What is What do you purest, and most valuable of metals. frankincense? A gum, which, when burning, gives a very sweet smell. What is myrrh? A bitter gum, used in embalming the dead. mean by embalming the dead? keep the body from corrupting. Were these gifts, which the Magi presented, of much value? Yes; they were accounted very precious. Why did they Using means to bring these offerings? It was customary for Eastern nations to bring presents to their kings. Was it foretold that these gifts would be presented to the Messiah? Yes; Isaiah predicted, They shall bring gold and incense ;* and the Psalmist also foretold the same.t 12. When the wise men had worshipped Christ, and presented their gifts, whither did they depart ? "Into their own country." Did they return by the same way they came? No; they took a different road. What induced them to return by a different road? They were "warned of God, in a dream, that they should not return to Herod." Had Herod charged them to return to him? Yes. Is it likely they would have returned to Herod, if they had been left to themselves? It is most likely they would, having no suspicion of the king's wicked purpose. What was that wicked purpose? See ver. 7. 13. To whom was the secret purpose of Herod known? To the Almighty, who knoweth the secrets of the * Isaiah Ix. 6. + Psalm 1xxii. 10. heart.* To whom did God make known the design which Herod had formed? To Joseph. How was the knowledge of it communicated to Joseph ? "In a dream." By what messenger was the information sent? By an angel of the Lord. What are angels? See i. 20. What special directions did the angel give to Joseph? "Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt." How long were they to remain in Egypt? "Until I bring thee word." Who said, "Until I bring thee word"? The angel of the Lord. What reason did the angel assign for their being sent away from their native country? "For Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." not, at all times, perfectly easy for Jehovah to defeat the plots of the wicked against himself, and against his anointed? Yes; it is written, The Lord shall have them in derision.t Is it 14. When did Joseph take the young child and his mother, and depart? "By night." Why did he depart by night? Probably for greater secrecy. How could Joseph and Mary, who were so poor, defray the expenses of a long journey? The providence of God had sent them a supply of gold by the hands of the wise men. What may we learn from this circumstance? To trust our concerns to God, who foresees the wants of his people and will supply them. To what country were Joseph and "Into Egypt." Mary commanded to flee? What do we know from the Bible about Egypt? Egypt was the land in which the Hebrews were in bondage four hundred years. Whom do you mean by the Hebrews? The early Jews. 15. How long did Joseph and Mary continue in Egypt? "Until the death of Herod." When their flight into Egypt took place, what prediction was fulfilled? That "which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet." What is a prophet? See i. 22. What prophet is here meant? Hosea. And what are the words of the prophecy referred to? "Out of Egypt have I called my son."* 16. Was Herod apprized of the departure of the wise men by another road? Yes. And what did he think of their conduct in not returning to him? He saw that they "mocked" him. How did he feel under this slight put upon his kingly authority? "He was exceeding wroth." What is meant by "exceeding wroth?" Very angry. How did he vent his indignation? "He sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under.” What is the meaning of "the coasts" of Bethlehem? All the surrounding villages. Why did Herod extend his cruelty to other villages in the neighbourhood of Bethlehem? That he might be sure to kill the young child, Jesus. 17. What prediction was fulfilled by this horrid murder of the children? "That which was spoken by * Hosea xi. 1. Jeremy the prophet.” Who is meant by Jeremy? Jeremiah. How many books did Jeremiah write? Two. What are they? The book of prophecy called by his name, and the book of Lamentations. 18. Where is the passage to which reference is here made? Jer. xxxi. 15. What are the words of the prophet? "In Ramah was there a voice heard, lamentation and weeping." What was Ramah? A village very near Bethlehem. Who is represented as weeping for her children? Rachel. Who was Rachel? The beloved wife of Jacob, and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Was it long since Rachel died? Yes; above 1200 years before Jeremiah wrote his prophecy.* Where was she But, if Rachel buried? Not far from Bethlehem. had been many years dead and buried, how could she be weeping for her children? The prophet used her name, because she was a mother in Israel. Whom then did he mean by Rachel? Those Jewish mothers, who were weeping over their murdered infants. Where did these (Jewish mothers live? Most of them dwelt at Bethlehem. Why, then, is the voice of their weeping said to be heard in Ramah? Because their cries were so piercing, that they were heard a great way off. Were these bereaved mothers quite inconsolable? Yes; "they would not be comforted." Were there any circumstances or considerations that might have given them comfort? Yes. Mention those considera B. C. 1732 tions. 1st. That their dear babes had suffered on account of Christ; and 2dly. That Messiah himself had escaped the sword. Are there, or can there be, any circumstances that will justify our refusing to be comforted? No; the gospel provides comfort for every kind and degree of human wretchedness. What is it that deprives us of the full enjoyment of its consolations? Unbelief. What is unbelief? Want of confidence in the power and promises of Jehovah. 19. What event soon followed the murder of the infants at Bethlehem? The death of Herod. What is death? The separation of the soul from What brought What difference is righteous and that driven away in his the body. What becomes of the soul and body at death? The dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit to God who gave it.* death into the world? Sin.+ there between the death of the of the wicked? The wicked is wickedness; but the righteous hath hope in his death.‡ What is the triumphant language of the believer in reference to death and the grave? O death, where is thy sting! O grave, where is thy victory! || What can enable a person thus to triumph over the last enemy? Faith in the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. What do you mean by the merits of the Saviour? His obedience unto death, whereby we obtain pardon and justification. Was the death of Herod a happy or a miserable Eccles. xii. 7. + Rom. v. 12. Prov. xiv. 32. 1 Cor. xv. 55. |