Part 1

LORD'S LECTURES

BEACON LIGHTS OF HISTORY, VOLUME II

JEWISH HEROES AND PROPHETS.

BY JOHN LORD, LL.D.,

AUTHOR OF "THE OLD ROMAN WORLD," "MODERN EUROPE," ETC., ETC.

CONTENTS.

ABRAHAM.

RELIGIOUS FAITH.

Abraham the spiritual father of nations General forgetfulness of God when Abraham arose Civilization in his age Ancestors of Abram His settlement in Haran His moral courage The call of Abram His migrations The Canaanites Abram in Egypt Separation between Abram and Lot Melchizedek Abram covenants with God The mission of the Hebrews The faith of Abram Its peculiarities Trials of faith God's covenant with Abram The sacrifice of Isaac Paternal rights among Oriental nations Universality of sacrifice Had Abram a right to sacrifice Isaac? Supreme test of his faith His obedience to God His righteousness Supremacy of religious faith Abraham's defects The most favored of mortals The boons he bestowed

JOSEPH.

ISRAEL IN EGYPT.

Early days of Joseph Envy of his brethren Sale of Joseph Its providential results Fortunes of Joseph in Egypt The imprisonment of Joseph Favor with the king Joseph prime minister The Shepherd kings The service of Joseph to the king Famine in Egypt Power of Pharaoh Power of the priests Character of the priests Knowledge of the priests Teachings of the priests Egyptian gods Antiquity of sacrifices Civilization of Egypt Initiation of Joseph in Egyptian knowledge Austerity to his brethren Grief of Jacob Severity of the famine in Canaan Jacob allows the departure of Benjamin Joseph's partiality to Benjamin His continued austerity to his brethren Joseph at length reveals himself The kindness of Pharaoh Israel in Egypt Prosperity of the Israelites Old age of Jacob His blessing to Joseph's sons Jacob's predictions Death of Jacob Death of Joseph Character of Joseph Condition of the Israelites in Egypt Rameses the Great Acquisitions of the Israelites in Egypt Influence of Egyptian civilization on the Israelites

MOSES.

JEWISH JURISPRUDENCE

Exalted mission of Moses His appearance at a great crisis His early advantages and education His premature ambition His retirement to the wilderness Description of the land of Midian Studies and meditations of Moses The Book of Genesis Call of Moses and return to Egypt Appearance before Pharaoh Miraculous deliverance of the Israelites Their sojourn in the wilderness The labors of Moses His Moral Code Universality of the obligations General acceptance of the Ten Commandments The foundation of the ritualistic laws Utility of ritualism in certain states of society Immortality seemingly ignored The possible reason of Moses Its relation to the religion of Egypt The Civil Code of Moses Reasons for the isolation of the Israelites The wisdom of the Civil Code Source of the wisdom of Moses The divine legation of Moses Logical consequences of its denial General character of Moses His last days His influence

SAMUEL.

ISRAEL UNDER JUDGES.

Condition of the Israelites on the death of Joshua The Judges Birth and youth of Samuel The Jewish Theocracy Eli and his sons Samuel called to be judge His efforts to rekindle religious life The school of the prophets The people want a king Views of Samuel as to a change of government He tells the people the consequences Persistency of the Israelites Condition of the nation Saul privately anointed king Clothed with regal power Mistakes and wars of Saul Spares Agag Rebuked by Samuel Samuel withdraws into retirement Seeks a successor to Saul Jehovah indicates the selection of David Saul becomes proud and jealous His wars with the Philistines Great victory at Michmash Death of Samuel Universal mourning His character as Prophet His moral greatness His transcendent influence

DAVID.

ISRAELITISH CONQUESTS.

David as an historical study Early days of David His accomplishments His connection with Saul His love for Jonathan Death of Saul David becomes king Death of Abner David generally recognized as king Makes Jerusalem his capital Alliance with Hiram Transfer of the Sacred Ark Folly of David's Wife Organization of the kingdom Joab Commander-in-chief of the army The court of David His polygamy War with Moab War with the Ammonites Conquest of the Edomites Bathsheba David's shame and repentance Edward Irving on David's fall Its causes Census of the people Why this was a folly Wickedness of David's children Amnon Alienation of David's subjects The famine in Judah Revolt of Sheba Adonijah seeks to steal the sceptre Troubles and trials of David Preparation for building the Temple David's wealth His premature old age Absalom's rebellion and death David's final labors His character as a man and a monarch Why he was a man after God's own heart David's services His Psalms Their mighty influence

SOLOMON.

GLORY OF THE MONARCHY.

Early years of Solomon His first acts as monarch The prosperity of his kingdom Glory of Solomon His mistakes His marriage with an Egyptian princess His harem Building of the Temple Its magnificence The treasures accumulated in it Its dedication The sacrifices in its honor Extraordinary celebration of the Festivals The royal palace in Jerusalem The royal palace on Mount Lebanon Excessive taxation of the people Forced labor Change of habits and pursuits Solomon's effeminacy and luxury His unpopularity His latter days of shame His death Character Influence of his reign His writings Their great value The Canticles The Proverbs Praises of wisdom and knowledge Ecclesiastes contrasted with Proverbs Cynicism of Ecclesiastes Hidden meaning of the book The writing of Solomon rich in moral wisdom His wisdom confirmed by experience Lessons to be learned by the career of Solomon

ELIJAH.

DIVISION OF THE KINGDOM.

Evil days fall on Israel Division of the kingdom under Rehoboam Jeroboam of Israel sets up golden calves Other innovations Egypt attacks Jerusalem City saved only by immense contribution Interest centres in the northern kingdom Ruled by bad kings Given to idolatry under Ahab Influence of Jezebel The priests of Baal The apostasy of Israel The prophet Elijah His extraordinary appearance Appears before Ahab Announces calamities Flight of Elijah The drought The woman of Zarephath Shields and feeds Elijah He restores her son to life Miseries of the drought Elijah confronts Ahab Assembly of the people at Mount Carmel Presentation of choice between Jehovah and Baal Elijah mocks the priests of Baal Triumphs, and slays them Elijah promises rain The tempest Ahab seeks Jezebel She threatens Elijah in her wrath Second flight of Elijah His weakness and fear The still small voice Selection of Elisha to be prophet He becomes the companion of Elijah Character and appearance of Elisha War between Ahab and Benhadad Naboth and his vineyard Chagrin and melancholy of Ahab Wickedness and cunning of Jezebel Murder of Naboth Dreadful rebuke of Elijah Despair of Ahab Athaliah and Jehoshaphat Death of Ahab Regency of Jezebel Ahaziah and Elijah Fall of Ramoth-Gilead Reaction to idolatry Jehu Death of Jezebel Death of Ahaziah The massacres and reforms of Jehu Extermination of idolatry Last days of Elijah His translation

ISAIAH.