Scripture itself the illustrator : a manual of illustrations gathered from scriptural figures, phrases, types, derivations, chronology, texts, &c., adapted for the use of preachers and teachers

Preface

It is now seven years since the Second Series of " Illustrative Gatherings " was first published ; in the preface to which I promised {D. V) to bring out another volume, consisting of Illustrations, especially from Scripture. From various causes, I have been prevented from carrying out the design, so soon as I had hoped. I have now, however, the pleasure of announcing its completion.

In introducing the present work to the Christian public, a few words may be said as to its plan : —

The title of itself furnishes the general object I have in view, — to gather illustrations on many subjects from Scripture itself. In "Illustrative Gatherings," figures, emblems, anecdotes, &c., are culled from many fields, — biography, history, and general literature, with occasional illustrations

IV PEEFACE.

from Scripture. In the present work, the Scripture itself is made almost exclusively the source of illustration.

In attempting to gather a manual of illustration from such a field, I need scarcely add, that it is hut an attempt, — a specimen of what might be done more largely and completely: the scope afforded for such a work is necessarily inexhaustible. I have confined myself chiefly to the following sources of illustration : —

(1.) The figures and emblems of Scripture ; the many beautiful images and metaphors, which are for the most part familiar to every Bible student ; but are sometimes found only by a deeper search into the original languages or expressive idioms of the Word of life.

(2.) The expressions and phrases of Scripture ; the comprehensive periphrases or brief sentences which are often met with, describing character, duty, &c.

(3.) The meaning of the proper names of Scripture, so far as I have been able to ascertain them. In this very difficult department (where different writers frequently assign quite different derivations to the same word) I have chiefly followed the excellent works of the Eev. W. F. Wilkinson

PREFACE.

and the Eev. H. Jones on the subject, Bagster's Commentary wholly Biblical, and one or two other well-recognised authorities.

(4.) The chronology of Scripture, so far as it illustrates, e.g., God's forbearance in dealing with sinners, the trial of the believer's faith in long waiting for the fulfilment of God's word; Christian steadfastness, &c.

(5.) The coincidences of Scripture, which are frequently to be traced by comparing Scripture with Scripture.

(6.) The typology of Scripture. (7.) The institutions and design of the Mosaic Economy.

(8.) Lessons drawn from an examination of the chief characters of Scripture, exemplifying the principles of good and evil, with the results.

(9.) The explanation of particular Helrew and Greeh words used in connection with Scriptural subjects.

(10.) The explanation or illustration of particular texts, gathered from various authorities.

From these sources mainly, and from some others incidentally, the present compilation has been prepared; and, without speaking more than is meet of its value, I may say it is the result of

VI PREFACE.

nmcli very careful though pleasant labour for several years. In justice to myself I should add, that it has been compiled under considerable disadvantages,— a great part having been written away from my own home and books ; and also that, to confine it within a fixed limit, which T have thought desirable, I have been reluctantly compelled to compress much matter, and entirely to omit several articles which I had prepared. But such as it is, it is offered to the Church of Christ.

The idea may seem a very simple one ; but I have reason to believe its execution is unique. I have never met with any book written on the same plan ; nor can I, on inquiry, hear of any. Books of illustration from general sources abound; but though the Word of God is the great and infallible mine of Truth, no one, so far as I can ascertain, has classified any collection of figures, dates, coincidences, &c., on the present plan. Text-books, which simply furnish Scripture proofs and references, without tracing the comparison of dates, or giving the meaning of names, &c., have necessarily a different object.

It is therefore earnestly hoped that this new effort in the field of illustration, may be helpful and useful to preachers and teachers. God's Word

PREFACE. vii

written is the great standard of doctrine and fountain of truth ; and any one who helps to make that Word more searched and loved must be an instrument, however humble, of promoting the cause of Christ. May such be the blessed result of the present effort. Having had such constant and continued testimony to the value of the two series of "Illustrative Gatherings" from so many kinds of readers, I cannot but hope that the same usefulness may follow "Scripture itself the Illustrator." To the blessing of the Great Head of the Church, and to the Holy Spirit, from whom all grace and wisdom flow, it is now prayerfully and ho23eful]y committed.

