Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 37

To obey is better than sacrifice, the Lord hath said; To harken when He commandeth, than an offering made.

All ye who say, "There is naught to do since Christ doth save,"

Remember what He commands you in the Book He gave.

Remember only the doers of the word are blessed; 'Tis well to hear and believe it, but to do is best.

F. E. BELDEN.

PART IV. LIFE, PARABLES, AND MIRACLES OF CHRIST

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Immanuel-G.o.d With Us. "In the beginning was the Word.... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." John 1:1-14. "He Was Wounded For Our Transgressions, He Was Bruised For Our Iniquities: The Chastis.e.m.e.nt Of Our Peace Was Upon Him; And With His Stripes We Are Healed." Isa. 53:5.

Birth, Childhood, And Early Life Of Christ

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The Flight Into Egypt. "Arise, ... and flee into Egypt." Matt. 2:13.

1. In what promise was a Saviour from sin first revealed?

"And the Lord said unto the serpent, ... I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and _her seed_; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel." Gen. 3:14, 15.

2. Through whom was a restoration of the lost dominion promised to Abraham?

"To thee will I give it, and to _thy seed_ forever." Gen. 13:15.

3. Who was this promised seed?

"He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is _Christ_." Gal. 3:16.

4. Where was Christ to be born?

"And ... he [Herod] demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, _In Bethlehem of Judea_." Matt. 2:4-6. See Micah 5:2.

5. Of whom was Christ to be born?

"Behold, _a virgin_ shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel." Isa. 7:14.

NOTE.-Immanuel means "G.o.d with us." See Matt. 1:23.

6. Before His birth, what did the angel say to Joseph concerning the naming of the child?

"And she shall bring forth a son, and _thou shalt call His name Jesus_: for He shall save His people from their sins." Matt. 1:21.

7. At His birth, what message did the angel bring to the shepherds abiding in the field?

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, _I bring you good tidings of great joy_, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10, 11.

8. In what song of praise did a host of angels join?

"And suddenly there was with the angel a mult.i.tude of the heavenly host praising G.o.d, and saying, _Glory to G.o.d in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men_." Verses 13, 14.

9. What prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled at Christ's birth?

"_For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given_: and the government shall be upon His shoulder." Isa. 9:6.

10. What did the prophet say His name should be called?

"And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty G.o.d, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end." Verses 6, 7.

11. What did the devout Simeon say when he saw the child Jesus?

"And when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law, then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed G.o.d, and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel." Luke 2:27-32.

12. How did the aged prophetess Anna express herself at the sight of Jesus?

"And she coming in that instant _gave thanks likewise unto the Lord_, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem." Verse 38.

13. What did the wise men of the East do when they had found Jesus?

"When they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and _fell down, and wors.h.i.+ped Him_: and when they had opened their treasures, they _presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh_." Matt. 2:11.

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The Visit Of The Shepherds. "And they came with haste, and found ... the babe lying in a manger." Luke 2:16.

14. How came Jesus to live for a time in Egypt?

"And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child, and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him." Verse 13.

15. How does the revelator describe this satanic desire to destroy Christ?

"And the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born." Rev. 12:4.