his father's favour and his own con- THE REQUEST-V. 29-33. Bury me, etc.-It is not wrong to desire to be buried with one's friends; but all the earth is equally God's, and deceased believers are all alike the dead in Christ.' Cave..Abraham bought.-Ch. xxiii. 16. They buried, etc.-Ch. xxiii. 19; xxv. 9. Those whose funerals are not specially mentioned in the history, we thus know to have been interred here. Gathered..bet, etc." It is very probable that while delivering these prophetic blessings, Jacob sat upon the side of his bed, leaning upon his staff; and having finished, he lifted up his feet into the bed, stretched himself upon it, and expired!"-Clarke. Heb. xi. 21. Gathered unto his people,—i. e., his soul, his body was not buried till some weeks afterwards. REFLECTIONS.-1. God knows the end of all things from the beginning.-It was He who inspired Jacob to speak these prophecies. 2. God constantly guides and governs our affairs.-It was He who caused these predictions to be accomplished. 3. How peacefully Jacob dies! "Jesus can make a dying bed Feel soft as downy pillows are! 4. The time, place, and manner of our death are in God's hands.- Once Jacob thought he should go to his grave mourning for Joseph; he dies with all his children round him. QUESTIONS.-What is the blessing on Gad? Explain it. On Naphtali? Explain it. On Asher? Explain it. On Benjamin? Explain it. On Joseph? Explain "fruitful bow;"" the archers have sorely grieved him;" "his bow abode in strength; " "blessings of heaven above;""of the deep that lieth under;" "of the breasts and of the womb." How long do these blessings last? What does Jacob say of Joseph that reminds you of Jesus? What charge did Jacob give his sons? Explain "gathered unto his people." Illustration.-THE CHARACTER OF JACOB. "We have now seen the life of Jacob brought to a close. . . . Through the mercy of God, Jacob outlived the shady part of his own character, and his last days were his brightest and his best He had many troubles and difficulties in life, under which an inferior mind must have necessarily sunk; but being a worker together with the providence of God, his difficulties only served in general to whet his invention, and draw out the immense resources of his own mind. . . . From the time in which God favoured him with that wonderful manifestation of grace at Peniel, (chap. xxxii.,) he became a new man. He had frequent discoveries of God before, to encourage him in journeys, secular affairs, etc.; but none in which the heart-changing power of Divine grace was so abundantly revealed. Happy he whose last days are his best! We can scarcely conceive a scene more noble or dignified than that exhibited at the death-bed of Jacob. . . . His declarations show that the secret of the Lord was with him, and that His candle shone bright upon his tabernacle. Having finished his work, with perfect possession of all his faculties, and being determined that while he was able to help himself none should be called in to assist, (which was one of the grand characteristics of his life,) he, with that dignity which became a great man and a man of God, stretched himself upon his bed, and rather appears to have conquered death than to have suffered it. . . . Reader, God is still the same; and though He may not make thee as great as was Jacob, yet He is ready to make thee as good; and, whatever thy past life may have been, to crown thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies, that thy end also may be peace."-Clarke. FEBRUARY 11.-AFTERNOON LESSON. THE APOSTLES RETURN-CHRIST FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND.-Matthew xiv. 13-21; Mark vi. 30-44; Luke ix. 10-17; John vi. 1-13. For repetition, Mark vi. 33, 34. SUMMARY.-Jesus withdraws with His disciples to a desert place, but great crowds are speedily gathered to Him. Having taught them all day, He feeds the whole multitude in the evening upon five loaves and two fishes. THE GATHERING.-Matt. xiv. 13, 14; Mark vi. 30-34; Luke ix. 10, 11; John vi. 1-4. When they returned.Mark vi. 7-13. Told Him all,-to prove that they had fulfilled their commission; that He might commend or correct. Rest awhile,-to gain strength for further labours. Heard of it,-the beheading of the Baptist. Jesus had a double motive for retirement; to rest the Apostles, and to prevent Herod's seeing Him, of which the murderer of John was not worthy, Luke ix. 9. Bethsaida.-There were two towns of the same name; this was on the eastern side of Jordan. By ship,crossing the Sea of Galilee. Afoot,i.e., by land. Moved with compassion,SO as to abandon His purpose of privacy. Sheep not having a shepherd, with no teachers and guides save the Scribes and Pharisees, who were worse than none. The passover,-the third in our Lord's ministry. THE MIRACLE.