G. S. BOWES.

The asterisk and double asterisk at the end of the titles of the different subjects, indicate that there are articles on the same subjects in the First and Second Series respectively of " Illustrative Gatherings," to which the reader is referred.

The abreviation Cf. stands for Compare ; Cone, for Concordance.

SCRIPTURE ITSELF THE ILLUSTRATOR.

ACCEPTANCE Divine.

How MANY precious lessons of Divine acceptance, may be gathered from what is recorded in connection with the ancient sacrifices.

(1.) The Lord was many times pleased to testify His acceptance of sacrifice visibly by fire, as doubtless in Abel's off'ering, Gen. iv. 4 ; in Aaron's first offering after the erection of the Tabernacle, Lev. ix. 24 ; in Gideon's offering, Judges vi. 21 ; in Manoah's, Judges xiii. 19, 20; in David's, 1 Chron. xxi. 26; in Solomon's, 2 Chron. vii. 1 ; in Elijah's, 1 Kings xviii. 38.

(2.) The Divine acceptance is marked equally of the offerings of thejjoor and of the rich. See Lev. i. — iv. The Levites' tithe of the tithe was to be reckoned to them "as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor or the fulness of the winepress," Num. xviii. 26, 27. Samuel's humble offering of one " sucking lamb,"

1 Sam. vii. 9, was far more acceptable than vast holocausts of pride and hypocrisy ; as in gospel history, the poor widow's mite was preferred before the abundant offerings of the rich, Mark xii. 43, 44 ; see

2 Cor. viii. 12.

A

(3.) The sacrifices are in many cases spoken of as "a sweet savour unto the Lord." See Cone. Cf. Noah's sacrifice after the flood, Gen. viii. 21 ; Aaron's ram and wave-offering, Exod. xxix. 18, 25 ; the Levitical offerings. Lev. i. 9, 13, 17 • ii. 2, 9, 12, &c.

We may beautifully compare under this allusion " the sweet savour " of spiritual offerings : the gospel ministry, 2 Cor. ii. 15 ; the love and liberality of the Church, Phil. iv. 18, &c. See also Ezek. xx. 40, 41 ; xliii. 27, for Israel's future.

(4.) Frankincense mixed with the offering, or placed npon the shewbread, was probably designed as a symbol of acceptance. Fragrant in its perfume, it shadowed forth the offering of faith, perfumed with the rich incense of the Saviour's merits.

Many terms are used expressive of the saints' acceptance. They are —

^^ Accepted in the Beloved" Eph. i. 6, exaptrwo-e?/, a word akin to grace — graciously accepted.

''Known of God;' Ps. i. 6 ; 1 Cor. viii. 3j 2 Tim. ii. 19.

''Approved;^ 1 Cor. xi. 9j 2 Tim. ii. 15; Eom. xvi. 10.

See Cone, under favour (as Prov. xii. 2 ; Cant. viii. 10 ; Ps. cvi. 4) ', finding grace, Gen. vi. 8 ; well-pleasing, Col. i. 10; iii. 20; 1 Tim. iii. 22; Heb. xi. 5; well done, Matt. xxv. 21, 23, &c.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son, Luke xv. 20 — 32, gives a beautiful representation of the Father's welcome of the returning sinner. — See Adoption.

Ambitious of Acceptance, 2 Cor. v. 9.— See

AmUtion.

The Lord Jesus. — The Father's acceptance of the Lord Oesus was testified abundantly. During His earthly ministry thrice by a voice from heaven, Matt, iii. 17 ; Luke ix. 35 ; John xii. 28 ; in His resurrection, Eom. i. 4 j in His exaltation, Phil. ii. 9 ; 1 Tim. iii. 16 — "received up" (the word is emphatic) "into glory." See also 2 Cor. \i. 2 ; Eph. v. 2, &c.

