to Christ.
4. They thought it more important to get to Christ
than to have an orderly meeting.
5. Christ saw not their " perseverance " or " ingenu
ity," but their " faith."
Christ s coming
Awakens hope, effort.
Brings pardon, power.
Calls forth praise.
6. A new religion provoked opposition. Formality
versus Will of God.
8. To know the hearts of men was, with the Jews, a
test of the true Messiah s claims. See Isa.
11:3.
9. The true character of a miracle : the outward mani
festation of the power of God, in order that we
may believe in the power of God in things that
are invisible.
11. "Thy sins be forgiven thee. . . . Arise and walk. "
A separate miracle, being healed. So to-day,
a drunkard may be forgiven, but he does not at
MARK 113
once recover his steady hands, etc. The spirit
ual miracle must come first. Matt. 6 : 33.
17. Christ, the Great Physician.
How do we know when people are sick in mind ?
in body? in soul ?
What is the medicine? Prisons, hospitals, etc.
Who are sick in soul ? Isa. 1 : 6 ; 1 John 1 : 7.
23-28. Withered hearts.
1- 5. Withered hand.
3. " Stand forth" as a confession of need.
5. "Stretch forth" as a confession of faith.
4. These are indeed obstinate in their infidelity who,
when they can say nothing against a truth, will
say nothing for it ; and when they cannot resist,
yet will not yield.
5. Every conversion is a miracle. The sinner can no
more "believe" than this man could raise his
withered hand, without power being given from
on high.
6. Christ s enemies.
7-12. Christ s friends.
13-19. Christ s messengers.
13. Chosen,
Bought,
Planted,
that they should bear fruit.
8
114 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
3:28-30. The unpardonable pin: A union of light in the
head and hatred in the heart. Not a sin of
ignorance or presumption, but of defiance.
4 : 26. The seed passed through seven stages: (1) cast
into the ground; (2) springing up; (3) growing;
(4) blade; (5) ear; (6) full corn in the ear; (7)
harvest.
28. Blade of thought.
Green ear of conviction.
Full ear of faith.
Christ overcomes the storm, chap. 4 : 39;
the devil, 5 : 13;
disease, 5 : 29 ;
death, 5 : 42.
5: Devils prayed, and Jesus answered.
A wicked man praj ed, and Jesus answered.
A believing woman prayed, and Jesus answered.
All asked for something, and all got it.
Three very bad cases devils, disease, death
beyond the reach of man (for man had tried
and failed), cured by Christ.
Note the testimony of the evil spirit to Christ:
saw Him afar off : ran and worshiped : confessed
His divinity: dreaded His indignation.
2. Satan as a master is bad; his work worse; his
wages worst of all.
19. A missionary convert.
22. It was his daughter s trouble that drove the ruler to
Jesus.
MARK. 115
5 : 23. " My daughter lieth at the point of death : I pray
thee, come and lay thy hands on her that she
may be healed: and she shall live." A short
prayer, and to the point.
35. "Thy daughter is dead." A great part of the
business of preachers to-day is to contradict this
statement. Thy daughter, thy son, is unf dead.
Instead of ceasing to pray, be more urgent and
earnest than ever.
6 : 20. Herod feared John . . . and did many things.
Had he feared God, he would have done every
thing.
Herod was once a hopeful case Mark 1 2 : 34.
but the sin of adultery kept him back. It was
the price of his soul.
27. John the Baptist, the last of the prophets, died as
a martyr for the law of Moses, not because of
his testimony concerning the Messiah.
31. "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place,
and rest awhile." There is progress in a Chris
tian s life when he may not seem to be going
ahead. Like a canal-boat in a lock, when it
stands still but is rising all the time.
34. God the Father, "full of compassion." Ps. 145 : 8;
78 : 38. God the Son, < moved with compassion.
Luke 7 : 13 ; Mark 1 : 41.
37. Give ye them to eat. " Christ uses us and our
resources.
1 1 fi NO TES FROM J/T BIRL K.
6:41. i< Christ gave them to his disciples to sol before
, them." Go and distribute.
7 : 24. "He could not be hid." As it is with the head,
so it is with the members. Matt. 5 : II.
29. The Syrophcenician woman did what the lawyers
and scribes could not do she entangled Jesus.
8 : 34. You cannot follow ti/tcr Jesus, until you have first
come to him.
36. He who sins for profit shall not profit by his sins.
38. We are most ashamed of Jesus when He has most
cause to be ashamed of us.
9 : 8. Jesus only.
34. Man only.
Jesus alone on the mount of transfiguration, and
aloue on the mount of suffering.
The. Christian Life : -
1 On the mountain-top" (v. 2). In the plain " (v. 0).
Spiritual. Practical.
Communion. Conflict.
Occupied with Jesus. Occupied for Jesus.
JESUS ONLY.
Once it was the blessing now it is the Lord :
Onco it was the feeling now it is His word ;
Once His gifts I wanted now Himself alone :
Once I sought for healing now the Healor own :
Once twas painful trying now tis perfect trust:
Once a half salvation now the uttermost :
MARK. 117
Once twas what I wanted now what Jesus says :
Once twas constant asking now tis ceaseless praise;
Once it was my working His it hence shall be :
Once I tried to use Him now He uses me ;
Once the power I wanted now the Might y One:
Once I worked for glory now His will be done !
9 : 20. Like a bad tenant, the devil tried to do as much
harm as he could when he got notice to quit.
10 : 17. Salvation sought and missed.
10:21. Jesus s first look was one of love: " Jesus behold
ing him loved him." V. 21.
Jesus s second look was one of sorrow: "Jesus
looked round about, " and said, How hardly
shall they that have riches enter into the king
dom of God." V. 23.
Jesus s third look was one of hope: " Jesus looking
upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but
not with God: for with God all things are possi
ble." V. 27.
" One thing thou lackest. " One leak can sink a
ship, one sin destroy the sinner.
22. Men read the Old Testament story of earthly
prosperity held out as a reward for well-doing,
and the New Testament disclosure of heavenly
joys beyond the highest earthly possessions, and
they say they would like to have the Old Testa
ment rewards in this world, and the New Testa
ment treasures for the next world. The call of
the Master comes in to decide for one or the
other: not both.
118 NOTES FROM Mr
10:33. Jesus proclaimed his coming sacrifice; hence He
did not die a mere martyr s death.
45. Jesus gave His life a ransom for many.
Jesus gave Himself for the church. Eph. 5:25.
Jesus gave Himself for me. Gal. 2:20.
13 : 36. A watchman on a boat was asked what he did
when he felt sleepy. "I clean the lamp," he re
plied.
14 : 9. It is God s way, to magnify any good jK)int He sees
in us. Love hides sin.
15 : 21. Rutherford speaks of the sweet burdensomeness of
Christ s cross. It is such a burden as wings to
a bird or sails to a ship it carries one forward
to the desired haven.
LUKE.
1 : 20. That is why we have so many dumb Christians
nowadays; they are waiting for tokens.
26. Christ was foretold to:
Adam as a man. Gen. 3: 15.
Abraham as to His nation. Gen. 22: 18.
Jacob as to His tribe. Gen. 49: 10.
Isaiah as to His family. Isa. 11: 1-5.
Micah as to His town. Micah 5: 2.
Daniel as to His time. Dan. 9: 25.
Mary as to His person. Luke 1 : 30.
By angels as to His date. Luke 2:11.
By a star as to His birthplace. Matt. 2: 9.
LUKE. 119
1 : 33. Napoleon established a kingdom by force, and it
melted away. Jesus by love, and it keeps on
spreading.
42. Infidelity has no songs. V. 46.
53. Christ sends none empty away but those who are
full of themselves.
2 : 1. When the time came for the prophecj regarding
Christ s birth to be fulfilled, God put the whole
world in motion to bring Mary to Bethlehem.
7. Jesus was born in a common house of entertain
ment where all might come to Him, and He died
with His arms extended to receive all.
9. When Christ was born, midnight gloom lightened
into midday brightness. When Christ died,
midday darkened into midnight. See Luke
23 : 44.
10. God s covenant of works was for the Jewish people
alone, but the glad tidings are for all people.
Mark 16: 15.
The angel the first evangelist.
Contrast the giving of the Law (Ex. 19) with the
dawn of the day of Grace.
14. Heaven s choir came down to sing when Heaven s
King came down to save.
15. " Go and see" a sure cure for doubt.
17. The first preachers of Christ.
25. " They also serve who only stand and wait."
120 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
2 :49. " How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I
must be about my Father s business?" The first
recorded utterance of Jesus. His last: "It is
finished." John 19: 30.
4 : After Jesus had seen the open heavens, Satan
tempted him. The more the blessing, the kee
ner the temptation, for you are worth tempting.
3. Beware of the " if s " of the devil.
7. The price was too low. Christ was about to pay
His life-blood for the Church, which is therefore
safe until a higher price is offered.
11. A little danger but a great providence. "In their
hands shall they bear thee up, lest at any time
thou dash thy foot against a stone."
5 : 4. Trust God in the dark. Peter was an experienced
fisherman and knew the best fishing grounds:
yet he obeyed Christ, and with good result.
5. The Christian Church everywhere is " toiling," in
stead of seeking jx)wer from on high.
30. More persons are ready to shrink from sinners, than
are ready to shrink from sin.
6 : 20. If you live by the gospel precepts, you may live on
the gospel promises.
This life is all the heaven the worldling has, and
all the hell the saint ever sees.
A Christian may be contented with his lot to-day,
but not satisfied.
26. Said Socrates : "What evil have I done that this
bad man commends me?"
LUKE. 121
6 : 31. Socialists have much to say on the golden rule, but
they make two mistakes:
(1.) The}- make it apply to others more than t->
themselves, thus making it selfish.
(2.) They urge the rule without the only true mo
tive a Christian one.
38. Heaven s measure good measure pressed down
shaken together running over.
40. The Septuagint reads, " A scholar is not above his
teacher, but everyone will be instructed as his
teacher is." Not sinlessness, but "rounded to
fulness."
45. " Would st thou have me see thee?" said Socrates,
" then speak ; for speech reveals the man."
7 : 13. The widow of Nain was the saddest woman in all
the city until she met Jesus.
27. Had the Messiah meant to appear as a temporal
prince, his messenger would have appeared either
in the pomp of a general or in the gaiety of a
herald.
8 : 4. "The parable of the four kinds of soil "- the indi
vidual reception of the truth:
a. The wayside Satan s thoroughfare (Matt.
19:8; Heb. 3:13); Pharaoh, Festus.
I. Rocky shallow and impulsive (Eze. 11 : 19;
Gal. 5:7); Saul.
c. Thorny worldly (Gen. 3:18); Balaam, Ju
das, Ananias.
d. Good.
122 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
Showing
. Their deficiencies, dangers, possibilities.
It. Quick response, exposure, early failure.
c. Good seed, ready response, evil surroundings.
disastrous development.
d. Proper reception, healthy growth, rich har
vesting.
One seed four kinds of soil.
Three failures and one success! But the wayside
may be broken up; the rocky ground blasted:
the thorns uprooted.
10. " Unto you it is given to know the mysteries . .
but to others in parables. Just as the pillar of
lire was seen by the Israelites, but to others it
was a pillar of cloud.
12. Satan s punctuality, power, and purpose.
13. If sinners take up religion in a fair day, they will
lay it down in a foul day. They are willing to
go to sea, but on condition there are no storms
They think too much of wearing a thorn, though
it is borrowed from Christ s crown.
9 : Notice seven points of weakness:
V. 10. The apostles told Jesus "all that they
had done."
V. 12. They said, "Send the multitude away."
V. 32. "Peter and they that were with him were
heavy with sleep."
V. 40. They could not cast out the evil spirit.
V. 46. They reasoned among them which should
be greatest.
LUKE. 123
V. 49. They forbade another casting out devils.
V. 54. James and John asked Jesus to com
mand fire from heaven and consume the Sa
maritans.
Man s thoughts are not as God s thoughts:
Jesus said, "Give ye them to eat." The disci
ples replied that they had not enough.
Peter said, " It is good for us to be here. But
while he spake, a cloud overshadowed them.
The disciples reasoned which of them should be
greatest. Jesus, perceiving the thought of
their heart, rebuked them.
They forbade another casting out devils. Jesus
said, "Forbid him not."
They ask Jesus to command fire from heaven.
He turned and rebuked them.
The man said, "Lord, suffer me first to go and
bury my father. " Jesus said, " Let the dead
bury their dead."
10. The disciples told what they had done. Paul told
what God had done. Acts 14: 27.
29. "As he prayed the fashion of his countenance was
altered. It was prayer that brought out the
inner man.
Growth in love tends to growth in loveliness. Many
a homely face is beautified by religion.
30. The churches become one on the Mount of Trans
figuration.
Jesus the King.
Moses the lawgiver.
Elijah the prophet.
1 24 ^0 TES FROM MY BIBLE.
9:31. "Who spake of his decease which he should ac
complish at Jerusalem." The shadow of the
cross appears on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Men talk of what interests them most. The death
of Christ was the theme of conversation here.
33. It was good for Peter and James and John to be
there, but not good to remain there.
59. No one who does not put Christ first is one of His.
Would you rather work with a sexton s shovel or
with a resurrection trumpet?
61. The greatest step to heaven is out of our own
doors.
10 : 21. The only time it is recorded that Jesus rejoiced
Because thou hast hid these things from the
wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto
babes. "
22. No man knoweth who the Father is but the Son,
and he to whom the Son will reveal him." Wor
ship which is not through Christ is of an unknown
God. John 14: 6.
27. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God . . . and thy
neighbor as thyself." What God has joined, let
not man put asunder.
28. The lawyer lacked, not knowledge, but the willing
ness to do what he knew to be his duty.
The priest and the Levite came " by chance ; " not
so the good Samaritan.
The Law never steps aside from its course.
LUKE. 125
10 : 40. Dost thou not care ? " These words were used by
His disciples on another occasion, in tones al
most blasphemous. Mark 4 : 38.
42. " One thing is needful " the gospel.
" One thing I know." John 9 : 25.
" One tiling have I desired." Ps. 27 : 4.
" One thing I do." Phil. 3 : 13, 14.
"Not one thing hath failed. Josh. 23 : 14.
Be not ignorant of this one thing. " 2 Peter 3 : 8.
" One thing thou lackest." Mark 10 : 21.
11 : 1. Pray, as a rest after service ; as a preparation for
important steps ; as the condition of receiving
the Spirit of God ; as a preparation for sorrow.
Pray in faith reverence humility fervor
simplicity.
10. We ask for what we wish ; we seek for what we
miss ; we knock for that from which we are shut
out.
12 : 13. Even under Christ there were inattentive listeners.
15. A double caution against greed. Whenever Jesus
spoke of wealth, he spoke in words of warning.
16. The anathema of the rich fool is not against riches,
but against selfishness ; against the mammon-
worship which dethrones Jehovah.
Notice in this parable,
a. The false conception of life.
b. Forgetfulness of divine providence.
c. Denial of man s stewardship.
126 NOTES FROM MY IHKLE.
d. Neglect of true self-providence, laying up
, treasure in heaven.
12 : 20. " Thou fool ! " God s epitaph over this man. The
world would have said, " Here lies so-and-so,
n good man, kind to the poor," etc.
Why a fool ? Because he thought he could fill
his soul with the food his body enjoyed. The
soul cannot eat and drink like the Ixxly.
His soul was pining and starving in spiritual
penury.
37. " Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when
he cometh shall find watching."
"Watching conduct governed by the constant
expectation of the Lord s return. Vs. 42, 43.
43. "Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he
cometh shall find so doing."
14 : 11. Where humility is the corner-stone, glory shall be
the top- stone.
V. 17. " Say to them that were bidden, Come."
V. 21. " Briny in hither the poor," etc.
V. 23. " Compel them to come in."
23. Religion a banquet.
Sometimes by theological wisdom, by church archi
tecture, by our conduct, toe compel people to stay
away from the feast !
15 : First parable one lost in one hundred ;
Second parable one lost in ten ;
Third parable one lost in two.
First parable Christ seeking the sheep;
Second parable the Holy Spirit seeking the lost
LUKE. 127
sinner : inside " the house " (v. 8), that is, the
church ;
Third parable the Father receiving the returning
prodigal.
15 : 2. " This man human, yet divine.
" Receiveth sinners" -His mission, the mark bj
which His enemies distinguished Him.
11. Contrast the story of Joseph and his father with
that of the prodigal son and his father.
12. This young man had a fortune in his hand not in
his head or heart. Any fool can squander the
former kind of fortune : but not the latter.
13. The farthest a Christian can get from heaven, is
the world.
14-16. The devil has never had a famine of husks.
There are always plenty of husks, and plenty
of swine to eat them.
17. The prodigal might have said his father was the
richest man in Judea, but no one would have be
lieved him. The testimony of many Christians
is not accepted by the world because of their
spiritual poverty.
20. God was in a hurry to welcome the returning
prodigal.
Eyes, heart, feet, hands, and lips all engaged to
welcome the wanderer.
The father saw him, had compassion, ran to him,
embraced him, kissed him, clothed him, feasted
him, rejoiced with him.