-Matt. xiv. 15-21; Mark vi. 35-44; Luke ix. 12-17; John vi. 5-13. Evening..day began to wear away,-according to the Jewish reckoning, there were two evenings, one from about three o'clock p.m., the other from sunset; this was the first. Philip,-who was of Bethsaida, John i. 44. Christ's question was spoken before the coming of the disciples to Him. Prove, to see what answer Philip would make, whether he believed Jesus could supply the need. He Himself knew,-from the first He had resolved to feed them. Two hundred pennyworth,-about six pounds five shillings. The time,-for dismissing the people and taking food. Send them away, the disciples and the multitude were not prepared for so lengthy a discourse and so much healing. Christ's words and deeds so greatly charmed the crowd, that they forgot that in their haste they had not brought sufficient refreshment with them. There is no need,-their wants can be supplied without dismissing them. Shall we go and buy? etc.-The only mode they could see of meeting the difficulty. How many loaves have ye?.. Five barley loaves and two small fishes,— the loaves were not even of wheaten flour, and the fishes were but small. Such was the scanty commissariat of Christ and His Apostles. By companies ..by hundreds and by fifties. - See Illustration. Given thanks.. blessed,thanked God, blessed the victuals. Brake, "The Jewish bread was formed into cakes; broad, thin, and brittle, like our biscuits, and therefore required to be broken, rather than cut." Gave, etc.-Here, and in the arrangement into companies, note the Master's love of order. Are filled..gather up the fragments,-there was plenty to eat, nothing to waste; He would supply their necessities, but they must not make necessities by prodigality. Twelve baskets full,- -so that the fragments exceeded in amount the food blessed. The baskets were large ones, not carried by hand, but slung from the shoulder. The twelve baskets were those of the twelve Apostles. Five thousand men, beside, etc.,-probably ten thousand in all. The arrangement by hundreds and fifties facilitated counting. REFLECTIONS.-1. Jesus Christ provides both for spiritual and bodily wants.— He both taught the people and fed them. 2. We cannot come to Him hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and go away unsatisfied. 3. "Let everything be done decently and in order." 4. It is right to ask a blessing upon, and to return thanks for, our food. 5. Waste nothing, time. food, money, 6. "He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster." Prov. xviii. 9. QUESTIONS. - Whence did the Apostles return? Why did Jesus retire, and whither? Did He remain long in privacy? Till when did He detain the multitude? How did the disciples propose to feed them? What did Jesus say the reply? How much food had they? What did Jesus do with it? How were the people arranged? What was left! What was done with the fragments? How many were fed? Illustration. By companies' signifies a company of guests at a table.' The members of each company might be placed in two rows of fifty each; the one row with their faces towards those of the other, as if a long table had been between them. The first company of a hundred being thus set down, the second was to be placed beside the first in a like form, and the third by a second till all were seated, the direction of the ranks being up the hill. And as the two ranks of every division were formed into one company, by being placed with their faces towards each other, so they were distinguished from the neighbouring companies, by lying with their backs turned to their backs; and the whole body, thus ranged, would resemble a garden-plot divided into seed-beds, which is the proper signification of [the word rendered] 'ranks,' an old word signifying an onion-bed, and thus any plot of ground of a regular form, as square or parallelogram."-Mimpriss. FEBRUARY 18.-MORNING LESSON. A GREAT AND VERY SORE LAMENTATION.-Genesis 1. 1-14. SUMMARY.-Jacob's corpse is embalmed, and buried with very great state and abundant mourning. THE BURIAL OF JACOB. And Joseph, etc.-Of course, this was done immediately after his father's death as recounted in the last chapter. His servants the physicians. Herodotus says of the Egyptians, "The medical practice among them is divided as follows: each physician is for one kind of sickness, and no more; and all places are crowded with physicians; for there are physicians for the eyes, physicians for the head, physicians for the teeth, physicians for the stomach and for internal disease." Every noble-and Joseph was Grand Vizier -would thus have several doctors attached to his household. Embalmed,in accordance with the Egyptian custom, and to preserve his body for transportation to Canaan; the other patriarchs were not embalmed. Forty days,-the time occupied in the process. See Illustration. Threescore and ten days,—the time of mourning for a prince. Speak, I pray you.