Cf. the rejection so often marked of the sacrifices and offerings of hypocrisy, Isa. i. 10 — 15 ; Prov. XV. 8; Jer. vi. 20; Hos. viii. 4; Amos v. 21—27; Micah vi. 7.

ACCESS TO GOD.* — See Alienation— Communion zvith God — Refuge. See Cone, under access — approach — drawing near — nigh, &c.

Even amongst men we know the difficulty thereoften is in obtaining access to a superior. Not only difference of rank, but insubordination and offenceserect a barrier. We have three examples of this in Scripture — of a wise ruler, a kind father,, a great king.

(1.) JosejyJi was a wise ruler, but his brethren might not see his face, except upon the condition he imposed, Gen. xliv. 23.

(2.) David was a kind father, but he forbad Absalom from coming into the royal presence for a time, 2 Sam. xiv. 24—28.

(3.) Ahasuerus was a great king; but, according to the law of his kingdom, it was death for any one tocome before the king, save those to whom the king held out the golden sceptre, Esther iv. 11 ; v. 2.

Under the Law the difficulty of access to the Most High, except through the intervention of sacrifice or mediation, was continually set forth.

The guards and barriers set around 3£ount Sinai testified of this, Exod. xix. 12; 21—25; Heb. xii. 18—21 : and afterwards, xxiv. 2.

In the Tabernacle service, the severe restriction laid upon the people — "the stranger that cometh nigh

4 SCEIPTURE ITSELF THE ILLUSTEATOE.

shall be put to death" — repeated in Numbers five times, i. 51 j iii. 10, 38; xvi. 40; xviii. 7. The people were not to enter the tabernacle, except as represented by the priests, nor the lyriests to enter into the Holy of Holies, but only the high priest, and he alone, once every year, not without blood, Heb. ix. 7. The Kohathites, when they carried the vessels of the sanctuary in their official capacity, were not to " touch any holy thing," nor " go in to see," lest they die. Num. iv. 15—20.

But UNDER THE GoSPEL, through Christ, "by a new and living way " believers have " access and confidence through faith," Heb. x. 19 — 22.

The vail is rent — " Before Christ died (says one), it was death to go within, except for the high priest, once a year. Now, since the vail has been rent, it is death to remain without."

Christ is the dom^ into the fold, John x. 7, 9 ; the way, xiv. 6 ; the High Priest through whom we have access, Heb. iv. 14—16; vii. 19, 25; x. 21, 22; like the high priest on the day of atonement. Lev. xvi. 12—15; Heb. x. 19—22.

Cherubim. — Hyde and many others derive the word cherubim from the Hebrew term meaning to draw near, approach. The cherubim, as many think, were emblems of the redeemed.

Cohen, the Hebrew word for priest, signifies to draw near. Access to the holy place was essentially a priestly privilege.

ADOPTION.*— See Eegeneration.

Titles of Adoption belonging to God's children. — See Cone, under Children (of God, of the living God, of the Father, of the Highest, children of the kingdom, of the light and of the day, children of promise, children of Zion, children of the resurrec-

SCEIPTUEE ITSELF THE ILLUSTKATOE. 5

tion, dear children, little children), sons of God, heirs of God, joint-heirs with Christ, heirs of the kingdom, heirs of salvation, &c.

Privileges of the adopted.

The few examples we have given of natural adoption, are all suggestive of kindness and protection on the part of the persons adopting, and of benefit and favour received by the adopted. (Joseph's sons, Gen. xlviii. 5,14:; Moses, Exod. ii. 10 ; Esther, Esther ii. 7.)

"We have heard of hopeless foundlings entertained by miracle, as young Cyrus in a shepherd's house, a cottage not much above the ground ; no likelihood of promotion there, yet exalted to a throne ; of Moses among the bulrushes, taken up to be the son of Pharaoh's daughter ; of David from the sheepfold advanced to the monarchy ; but no example holds proportion to this. It is of Lo-ruhamah and Lo-ammi we speak, the bastard fruit of fornication. That these should be fetched from accursed thraldom, and estated in the glorious liberty of the sons of God, this transcends all admiration." — Thos. Adams.