The backslider was missed from the family circle.
] 28 NO TES FROM MY BIBLE.
15 : 22. Robe of righteousness.
Ring of assurance.
Shoes of peace. Eph. 6:15.
{Under the Law, God said, "Put off thy shoes."
Ex. 3 : 5.
T nder Grace, "Put on him the best robe." V. 22-
24. A sort of revival to which the elder brother ob
jected.
29. No enjoyment with his father; only with his friends.
Six things about the prodigal son :
His condition " in want. " V. 14.
His conviction " came to himself." V. 17.
His confidence "I will arise." V. 18.
His confession " I have sinned." V. 18.
His contrition "no more worthy." V. 19.
His conversion " He arose and came." V. 20.
Turning-points in his life :
Sick of home. Vs. 12, 13.
Homesick. Vs. 17-19.
Home. Vs. 20-24.
Sequel. Vs. 25-32.
Six cases of men "afar on* " from God:
The prodigal. Chap. 15 : 13.
The rich man. Chap. 16 : 23.
The ten lepers. Chap. 17 : 12.
The publican. Chap. 18 : 13.
The beggar. Chap. 18 : 40.
Peter. Chap. 22 : 54.
16 : 20. In only one parable did Jesus use a proper name
Lazarus. In only four miracles do we know
LUKE. 129
the names of those benefitted Mary Magdalene,
Jairus, Malchus, Bartimaeus.
When you step out of your self-contained residence,
be sure you do not stumble over some Lazarus
into hell.
22. You must not expect to toil for the prince of dark
ness all your life, and then to sup with the Prince
of Light at the evening of death. You cannot
go from Delilah s lap to Abraham s bosom.
24. It is better to beg bread on earth (as Lazarus) than
water in hell (as Dives).
17 : 11-19. Leprosy is inherited; so is Sin: Rom. 5 : 19;
contagious, Gen. 6 : 12;
loathsome, Is. 1:6;
fatal, James 1 : 15;
separates its victim from his fellows,
Eph. 2: 17;
healed through faith in Jesus, Eph.
18 : 12. "I give tithes of all that I possess." Some people
pride themselves on going by the Jewish rule,
and giving one tenth. Go by the New Testament
rule give all you have.
People are supposed to contribute according to
their means, " which often signifies "according
to their meanness."
The Christian abuses the Jew for his stinginess,
and yet is meaner than the Jew in his gifts to
God.
9
130 NO TES FR OM MY BIBLE.
18 : 30. I thank God I am not to have all my good things
, in this life; for then I should have nothing to
anticipate in glory: and I thank God I am not
to have all my good things in the life to come;
for then I should have nothing to enjoy now.
19 : 4. The tree of Curiosity.
Curiosity led Eve to destruction ; Zacchaeus to sal
vation.
5. Jesus and Zacchanis met at the foot of the tree
and they have never parted since.
6. Curiosity took Zacchieus up the tree, but Lov*
brought him down.
7. If Christ had declined to associate with sinners,
He would have had a lonely time on earth.
9. Notwithstanding his bad reputation, there were
streaks of good about Zacchaeus, as there are
about nearly every man. Gold is found in
quartz, but sometimes in very small percentage.
10. In all heathen religions, man tries to find his gods,
but in the Christian religion, God tries to find
man.
21 : 8. Be not deceived.
9. Be not terrified.
14. Be not anxious.
34. Be not taken unawares.
22 : Downward steps in Peter s path.
Sleeping. V. 45.
LUKE. 131
Smiting. V. 50.
Following afar off. V. 54.
Sitting among Christ s persecutors. V. 55.
Denying Christ. Vs. 57, 58, 60.
Contraries (Gal. 5:17):-
Christ praying ; Peter sleeping.
" submitting ; Peter fighting.
(< suffering like a lamb ; Peter cursing and
swearing. Matt. 26 : 74.
Agents of Satan :
Greed. V. 5.
Jealousy. V. 24.
Strife. V. 24.
Self-confidence. V. 33.
Temptation. V. 40.
Not watching. V. 46.
Lies. V. 57.
22 : 61. 62. One look from Christ undid all the devil s work.
23 : 12. There are sects and classes among the heathen, but
they unite against Christianity.
32. Three crosses. Christ died for sin ; one man died
in sin ; the other a sinner, but he died in faith.
38. Greek the language of literature and art.
Latin the language of power and conquest.
Hebrew the language of religion.
42. The thief wanted to be remembered in heaven :
Christ wanted to be remembered on earth.
42, 43. One repentance at death that none may despair;
only one that none may presume.
1 32 NO TES FR OM MY BIBLE.
The dying th u f believed on Jesus at His worst.
From the side of Jesus Christ one man may go to
heaven, another to hell.
Sin is either finished on Christ s cross, or forever
confirmed upon the sinner s head.
23 : 43. Bossuet says,
" To-day what promptitude !
With me - what company !
1 In Paradise - what repose."
Prayer. Answer.
Lord, remember me Thou shalt be with me
when thou comest to-day
into thy kingdom in Paradise.
24 : 3. As the grave of Jesus is empty, so shall all graves
one day be.
10. Women were the first evangelists of the resurrec
tion.
29. A three-fold blessing.
The presence of Jesus. Ask for it. V. 29.
The peace of Jesus. Receive it. V. 36.
Power from Jesus. Wait for it. V. 49.
JOHN.
In the gospel of John, the believer receives eight
gifts : -
" The true bread." Chap. 6 . 51.
" EternaUife." 17:2.
" Another comforter." 14 : 16.
"Peace." 14:27.
JOHN. 133
" The words that Thou gavest me. " Chap. 17 : 8.
" A new commandment. 13 : 34.
" The glory which Thou gavest me." 17 : 22.
" Thy word." 17 : 14.
God s necessity " Even so must the Son of man
be lifted up." 3:14.
Man s necessity "Ye must be born again." 3 : 7.
Christ s necessity "He must increase." 3:30.
The servant s necessity "I must decrease."
3 :30.
The saint s necessity "They that worship Him
must worship Him in spirit and in truth." 4 :24.
The Trinity is inferred from three expressions in
this chapter:
(1.) -In the bosom of the Father." V. 18.
(2.) "The Lamb of God." V. 29.
(3.) "The Spirit descending from heaven."
V. 32.
" The word was God. " V.I.
"The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us."
V. 14.
Jesus Christ was the Word, the living embodiment
of the "first and great commandment," "Thou
shalt love the Lord thy God . . . and thy neigh
bor as thyself." Matt. 22 : 37, 39.
1. God heard the Word.
4. God felt the life.
5. God seen the light.
29. On the first day John led no one to Christ; on the
second day, two. Vs. 35, 37.
134 NO TES FR OX MY BIBLE.
The sin of the world took Jesus away, but at the
same time He took the power of sin away.
1 : 31. Historical manifestation of Christ.
Spiritual " " Chap. 2:11.
Resurrection " " Chap. 21 : 14.
37. John died young, but he led Andrew to Christ,
and Andrew led Peter, and so the river flowed
on.
38. Christ s first words to his disciples, -What seek
ye?"
His last words, "Follow me." John 21 : 19, 22.
41. Christ laid the foundation of his Church on broth
erly love, as he had also done in the Old Testa
ment, beginning th:it earlier building on Moses
and Aaron, who were brothers.
2: I ll. At the beginning and end of Christ s ministry,
there were feasts in which wine was prominent.
Under the new dispensation the blood of the grape
symbolizes the blood of the Paschal Lamb.
Water is the type of death and sorrow; wine
of joy. This miracle showed the character of
Christ s ministry.
4. Mine "hour" always "of death. "
John 7 : 30.
8:20.
12 : 23.
12:27.
13:1.
17:1.
JOHN. 135
2 : 3. It is good to run short that we may be driven to
Christ with our necessity.
10. Sin gives its best first pleasures and honors. Its
worst follows sorrow, poverty, disgrace, ruin.
First harlots and riotous living, then swine.
First Goshen, then Egypt.
Christ gives first the cross, the race, the battle;
then the crown, rest, and glory.
2 : 11. Beginning of signs. Miracles are signs:
(1.) Of His divinity.
(2.) Of His mission as from God.
(3.) Of His good will toward men.
(4.) Of the truth He taught.
Miracles did not manifest the glory of prophets or
disciples.
. |
, j
3. Regeneration not imitation.
Conversion not evolution.
Born once, die twice.
Born twice, die once,
It is remarkable that Christ declares the need of
an entire change of heart and nature to a man
of the highest honor, an eminent teacher, and a
sincere inquirer; while He speaks the sublime
truth, "God is a spirit," to an ignorant and
abandoned woman. John 4 : 24.
Had Nicodemus received light in abundance, he
would not have stayed three years in the Sanhe
drim, listening to all the cutting remarks he
must have heard about Jesus.
136 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
His birth is truly low who is not born from above!
It were better to have no being than not to have
the "new being."
There are no still-born children in the family of
grace.
3 : 4. An old sinner is nearer to the second death than
the second birth. It is hard to cast off the
devil s yoke when we have worn it long upon our
necks.
14. The brazen serpent was like the poisonous serpent,
yet without sting. So Christ was like man, but
without sin.
Only one way of healing for the dying Israelite - -
not criticism, not philosophy, but obedience;
"Look! "
16. God s first covenant had been
(1.) With a person, in Abraham.
(2.) Then with a family, in Jacob.
(3.) Then with a nation, in the people of Israel
at Sinai; and
(4.) Finally with the world," embracing all the
other three, in Christ.
In creation, God gave the product of the earth for
our bodies. In redemption, He gave His only-
begotten Son for our souls.
4 : Woman Well Worship Witness White
fields.
10. This woman was not interested in the gospel, but
she was interested in the water business; BO
Christ spoke to her about that.
JOHN. 137
Twice on earth our Lord asked a favor and twice
was be refused:
(1.) Here, when He asked for a drink.
(2.) On the cross, when He asked for water,
they gave Him vinegar. John 1 9 :
28, 29.
4 : 14. God does not want a dam, but a canal to carry the
gospel. Dam up a spring and you get a frog-
pond.
Water rises to its level, and the water of life that
comes from the throne of God will cariy one into
the presence of God.
15. She asked in ignorance, and He met her in mercy.
37. Any farm-laborer is called to reap, but it takes a
skilful man to sow.
5 : 24. The voice of autumn is from life unto death. "
The voice of spring is "from death unto life."
35. John the Baptist was a "burning and a shining
light." To burn is not enough a firebrand
does that. To shine is not enough a glow
worm does that.
40. If youth be sick of the will-nots, old age is in dan
ger of dying of the shall-nots.
6 : Seven classes of people in chapter 6 :
1. Curious. V. 2.
2. Admiring. V. 14.
3. Greedy. V. 26.
4. Skeptical. V. 36.
5. Murmurers. V. 41.
138 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
6. Scoffers. V. 52.
, 7. Backsliders. V. 66.
6 : 27. A double paradox : -
(1.) Jesus tells them to work not for the perish
able food, which they could only get by
work:
(2.) But for the heavenly food, which they could
only get by faith.
30. They wanted to see first, then to believe. This is
inverting God s order.
35. Bread the commonest article of food on our
tables is a type of Christ. It was through
eating that Eve died. It is through eating that
we may live.
8 : 12. It was " early in the morning " (v. 2), when Jesus
shone into this poor woman s heart. Then, pos
sibly, looking out on the early sun, He said, " I
am the light of the world."
9 : 1. Jesus hid himself from people with sight, but re
vealed himself to people without sight.
4. It is lamentable that we should live so long a time
in the world and do so little for God : and that
we should live so short a time in the world and
do so much for Satan.
5. Hume said to a minister, the light of nature was
all he wanted. On going down stairs, Hume de
clined a light because the moon was high enough,
and as he said it, he tumbled down stairs.
JOHN. 139
9 : 6. John Me Neill says the blind man was made out of
clay, so clay was a good thing to mend him
with.
These means seem eccentric. Such is the gospel
in the opinion of the worldly wise. They sneer
at "the blood," and cry for "culture," "educa
tion. "
20. Christ opened the eyes of a blind man and he saw
his father. You can open a man s eyes so that
he shall see God.
27. Trying to make converts already.
10: 9. Safety liberty nourishment.
14. "I am the Good Shepherd. "
John calls Jesus the Good Shepherd because He laid
down His life for the sheep.
Paul calls Jesus the Great Shepherd because He rose
from the dead. Heb. 13 : 20.
Peter calls Jesus the Chief Shepherd because He is
coming again. 1 Peter 5 : 4.
27. Christ s sheep have two marks :
(1.) In their ears, " They hear my voice ; "
(2.) In their feet, " They follow me."
A sick sheep will not follow the shepherd.
37. " If I do not the works of my Father, believe me
not." That is, if I live contrary to the life of a
Christian, do not take me for a Christian.
140 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
11 : Lazaru*, a type of the sinner, as to being
, (1.) dead ;
(2.) raised up ;
(3.) seated ;
(4.) feasting ;
(5.) testifying.
The miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead is a
parable of spiritual life.
25. A man was conversing with a high Brahmin priest
who could not see the divinity of Jesus, and he
asked : " Could yon say, I am the resurrection
and the life ? " " Yes," he answered, " I could
say that. " But could you make any one believe
it ? "
35. Pagan deities wept and bellowed when wounded,
but were never touched with the feeling of human
infirmities.
43. It was a good thing Jesus called Lazarus by name,
otherwise ever)- dead man in the graveyard would
have come forth.
12 : 20-24. Jesus talked of death to the Greeks who all the
time dwelt on the beautiful, etc. See 1 Cor.
1 .22.
You can never cultivate self into anything but self.
Jesus died alone : but three thousand at Pentecost
were the harvest of His death.
13: 5. You may wash the saints feet, but not with scald
ing water.
JOHN. 141
13 : 17. To obey the truth and not know it, is impossible.
To know the truth and not obey it, is unpro
fitable.
Divine knowledge is not as the light of the moon,
to sleep by, but as the light of the sun, to work
by.
14 : 2. Those who look for a heaven made ready will live
as though they were already in heaven.
20. " Ye in me" -The believer s standing.
" I in you " - The believer s strength.
23. Faith makes all things possible ;
Love makes all things easy.
27. To fear is to have more faith in your antagonist
than in Christ. What we get from God, we can
not keep without God.
15 : 2. a. No fruit. V. 2.
b. Fruit. V. 2.
c. More fruit, due to the purging. V. 2.
d. Much fruit, due to the abiding. Vs. 5, 8.
5, 8, etc. The root can only show its strength and glory
in the branches. Fruitful branches bend low.
God has made no provision in the Bible for isola
tion. Scripture expressions all show a contrary
state of things :
We are "branches " in the vine,
members " in the body,
" stones " in the temple,
" brothers and sisters" in the family,
142 NOTES F110M MY BIRLE.
bearing a close relation to each other. We have
first to look up and realize our relation to God ;
and then to learn the various relationships we
have to our neighl>ors. All are in their different
niches, filling the place God has given them ;
and we must desire, not only to serve God, but
by love to serve one another.
15 : 15. If we lived nearer heaven we should have earlier
notice of God s purposes.
16. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. "
I do not know one passage in the Bible where
choice is connected with salvation.
20. A general was leading his army to battle. His
men asked what he would give them. " Hunger,
cold, wounds, and death." They were silent for
a time, then threw up their hands and said, "We
will go."
16: 2. Six men were turned out of Oxford for praying.
Among them were the two Wesleys and Whit-
field.
8-11. The Hly Spirit in relation to tlie world.
Convicting
a. Of Christ crucified sin.
f>. Of Christ glorified
c. Of Christ to come Judgment.
10. What is the meaning of "and ye see me no more"?
Ans. When the high priest went into the Holiest
of Holies, the people knew they were accepted
by God when he returned. But Christ went
JO UN. 143
away. So He sent the Holy Spirit to assure us
of our acceptance.
Conscience convicts of
Sin committed.
Righteousness impossible.
Judgment to come.
The Holy Spirit convicts of -
Sin committed.
Righteousness imputed.
Judgment past.
The former is legal, the latter gospel.
16 : 12. Much of the truth that the Bible contains is written
in sympathetic ink, invisible until the time is
ripe.
17:15. The true conception of "separation" "I pray
not that thou shouldest take them out of the
world, but that thou shouldest keep them from
the evil."
18 : 10. Peter s rashness in smiting the man helped to iden
tify him, and led to his denial of Christ. Vs.
2(5, 27.
38. Here is a curious anagram on Pilate s question,
"What is truth?" In Latin this is " Quid cst
veritas ? " The letters can be arranged so as to
read, " Est vir, qui adest," meaning, "It is the
man who is before you."
39. Did Nicodemus remember that evening when he
heard Christ say, < The Son of man must be
lifted up"?
144 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
20:17. "Touch me not." Was Christ thinking of the
ritual (see Lev. 7 : 19)?
28. Thomas was an honest doubter. He did not accept
Christ s offer to feel the nail-prints. Faith is
not to be obtained at 3*0 ur fingers ends.
21 : 6. Jesus was the secret of their success.
11. "Great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three."
