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Monday
The First
Lesson
Numbers 22:2-14
2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to
the Amorites.
3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many:
and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
4 And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company
lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the
grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the
Moabites at that time.
5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to
Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of
his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come
out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and
they abide over against me:
6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for
they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that
we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land:
for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom
thou cursest is cursed.
7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with
the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam,
and spake unto him the words of Balak.
8 And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring
you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes
of Moab abode with Balaam.
9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with
thee?
10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of
Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,
11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth
the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure
I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.
12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou
shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.
13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes
of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give
me leave to go with you.
14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak,
and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.
1st Lesson Questions -
Numbers 22:2-14. What made Balak think that Balaam would curse the Israelites? RESOLVE.
The Second
Lesson
Luke 2:21-40
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising
of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of
the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law
of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to
present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that
openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in
the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was
Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the
consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should
not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents
brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of
the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according
to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people
Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which
were spoken of him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold,
this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel;
and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that
the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel,
of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with
an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which
departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and
prayers night and day.
38 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.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law
of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with
wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
2nd Lesson Questions -
Luke 2:21-40. Had I been Simeon, how would I have felt after seeing Jesus? Where are Simeon's words found in the liturgy of the church? RESOLVE.