The parable of the prodigal son serves beautifully to illustrate the dignities and privileges of the believer's adoption. It sets forth at once the grace of the Father, and the spirit and privilege of the accepted son. The kiss, the robe, the ring, the shoes, the feast, were favours not given to slaves. Among the Romans and earlier nations, slaves were not allowed to wear shoes. (Cf. Isa. XX. 4.) Among the Romans, the master's inviting a slave to sit down with him at table was in itself regarded as an act of manumission ; from that time the slave was free.

Gal. iv. 6.— ''Abba, Father."

A beautiful word, used in His hour of suffering by Christ Himself, Mark xiv. 36, and now the privilege of all God's children, Rom. viii. 15 ; Gal. iv. 6. It is a word which belongs to children. No slave uses such language. It shows the likeness of spirit that Christ's members have to Christ. As He used it in the garden, it expressed His tender affection. His filial confidence, His undoubting trust. His earnest prayer. His entire submission to the Father's will. ' 'Abba, Father," — the Reformer b SCEIPTUEE ITSELF THE ILLUSTRATOR.

Becon translated it as equivalent to '■'■ Dear Eather." It is a word, also, which, being given both in Hebrew and Greek, is designed by the apostle to show that, whether we be Jew or Gentile, we are placed on the same footing by the gospel of Christ's grace.

(1.) Times of trouble are times when we often forget our sonship. Trouble frets the mind, and makes men look to second ■causes. But (2.) oh ! the comfort of calling to mind a Father's hand, and realising the loving correction of a Father's rod. Compare, too, (3.) the contrast between the undue leniency, or the over anxiety of earthly parents, with the unerring wisdom and unchanging kindness of "the Father of spirits." They correct their children according to their caprice, He corrects His for their profit.

The transfer in our adoption. (1.) It is well to understand what God's children are required to surrender. (2.) But it should never be forgotten how much they receive.

Eev. xxi. 7.

The riches of our inheritance through adoption. Could any promise go beyond this exceeding weight of glory ?

Texts which may be used hy iuay of illustration^ —

Deut. xxxii. 5, marg. — '^ Their sjDot is not the spot of His children."

The sin of rebellious Israel is a sad contrast to the holiness which should mark the true people of God ; or, as in the margin, " That they are not His children ; that is their blot."

2 Sam. xiii. 4. — " Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day?"

Jer. iii. 19. — ''How shall I put thee among the children'?"

How can the Holy One jDut backsliding Israel among His children ? The Lord Himself gives the answer : "And I said, Thou shalt call me. My Father," — be restored, like the returning prodigal ; "and thou shalt not turn away from me."

SCMPTUEE ITSELF THE ILLUSTEATOR. 7

Matt. V. 45. — " That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven."

Be the children — i.e., have a spirit like your Father.

ADVENT SECOND, op CHEIST.**

Three Greek words are used with reference to Christ's second coming —

Trapovcria occurs 16 times. aTTOKoXijxf/is occurs 5 times. 'eTTKpdveLa occvirs 5 times.

It is described by many figures and in many ways : —

The Bridegroom going forth to meet the Bride, Matt. XXV. 1—13.

The Master returning to distribute his awards, Luke xix. 12 ; Matt. xxiv. 43—51 ; xxv. 14—30.

The Time of Harvest, Matt. xiii. 30; Eev. xiv. 15; and of Vintage, Rev. xiv. 17 — 20.

The Breaking forth and dawn of day, (Cant. ii. 1 7 ; iv. 6) ; 2 Pet. i. 19.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb, Matt. xxii. 1 — 14; Rev. xix. 6—9.

The Times of refreshing, Acts iii, 19.

The Times of the restitution of all things. Acts iii. 21. Cf. Rom. viii. 21.