One evidence that John wrote this epistle. Who
but a fisherman would have counted the fish, and
told how big the3 were?
15. The greatest example of faith we know is that of
Jesus going away and not calling legions of an
gels to spread the gospel, but leaving it to Peter
and the others.
At first the shepherds used to feed the sheep ; but
when corruption crept in, the sheep had to feed
the shepherds.
An old writer said that in the early days the
Church had wooden chalices and golden bishops,
but now we have wooden bishops and golden
chalices.
ACTS.
The acts of the Holy Spirit.
1: 4. "Wait for the promise of the Father." Tarry at
a promise till God meets 3 ou there. He always
returns 1>3 the wa3 of His promises.
The promises of God are the moulds into which we
pour our prayers.
ACTS. 145
1:11. "In like manner." Hence we may expect that
Jesus will come
(1.) Personally.
(2.) Visibly.
(3.) In the clouds.
2 : 1. Pentecost was the birthday of the Holy Spirit whose
dispensation will close at Christ s second coming.
The Holy Spirit was present before, but not in
carnate in the Church, just as Christ was ever
present, but not incarnate.
3. "Fire." Fill the cup with incense, and load the
altar with odorous wood, but fire is still needed
to send out fragrance. So the preacher s talent,
genius, and other gifts need fire from above,
before they can achieve results.
8. When God set forth his fiery law (Deut. 33 : 2), He
proclaimed it in one tongue; but the story of
grace was told in the language of every nation
under heaven.
21. "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord
shall be saved." It is remarkable that though
more than a million Jews perished during the
siege of Jerusalem, no Christians perished; for
they withdrew to Pella, on the approach of the
Roman army.
23. The Jews nailed Jesus on the cross and so sent Him
to heaven, and now they go about the streets
selling old clothes.
10
146 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
2 : 37. Threefold result of being filled with the Spirit:
Pricked in their heart. Acts 2 : 37.
Cut to the heart. 7 : 54.
Turned the world upside down. 17 : 6.
41. The first time the law was preached three thousand
were killed. Ex. 32 : 28. The first time grace
was preached three thousand were saved.
47. " Added to the Church." See Acts 5 : 14; 11 : 24.
"Added to the Lord," because the Church is the
body of Christ.-
3 : 2. Almost all the alms of the world are administered
at the gates of the temple, by them that go up
to the temple at the hour of prayer.
21. " The times of restitution of all things."
The earth restored to man by re-genesis.
The body " " the soul by resurrection.
The soul " " God by regeneration.
4 : The Name of Jesus :
V. 7. By what name have ye done this?
V. 10. By the name of Jesus Christ.
V. 12. " There is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be
saved."
31. Hugh Latimer was ordered by Henry VIII to apolo
gize for a too plain sermon he preached. But
he was sent by a higher King and repeated the
sermon.
ACTS. 147
5 : 31. As a Prince, Jesus gives repentance ;
As a Saviour, He gives remission of sins.
6 : 5. Six good things about Stephen:
(1.) Full of faith. V. 5.
(2.) " the Holy Ghost. V. 5.
(3.) " " power. V. 8.
(4.) Full of irresistible wisdom and energy.
V. 10.
(5.) Full of sunshine. V. 15.
(6.) An intrepid witness for God. Chap. 7.
15. Three men in the Bible whose faces shone: Moses,
Jesus, and Stephen.
Dr. Bonar once said : Did you ever notice, Brother
Whittle, that when the Jews accused Stephen of
blasphemous words against Moses (v. 11), the
Lord lit up his face with the same glory with
which Moses s face shone?"
7 : 2. Stephen only preached this one sermon that we
know of, but out of his death came Paul, the
greatest preacher since Christ.
23-36. Eighty years of training for forty years of service.
50. There are few death-bed scenes in the Bible.
7 : 60. ") Augustine says the Church owes Paul to the pray-
8:1) era of Stephen.
27. The story of a man who was wrong and knew it;
who was set right; and gave evidence of being
right (vs. 36, 39, rejoicing).
148 yOTEf! FROM MY BIBLE.
9 : 3. Four recorded visions to Paul:
(1.) For bis conversion. Acts 9:3, 4.
(2.) For his work. Acts 16 : 9.
(3.) For his strengthening. Acts 18 : 9.
(4.) For his preservation. Acts 27 : 23, 24.
11 : 1. Israel is God s first-born, but the (lentiles are his
second-born.
26. "Called Christians." Not in derision, but by
God s providence. The Church is Christ s body,
and the body of a man goes by the same name
as the head. Col. 1 : 18, 24.
A dead church is like a dwarf with fine, large head
but crippled body.
15 : 11. Saved by grace. Acts 15 : 11.
Stand in grace. Rom. 5 : 2.
Grow in grace. 2 Peter 3 : 18.
18: 9. Dr. Bonar used to say that the "man of Mace
donia " turned out to be a woman ; see v. 15.
Suppose Paul and Silas had been ordered east in
stead of west, these lands of ours would have
been what India and Africa now are, and mis
sionaries from there would be bringing us the
goapel.
13. Paul was not a man who was a devout worshiper in
Jerusalem, but who, when he came to Philippi,
spent his Sabbaths as the Philippians did. Out
of Paul s steady-going habits came this story of
grace and salvation.
ACTS. 149
16 : 14. Attention, humanly speaking, is the avenue by.
which the Lord Jesus enters into the soul. If
you had listened with attention and intention
for five minutes to the poorest preacher you ever
heard, you would have been converted.
15. First the heart, then the home. "If ye have
judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into
my house, and abide there."
31. Believing on Jesus or in Jesus is a great deal more
than believing about Jesus.
17 : 22. Paul s sermon on Mars Hill :
God is Creator, Ruler (v. 24) ; independent (v.
25) ; approachable (v. 27) ; immanent (v. 28).
True worship (v. 25).
God s bounties to man (v. 25).
Gracious privilege or command (v. 27).
Wrong views of God (v. 29).
Repentance commanded (v. 30).
Universality of sin (v. 30).
Day of judgment (v. 31).
Idolatry is falsely directed worship, yet it bears
witness to the ineradicable needs of humanity.
28. " For we are also His offspring." A poet s senti
ment a preacher s theme.
Men talk of "universal brotherhood and reject
the God and Father of us all.
30. The more a man is troubled about sin now, the less
he will be troubled by sin hereafter.
150 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
17 : 31. The world is redeemed by believing on the Sou of
man. and hereafter the world will be judged by
the Son of man.
A sad conclusion :
Some mocked, v. 32 ;
some procrastinated, v. 32 ;
but some believed, v. 34.
18 : 9. The Lord sees and knows you, especially if you are
weak and fainting.
19 : 18, 19. Fruits of the revival : Many that believed came
and confessed and showed their deeds. Man} of
them also which used curious arts brought their
books together and burned them l>efore all men."
25. Demetrius cried up the goddess Diana, but it was
her silver shrines, not her temple, he so much
adored.
20 : Tears of personal suffering. V. 19.
" " pastoral solicitude. V. 31.
" " friendly sympathy. V. 37.
26: 18 God first forgives; then He gives.
A perfect man has three eyes:
1. The eye of sense.
2. The eye of reason.
3. The eye of faith.
Ever} 7 animal has the first; every man has the sec
ond and third; but only the regenerate man uses
the third to see the things of God.
ACTS. 151
The gospel gives sight, light, liberty, pardon,
heaven.
The sinner is disinherited, but Christ restores him.
26:28. "Almost."
Almost hot is lukewarm. Rev. 3 : 16.
Almost a child is a bastard.
Almost sweet is unsavory.
28 : 30. The Bible has little to say about the endings of its
heroes, but much about their beginnings. Of.
Moses, Paul, Peter. We know nothing of the
end of Jeremiah, etc., etc.
ROMANS.
Paul was peculiarly fitted for a great work among
the Gentiles:
1. By birth, a Hebrew.
2. By citizenship, a Roman.
3. By culture, a Greek.
Justified
By His grace. Chap. 3 : 24.
By faith. 3: 28; 5:1.
By works. 4 : 2.
By His blood. 5 : 9.
1 : 16. It is God s word, not our comment on it, that saves
souls.
The glory of the gospel is that it comes to the un
fit, to those who have thwarted and resisted
152 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
God. The survival of the fittest does not
, apply.
Justification means that God declares a man just
by judicial act.
Righteousness means that God clothes him with
His own righteousness which sanctifies as well as
justifies.
2 : 16. God judges the world by the same rule that He has
given the world to act by Jesus Christ.
3 : 15. A French proverb says, Evil comes on horseback
and goes away on foot."
20. The law does not create nor remove, but simply
reveals, the evil in man s heart: just as a plumb-
line. It does not alter or improve man s nature
or impart power to meet its demands.
The law can pursue a man to Calvary, but no
further.
5 : Peace for the past. V. 1.
Grace for the present. V. 2.
Glory for the future. V. 2.
Much more being justified by his blood. V. 9.
Much more being reconciled. V. 10.
Much more the grace of God hath abounded. V. 15.
Much more they . . . shall reign. V. 17.
Much more grace did abound. V. 20.
ROMANS. 153
5: 3. "Glory in tribulation." G-L-O-R-Y spells glory,
not "growl."
6. We were without strength, v. 6;
ungodly, v. 6;
sinners, v. 8;
enemies, v. 10.
12. Man renews his faculties every seven years. We
cannot account for death except by sin.
Were it not for sin, death would never have had a
beginning. Were it not for death, sin would
never have an ending.
Sin debases a man in this life,, and destroys him in
the life to come.
5 : 20. The law brings out sin ; Grace covers it. The law
wounds ; the gospel heals. One is a quiver of
arrows ; the other a cruise of oil.
6 : Distinguish between
a. Our position standing in God sight.
b. Our condition experience in daily life.
For a, look to the cross of Christ.
For b, look to the Holy Spirit in you.
Justification is the work of Christ.
Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit.
18. Such as have received Christ s bounty are unwilling
to fight under Satan s banner.
23. The wages of sin is death. " The works of sin are
dishonorable, but its wages are mortal.
154 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
7 : 5. The law proposes life as the end of obedience ; the
gospel gives life as the only proper ground of
obedience.
The law demands strength from one who has none,
and curses for failure.
The gospel gives strength to one who has none, and
blesses him for using it.
There is no sin so little as not to kindle an eternal
fire. Its first-born is death : its last la.>t-born is
hell.
11. " Sin deceived me. " Deceitful, else never delight
ful. Deceitful as to the satisfaction to be found
in it, the excuse to be made for it, and the prob
ability of its punishment.
7 : 18. " Flesh." Drop the " h," as they are apt to do in
London, spell backward, and you have "self. 1
21. We all carry around with us material that Satan
can work upon.
24. "Who shall deliver me from the body of this
death ? " Certain criminals used to be punished
at that time by binding a corpse fast to them.
8 : This chapter begins with " no condemnation," and
ends with " no separation."
Spurgeon called these glorious doctrines of chapter
8, " golden stepping-stones through the slough
of despond.
ROMANS. 155
8 : 3. God has sent his Son in the image of us all that He
might make all of us sons in the image of that
One.
9. You might as well try to hear without ears, or
breathe without lungs, as try to live a Christian
life without the Spirit of God in your heart.
. The Indians refused to be baptized by the Span
iards, because they treated them so cruelly.
" For," said they, "he must be a cruel God who
has such servants."
17. Both beggar and heir.
23. The child of God may " groan," but never "grum
ble." He has uo more right to grumble than to
swear.
Holy Spirit for us. V. 26.
God for us. V. 31.
Christ for us. V. 34.
29. "Called according to his purpose." My faith is
the reflection of God s eternal purpose. We are
expected when we come to Christ.
38. Paul s persuasions :
No separation from the love of God (here).
Nothing unclean of itself. . . . Chap. 14:14.
He is able to keep. ... 2 Tim. 1:12.
10 : 9. Unbelief. Christ may dwell in the heart where un
belief lurks, but not where it reigns.
156 NOTES FROM JfY BIBLE.
10 : 17. Faith is the sacrifice of the understanding to God :
repentance is the sacrifice of the will.
11 : 6. Works may be good crutches to go upon, but they
are bad christs to lean upon.
Works magnify man, grace magnifies God. We
had better let works go, and build alone upon
free grace.
Good works may be our Jacob s staff to walk
with on earth ; but they never can be our Jacob s
ladder to climb up to heaven.
17. Brands plucked from the fire (Zech. 3 : 2),
become branches (Rom. 11 : 17), and
bear much fruit (John 15:8).
20. The Jews broken off, because of unbelief.
The Gentiles grafted in, because of belief.
12 : 3. Humility is to have a just estimate of one s self.
10. In honor preferring one another. " Like the an
cient Roman who said, " Thank God, Rome has
better men than me, " when another was elected
to fill his office.
13. Man}- love at their tongue s end, but the godly love
at their fingers end.
13 : 9, 10. " Love is the fulfilling of the law."
1. Love to God will admit no other gods.
2. Love resents everything that debases its ob
ject by representing it by an image.
ROMANS. 157
3. Love to God never will dishonor His name.
4. Love to God will reverence His day.
5. Love of parents makes one honor them.
6. Hate, not love, is a murderer.
7. Lust, not love, commits adultery.
8. Love will give, but never steal.
9. Love will not slander or lie.
10. Love s eye is not covetous.
14 : 21. The wicked stumble at every straw in the way to
heaven, but they climb over hills in the way to
destruction.
15 : 24. " Somewhat filled. " Christ alone can fill.
I CORINTHIANS.
1 : 26. Not many wise men after the flesh, not many
mighty, not many noble, are called." Yet the
Lord always has some wise, some mighty, some
noble, among his disciples. Joseph of Arima-
thea was not called to be a fisherman.
Luther once said of a pious queen of Denmark,
"Christ will sometimes carry a queen to
heaven. "
Rich men are choice dishes at God s table.
When the tutor of King James I. lay dying, his
Majesty sent to enquire about him. " Tell my
Sovereign," said the tutor, "that I am going
where few kings go."
IT,- NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
1 : 27, 28. God s five workers: -
1. Foolish things.
2. Weak things.
3. Base things.
4. Things which nre despised.
5. Things which are not.
2 : 1-4. It is our duty to declare God s truth. It is the
Spirit s office to demonstrate it.
Effort is ours. Effect is his.
9, 10. The things revealed by the Spirit have not been
perceived by the eye, received by the ear, or
conceived by the heart of man.
11-13. The Spirit knows the things of God, makes us
know God s gifts to us, and teaches us to speak
of them to others.
14. All God s ways are foolishness to the worldly. But
as old men say of the young, " They think us
fools; we know them to be fools."
3: 1. "Babes."
(1.) Wheeled around by others by every doc
trine.
(2.) Fed on milk, which has passed through the
digestion of another others opinions.
(3.) Not filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
6. Religion is a plant that will die unless it is watered.
Ungodliness is a weed which grows without plant
ing, and which will not die without being
plucked up.
I CORINTHIANS. 159
3 : 8. God rewards according to the work done, not ac
cording to the harvest.
16. The Spirit of God is ejected to make room for other
tenants whenever we fall into sin.
6: 19. George Miiller once said, "I cannot take care of
my soul, God can keep that; but my body is for
me to take care of."
A professor at Lafayette College, at the funeral of
his son, said to the young men who bore the
coffin, "Tread lightly, for you are bearing a
temple of the Holy Ghost."
20. A girl told Luther that she had sold herself to the
devil. He said she could not do so, for she was
not her own.
8 : 13. Better deny yourself of anything than make your
brother to offend.
9 : 16. Some preach all doctrine, for the head: that makes
an imperfect man.
Some preach all experience, for the heart: that
makes an imperfect man.
Some preach all works, for the hands: that makes
an imperfect man.
Preach doctrine, experience, and works, and you
get a perfect man.
22. Use bait that the fish like.
24. So run, that ye may obtain. " The high prize of
heavenly bliss is at the end of the gospel race.
160 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
A crown for the runner; a curse for the runaway.
10 : 12. Not only the young go astray; e. g., Abram, Noah,
Lot, David, Peter, etc.
13. To be tempted is not to sin. The strongest attacks
are made on the strongest forts.
31. It was once said of a humble Christian man, that
his business was shoemaking. " He happened to
be present, and said, Excuse me, my business
is to glorify God. I earn my bread by making
shoes. "
12: 4. " Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same
Spirit." Union, not uniformity, among Chris
tians.
13 : 2. Knowledge puffeth up. Love alone buildeth up.
4. Beware of envy. Cain s envy hatched Abel s
murder.
13 : 13. Faith ends in sight.
Hope ends in presence.
Charity love never ends.
Faith gets the most.
Humility keeps the most.
Love works the most.
14 : 9. H. L. Hastings was at a meeting and was called on
to speak. He just said he had nothing to say.
Some one else spoke, and souls were saved at that
meeting.
15 : 9. Paul s experience :
A. D. 59, "Least of the apostles." Horn. 15:9.
I CORINTHIANS. 161
A. D. 64, "Less than the least of all saints."
Eph. 3 : 8.
A. D. 65, "Chief of sinners." 1 Tim. 1 : 15.
15 : 22. The first Adam was for self-advancement ; the sec
ond Adam for self-abasement. The former was
for deifying self ; the latter, for crucifying flesh.