-It was not etiquette to appear before the king in mourning, Esther iv. 2. I have digged. In the cave at Machpelah Jacob had made special preparation for his corpse. According as he made thee swear.-If Joseph had not sworn, permission might have been refused. With him went up,-a magnificent Illustration.-EMBALMING. "The embalming of the body was an Egyptian custom, practised for pay by a special class of skilled artists, to whom the relations gave the body for that purpose. According to Herodotus, there were three modes of proceeding, of which the most costly was as follows: they drew out the brain through the nostrils, and filled in the cavity in the head with spices; then they took out the viscera, and filled the space with all kinds of aromatics; after which they sewed it up. The next step was to salt the body with natron, and let it lie seventy days, or longer. Then they washed it, wrapped it in fine linen, and smeared it with gum. Finally, the relatives took it back, enclosed it in a chest, and kept it in a chamber for the dead. We derive the same information from Diodorus Siculus; and, moreover, that the embalmers were held in high honour, and ranked in the society of the priests. In the several districts they had particular places for their business. They used asphaltum, which was brought from Palestine to Egypt. From thence, too, they obtained the spices that were employed. The intestines they put in a box, and cast into the Nile; doing this because the belly was regarded as the seat of sins, especially those of gluttony and intemperate drinking. Jacob was prepared as a mummy; Joseph in the same manner, ver. 26. This is related of no other Hebrew. The embalming mentioned later among the Jews was different. (John xix. 39.)"-Knobel. FEBRUARY 18.-AFTERNOON LESSON. WALKING ON THE WATER.-Matt. xiv. 22-36; Mark vi. 45-56; John vi. 14-24. For repetition, Matthew xiv. 26, 27. SUMMARY.-Jesus, having dismissed His disciples, and frustrated the de-ign of the multitude to make Him a King, retires for prayer. Meanwhile His disciples are endeavouring to cross the Sea of Galilee against a contrary wind. Toward day-break Jesus appears to them, walking on the water. They, supposing it to be a spirit, are greatly affrighted. On His revealing Himself, Peter begs to be bidden to walk to Him on the waves. The prayer is granted, the disciple makes the attempt, but his faith fails him; he is saved from sinking only by the hand of Christ. Jesus is taken into the boat, instantly the storm ceases, and the boat is at the land. The next day great multitudes are gathered to Jesus, Who works many miracles, JESUS ALONE.-Matt. xiv. 22-24; Mark vi. 45-47; John vi. 14-17. Those men.-See last Afternoon Lesson. That prophet,-Deut. xviii. 15, 18, 19; Acts iii. 22, 23; John i. 21. That should come,-Mal. iii. 1; Matt. xi. 3. Constrained, they were unwilling to leave Him; He foresaw the attempt to make Him a King, and did not wish His disciples to join in it. Unto Bethsaida, from Bethsaida on the eastern side of the lake to the town of that name near its southern extremity. By force..make,-whether He would or no. King,-Christ is indeed King of kings, (compare Rev. i. 5,) but His kingdom is not of this world; it was not the people's prerogative, but His Father's, to crown Him; besides, He will accept no royalty which does not acknowledge Him God, and the people knew Him only as a prophet. mountain again, - lit., the mountain, viz., that mountain on which He had fed the five thousand. Pray,-Luke v. 16. Himself alone,- and so remained for several hours. Evening, A i. e., the second evening. See note on this word in last Afternoon Lesson. Went down unto the sea,-at the same time that the Master went up into the mountain. Jesus was not come to them. -Contrast Matt. viii. 23, 24. The absence of Jesus would greatly increase their fear. WALKING ON THE WAVES. - Matt. xiv. 25-33; Mark vi. 48-52; John vi. 18-21. Sea arose.. wind blew,-a terrible tempest. Twenty-five or thirty furlongs,-about three miles and a half. He saw them.-He had not lost sight or thought of them, although He had left them. Note the miracle: it was dark; He and they were more than three miles apart, yet He saw them. The fourth watch,-between three and six o'clock a.m. Walking upon the sea.-Job ix. 8. Feet walking upon water, was the Egyptian hieroglyphic for impossibility. Would have passed by them.-Compare Luke xxiv. 28. So it appeared to them; our Lord did not intend to leave them in distress. Spirit, they deemed Jesus still on the land, and they never thought of a human body walking on water. Cried out for fear.