The Times of separation — when the gospel net shall be brought to shore, Matt. xiii. 47 — 50; and the Shepherd shall divide the sheep from the goats, Matt, xxv. 31—46.

" The day of our Lord Jesus Christ," 1 Cor. i. 8, spoken of emphatically as the one great day ("the day for which all other days were made "). Hence described as "that day" three times in one epistle, 2 Tim. i. 12—18; iv. 8; see also Mark xiii. 32. "That hour," Mark xiii. 32; John v. 28. The very frequent recurrence of the expression "in that day," through the prophets may be seen by the Concordance. It constantly refers to the great and final day. As an example see Zech. xii. — xiv., where the expression occurs fifteen times.

The day of the manifestation of the Son of God, Eom. viii. 19 ; 2 Cor. v. 11 (Greek), when "the Chief Shepherd shall appear," and His saints shall appear with Him in glory, 1 Pet. v. 4 ; Col. iii. 4.

Christ's Transfiguration was designed, many consider, to be a figurative representation of the Lord's second coming. See 2 Pet. i. 16.

The Feasts of the Jews. Sir Isaac Newton says the feasts of the seventh month (Feast of Trumpets, Tabernacles, &c.) were typical of Christ's second coming.

That blessed hope. Tit. ii. 13. From the earliest times, the prophecy of the Advent runs through all the dispensations. It was foretold by Enoch, Jude 14; by Job, xix. 25 — 27; by Balaam, Num. xxiv. 17; by the Psalmist, Ps. 1.; xcv. — xcvii. ; xcviii. ; &c. ; by Isaiah, xxiv. 23 ; xxv. 9, &c. ; by Daniel, vii. 13, 14 ; by Zechariah, xiv. 3 ; by Malachi, iii. 1 ; iv. 1, 2, and in many other places.

The Suddenness of Christ's coming is illustrated

The lightning flash — alike sudden, terrible, irresistible. Matt. xxiv. 27.

A snare or trap, Luke xxi. 35, surprising the secure and unsuspecting.

A thief in the night, Matt. xxiv. 43 ; 1 Thess. v. 2 ; Eev. xvi. 15.

It will he unlooJcedfor by a gay and scoffing world.

" As it was in the days of Noah," and " of Lot," Luke xvii. 26 — 30. See also Luke xviii. 8; 2 Pet. iii. 3—10.

Nevertheless there is a waiting for it.

The ichole creation is earnestly expecting the great day of liberation, (expecting, as the Greek word imports, like one stretching out the neck with longing looks), Eom. viii. 19 — 22.

The Church of Christ is waiting — groaning for complete redemption, Rom. viii. 23. The members of Christ's Church are now, and will be, "looking," "watching," "praying," "waiting" for His appearing— loving the anticipation, and hasting towards it ; like the wise virgins waiting for the Bridegroom, Matt. XXV. 1 — 13; like the wise servant waiting for the master. Matt. xxiv. 45, 46 ; Luke xii. 35, 36 ; like patient labourers waiting for the earth's ripe fruits, Jas. v. 7, 8 ; like those night watchers who keep their garments, and are not like watchmen sleeping at their posts, Rev. xvi. 15.

Acts i. 11. — "This same Jesus shall so come in like manner."

" This venj Jesus." — The great God our Saviour, known still by the name He received in His humiliation. "This very Jesus shall so come again." The emphasis is made very strong by the repetition, " shall so come in like manner," i. e., so corporeally, so visibly, so gloriously.

Christ's three appearings : on earth, He appeared ''to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself ; " in heaven, He now appears "in the presence of God for us ; " from heaven, He will appear " the second time, without sin unto salvation."

Christ's longing for His Church, and the Church's longing towards Christ, both meet in the one central point of the blessed Advent. A vessel is swiftly borne onwards by wind and tide to shore ; the children, expecting a long absent father's return, are waiting to receive that vessel on the beach. Even so we may compare the blessed meeting of the Lord of glory with His people, He hastening to them, and they longing to welcome Him.