47. There are only two men in God s sight : one in
Eden, the other on Golgotha.
53. "Corruptible," referring to those who are dead
at Christ s coming. "Mortal," referring to those
who are then alive.
54. Death is but a physical, incident in an immortal
career. It is a covenant blessing to the child
of God, for < He giveth His beloved sleep. "
56. A believer may feel the stroke of death, but he shall
never feel the sting of death.
58. "Always abounding." Most Christians think it is
enough to abound on Sundays.
II CORINTHIANS.
1:4. " Tribulatio " is a Roman threshing-instrument,
used to separate the wheat from the chaff.
10. Deliverance, past, present, and future.
12. Conscience is the voice of the soul. The passions
are the voice of the body.
Conscience is an anchor. Terrible it is, but true,
that like the anchor, conscience may be carried
away.
11
162 . NOTES FROM Mr BIBLE.
2 : 11. Gabriel gave Daniel " skill and understanding" in
the time of his perplexity. Dan. 9 : 22.
3: 3. We cannot all be "apostles," but we ought to be
"epistles" love-letters from Jesus to the
world.
"Illuminated Texts."
16. Faith precedes enlightenment.
4 : 17. Afflictions are but the shadows of God s wings.
The darker the night, the brighter the stars. The
hotter the fire, the purer the gold.
5 : V. 1. A new bod} , resulting in
Sanctification, v. 2 ;
Separation, v. 8 ;
Service, v. 9 ;
Suffering, v. 4 ;
Surrender, v. 4.
V. 7. A new walk.
V. 15. A now life.
V. 17. A new nature.
V. 18. A new attitude.
V. 21. A new standing.
2. Homesick for heaven. We groan, earnestly de
siring to be clothed upon with our house which is
from heaven. "
8. When an old martyr laid his head on the block, one
said to him, < Shut thine eyes a little and thou
shalt see God. "
10. As you live, you 11 die ; and as you die, you 11 live
forever.
II CORINTHIANS. 163
5 : 14. If the love of God sets us to work, the God of love
will find us the wages.
20. "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ." An
ambassador
(1) Is always sent to a foreign land,
(2) With which we are at peace.
(3) He has to go to that country, and not let
them come to him.
(4) They judge of his country by his example.
(5) He has a message.
21. " He made him to be sin who knew no sin" made
to be < , not a sinner.
6 : 4-10. Sevenfold passive suffering.
Sevenfold active self-denial.
Sevenfold means of enduring labor.
Sevenfold result.
10. Outward trouble inward joy.
The backslider in heart, even amid outward joy,
has inward sorrow. Prov. 14 : 13, 14.
Paul s testimony before the Church.
7:10. "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salva
tion not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the
world worketh death."
Godly sorrow (i. e. , after the mind of God), is God-
ward and God-wrought.
Sorrow of the world is like Balaam s, when he said,
" I have sinned," yet continued to sin.
9: 7. "God loveth a cheerful giver." "lean give so
much without feeling it." Is that right?
164 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
10 : 10. Love will stammer rather than be dumb
11 :*14. Satan fashioneth himself into
An angel of light. 2 Tor. 11 : 14.
A roaring lion. 1 Peter 5 : 8.
A beguiling serpent. Gen. 3 : 3.
12 : 7. God many times places a thorn in the flesh to prick
the bladder of pride.
There is no gathering a rose without a thorn, until
we get to Beulah land.
9. Tn the divine partnership we contribute weakness.
"With a loving acceptance of God s will comes
peace.
13 : 5. Contemplation is a perspective-glass to see our
Saviour in. Examination is a looking-glass to
see ourselves by.
GALATIANS.
Five aspects of Crucifixion in Galatians:
T crucified in Christ, Chap. 2 : 20.
Christ crucified for me. 3:1.
The flesh crucified in me. 5 : 24.
The world crucified unto me. 6:14.
I crucified unto the world. 6 : 14.
1 : 16. Some one asked Roland Hill what he thought would
become of the heathen. He said, " If I don t
see some of them in heaven, I 11 see the reason
for it."
2 : 19. I, through the law s operations on Christ, am dead
to the law s condemnation
GALATIANS. 165
2 : 20. "I was crucified, " in Jesus on the cross.
There are two centers of being the self-life,
and the Christ-life.
3 : 13 . Christ on the cross delivers from the penalty of
sin.
Christ at God s right hand delivers from the power
of sin.
Christ coming in the clouds delivers from the pres
ence of sin.
4 : 16. Truth is not always relished where sin is nourished
18. Many a man can dance till six o clock in the morn
ing, but few Christians pray or preach so long.
5 : 11. The cross of Christ is an " offence ":
1. To morality; because works cannot justify.
2. To philosophy; because it appeals to faith,
not reason.
3. To culture; because its truth is revealed to
babes.
4. To caste; because God chooses the poor and
humble.
5. To the will; because it calls for unconditional
surrender.
V. 16. Walk in the Spirit.
V. 18. Be led of the Spirit.
V. 25. Live in the Spirit.
22. Three houses: No. 1, Love; No. 2, Joy; No. 3,
Peace.
Three sisters that meet us at the threshold of G<H s
kingdom: Love, Joy, Peace.
166 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
The fruits of the Spirit in terms of love :
Joy is love exulting.
Peace is love reposing.
Longsuffering is love untiring.
Gentleness is love enduring.
Goodness is love in action.
Faith is love on the battlefield.
Meekness is love under discipline.
Temperance is love in training.
6 : 1. While we seek fo heal a wound in our brother s
actions, we should be careful not to leave a scar
upon his person.
2. Miss Fidelia Fiske tells us that she was seated on a
warm Sabbath afternoon on the earthen door of
her mission chapel, feeling quite exhausted. A
Syrian woman came and sat behind her and said,
" If you love me, lean hard."
A true Christian grows stronger by his loads.
7. The flower of life is planted by God. Shall it be
plucked by the devil ?
10. There is an inscription in Shrewsbury :
" For our Lord Jesus Christ s sake,
Do nil the good you can,
To all the people you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the places you can,
As long as ever you can."
" Lost ! Somewhere between sunrise and sunset :
Two golden hours, each set off with sixty dia-
GALA TIAN8. 1 67
mond minutes. No reward offered, for they are
lost forever."
Opportunity :
(1.) Swift in motion.
(2.) Never returns.
(3.) Must be improved while it is passing.
EPHESIANS.
Seven " walks " of Ephesians :
2. Trespasses and sins wherein in time past
ye walked. "
10. "Good works ... we should walk in
them. "
1. " Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith
ye are called."
17. " Walk not as other Gentiles walk."
2. " Walk in love."
8. " Walk as children of light."
15. " Walk circumspectly. "
1 : 4. Do not stumble at the doctrine of election. Preach
the gospel to all, and (as some one has said) if
you convert any one who was not " chosen," God
will forgive you.
22. While Christ, my Head, is in heaven, I am all right
on earth.
The church is Christ s body. There is only one
head ; hence don t speak about this body and
that body of Christians.
1 1 ; s NO TES FR OM MY BIBLE.
2 : 2. Those who once walked according to the prince of
, the power of the air are now built together into
a habitation of God. V. 22.
5. " Dead in sins " means dead in the senses by which
we apprehend God.
7. Riches of His goodness (on earth) in trees, corn, etc.
Riches of His grace (from the cross).
Riches of His glory (upon the throne)
An old colored woman who was an earnest Chris
tian, lay dying. Some one asked her why God
would save an old sinner like her. She an
swered, (i God is g win to p int the angels to me
and tell em to see what the grace of God can
do."
8. God works alone in creation, redemption, regenera
tion.
The best way to get to heaven is to take the oar of
faith in one hand, and the oar of works in the
other, and pull ahead.
10. "Created in Christ Jesus unto good works."
a. The starting-point Created in Christ
Jesus. "
Cursed in the first birth, but blessed in the
second.
I. The path good works its general character
istic.
The creature and the path both "prepared"
(see margin), by God, hence make no com
plaint of your lot.
c. The pace walk.
EPHESIANS. 169
Saved " through faith . . . unto good works. "
V. 19. The household of God.
V. 21. An holy temple in the Lord.
V. 22. An habitation of God.
3: 8. " The unsearchable riches of Christ." A Spanish
ambassador once said to a French ambassador,
"My master s treasure-house has no bottom,"
referring to the Mexican mines.
4: 4. The seven-twisted cord of Christian unity: "One
body one Spirit one hope one Lord
one faith one baptism one God and Father
of all."
10. As the clouds carry rain, but not for themselves,
so Christ carries grace for thee.
11. "Some evangelists; and some pastors and teach
ers."
Dead men need evangelists.
Living men need pastors and teachers.
Evangelists quarrymen who dig out the stone.
. Pastors stone squarers who take off the rough
edges.
Teachers masons who put them in place.
26. The way to "be angry and sin not," is to be angry
as Christ was, at nothing but sin.
5 : 14. " Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the
dead, and Christ shall give thee light."
The sinner described.
The sinner addressed.
The sinner pointed to the Saviour.
170 NOTES FROM MY LIHLE.
5 : 18. " Be not drunk with wine, . . . but be tilled with
the Spirit."
Two commands, both equally b nding.
6: 5-9. God has wedded labor and capital together; and
what God has joined, let not demagogues tear
asunder.
11. An old Hussite leader said to his soldiers, when
about to die: " My enemies are afraid of me.
Take my skin and make a drum-head of it, and
they will still be afraid of me."
Bunyan remarks, The Christian has no armor for
his back."
"Able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
6:11.
" Able to withstand in the evil day." 6 : 13.
" Able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."
6 :16.
18. Prayer must always be the fore-horse of the team.
Do whatever is wise, but not till thou hast
prayed. Send for the physician if thou art sick,
but first pray. Begin, continue, and end *very-
thing with prayer.
PHILIPPIANS.
Trust in the Lord. Chap. 2:19, 24.
Rejoice in the Lord. 3:1; 4:4, 10.
Stand fast in the Lord. 4:1.
u The gospel " in Philippians:
Fellowship in the gospel. 1 : 5.
Furtherance of the gospel. 1 : 12.
PHILIPPIAN8. 171
Defence of the gospel. 1:17.
Faith in the gospel. 1 : 27.
Service in the gospel. 2 : 22.
Laboring in the gospel. 4 : 3.
1 : 6. Mr. Spurgeon, leaning over the platform of a
church where a work of grace was going on,
heard a penitent below in great distress pray
earnestly, Lord, make a good job of me !
Lord, make a good job of me!
21. One of the old martyrs said to his persecutors as
they were leading him to death : < You take a
life from me that I cannot keep, and bestow a
life upon me that I cannot lose."
2:12. Paul tells Christians (" beloved "), to "workout"
their salvation. Unless God has first worked it
into you, you cannot work it out.
14. When a horse begins to kick, he stops pulling.
Same way with church members.
*
Murmuring is quarreling with God.
Disputing is quarreling with men.
A murmur means, " I could have managed this
thing better than God."
3 : 9. That garment of righteousness which was worn to
shreds on Adam s back will never make a cover
ing for mine.
17. Cicero complained of Homer that he taught the
gods to live like men. Grace teaches men to
live like God.
172 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
4 : 1. An old man had gone to California to see his sons
who had become rich. On being asked to go to
the theater, he said he had traveled far, but not
far enough to forget his principles.
6. Our great matters are little to His uower : our little
matters are great to His love.
Be careful for nothing.
Be prayerful for everything.
Be thankful for anything.
Let your riches consist, not in the largeness of
your possessions, but in the fewness of your
wants.
12. It is difficult to walk in the clear day of prosperity
without wandering, or in the dark day of advers
ity without stumbling.
COLOSSIANS.
1 : 5. There is a " heavenly hope " laid up for the young
est believer, but the "crown of life" is for
those who .stand fast to the end (James 1 : 12).
3:12. "Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, . . .
bowels of mercies." He that has put off the
bowels of compassion, has put off the badge of
election.
I THESSALONIANS.
In the first and second epistle to the Thessalonians
there are twenty distinct references to the second
coming of Christ.
/ THESSALONIAN8. 173
At His first coming, Christ was a babe, a servant
foretold by John the Baptist. Fishermen were
His apostles. He was a mediator, a man, Christ;
yet He was spit upon and crucified.
At his second coming, King of kings, heralded by
the trump of archangels. Angels and archangels
will be His servants and attendants; Judge, Lord
of all.
3. Three things:
Work of faith.
Labor of love.
Patience of hope.
6. Followers.
7. Ensamples.
8. Echoes.
10. A coming Saviour, or a coming wrath. Which?
If we love the seed of Abraham, if we love the
burdened brute creation, if we love the heathen
Gentile nations who know nothing of a Saviour,
we shall joyfully welcome the hope of Christ s
coming. For it is the hope that shall bring to
the Jew his Messiah; to the creature his emanci
pation from man s dominion; to mute nature her
freedom from thorns and thistles; to the heathen
idolater a knowledge of God; to the waiting
Bride the personal presence of the Bridegroom;
to Jesus his kingdom and throne.
174 NOTES FROM \TY BIBLE.
5:23. - Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost."
1 Cor. G : 19.
The "outer court" is the body.
The holy place is the soul.
The holy of holies " is the spirit.
In unregenerate man the holy of holies is dark
and untenanted. Man becomes sanctified when
the Holy Spirit fills his spirit, and working
through the soul, holds the body in obedience.
II THESSALONIANS.
3 : 10. An old Jewish proverb says: " He who brings up a
child to no trade, brings up a child for the devil."
I TIMOTHY.
Luther s advice to a young preacher:
Stand up cheerfully.
Speak out manfully.
Leave off speedily.
Seeker s plan of constructing a sermon :
First, explanation of that which is doctrinal.
Second, application of that which is practical.
The former is like cutting a garment out; the latter
is like putting the garment on.
6 : 5. R. V., "Supposing that godliness is a way of
gain. "
6. He is not a poor man that hath but little, but he is
a poor man that wants much.
9. Not riches, but the desire to be rich, 1
10. Not money, but the love of money, > censured.
17. Not riches, but trust in riches, J
/ TIMOTHY. 175
6 : 10. Money speculations cause some j , from
20, 21. Scientific speculations cause others j
15. King of kings that is King of Christians; be
cause he hath made us kings and priests unto
God and his Father."
II TIMOTHY.
Hold fast the form of sound words. Chap. 1 : 13.
Strive not about words. 2 : 14.
Rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 : 15.
Titles applied to Christians, in chapter 2:
1. Son. V. 1.
2. Faithful men, etc. V. 2.
3. Soldier. V. 3.
4. Wrestler. V. 5.
5. Husbandman, partaker of the fruits. V. 6.
6. Elect. V. 10.
7. Workman. V. 15.
8. Vessel. V. 21.
9. Servant of the Lord. V. 24.
All of these are alive, except the vessel. "
1. This chapter begins with sonship (v. 1), and ends
with service (vs. 24-26). There must be life
before there can be work.
15. "Rightly dividing the word of truth." The term
is sacrificial, and refers to the orderly manner
in which the sacrifices were to be cut up. See
Lev. 1.
176 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
2: 19. If iniquity be evil, why is it so much practised?
If good, why so little professed?
21. The Master will only employ clean vessels to con
vey the water of life to thirsty souls.
3 : 15. Scripture knowledge is the candle without which
faith cannot see to do its work.
4: 2. "Preach the Word." What word? When?-
How? Why?
6. Present "The time of my departure is at hand."
7. Past " I have fought a good fight."
8. Future Henceforth there is laid up for me a
crown of righteousness."
7. A child cried because the eggs were all broken
when the chickens were hatched. But they had
accomplished their work.
10. God s fence is too low to keep a graceless heart in
bounds when the game is before him. Jude 11.
TITUS.
Threefold manifestation:
His word. Chap. 1 : \\.
His grace. 2:11.
His glory. 2 : 13.
Sound doctrine. Chap. 1 : 9; 2:1.
Sound in faith. 1 : 13; 2:2.
Sound speech. 2 : 8.
Chap. 1:16. " Unto every good work reprobate.
2:7. "A pattern of good works."
TITUS. 177
Chap. 2 : 14. " Zealous of good works."
3:1,5. " Ready to every good work."
3:8. " Careful to maintain good works."
3 : 14. " Learn to maintain good works."
2 : 11. Grace hath appeared. ~\
13. Glory shall appear. j
In fifty-three places where hope is referred to in
the Bible, it relates to Christ s second coming.
3 : 2. A child once said to his mother, You never speak
ill of any one. I think you would have some
thing good to say of the devil. " Well, " she
said, " imitate his perseverance. "
HEBREWS.
In Hebrews
Sin is met by Atonement. Chap. 1 : 3.
Guilt is met by justification. 2 : 9.
Defilement is met by sanctification. 2:11.
Alienation is met by reconciliation. 2 : 17.
Temptation is met by succor. 2 : 18.
Christ communicates eternity of existence to every
thing he touches:
His throne is forever and ever. Heb. 1 : 8.
His salvation is eternal. 5 : 9.
His priesthood is unchangeable. 7 : 24.