-Luke i. 12, 29. are naturally troubled at the presence of beings of the other world. Spake unto them, they would recognize His voice. Straightway, having compassion on their terror. Peter,-always the most forward of the twelve. If.. since. He had no doubt. Bid, etc.Peter was desirous of manifesting his faith, and of doing so wonderful a deed. On the water,-Jesus remained some time standing or walking by the boat. Come,-permitted to try the experiment, that he might learn his weakness. He walked on the water, Men performing the miracle so long as his faith was firm. When he saw, etc.,having looked away from Jesus. Lord, save me, he knew that he could not possibly save himself. Caught,—as he was sinking. O thou of little faith!previously, Peter had thought his faith great. They,-Jesus still holding Peter's hand. Wind ceased..ship was at the land,-a double miracle. Sore amazed.. wondered. Their amazement was such that language cannot express it. Considered not,- had not thought of the Divine power thus manifested. Hardened, -"dull of apprehension; not wickedly insensible." THE DAY FOLLOWING.-Matt. xiv. 34-36; Mark vi. 53-56; John vi. 22-24. Land of Gennesaret,-" was the name of a small district of Galilee, about six miles in length, south of Capernaum. It was extremely fertile, and abounded in fruits of different climates. The country in this neighbourhood was very populous."-Mimpriss. Men of that place.- Matthew and Mark tell what these people did, John what was done by those who had partaken of the multiplied loaves and fishes. Had knowledge of Him,-knew He was among them. The people which 1. On the duty of private prayer.-Matt. vi. 6. 2. On humility.-Jesus had no love for earthly honour. 3. Read 1 Peter iii. 12. Illustrate from this Lesson. 4. " Strong faith overcomes, even weak faith saves." -While Peter believed, he walked on the water; when he began to sink, and cried to Christ, He heard him. 5. "Thou Framer of the light and dark, Steer through the tempest Thine own ark; Amid the howling, wintry sea,, We are in port if we have Thee."-Keble. 6. Are we "seeking for Jesus?" QUESTIONS.-Why did Jesus send the disciples away? Whither did He go afterwards? why? Where were the disciples? Had Jesus forgotten them? How did He come to them? How did they receive Him? How did Peter behave ? What was the result? What happened as soon as Christ entered the boat? How did the miracle affect the disciples? What was done the next day? Illustration.-SEA OF GALILEE. He Lamartine thus expresses his reflections on beholding the lake: "We mounted our horses to ride as far as the limit of the sea of Tiberias, the sacred borders of the fine lake of Gennesareth. On our left a chain of peaked hills, black, barren, hollowed in profound ravines, and spotted at various distances by immense isolated volcanic stones, extending the whole length of the western coast, and advancing in a sombre and naked promontory to nearly the middle of the sea, hid from us the city of Tiberias at the extremity of the lake on the side of Lebanon. The Man Divine-Incarnate Divinity-had with His mortal eyes seen this sea, these waves, these hills, these stones; or rather, this sea, these hills, these stones had seen Him. He had trodden a hundred times that path on which I now walked. During the three years of His Divine mission, He went and came, without ceasing, from Nazareth to Tiberias, from Tiberias to Jerusalem. He had sailed in the barks of the fishermen of the sea of Galilee. calmed its tempests, He walked on its waves, giving His hand to the Apostle of little faith, like me-a celestial hand, of which I had greater need than he had, in the tempest of opinion, and of thoughts more terrible. Behold where He chose His disciples amongst the meanest of mankind, to testify that the strength of His religion was in the doctrine itself, and not in its powerless organs. Behold Tiberias, where He appeared to St. Peter; behold Capernaum; behold the mountain where He delivered the sermon; behold that on which, as God, He manifested the heavenly beatitudes; behold that on which He said, 'I have compassion on the multitude,' and multiplied the loaves and fishes, even as His Word creates and increases life in the soul." Stephens, in his journey along the shore, observes, "I thought to enhance the interest of this day's journey by making my noon-day meal from the fish of the lake of Gennesareth; and having on my way up seen a net drying on the shore, I aroused the sleepy Arabs, and they had promised to throw it in for me; but when I returned I found that, like Simon Peter, and the sons of Zebedee, 'they had toiled all the day, and had caught nothing.' Elliot and his friend were, however, more fortunate. They halted at the same place, (near the presumed site of Bethsaida,) and requested a man to throw his line and let them taste the produce of the lake. In a few minutes each of them was presented with |