I. and II. Thessalonians. — It is often remarked that these two epistles contain an allusion to the second advent in every chapter ; and it is deeply interesting to trace the different views and applications of the great doctrine in these eight chapters, whether for warning, terror, comfort, hope, or rest.

Heb. X. 37.— "Yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry."

Two diminutives — " a little while ; " and three affirmatives — "He that shall come," &c.

Eev. iii. 11; xxii. 7, 12, 20.— "Behold, I come quickly."

How are these texts to be reconciled with the long time the Church has already had to wait ? and with our Lord's words — Matt. XXV. 19 — "after a long time ? " We must compare Scripture with Scripture. The Lord is Himself any moment "ready to judge the quick and the dead," 1 Pet. iv. 5. But the Church is not ready, nor will she he till the time shall come spoken of, Eev. xix. 7 ; xxi. 2. As Esther, when king Ahasuerus took her to be his wife, must first be purified and made meet, Esther ii. 9 — 12, so it is with the Bride, the Lamb's wife.

1 Cor. xvi. 22. — " If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha."

i.e., "accursed" — "the Lord cometh ! " So solemnly St. Paul closes his longest letter ; pointing onwards, with all the weight of an apostle's authority, and the affection of a father's love, — to the day for which all other days were made.

Eev. xxii. 20. — "Surely I come quickly; Amen. Even so, come. Lord Jesus.

The appropriate closing of the Book of Eevelation. The last words of the Lord Jesus to the Church — sweet words of grace, of certainty, and hope. " Surelt/ I come quickly." Well may the Church make answer, in the words of the beloved disciple, " Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

AFFLICTION and TRIAL. *-^*— See ^aj^rmiV?/— Trial of.

It is a fact of deep significance, that of the many figures which abound in the Scriptures, those for affliction and trial are most numerous. The following are amongst the most common : —

Baptism (of suffering), bonds, broken, bruised, crushed (like herbs, fruits, olives, &c.), a broken vessel, captivity and imprisonment, cross, cup, darkness, day of gloom, mourning, dove, fighting, fire, furnace, the friction of precious stones, the melting of precious metals, medicine, ploughshare, purging, pruning, rod, storm and tempest, thorns, deep waters, waves, billows, floods, rivers, valley, wormwood and gall.

Names of Persons, expressive of trial and sorrow.

Baanah (son of affliction), five persons are so called; Benoni (son of my sorrow) ; Jabez (sorrowful) ; Marah (bitter), see Euth i. 20 ; Beriah (calamity) ; Chilion (wasting away); Job (probably persecuted or wearied); Mary (the large family of names like Mary — Mary, Miriam, Marah, Merari, Meraiah, Merioth, Imrah — the pervading root of all is that of bitterness, i.e., of trouble or sorrow).

Names of Places associated with sorrow, all of which have also the association of relief and deliverance, most of joy and triumph.

Mount Moriah — Where Abraham's faith was tried, and Abraham's sacrifice was spared, and Abraham's trust was honoured.

Burimig Bush — Burning, but not consumed.

Marah — The bitter waters sweetened.

The Wilderness — The scene of Israel's wanderings, and no less of Israel's mercies ; of the manna and the smitten rock ; of Elim's wells and palms, &c., and Canaan at the end.

Valley of Achor — For a door of hope.

Cherith and Zarephath — Want supplied. Valley of Baca — Turned into a well.

Mount Olivet — The scene of the Redeemer's agony, and His triumphant ascension.

The LARGE NUMBER OF WORDS expressive of sorrow in our own language, may be traced out in Concordances ; the derivations of which often suggest many beautiful thoughts, as, e. g. —

Trouble (there are no less than ten different words or phrases rendered by our translators " Trouble ") • tribulation (a word derived from trihulum, the Roman threshing instrument or roller, which was afterwards applied to the separating power of trial in the human heart) ; affliction (from affligo, properly to throw or dash on the ground, to demolish) ; anguish, bitterness, calamity (properly a laying of corn, beaten down by heavy rain or storms of hail) ; chastening, crushed, distress, grief, heaviness, brought low, mourning, sorrow, sighing, smitten, suffering, overwhelmed, weeping, wounded, &c.