His redemption is eternal. 9 : 12.
His inheritance is eternal. 9 : 15.
His kingdom cannot be moved. 12 : 28.
His covenant is everlasting. 13 : 20.
He is Himself the same, yesterday, to-day, and
forever. 13 : 8.
12
NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
" Better things " in Hebrews:
Better hope. Chap. 7 : 19.
Better Testament. 7 : 22.
Better covenant. 8 : 6.
Better promises. 8 : 6.
Better sacrifices. 9 : 23.
Better substance. 10 : 34.
Better resurrection. 11 : 35.
Better country. 11 : 16.
Better things. 12 : 24.
1. Note the margin, " leaky vessels. " How can you
keep a leaky vessel full? Keep it under a flow
ing fountain.
3. One of the unanswered questions How shall we
escape, if we neglect so great salvation? "
7. The to-morrow of eternity is decided by the to-day,
when we hear His voice.
If God s to-day be too soon for thy repentance, thy
to-morrow ma} lie too late for God s acceptance.
Mercy s clock does not always strike at our beck.
3. The Rest of belief.
4. The Rest of creation.
9. The Rest that remaineth to the people of God.
11. The Rest of the soul.
16. When you send letters to a foreign country*, you
send them via such and such a steamer or city.
When you send good wishes to a friend, send
them via the throne of grace.
HEBREWS. 179
6 : 4. The apostate does not lose the grace he had, but
discovers he never had any.
12. God makes a promise.
Faith believes it.
Hope anticipates it.
Patience quietly awaits it.
19. Hope is a good anchor, but it needs something to
grip. Anchor to the throne and then shorten
the rope.
9 : 22. Essential conditions :
Without shedding of blood, no remission. Chap.
9:22.
Without faith, impossible to please God. Chap.
11:6.
Without holiness, no seeing God. Chap. 12:14.
24. Three appearances of Jesus :
Present l Now to appear in the presence of
God for us."
Past "He hath appeared to put away sin."
Future Unto them that look for him he
shall appear the second time."
10 : 19. Under the law, it was death to go behind the veil;
under grace, it is death not to do so.
22. Truth in heart. Heb. 10:22.
Truth in word. Zech. 8: 16.
Truth in deed. 2 Kings 20: 3.
32. Inward light, then outward fight.
180 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
10:37. Dean Alfonl translates this verse: "Yet a very
little while, and the Coming One will come, and
will not tarry.
11: 1. Faith the golden link binding us to every prom
ise of God. There are three things necessary
to it:-
Knowledge.
Assent.
Consent, or laying hold.
Abel witnesses to the atoning blood. V. 4.
Enoch witnesses to fellowship with God. V. 5
Noah witnesses to redemption. V. 7.
Abram witnesses to separation. V. 8.
8. Abraham did not know whither he went; but ne
knew irfth whom he went.
13. Build your nest upon no tree here, for God hath
sold the forest to death, and every tree whereon
we would rest is ready to be cut down, to the
end that we may fly and mount up and build
upon the Rock.
Flying birds are never taken in a fowler s snare.
25. The cream of earth s pleasures floats on the top.
He who is not content to skim it, but thinks by
deeper draughts to attain more, fares worse.
The world always presents a deadly potion in the
gilded cup of worldly pleasure.
The pleasures of si a are but for a season, but the
punishment of unpardoned sin is everlasting.
38. Believers are worthies of whom the world is not
worthy.
HEBREWS. 181
12 : 1. Let us " lay aside every weight.
Secular Work
Worldly Enjoyments
Self-Indulgence
Greed
False Humility
Trifling.
2. The highest point in Hebrews " Looking unto
Jesus."
It is but little joy that can enter us here, because
of our narrow capacity : but in heaven we shall
enter into joy as vessels put into a sea of happi
ness.
6. Affliction from God exposeth to impatience. |
Affliction for God exposeth to pride. )
The more a stone is wounded by the hand of the
engraver, the greater beauty is produced.
14. Holiness is that which the sinner scorns and the
Saviour crowns.
17. " No place of repentance," i. e. , to undo the past
is irrevocable, but not irreparable.
JAMES.
James is the apostle of action.
1 : 2. Temptations that find us dwelling in God are to our
faith like winds that more firmly root the tree.
5. We may receive light either
a. As here, by asking God for wisdom;
I. By being secretly persuaded as Artaxerxes
was by Nehemiah; or
182 NOTES FROM Mr BIBLE.
c. By outward circumstances, as when Saul was
led to Samuel by means of straying asses.
1 : 15. A tame leopard drew blood from its master s hand
while licking it. It s old nature revived and it
had to be shot.
Sin is like a river, which begins in a quiet spring
and ends in a stormy sea.
17. "No variableness." God s character does not
change. A father punishes his child, if dis
obedient, but does not stop loving. Society
punishes crime, because it does not change, and
crime is contrary to its character.
God remains unchangeable in his character and
attitude toward sin; but when man changes,
their relative attitude is changed. God changes
in his dealings with a changed man.
2 : 5. The i>oor man may be rich in faith. The rich
should be rich in good works.
10. We divide up gin into sins and miss the gravity.
God gave one law, consisting of ten command
ments.
The golden chain of obedience is broken if one
link is missing. If you are hanging over a
precipice by a chain and one link goes, you are
lost.
17. Faith without works God never regards. )
Works without faith God never rewards, j
Some one said to Spurgeon: " I hear you are op
posed to works. " "No, "he said, "I am not,
JAMES. 183
nor to chimney pots; but I would not put them
at the foundation."
Faith justifies us in the sight of God. j
Works justify us in the sight of men. )
Faith without works is like a man putting all his
money into the foundation of his house. Works
without faith is like a man building without any
foundation.
A working faith is more than faith in works.
2 : 26. Idle grace soon becomes active corruption.
3 : 2. His heart cannot be pure whose tongue is not clean.
4 : 6. Give me the homely vessel of humility which God
shall preserve and fill with the wine of his grace,
rather than the varnished cup of pride which he
will dash in pieces like a potter s vessel.
10. Self-humiliation must be real (Ps. 78: 36, 37), and
should be secret. Matt. 6: 17, 18.
"Humble we must be, if to heaven we go:
High is the roof there, but the gate is low."
17. The sins of ignorance are most numerous: but the
sins of knowledge are most dangerous.
5 : 16. Fervency in prayer by the power of the Holy Spiril
is a good preservative against thoughts rushing
in. Flies never settle on a boiling pot.
T PETER.
Peter s " precious " things:
1 Pet. 1:7. Trial of faith much more precious.
184 NOTES FROM MY KIRLE.
\ Pet. 1:19. The precious blood of Christ.
2:4, 6. The living stone, precious.
2: 7. He (Christ) is precious.
2 Pet. 1:1. Precious faith.
1:4. Precious promises.
Peter speaks of "suffering, " seventeen times in
this epistle.
1 : 19. The precious blood of Christ.
Why precious ?
1. Because it redeems us. 1 Pet. 1:19.
2. Because it brings us nigh. Eph. 2: 13.
3. Because it blots out our sins. Rev. 1 : 5.
4. Because it brings peace. Col. 1 : 20.
5. Because it justifies. Rom. 5:9.
6. Because it cleanses from all sin. 1 John 1 : 7.
7. Because it gives boldness in the day of judg
ment.
Christ left nothing l)ehind on earth but his blood.
2 : 5. Accepted sen-ice.
20. Accepted suffering.
21. Plato said, "When men speak evil of you, live so
that no man will believe it." But he did not
tell how to do so.
24. The Christian s death is when he dies to sin.
No second death.
3 : 15. A Christian worker once said to a man, " God does
not want your learning." " No," said the other,
"nor your ignorance either."
I PETER. 185
4 : 14. If the world has nothing to say against you, Christ
will have little to say for you.
II PETER.
1 : 4. In regeneration, the corruption is escaped.
In reformation, only the pollution is escaped.
6. Temperance is the virtue of prosperity.
Temperance moderation is the silken string
running through the pearl chain of all the
virtues.
19. The Bible does not say, as many seem to think,
that prophecy is a dark place which we will do
well to avoid, but rather that it is like a light
shining in a dark place.
3 : 18. Many Christians say, " If I can take a back-seat
in heaven, I shall be satisfied." But is God sat
isfied?
" Grow in grace." The old age of grace is matur
ity, not decay; advance, not decline; perfection,
not imbecility. We go from strength to strength.
Without grace, there can be no saving knowledge.
I JOHN.
1 : 1. Voice presence touch of Christ.
7. Forgetfulness is not the cure for sin. Time can
not heal our iniquity. Gen. 42: 21.
You can find no means of touching your whole past
life; but God can. "The blood of Jesus Christ
his Son cleanseth us from all sin. "
1 86 NO TES FROM MY BIBLE.
1 : 9. Full confession brings conviction from an earthly
judge, but secures pardon from God. \Yo are
forgiven on account of God s justice, not merely
mercy, because Jesus paid the price.
Unconfessed sin in the soul is like a bullet in the
body.
It is better to be saved by divine mercy than sued
by divine justice.
2: 1. A saint is not free from sin that is his burden;
but he is not free to sin that is hi.s blessing.
Sin is in him, but his soul is not in sin. A field
of wheat may be good, and yet have weeds
in it.
15. A true Christian loves not the world, yet he loves
all the world.
; The things that are in the world, " are like shadows
in a pool. The higher the object, the lower the
shadow. So things that are highest in this
world s estimation are lowest in heaven (gold is
valued highly here, but they pave the streets
with it in heaven, Rev. 21:21); and the things
that are lowest in this world s estimation are
highest there (service is ignoble here, but in
heaven they spend their time in service. Ilev.
22:3).
Study to fill your mind, rather than your coffers,
knowing that gold and silver were originally
mingled with dirt, until avarice or ambition
parted them.
16. Millions have died of the wound of the eye.
/ JOHN. 187
2 : 17. The world is like a floating island, and as sure as
we anchor to it, we shall be carried away by it.
"Know," in chapter 3 :
V. 2. "We know that when He shall appear, we
shall be like Him."
V. 5. " Ye know that He was manifested to take
away our sins. "
V. 14. We know that we have passed from death
unto life."
V. 15. "Ye know that no murderer hath eternal
life abiding in him. "
V. 19. " We know that we are of the truth."
V. 24. " We know that He abideth in us."
3 : 3. Hope is too pure a plant to grow or flourish in an
impure soul.
4. "Sin is the transgression of the law. " Crossing the
death-line : that is transgression.
5 : 5. Unbroken fellowship means uninterrupted success.
14. Promise prayer performance are three links
in the chain of blessing. If the middle link is
missing, we have no right to expect the third.
15. It is a serious thing to pray ! We may be taken at
our word.
JUDE.
24. " Perhaps he won t hold out. " Is that your rule of
life? then you cannot rejoice at the birth of a
babe, lest it die: nor at its first smile, for it may
one day frown.
188 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
REVELATION.
2 : 3. Not he that takes the field, but he that keeps it,
not he that sets out, but he that holds out, de
serves the name of saint.
3 : 17. Man s opinion of himself, and God s opinion of
him : Thou sayest, I am rich and increased *
with goods, and have need of nothing : and
knowest not that thou art wretched, and mis-
erable, and poor, and blind, and naked."
A. I>. 64. Paul s conflict for Laodicea. Col. 2:1.
A. D. 64. Epaphras s zeal for Laodicea. Col. 4:13.
A. D. 96. Wretched and miserable Laodiceans.
Rev. 3:17.
20. "Behold I stand at the door and knock." The
latch of the door is on the inside.
Who are my guests?
5 : 6. The only knowledge of sins in heaven will be by
the evidences of God s provision for its pardon,
and the sweet recollection of its forgiveness, by
the redeemed.
7 : 14. Washed white, not whitewashed.
15. There is no weariness in heavenly service, but no
rest in hell. Chap. 14: 11.
14 : 1. The beast permitted some to have the mark bla
zoned on the palms of their hands instead of the
forehead (chap. 13: 16); but no one must be
ashamed of God s mark.
The man who l>ears a mark on his brow is the only
man who does not see it
REVELATION, 189
16 : 13. The devil s trinity.
20 : 10. The devil entered at the beginning of the Bible,
and is now cast out.
21 : We know four facts about the final re-genesis of
the world, succeeding the millernium:
1. The earth shall be baptized with fire. 2 Pet.
3:7.
2. No more sea. Rev. 21:2.
3. The New Jerusalem shall descend to earth.
Rev. 21:2, 10.
4. Every vestige of sin shall be eliminated,
and all conditions will be new.
13. The New Jerusalem, "on the east three gates; on
the north three gates; on the south three gates;
and on the west three gates. " "In every denomi
nation and church there are men who make one
gate for themselves and then demand that all the
world shall go through it."
16. The New Jerusalem is square, and it takes square
men to fill it.
21. There is no place in heaven for the miser: he would
want to pull up the golden pavement!
22 . 1. The River of God is full of water; but thexe is not
one drop of it that takes its rise in earthly
springs.
THE WATER OF LIFE.
Its character :
Living water. John 4: 10.
Clear. Rev. 22:1.
190 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
Pure. Rev. 22:1.
Abundant. Eze. 47: 1-9.
Free. Rev. 21:6.
For whom provided :
The thirsty. Rev. 21:6.
Whosoever will. Rev. 22: 17.
How to obtain it:
Come. Rev. 22:17.
Take. Rev. 22: 17.
22: 17. "Come thou." The Bible closes tfith a personal,
individual appeal.
God says, "Come." Gen. 7:1.
Jesus says, "Come." Matt. 11:28.
The Spirit, the Church, he that heareth say,
"Come." Rev. 21:17.
The sinner says, Come, Lord. Ps. 70:5.
The first "Come" brought salvation to Noah and
bis family.
MISCELLANEOUS.
If we are quiet, we shall hear. Eccl. 9 : 7.
If we hear, we shall be quiet. Prov. 1 : 33.
TWO MISTAKES ABOUT JESUS.
His parents thought He was present when he was absent.
Luke 2 : 44.
Mary thought He was absent when He was present. John
20 :15.
A friend of publicans and sinners. Luke 7 : 34.
This man rcccivcth sinners and eateth with them. Luke
15:2. .
Gone to be a guest with a man that \& a sinner. Luke 19 :7;
Rev. 3 : 20.
MOUNTAIN SCENES IN SCRIPTURE.
Gen. 22 : 2. As sinners we see substitution.
Ex. 17: 10. As warriors we obtain victory.
Ex. 24:1-9. As worshipers in the presence of God.
1 Kings 18:42. As intercessors on behalf of others.
Mark 9 : 2. As privileged friends we see God s glory.
Rev. 21:10. As waiting ones we look by faith on things
that are eternal.
THE WILL OF GOD IN LIFE.
Do you seek for an object in life?
Heb: 10: 7. " I come to do thy will, God."
[191]
192 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
Do you seek for food in life?
* John 4:34. " My meat is to do the will of Him that
sent me. "
Do you seek for society ?
Mark 3:35. " Whosoever shall do the will of God, the
same is my brother, and sister, and mother." (R. V.)
Do you seek for education f
Ps. 143: 10. Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my
God."
Do you seek for pleasure?
Ps. 40: 8. "I delight to do thy will, O my God."
Do you seek for a reward?
1 John 2:17. "He that doeth the will of God abideth
forever. "
Do you seek to know the will of God?
1 Thess. 4:3. " This is the will of God, even your sanc-
tification. "
1 Thess. 5:16-18. Rejoic-e alway ; pray without ceasing;
in even-thing give thanks: for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus to you-ward. " (R. V.)
Do you geek assurance?
John 7:17. "If any man willeth to do His will, he
shall know of the teaching." (R. V.)
Do you seek for poicfr in prayer?
1 John 5:14. " If we ask anything according to His
will, He heareth us." (R. V.)
Christianity in doctrine is union with Christ.
" " experience is realization thereof.
; practice is manifestation thereof.
If doctrine only, it leads to antinomianism.
If experience only, it leads to enthusiasm.
If practice only, it leads to Pharisaism.
MISCELLANEOUS. 193
God revealed in nature. Gen. 1:1.
in man. Gen. 1 : 26.
in Christ. Col. 2: 9.
in nature as Creator.
in history as Providence.
in humanity as Father.
God loves us: as a mother. Isa. 66: 13.
as a father. Ps. 103:13.
as a brother. Prov. 17: 17
as a friend. Prov. 18: 24.
CHRIST THE PROPHET.
Acts 3: 22. God raised Him up.
Luke 4: 18. He was annoiuted.
John 17:8. He spake the words of God.
John 1:18. He revealed God.
Luke 24: 19. He was called a prophet.
Mark 13: 23. He foretold the future.
Rev. 3: 14. He was a faithful witness.
CHRIST THE KINO.
Ps. 2:6. God called him King.
John 19: 19. Pilate called him King.
Rev. 3: 21. He is now on a throne.
Rev. 19:16. He appears as King.
Rev. 15:3. He is King of nations.
Zech. 14:9. He is King over all the earth.
Heb. 1 : 8. His scepter is a right scepter.
13
1 04 NO TES FR OX M Y BIBLE.
WHAT THE WORD OK GOD DOES.
1 Pet. 1 : 23. By it we are born again.
1 Pet. 2:2. By it we grow.
John 15: 3. By it we are cleansed.
John 17: 17. By it we are sanctified.
; s. 1 ID: 105. By it we get light.
Kph. G: 17. By it we are defended.
John 12:48. By it man is judged.
SPIRITUAL CALCULATION.
Acts 20: 24. "I count not my life dear unto me."
Phil. 3:7. I count all things but loss and dung."
Phil. 3: 13. -I count not to have apprehended."
Rom. 8:18. I reckon that the sufferings of this present
time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that
shall be revealed "
Rom. 6: 11. " Reckon yourselves dead unto sin."
James 1:2. Count it all joy when ye fall into divers
temptations."
James 5:11. "We count them happy which endure."
Acts 5:41. The disciples counted it joy that they were
"worthy to suffer shame for His name."
God met Adam in the garden,
Enoch in his daily walk,
Abram under the oak,
Jacob at the brook,
Moses at the bush,
Joshua at Jericho.
MISCELLANEO US. 195
Five crowns for believers :
1. A crown of life, for endurance. James 1:12; Rev.
2:10.
2. A crown of righteousness, for the good fight of faith.
2 Tim. 4:8.
3. A crown of rejoicing, for winning souls. 1 Thess.
2:19.
4. A crown of glory, for those who edify the church,
and for feeding souls. 1 Pet. 5 : 4.
5. A crown of reward, for those who successfully run
the race. 1 Cor. 9 : 25.
DISTINGUISHING TRAITS.
Obedient Romans. Rejoicing Philippians.
Carnal Corinthians. Faithful Colossians.
Legal Galatians. Loving Thessalonians.
Heavenly-minded Ephesians. Dwarfed Hebrews.
The Lord God may l>c knoivn,
1. By the noise of his footsteps. 2 Sam. 15: 24.
2. By the thunder which accompanies His approach.
Ex. 9:23; Job 37: 4, 5; Ps. 29:3, 9.
3. By the sound of his voice. Gen. 3 : 8.
What God dors with the sins of his people.
Remembers them no more. Jer. 31 : 34.
Covers them. Ps. 32: 1.
Removes them as far as the east is from the west. Ps.
103:12.
1 06 NO TEH FROM MY BIBLE.
Casts them behind his back. Isa 38: 17.
- Blots them out. Isa. 44: 22.
Casts them into the depths of the sea. Micah 7: 19.
Pardons them. Jer 33: 8.
Seeks for and cannot find them. Jer. 50:20.
A l:iiuli. Ex. . ) : 3 A Saviour. Luke 2:11.
The lamb. " \\ : I The Saviour. John 4 : 12.
Your Lamb. " 3:5 My Saviour. Luke 1 : 47.
CHILDREN S QUESTIONS.
Psalm 78: 3-8.
Respecting the Passover. Ex. 12:26. Redemption and
Deliverance.
Respecting the feast of unleavened bread. Ex. 13:8.
Separation from evil.
Respecting the redemption of the firstborn. Ex. 13:14.
Consecration.
Respecting the law and testimonies. Pent. 6 : 20, 21. Obe
dience.
Respecting the stones taken out of Jordan. Joshua 4:6. 7.
Resurrection life.
CANDLES OP SCRIPTURE.
1. The en mile <>f tin- law: Conscience. Prov. 20:27; Ps.
18 : 28.
2. The candle of grace : Love. Luke 15:8.
3. The candle of Testimony : Life. Matt. 5:15. Shining
for God s glory (verse 16) in the world. Phil. 2 : 15.
4. The candle extinguish,,! : Death. Job 18:6; 21 : 17.
5. The candle outshone : Glory. Rev. 22 : 5.
MISCELLANEO US. 197
HIS SHED BLOOD.
J ustified by His blood Rom. 5 : 9.
Sanctified " " " Heb. 13 :12.
Redeemed " " " Epb. 1 : 7.
Forgiven " " Matt. 26:28.
Purchased " " " Acts 20 : 28.
Brought near " " " Eph. 2:13.
Peace " " Col. 1 : 20.
Cleansed " " " 1 John 1 : 7.
Victory " " Rev. 12 : 11.
Purged " " " Heb. 9:14.
LAWS SET ASIDE.
Natural law was set aside for Joshua when the sun and
moon stood still. Josh. 10 : 12.
Physical law was set aside for Hezekiah when his life was
prolonged fifteen years in answer to prayer. Isa. 38 :
1-6.
Human law was set aside for Peter when he was released
from the dungeon. Acts 12 : 6-9.
YESTERDAY TO-DAY TO-MORROW.
" Jesus Christ tlie same yesterday, and to-day, and forever."
Heb. 18:8.
For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because
our days upon earth are a shadow. " Job. 8 : 9.
To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your
hearts. " Heb. 4:7.
" But exhort one another daily, while it is called to-day;
lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness
of sin." Heb. 3 : 13.
198 NOTES FROM 3/T BIBLE.
"Boast not thyself of to-morrow ; for thou knowest not
, what a clay may bring forth." Prov. 27 : 1.
"Ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is
your life ? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a
little time, and then vanisheth away." James 4 : 14.
God s first recorded utterance to man : " Thou shalt surely
die." Gen. 2 :17.
His last recorded utterance to man : " Surely I come
quickly. " Rev. 22 : 20.
Man s first recorded utterance to God : " I was afraid . . .
I hid myself." Gen. 3 : 10.
Man s last recorded utterance to God: "Even so, come,
Lord Jesus." Rev. 22 : 20.
One s knowledge of God may be,
1. Speculative or theoretical; embracing one s views
respecting His existence, perfections, and will,
but without power over the heart. James 4:17.
2. Saving ; controlling the heart and conduct. John
17:3.
He who denies God, subverts all religion,
lie who denies Christ, subverts the gospel.
JESUS CHRIST AS MEDIATOR.
A mediator is one who comes in between two parties who
are at variance, in order to reconcile them.
1. Both parties must agree to accept him. God
chose Christ from the foundation of the world. 1 Peter
1 : 20, 21. Do you accept him ?
2. He should be the equal of both parties. Christ is
both God and man.
MISCELLANEOUS. 199
3. He should understand the case. Christ knows
God s will and rights ; and also man s sins and wants.
4. Both parties must agree to leave the case abso
lutely in his hands. God has committed all power into
the hands of Christ. Do you ?
5. He should be desirous to bring the case to a happy
settlement. Christ died to reconcile man to God.
There is one God, and one mediator between God
and men, the man Christ Jesus." 1 Tim. 2 : 5.
WHATSOEVER YE DO.
Do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor. 10 : 31.
" "in the name of the Lord Jesus. Col. 3 : 17.
" " heartily, as to the Lord. Col. 3 : 23.
All natural growth ends in decay ; but growth in the
knowledge and love of God ends in glory and immor
tality.
No one can write < A Life of Christ, " because it is not yet
finished.
Every sin is a fountain.
EPITAPH IN A GRAVEYARD IN ENGLAND.
I have sinned ;
I have repented ;
I have trusted ;
I have loved ;
I rest ;
I shall rise ;
I shall reign.
200 NOTES FROM M7 BIBLE.
Grace does not run in the blood, like corruption.
Men will wrangle for religion, write for it, fight for it,
die for it, anything but live for it.
We ought to confess Christ,
For the world s sake,
For the church s sake,
For our own sake,
For Christ s sake.
Bearing rule over bod)-. J Cor. 9 : 27.
" " " soul. 2 Cor. 10 :5.
" " " spirit. Prov. 16:32.
THINGS THAT TEND TO POVERTY.
Withholding more than is meet Prov. 11 : 24.
Refusing instruction " 13 : 18.
Idle talking , " 14 : 23.
Love of sleep < 20 : 13.
Oppressing the poor and giving to the rich. . " 22 : 16.
Drunkenness, gluttony, and drowsiness " 23 :21.
Following after vain persons " 28 : 19.
Hastening to be rich " 28:22.
Living far from Joseph s storehouses Gen. 45 : 11.
" AGONIZE.
Uted eight times In New Testament.
In prayer. Col. 4:12. Translated " labor fervently."
As a workman. Col. 1 :29. Translated "strive."
MISCELLANEOUS. 201
As a wrestler to gain the prize. 1 Cor. 9 : 25. Translated
"strive."
As a soldier. 1 Tim. 6 : 12 ; 4:7. Translated "fight."
As a man who defends his friend from danger. John 18 :
36. Translated "fight."
For salvation. Luke 13 : 24. Translated " strive. "
As the Lord Himself in Gethseinane. Luke 22 : 44.
Translated agony. "
Our faith must be tested. God builds no ships but what
He sends to sea.
Sin killed Jesus Christ. Let Him kill sin.
As sleeps the oak within the acorn, so sleeps heaven within
the first cry, * Abba, Father. "
UNLESS.
I had fainted unless I had believed. Ps. 27 : 13.
Unless the Lord had been my help , my soul had almost
dwelt in silence. Ps. 94 : 17.
Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have
perished in mine affliction. Ps. 119 : 92.
CLEAN HANDS.
For strength. Job 17:9.
For reward. 2 Sam. 22 : 21 ; Ps. 18 : 20, 24.
For acceptance. Ps. 24 : 3, 4.
For worship. Ps. 26 : 6.
For humbling. James 4 : 8.
202 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
THE TEMPLE BUILT
At Jerusalem (the place or possession of peace). 2 Chron.
3 : 1.
In Mount Moriah (the manifestation or sight of Jehovah).
Gen. 22 : 2.
Where the father spared not his son. Gen. 22 : 12; Rom.
8 :32.
Where God said, It is enough. 1 Chron. 21 :15 ; John
19:30.
Where the angel sheathed his sword. 1 Chron. 21 : 27 ;
Zech. 13 : 7.
Where corn was threshed. 2 Chron. 3:1; Isa. 53 : 10.
TJir wicked are like,
Bird s caught in a snare. Eccl. 9:12.
Fishes taken in the net. Keel. 9 : 12.
Sheep laid in the grave. Ps. 49 : 14.
Deaf adder. Ps. 58 : 4.
Ravening lion. Ps. 17:12.
TJtry that trust in the Lord are like,
A tree planted by the waters. Jer. 17:8.
A green olive tree. Ps. 52 : 8.
A green fir tree. Hosea 14:8.
The palm tree. Ps. 92 : 12.
A cedar in Lebanon. Ps. 92 : 12.
A vine. Hosea 14:7.
Willows. Isa. 44 : 4.
A shock of corn. Job 5 : 26.
The lily among thorns. Song of Solomon 2 : 2.
A branch. Prov. 11 :28.
MISCELLANEO US. 2 03
Tlie wicked arc like,
Heath in the desert. Jer. 17:6.
A brier. Micah 7 : 4.
A green bay tree. Ps. 37 : 35.
Grass, green herb. Ps. 37 : 2.
The chaff. Ps. 1 : 4.
The stubble. Ps. 83 : 13.
SPIRITUAL BANKRUPTCY.
When the woman had spent all, she came to Jesus.
Mark 5 : 26.
When the prodigal had spent all, he came to his father.
Luke 15: 14.
When the Egyptians had spent all, they came to Joseph.
Gen. 47 : 18.
When the two debtors had nothing to pay, the creditor for
gave them both. Luke 7 : 42
The doctrines of grace, although they may be very healing,
are at first very humbling.
CHRIST IN THE GOSPELS.
Matthew : The son of David. "Behold thy King." Zech.
9:9.
Mark: The servant of Jehovah. "Behold my servant."
Isa. 42 : 1.
Luke : The Son of man. " Behold the man." Zech. 6:12.
John : The Son of God. " Behold your God. " Isa. 40: 9.
204 NOTES FROM MY RTBLE.
CHRIST THE BRANCH.
Matthew: "I will raise unto David a righteous Branch,
and a King shall reign." Jer. 23:5.
Mark : "My Servant the Branch." Zech. 3:8.
Luke: "Behold the man whose name is the Branch."
Zech. 6: 12.
John : "In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beau
tiful and glorious." Isa. 4: 2.
The Son in the bosom of the Father. John 1:18.
The sinner in the " " " Son. " 13:25.
We beheld His glory. John 1 : 14. Past.
Beholding His glory. 2 Cor. 3:18. Present.
That they may behold my glory. John 17:24. Future.
Prayer : "Be not silent to me. " Ps. 28: 1.
Promise: "Our God shall come and shall not keep si
lence." Ps. 50:3.
Some church-members have their roots on the church side
of the fence, but their boughs stretch over the wall
and drop the fruit into the world.
If you lean out of the perpendicular, lean toward Christ.
The cloak of a false profession will make an awful blazf
when God burns up the stubble.
MISCELLANEOUS. 205
"HE WILL KEEP TUB FEET OP HIS SAINTS." 1 Sam. 2:9.
Keep them shod. Eph. 6:15.
Keep them from falling. Jude 24 ; Ps. 116 : 8.
Keep them clean. John 13 : 5, 6.
Guide them in the way of peace. Luke 1 : 79.
Pluck them out of the net. Ps. 25 : 15.
Set them on a rock. Ps. 40 : 2.
Light them upon their path. Ps. 119 : 105.
Bring them within His gates. Ps. 122 : 2.
"THIS GOD IS OUR GOD."
The God of Peace. Phil. 4 : 9.
The God of Love. 2 Cor. 13 : 11.
The God of Pardon. Neh. 9:17.
The God of Salvation. Isa. 12:2.
The God of Patience and Consolation. Rom. 15 : 5.
The God of Hope. Rom. 15:13.
The God of all Comfort. 2 Cor. 1 : 3.
The God of all Grace. 1 Peter 5 : 10.
The God of Glory. Acts 7 : 2.
No inheritance without sonship,
No sonship without spiritual birth,
No spiritual birth without Christ,
No Christ without faith.
Atheism gives liberty, but destroys order.
Superstition gives order, but destroys liberty.
Christ gives both order and liberty.
206 NOTE* FROM MY BTBLE.
CONTRAST GOD S THOUGHTS OP MAN WITH MAN S
THOUGHTS OF GOD :
God yearned over the poor wanderer ; man looked on God
as a hard master.
God sent His only begotten Son to ransom man ; man
offered thirty pieces of silver for Him.
God s thoughts are toward man in reconciliation ; man s
are away from God, heedless of His favors.
When Jesus comes the second time, there will be no mis
take as to His identity.
Man s order : " Seeing is Believing."
God s order: " Believing is Seeing." John 11 : 40.
" Jesus said unto her, Said I not unto thee that if thou
wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God ? "
"Crowns are being distributed to-day, and I am going to
receive one," said a dying martyr as she was being put
to death.
IF NOT, WHY NOT ?
You call me master, and you do not question me.
You call me the light, and you do not look to me.
You call me the way, and you do not follow me.
You call me the truth, and you do not believe me.
You call me the life, and you do not wish for me.
You call me the wise, and you give me no attention.
You call me lovely, and you do not love me.
You call me rich, and you do not ask for anything.
MISCELLANEOUS. 207
V T OU call me the everlasting, and you do not seek me.
Vou call me merciful, and you do not trust me.
Von call me almighty, and you do not honor me.
Vou call me righteous, and you do not fear me.
What have I done ? Jer. 8 : 6.
How wilt thou do ? Jer. 12 : 5.
What wilt thou say ? Jer. 13 : 21.
WHAT CANNOT BE FULLY KNOWN.
The love of Christ, which passeth knowledge. Eph. 3 : 19.
The peace of God which passeth understanding. Phil 4 : 7.
The ways of God, which are past finding out. Rom. 11: 33
THREE STORMS.
1. The storm of Jonah (chap. 2), which was sent as a pun
ishment against Jonah for his sin, ceasing only when
he was cast into the sea. Type of Jesus who could
say, "All thy waves and thy billows are gone
over me." Ps. 42 : 7.
2. The storm in Acts (chap. 27), which did not cease, but
a message from the Lord was sent to comfort His
people in the midst of it. Picture of believers who
in the midst of fierce tossings are encouraged by His
word, knowing that they are "drawing near to some
country" (Acts 27:27), "that is, an heavenly."
Heb. 11 :16.
3. The storm in Mark (chap. 4), which was stilled at once
by the word of Jesus. Picture of the great calm
Ho commands within the believer s heart.
208 NOTES FROM MY BTBLE.
FOUR GREAT SIGHTS.
The eight that God nad : "God looked down ... to see
..." Ps. 53 : 2.
The sight that man had : "And all the people that came
together to that sight, beholding ..." Luke 23 : 48.
The sight that believers have: "We see Jesus." Heb.
o o
*d . 7.
The sight that all men shall have: "Behold, He cometh
. . . every eye shall see him. " Rev. 1 : 7.
THE CHRISTIAN 8 SEVENFOLD POSITION.
God has conferred upon believers a sevenfold position
which cannot be sinned away, but which is dependent
upon their practical state for its enjoyment.