May we not safely say, there is no hook of the Bible which has not some reference to trial, whilst many parts are full of reference to the subject 1

In the Book of Psalms, e.g., out of one hundred and fifty psalms, it is reckoned that in ninety some allusion is found to suffering !

There is no saint in the Bible, of whose history we have any lengthened record, who was not called to endure trouble in some form ; and very frequently the most eminent saints were most tried. Those who were called to important services, were generally trained in the school of affliction.

AFFLICTION and TRIAL, Divine dealings

IN. — See Cone, under melting — trying — purifyino-

scourging — chastening — correcting — smiting, &c.

The Lord chastens His people with tenderness and love, —

As a Failm- corrects and trains his children, Prov. iii. 12; Heb. xii. 7; Deut. viii. 2—6.

As a Refiner purifies gold and silver, Isa. xlviii. 10 : Zech. xiii. 9 ; Mai. iii. 2, 3.

As a Hushandman dresses and prunes the fruittrees under his care, John xv. 2.

^ 2 Cor. xii. 7 ; Phil. i. 29 ; Ps. Iv. 22 (marg.) Afflictions are a Father's gift, John xviii. 11.

Isa. xxvii. 7; Jer. xxx. 11 ; xlvi. 28.

*'In measure," i.e., in moderation : but there is much beauty in our translation. God's corrections are measured like medicines, first weighed out before administered, and they are administered in mercy. We need never fear there being one grain beyond the needful limit, Ps. Ixsviii. 38 ; ciii. 10, 14.

James v. 11.— ''Ye have seen the end of the Lord."

The heaviest trials have an end ; and the Lord has provided for the end from the beginning — the beginning of trouble is often Satan's work, but the end is the Lord's.

Ishmael was the first child whose name was divinelyappointed; the name means "God hath heard, or will hear" (thy affliction). Gen. xvi. 11.

Reuben, the first son born to Jacob. "Surely," said Leah, "the Lord hath looked upon my affliction," Gen. xxix. 32.

AFFLICTION and TEIAL, Benefit of.— See in Text-Books and in Cone.

(1.) Afflictions and trials are spoken of as marks of sonship, Heb. xii. 7, 8 ; Job xxi. 9 ; Ps. Ixxiii. 5,

Iv. 19 ; Jer. xlviii. 11 ; and of privilege, Phil. i. 29 j 2 Cor. xii. 7. It is noteworthy in the seven churches, that those which are marked by deadness and lukewarmness (Sardis and Laodicea), had no apparent trial, no special opposition or persecution, no controversy ; whereas in one of the most faithful, Smyrna (whose name is probably closely allied in derivation to myrrh, which is most fragrant when bruised and crushed), there was fierce trial and bitter opposition to contend against.

(2.) Most Scriptural biographies bear full illustration of the blessed benefit of sanctified trial.

Abraham — See Faith, Trial of.

Job — A beautiful example of the blessing of sanctified trial, most meekly borne at first, i. 19 ; ii. 10. See how at last the end of the Lord was seen, xl. 3—5 ; xlii. 10—12.

Joseph — It is not improbable that the high elevation of Joseph might have been fatal to him, if he had not been prepared for it first, by suffering so much and so long.

ManasseJi — 2 Chron. xxxiii. 12, 13. Bound with cords of affliction, he was by God's mercy loosed from the bonds of sin.

Hezehiah — Isa. xxxviii. 16. ''By these things (all these trials thou dost send) men live."

Nebuchadnezzar — Proud and haughty; made humble and contrite, Dan. iv. 34 — 37.

Ephraim — Jer. xxxi. 18 — 20.

The j>rodigal — Luke xv. 16 — 20.

Lazarus — John xi. 4, 45.