1. Relationship, for they are children. Rom. 8 : 16.
2. Fellowship, for they are brothers. John 20 : 17.
3. Dignity, for they are sons. Rom. 8 : 14.
4. Glory, for they are heirs. Rom. 8 : 17.
5. Separateness, for they are saints. 1 Cor. 1 : 2.
6. Nearness, for they are priests. 1 Peter 2 : 5.
7. Authority, for they are kings. Rev. 1 : 6.
Jesus on earth His path, His spirit, His ways is the
measure of our walk and obedience.
THRKE CLASSES.
The astonished " When Jesus had ended these sayings,
the people were astonished at his doctrine." Matt.
7:28.
MISCELLANEOUS. 200
The critical "And he taught them in their synagogue,
. . . and they said, Whence hath this man this wisdom ?
... Is not this the carpenter s son ? " Matt. 13 : 54,
55.
The trembling "As he reasoned of righteousness, tem
perance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled."
Acts 24 : 25.
When Lot was safe out of Sodom, judgment came.
When Noah was safe in the ark, judgment came.
When the church is gathered home, judgment will come.
AS THE SAND.
Abraham s seed. Gen. 22 : 17.
Joseph s corn. Gen. 41 : 49.
David s seed. Jer. 33 : 22.
Solomon s largeness of heart. 1 Kings 4:29.
God s thoughts unto us. Ps. 139: 18.
SATAN S COUNTERFEITS.
The scarlet woman (Rev. 17) the bride.
Babylon the great The New Jerusalem.
A roaring lion The lion of the tribe of Judah.
Barabbas (son of the father) The Son of the Father.
Antichrist Christ.
Lucifer, son of the morning the bright and morning
Star.
The compassion of Christ inclines Him to save sinners.
The power of Christ enables Him to save sinners.
The promises of Christ bind Him to save sinners.
14
210 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
Faith gives us living joy and dying rest.
Ever since sin entered the world, and death by sin, the
earth has been a vast burying-ground for her children.
SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION.
" Predestinated to be conformed to the image of Jlis Son."
Rom. 8 : 29.
How the image is produced :
Moulding in clay. Jer. 18 : 2, 6; Isa. 64 : 8; 45 : 9;
" Lie still and let Him mould thee. " Luther.
Sealing in wax or clay. Job. 38 : 14 ; 2 Tim. 2:19.
Reflecting in a mirror. 2 Cor. 3 : 18; Prov. 27 :19.
Engraving in precious stones. Ex. 28 : 9-21.
Writing on tablets. 2 Cor. 3 : 3.
Stamping or casting metals. Mark 12 : 16; 2 Chrou.
4:17.
Carving in wood. 1 Kings 6:18; Ex. 31 : 5.
What preparation is needed:
The clay dug up. Isa. 58 : 1.
The wax melted. Ps. 22 : 14; Ps. 97 : 5.
The mirror polished.
" If the polish of the mirror were perfect, it wouV, be
invisible; we should simply see the image of what is
reflected. " Prof. Tyndall on Reflection, "
The stones hewn, Isa. 51:1; 1 Kings 5:17; pol
ished, Ps. 144 : 12.
The precious stones found, Job 28 ;r, prepared,
1 Chron. 29 : 2; cut and set, Ex. 31 : 5
MISCELLANEO US. 211
The metiils sought, Prov. 2:4; Job 28:1, 2; dug
up, Job 28:2; melted, Prov. 17:3; purified, Mai.
3:3; Prov. 25:4.
The wood hewn. 1 Kings 5:6; "Is not this the car
penter ? " Mark 6 : 3.
THE LORD S SILENCE.
Where is He silent ?
Before Caiaphas. ("Jesns held his peace." Matt.
26 : 63.) Heartless ecclesiasticism.
Before Herod. ("He answered him nothing." Luke
23 : 9.) Empty curiosity.
Before Pilate. ("Jesus gave him no answer." John
19:9.) Carping criticism.
To what is He, silent ?
To hypocrisy. John 8 : 6. "This they said, tempting
him."
To false accusation. Matt 15 : 2, 3, 5. " Why do thy
disciples transgress the tradition of the elders ? "
To foregone conclusions. John 19:9. " Whence art
thou ? "
What makes Him silent ?
Men s contempt. Prov. 1 : 22-28.
Men s carelessness. Song of Solomon 5 : 6.
Men s selfishness. Amos 8 : 4-12.
Men s sin. Isa. 1 : 15; Jer. 11 :2.
When is He silent f
In His love. Zeph. 3 : 17.
In His wisdom. Matt. 15 : 23.
In His power. Rev. 8:1.
212 NOTES FROM \TT BTBLE.
Wliy it He silent ?
, To arouse men s consciences. John 8:6, 8.
To increase our earnestness. Matt. 15:23.
To educate faith. Job. 23 : 8 ; Matt. 15 : 23.
To teach humility. Matt 15 : 23.
To what is He not silent ?
The prayer of the penitent. L .e 18 : 13; 2 Chron.
7:14.
The cry of the widow and orphan. Ex. 22 : 23.
The voice of a child. Gen. 21 : 17.
The desire for Himself. Prov. 8:17; Ps. 145 : 19.
The cry of the need}-. Ps. 12:5; 72 : 12.
The praise of His people. 2 Chron. 5 : 13, 14.
The Spectrum of Love has nine ingredients (1 Cor. 13) :
Patience Love suffereth long. "
Kindness " And is kind."
Generosity " Love envieth not."
Humility " Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up."
Courtesy "Doth not behave itself unseemly."
Unselfishness Seeketh not her own. "
Good Temper " Is not easily provoked."
Guileltsxness " Thinketh no evil.
Sincerity Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in
the truth."
We have not to put out the eyes of our reason to see with
the vision of faith ; but if once we are sure that God
has spoken, we are to do His will, whether we under
stand it or not.
MISCELLANEOUS. 213
IS THE LORD S HAND SHORTENED ?
Asked respecting the Father. Num. 11 :23.
" the Son. Isa. 50 :2.
the Spirit. Micah 2 : 7.
WITH ALL YOUR HEART.
Seek the Lord. Deut. 4 : 29.
Serve the Lord. Deut. 10 : 12.
Love the Lord. Deut. 13 :3.
Obey the Lord. Deut. 30 : 2.
Turn unto the Lord. Deut. 30 : 10.
Walk before the Lord. 1 Kings 2 : 4.
Follow the Lord. 1 Kings 14:8.
Praise the Lord. Ps. 86 : 12.
Trust the Lord. Prov. 3 : 5.
MIRRORS.
The laver made of mirrors. Ex. 38 : 8.
The Word a mirror
1. In which we see ourselves. James 1 : 23, 24.
2. " " " Him. 1 Cor. 13 : 12.
Believers are mirrors to reflect his image. 2 Cor. 3 : 18.
APPLY YOUR HEART.
To wisdom. Ps. 90 : 12.
To understanding. Prov. 2 : 2.
To knowledge. Prov. 22 : 17.
To instruction. Prov. 23 : 12.
214 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED.
Leaning on Jesus bosom. John 13:23. The Rest of
Love.
Witnessing His death. John 19 : 26. The Confidence of
Love.
Running to the sepulchre. John 20 : 2, 4. The Activity of
Love.
Recognizing the Lord. John 21 : 7. The Quicksighted-
ness of Love.
Following Jesus. John 21 : 20. The Close Companionship
of Love.
PRISONS THAT COULD NOT KEEP GOD OUT.
Joseph s. Gen. 39 : 20, 21. Mercy.
The Egyptian s. Ex. 12:29. Death.
Manasseh s. 2 Chron. 33 : 11-13. Answer to prayer.
Jeremiah s. Jer. 32 :1 ; 33 : 1. The word of prophecy.
Apostles . Acts 5 : 19. Deliverance.
Peter s. Acts 12:7. Deliverance.
Paul s and Silas s. Acts 16.
Paul s. Eph. 3 : 1 ; 4 : 1 ; 2 Tim. 1:8; Philemon 1 : 9.
That which lies in the well of your thought will come up in
the bucket of your speech.
THE LORD ON EVERY SIDE.
Delivering from enemies. Judges 8 : 34.
Giving rest. 1 Kings 5 : 4 ; 2 Chron. 14 :7.
Guiding. 2 Chron. 32 : 22.
MISCELLANEOUS. 215
Hedging about. Job 1:10.
Comforting. Ps. 71 : 21.
Gathering His people. Ezek. 37 :21.
A GOOD LAND.
God s testimony : "A land that I had espied for them,
flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all
lands." Ezek. 20 : 6.
The spies unwilling testimony : "We came unto the land
whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk
and honey." Num. 13 : 27.
The enemy s testimony : " A land of corn and wine, a land
of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of
honey." 2 Kings 18 : 32.
GODS FINGER.
In creation. Ps. 8 : 3.
In the plagues. Ex. 8 : 19.
In casting out devils. Luke 11 : 20.
Writing on,
The tables of stone. Ex. 31 : 18.
The wall of the palace. Dan. 5 : 5.
The temple floor. John 8 : 6.
Believers hearts. 2 Cor. 3 : 2, 3.
minds. Heb. 10 : 16.
" foreheads. Rev. 14 : 1.
God had one Son without sin, but He never had a son with
out trial.
216 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
THE PARABLE OP THE GOOD SAMARITAN.
^ (Luke 10: 30.)
A certain man the whole human race.
Went down fell.
From Jerusalem the place of blessing. In Salem also
is His tabernacle, and His dwelling place in Zion. " Pa.
76:2.
To Jericho the place of the curse. "And Joshua ad
jured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man be
fore the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city
Jericho. " Josh. 6 : 26.
And fell among thieves Satan and his angels.
Which stripped him of his raiment Satan stripped man of
his innocency.
And wounded him a wound which brought death to man
kind.
And departed having set man going, Satan could leave
him on his path. " A child left to himself bringeth
his mother to shame." Prov. 29:15.
Leaving him half dead dead in soul, mortal in body.
And by cluince that is, by coincidence.
A certain priest the law.
Came down that way going the same downward path.
"None of them can by any means redeem his brother."
Ps. 49:7.
And ichen he saw him, he passed by on the other side unable
or unwilling to help.
And likewise a Levite ceremonials.
But a certain Samaritan Jesus incarnate.
As he journeyed it does not say "down." Perhaps he
was journeying up to Jerusalem.
MISCELLANEOUS. 217
Came where he was became partaker of flesh and
blood." Heb. 2:14.
And ichen he saw him, he had compassion on him just as
Jesus had when He saw the bereaved widow of Nain.
Luke 7:13.
And went to him, and bound up his wounds "with his
stripes we are healed," at Calvary.
Pouring in oil and wine at Pentecost.
And set him on his own beast putting man in His own
place. And hath raised us up together, and made us
sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Eph.
2 : 6.
And brought him to an inn where all bonafide travelers
were received.
And took care of him knowing the negligence of the
servants.
And on the morrow when he departed to return to heaven.
He took out tivo pence two gifts.
And gave them to tlie host "But unto every one of us is
given grace according to the measure of the gift of
Christ." Eph. 4:7.
And said unto him, Take care of him "Bear ye one an
other s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. " Gal.
6:2.
And whatsoever thou spendest over, I icill repay thee no
care shown to wounded travelers is forgotten. And
the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say
unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the
least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Matt. 25:40.
When I come again His second coming.
218 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
PROMISES.
Every promise is built on four pillars :
1. God s justice and holiness, which will not suffer Him
to deceive.
2. His grace and goodness, which will not suffer Him to
forget.
3. His truth, which will not suffer Him to change.
4. His power, which makes Him able to accomplish.
God s promises always sustain a trusting soul ; never a
doubting one.
I am permitted to take salvation gratis " Whosoever
will." Rev. 22:17.
I am invited " Come unto me. " Matt. 1 1 : 28.
I am entreated "As though God did beseech you."
2 Cor. 5 : 20.
I am commanded " This is His commandment." 1 John
3:23.
I am finally compelled "Compel them to come in."
Luke 14 : 23.
SYMBOLISM OF THE ROCK.
1. God s strength: "In God is my salvation and my
glory: the rock of my strength and my refuge is
in God." Ps. 62:7.
2. God s protection : "Be thou my strong rock, for an
house of defence to save me." Ps. 31 : 2.
MISCELLANEOUS. 219
3. God s salvation : " He shall cry unto me, Thou art my
Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation."
Ps. 89 : 26.
4. Christ s care : For they drank of that spiritual rock
that followed them; and that rock was Christ."
1 Cor. 10:4.
5. The church s foundation: "Thou art Peter, and upon
this rock I will build my church." Matt. 16 : 18.
CHRIST S THREE "i COMES."
Lo, I come (from heaven to earth). Ps. 40 : 7.
I come to thee (from earth to heaven). John 17 : 11.
I come quickly (from heaven to earth). Rev. 22 : 20.
God is love. 1 John 4:16. Walk in love. Eph. 5 : 2.
God is light. 1 John 1 : 5. Walk in the light. 1 John 1 :7.
God is true. 2 Cor. 1 : 18. Walk in the truth. 3 John 4.
UPON CHRIST S SHOULDERS.
As High Priest the names of the tribes. Ex. 28 : 12.
As King the government. Isa. 9 : 6.
As Shepherd the lost sheep. Luke 15:5.
" WHAT SHALL I DO ? "
Asked by the people, the publicans, the soldiers who were
under conviction. Luke 3:10, 12, 14. Answer: Re
pent.
Asked by a certain lawyer, in order to test Christ. Luke
10:25. Answer: Obey.
220 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
Asked by a certain rich man, in a spirit of avarice. Luke
12:17.
Asked by the unjust steward, under examination. Luke
16:3.
Asked by a certain ruler, in a spirit of inquiry. Luke
18:18. Answer: Distribute.
Asked by Jesus, in compassion Luke 18 : 41.
Asked by the Lord of the vineyard, in long suffering.
Luke 20: 13.
A cake made out of memories will do for a bite now and
then, but makes poor daily bread. We want the pres
ent enjoyment of God.
WITH ONE ACCORD.
Unanimity in prayer. Acts 1 : 14; 4 : 24.
Unanimity as to place. Acts 2:1, 46; 5 : 12.
Unanimity in giving heed to the word. Acts 8 : 6.
Unanimity as to peace in the church. Acts 15 : 25.
Unanimity in glorifying God. Horn. 15 : 6.
The iray of the world :
Unanimity in hatred and enmity against the truth.
Joshua 9: 2; Acts 7: 57; 18:12; 19:29.
Unanimity in diplomacy. Acts 12 : 20.
THE WORLD 18 OURS. 1 COR. 3 : 22.
A field for sowing. John 4 : 35 ; 2 Cor. 9 : 6.
An arena for contest and race. 1 Cor. 9 : 25, 26.
A school in which we graduate. Isa. 54 : 13.
A desert for pilgrim experience. Song of Solomon 8:5;
Heb. 11 : 13.
MISCEL LA NEO US. 221
ONE THING.
Not one thing hath failed. Joshua 23 : 14. God s promises.
One thing have I desired. Ps. 27 : 4. Communion.
One thing befalleth. Eccl. 3 : 19. Death.
One thing lacking. Mark 10 : 21. Conversion.
One thing needful. Luke 10 : 42. The listening ear.
One thing I know. John 9 : 25. Assurance.
One thing I do. Phil. 3 : 13. Progress.
Be not ignorant of this one thing. 2 Peter 3 : 8. The
Lord s return.
Demas fell, through the world. 2 Tim. 4 : 10.
David fell, through the flesh. 2 Sam. 11 : 2-4.
Peter fell, through the devil. Matt. 16 : 23.
FIRE FROM HEAVEN.
Denoting acceptance of sacrifices.
Gen. 15 : 17. Abraham.
Lev. 9 : 24. Altar of burnt offering.
Judges 6 : 21. Gideon.
1 Kings 18 : 24-38. Elijah.
1 Chron 21 : 26. David.
2 Chron. 7 : 1-3. Solomon.
TRANSFIGURED TRANSLATED TRANSFORMED.
Christ
Was transfigured on the mount. Matt. 17 : 2.
Was translated at His ascension. Acts 1 : 9. Compare
Heb. 11:5.
222 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
We-
, Are translated at conversion. Col. 1 : 13.
Are being transformed by sanctification. Rom. 12 : 2.
Expect to be translated at His coming. 1 Thess. 4 :
16, 17.
Shall be transfigured when we see Him. 1 John 3 : 2.
JUSTIFICATION.
By God, the author of it. Rom. 3 : 26.
By Grace, the source of it. Rom. 3 : 24.
By Blood, the ground of it. Rom. 5 : 9.
By Faith, the principle of it. Rom. 3 : 28 ; 5:1.
By the Resurrection of Jesus, the acknowledgment of it.
Rom. 4 : 25.
By Works, the manifestation of it. James 2 : 21-25.
Sin w, Jesu* Christ is,
Folly. Ps. 38 : 5. Wisdom. 1 Cor. 1 : 30.
Darkness. Col. 1 : 13. Light. John 1 : 9.
Poison. Num. 21 : 6 ; The Antidote. Num. 21:9;
Ps. 58:4. John 3:14, 15.
Sickness. 1 Cor. 11 : 30. Health. Mai. 4 : 2.
God wants as a sacrifice our persons. Rom. 12 : 1.
our property. Phil. 4 :18.
our praises. Heb. 13 : 15.
MARY AT THE FEET OF JESUS.
The prophet, teaching her. Luke 10 : 39.
The priest, comforting her. John 11 : 32.
The king, anointed by her. John 12 :3.
MISCELLANEOUS. 223
Sin past, present, and future recognized and provided
for : -
Past. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a
liar. 1 John 1 : 10.
Present. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive our
selves. 1 John 1 : 8.
Future. If any man sin, we have an advocate with the
Father. 1 John 2:1.
FAINT NOT.
In prayer. Luke 18 : 1.
In confidence. 2 Cor. 4:1.
In hope. 2 Cor. 4 : 16.
In work. Gal. 6 : 9.
At tribulations. Eph. 3 :13.
In well-doing. 2 Thess. 3:13.
Under chastening and rebuke. Heb. 12:5.
IT 18 THE PRIVILEGE AND DUTY OP
The Lord s people (Matt. 1 : 21 ; 2 Cor. 6:16), on
" day (Acts 20 : 7 ; Rev. 1 : 10), to gather
around
" table (1 Cor. 10 : 21), to eat
" " supper (1 Cor. 11 : 20), in remembrance of
" death (1 Cor. 11 : 26), discerning
<- body (1 Cor. 11 : 29), until
" coming (1 Cor. 11 : 26), all linked together
in
name (Matt. 18:20).
224 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
" BUT FOB A MOMENT."
>
The hypocrite s joy. Job 20 : 5.
The Lord s anger. Ps. 30 : 5.
The liar s tongue. Prov. 12 :19.
Our light affliction. 2 Cor. 4 : 17.
WHEN YOU HAVE CROSSED JORDAN,
Beware of idolatry. Deut. 4 : 15-24.
He not unequally yoked with unbelievers. Deut. 7 : 1-3.
Beware lest thine heart be lifted up. Deut. 8 : 11-18.
Be separate. Deut. 18:9-14.
Be honest and upright. Deut. 19:14.
Be courageous. Deut. 20 : 3-4.
Destroy the Lord s enemies. Deut. 25 : 19.
Give the firstfruits to God. Deut. 26 : 1, 2.
Love and obey the Lord. Deut. 30 : 20.
God working for us. 1 Sam, 14 :6.
God working in us. Heb. 13, 21 ; Phil. 2 : 13.
God working by us. 2 Cor. 5 : 20.
God working with us. Mark 16 :20; 2 Cor. 6:1.
OUR DWELLING PLACE.
1. " One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek
after ; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the
Lord, and to inquire in His temple. " Ps. 27 : 4.
2. "He that dwelhth in the secret place of the Most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Ps.
91:1.
MISCELLANEOUS. 225
3. " Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all genera
tions." Ps. 90:1.
"PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OP GOD.
Eph. 6: 11-17.
The girdle of truth (for service). "I am the truth." John
14:6.
The breast-plate of righteousness (for the affections).
The Lord our Righteousness. " Jer. 23 : 6.
The sandals of the preparation of the gospel of peace (for
walk). " He is our peace. " Eph. 2 : 14.
The shield of faith (for temptation). "The author and
finisher of our faith. " Heb. 12:2.
The helmet of salvation (for protection). "The Lord is
my salvation." Ps. 27 : 1.
The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (for de
fence). " The Word was God. " John 1 : 1.
" Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 13 : 14.
CHRIST ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES.
The triumphal entry. Luke 19 : 29, 37.
Weeping over Jerusalem. Luke 19 : 41-44.
Prophetic teaching. Matt. 24; 25.
The night watches. Luke 21 : 37 ; 22 : 39.
The agony in the garden. Matt. 26 : 30.
The ascension (the last spot upon which He stood). Acts
1:12.
The coming again (the next place on which His feet shall
stand). Zech. 14 : 4.
15
226 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
HEBRON.
The place of Separation. Gen. 13 : 18.
The place of Worship. Gen 13 : 18.
The starting point for Victory. Gen. 14 : 13.
The place of Communion. Gen. 18:1, 33.
The place of Promise. Gen. 18 : 10, 14.
The place of Intercession. Gen. 18 : 23-32.
The place of Conquest. Joshua 10 : 36, 37.
A city of Refuge. Joshua 21 : 11, 13.
The place of Weeping. 2 Sam. 3 : 32.
The place of Union. 2 Sam. 5:1.
The place of Anointing. 2 Sam. 5 : 3.
The place of Sovereignty. 2 Sam. 5 : 5.
NO DIFFERENCE.
Condemnation. "There is no difference: for all have
sinned and come short of the glory of God. " Rom. 3 :
22, 23.
Salvation. "There is no difference . . . for the same
Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him."
Rom. 10: 12.
THE CUP.
1. The cup of wrath, which all deserve. " For in the hand
of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red ; it is
full of mixture ; and he poureth out of the same ;
but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth
shall wring them out, and drink them. " Ps. 75 : 8.
2. The cup of salvation, offered to all. "I will take the
cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. "
Ps. 116 :13.
MISCELLANEOUS. 227
3. The cup of blessing, for believers. My cup runneth
over. " Ps. 23 : 5.
4. The cup of suffering, which all must drink. "But
Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask.
Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink
of ? " Matt. 20 : 22.
5. TJie cup of consolation, also for believers. "Neither
shall men tear themselves for them in mourning, to
comfort them for the dead ; neither shall men give
them the cup of consolation to drink for their father
or for their mother." Jer. 16 : 7.
6. A cup of refreshing, which all may give. And who
soever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones
a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple,
verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his
reward." Matt. 10 : 42.
7. The cup of communion and testimony, for believers.
" After the same manner also he took the cup, when
he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament
in my blood : this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in re
membrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread,
and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord s death till
he come." 1 Cor. 11 : 25, 26.
The great outlet of sin is the tongue ; the great inlets of
temptation are the ear and the eye ; but of the whole
body the heart is mistress. Therefore let grace rule
the heart, and the whole man shall be subject.
TWO SITTINGS.
Christ fans to get rid of the chaff. Matt. 3 : 12.
Satan sifts to get rid of the wheat. Luke 22 : 31.
228 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
AT ROME.
Judgment escaped. Ex. 9 : 19.
Work sifted. Haggai 1 : 9.
Labors ended. Luke 17:7.
With the Lord. 2 Cor. 5 : 8.
CHRISTIAN PROGRESS.
Onward. Kx. 40 : 36.
Forward. Ezek. 1 : 9-12.
Not backward. Jer. 7 : 24 ; 15:6.
Upward. Eccl. 3 : 21 ; Prov. 15 : 24.
Still upward. Ezek. 41 : 7.
Godward. 1 Thess. 1 : 8.
Homeward. Isa. 14:17 (margin).
Heavenward. Acts 1:10.
Toward the mark. Phil. 3:14.
WHO 18 MY NEIGHBOR ?
The one who needs my help. Luke 10 : 29.
The one with whom 1 can share the lamb. Ex. 12 : 4.
There is a great difference between sin dwelling, and reign
ing in us. It dwells in every believer, but reigns in the
unbeliever.
God has two thrones, one in the highest heavens, the other
in the lowliest heart.
The blood alone makes us safe. The Word alone makes us
sure.
MISCELLANEOUS. 229
We are, as to our bodies, in Egypt :
" " " experience, in the wilderness:
" " " faith, in the Holy Land.
THE LAMB OF GOD.
On the altar. John 1 : 29.
On the throne. Rev. 5: 6.
In eternity. 1 Peter 1:19, 20.
THE JOY OF THE LORD.
The shepherd s joy over his sheep. Luke 15: 5, 7.
The seeker s joy " the piece of silver. Luke 15:9.
The father s joy " the prodigal. Luke 15: 24.
The purchaser s joy " the treasure. Matt. 13:44.
The healer s joy " the cleansed ones. Jer. 33:9.
The Creator s joy " His works. Ps. 104:31.
The sower s joy " the sheaves. Ps. 126:6.
The father s joy " his wise child. Prov. 23:24; 17:21.
The king s joy " the willing people. 1 Chron. 29:
9-17.
The Master s joy " His disciples. John 15:11.
The bridegroom s joy over his bride. Isa. 62: 5.
" Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matt. 25: 21.
SIMILES OF UNION BETWEEN CHRIST AND THE BELIEVER.
As father and son. John 17: 21.
As Adam and the race. 1 Cor. 15:22.
As food with the body. John 6 : 56, 67.
230 NOTES FROM M7 BIBLE.
As stones in a building. Eph. 2: 20-22.
As a vine and its branches. John 15:5.
As the body and the head. Eph. 4: 15, 16.
As bride and bridegroom. Eph. 5:31, 32.
SEVEN CHANGES.
A changed mind. Repentance.
" " heart. Regeneration.
" " life. Conversion.
" " standing. Justification.
" " relationship. Sonship.
" " sen-ice. Sanctification.
" " body. .Glorification.
FOUR TYPICAL MEN IN GENESIS, AND THEIR BRIDES.
Adam (human nature) : his bride part of himself.
Isaac (death and resurrection): his bride fetched by the
Hoi}* Spirit.
Jacob (the servant): his bride the fruit of his labor.
Joseph (the head of his brethren): his bride nearer to him
than his brethren.
ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES.
Compare :
David weeping over his rejection by Jerusalem. 2 Sam.
15 : 30.
Jesus weeping over His rejection by Jerusalem. Luke
19:41.
David foretelling his return. 2 Sam. 15 : 25.
MISCELLANEOUS. 231
Jesus foretelling His return. Matt. 24; 25.
David contemplating his habitation. 2 Sam. 15 : 25.
Jesus contemplating the temple. Mark 13 : 3.
David wont to worship there. 2 Sam. 15 : 32.
Jesus wont to resort thither. Luke 22 : 39.
David s servants sharing his rejection. 2 Sam. 16 : 6.
Jesus servants sharing His rejection. John 15 : 20.
David forbidding his servants to take vengeance.
2 Sam. 16:9, 10.
Jesus forbidding His servants to take vengeance.
Matt. 26 : 51-53.
David s reward for his faithful servant. 1 Kings 2 : 7.
Jesus reward for His faithful servant. Luke 22 : 25-30.
Contrast :
A sorrowful procession. 2 Sam. 15.
A joyful procession. Luke 19:35-38.
David cursed by Shimei. 2 Sam. 16 : 5-8, 13.
Jesus kissed by the traitor. Luke 22 : 47, 48.
David s servants on his right hand and on his left.
2 Sam. 16:6.
Jesus forsaken by His disciples. Mark 14 : 50.
Shimei cursing as he went. 2 Sam. 16:13.
Jesus blessing as He went. Luke 24 : 50.
Never was there a lock of soul-trouble yet, but there was a
key to it in God s word.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesuer
Christ " -
Who hath blessed us. Eph. 1 : 3. Past.
Who comforteth us. 2 Cor. 1 : 3, 4. Present.
232 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
Who hath begotten us again unto a lively hope.
1 .Peter 1 : 3. Future.
CHRIST 8 SHORTEST ANSWERS.
"Go." Matt. 8:32.
"Come." Matt. 14:29.
NEW YEAR 8 DAYS.
Atonement. Ezek. 45 : 18.
Cleansing. 2 Chron. 29: 17.
Obedience. Ezra 10:17.
Starting on a journey. Ezra 7 : 9.
Worship. Ex. 40 : 2.
Fears removed. Gen. 8:13.
The word of the Lord came. Ezek. 29 : 17.
Keep away from places where people say to you, " I did n t
expect to see you here I "
THE TENDERNESS OP OOD.
As a father pitieth. Ps 103 : 13.
As a mother comforteth. Isa. 66 : 13.
As a hen gathereth. Matt. 23 : 37.
As an eagle fluttereth. Deut. 32 : 11.
As a nurse cherisheth. 1 Thess. 2 : 7.
As a shepherd seeketh. Ezek. 34 : 12.
As a refiner sitteth. Mai. 3 : 3.
As a bridegroom rejoiceth. Isa. 62 : 5.
MISCELLANEOUS. 233
HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES.
1. Pray earnestly for divine illumination. Ps. 119 : 18.
2. Meditate devoutly on the truths revealed. Ps. 119 : 97.
3. Inquire honestly, with a readiness to do the will of
God when revealed. Acts 8 : 31-38.
4. Compare scripture with scripture. 1 Cor. 2:13.
A change of heart in regeneration is,
1. Essential. Man may be saved without friends,
money, honor, but not without the new birth. John
3 : 3, 5.
2. Thorough and universal. 2 Cor. 5 : 17. " All things
are become new."
3. Above nature. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Eph. 1:19.
A SCRIPTURAL SUM.
The text for the following Scriptural sum may be found in
2 Peter 1 : 5-7. It is as follows :
Add to your faith, virtue.
Add to your virtue, knowledge.
Add to your knowledge, temperance.
Add to temperance, patience.
Add to patience, godliness.
Add to godliness, brotherly kindness.
Add to brotherly kindness, charity.
Answer. For if these things be in you, and abound, they
make you that ye shall be neither barren nor unfruit
ful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
234 NOTES FROM MY BIBLE.
, THE LORD S PRATER.
1. Our Fattier believers are children. John 1 : 12, 13;
Gal. 3 :26 ; 1 John 5 : 1.
2. Hallowed be Thy name believers are worshipers. John
4 : 23 ; Phil. 3 : 3.
3. Thy kingdom come believers are subjects. Luke 12 :
32 ; 22 : 29, 30.
4. TJiy icill be done believers are servants. John 12 : 26 ;
Rom. 6 : 1G ; 1 Peter 2 : 1C.
5. Give us our need/it I food believers are beggars. Matt.
7 : 7-11 ; John 14 : 13, 14.
6. Forgive our trespasses believers are sinners. Rom. 7 :
21 ; 1 John 1 : 8, 9.
7. Deliver us from evil believers are saints. Rom. 1:7;
1 Cor. 1 : 2 ; 2 Tim. 1 : 9.
SEVEN VOICES OF JESUS.
Shepherd s "Follow me." John 10 : 27.
Masters " Occupy." Luke 19 : 13.
Saviours " Come unto me." Matt. 11 : 28.
Teachers " Learn of me." Matt. 11 : 29.
Bridegrooms Open to me. " Songs of Sol. 5 : 2.
Friend s "I will sup with him." Rev. 3 :20.
Physician s Wilt thou be made whole ? " John 5 : G.
BIBLE SIGNALS.
Danger : " The wages of sin is death." Rom. 6 : 23.
Caution: "Try the spirits whether they be of God."
1 John 4 :1.
Safety : Christ Jesus came into the world to save sin
ners." 1 Tim 1 :15.
MISCELLANEOUS. 235
Protection: " The Lord shall preserve thy going out and
thy coming in." Ps. 121 : 8.
Theodore Monod said : " After all, obedience is the best
commentary on the Bible. Do, and you will knoio."
JESUS CHRIST, A SAVIOUR OP ALL CLASSES.
1 . The Astronomer Christ, the Bright and Morning Star.
Rev. 22 :16.
2. The Baker Christ, the True Bread. John 6 : 32.
3. The Botanist Christ, the Plant of Renown. Ezek. 34:
29.
4. The Builder Christ, the Foundation. Isa. 28:16.
Christ, the Chief Corner Stone. 1 Peter 2 : 6.
5. The Carpenter Christ, a nail fastened in a sure place.
Isa. 22 : 23.
6. The Electrician Christ, the Light of the world. John
8, 12.
7. The Fanner Christ, a Corn of Wheat. John 12 : 24.
8. The Florist Christ, the Rose and the Lily. Cant.
2 :1.
9. The Geologist Christ, the Rock of Ages. 1 Cor. 10:4.
10 The Herbalist Christ, a Cluster of Camphire. Cant.
1:14. Christ, the Root of Jesse. Isa. 11 : 10.
ll^The Horticulturist Christ, the True Vine. John
15 :1.
12. The Lawyer Christ, the Testator or Covenanter.
Heb. 9 :16, 17.
13. The Merchant Christ, the Pearl of great price. Matt.
13 :46.
23G NOTES FROM MT BTKLE.
14. The Physician Christ, the Balm of Gilead. Jer.
8 : 22.
15. TJie Sailor Christ, a refuge from the storm. Isa.
25:4.
16. The Shepherd Christ, the Lamb without blemish and
without spot. 1 Peter 1 : 19.
FIVE "IPS TO BEWARE OP.
1. "If thou wilt." Luke 5 : 12. Doubt of divine will
ingness.
2. "If thou canst." Mark 9 : 22. Doubt of divine power.
3. "If I may." Matt. 9:21. Doubt of personal fitness.
4. "If it be thqu." Matt. 14 : 28. Doubt of divine word.
5. "If the Lord would make windows in heaven." 2 Kings
7 : 2. Doubt of divine providence.
8EVEN-POLD REJECTION OP CHRIST.
His own World. John 1:10.
" Nation. John 1 : 11.
" Country. Mark G : 4.
" City. . Luke 4 : 29.
" Kindred. John 7:5.
" Elders and chief priests and scribes. Luke
9 :22.
" Disciple. Mark 14: 71.
Frederick B. Meyer, B. A.
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