Calendar:Jan. 16th to Feb. 15th.

DAILY BIBLE READING:………. Jan. 16th, Gen. 16; Jan. 31st, Gen. 31; Feb. 15th, Gen. 46.

MEMORY WORK ………..Review of John 13-14:14.

GOOD READING:"Genesis in the light of the New Testament," by F. W. Grant. Paper, 35 cents.; cloth, 75 cents. A very valuable book setting forth God's counsels in creation, and divine life in its various aspects.

MONTHLY QUESTION:What types of the Lord Jesus are given in the book of Genesis?

Our Memory Work

For the past several months this has been comprised of the closing chapters of John's Gospel, chapters 13 to 17 inclusive. Believing that this has proved a difficult portion to those engaged in this work, and seemingly long- although containing very little more matter than the epistle to the Ephesians which many of you so successfully memorized, it would seem best before recitation to take up a review of these chapters. Chapter 17 was our last portion, so we may now turn back and take as our allotment for review the 13th and 14th chapters down to verse 14.

I hope many will be able to accomplish the correct memorizing of these precious conversations of our Lord with His disciples just before going to Gethsemane and the cross. They should have a very special attraction for our hearts, and well indeed to give much meditation to them. There were things which He could not open up to us until after the Spirit had come, and these we have in the Epistles, especially those of Paul; but, nevertheless, we have in these chapters the very best that could be given in regard to our fellowship in the blessing of life and nature with the Father and the Son. Thus we learn that "of His fulness we have received grace upon grace."

Our Daily Reading

Chapters 16,17 of Genesis present the contrast between law and grace. In the former, Abram is active, seeking by natural means and self-effort to attain the desired blessing. In fulfilment of the blessing, God is the actor; the flesh's will and energy being set aside, He, as the Almighty God, acts by His own power and grace. In this the Cross must have its place, as signified in the rite of circumcision (Col. 2:11). What this signified-the natural man cut off, set aside-must be accepted by us, that the new man may be recognized and rule in us.

Chapters 18,19 present another great contrast as we consider the place of Abraham's dwelling and that of Lot. The manner of the feasts, the circumstances surrounding them, the communications given, the intercessions made, the ends reached, how vastly different! Look back to chapters 13, 14 for the root.

In chapter 20 Abraham is again found in a place of compromise with distressing consequences. The power of the flesh, and failure in testimony, opens the way for the spirit of worldly religiousness (the Philistines) to lay hold of grace (Sarah) for its own purposes. This brings rebuke from God, which effects deliverance for the man of faith. Thus Christ is found in us through the experiences of the way and God's dealings. When Isaac is born (ch. 21) and given first place, then peace and blessing are found even amidst opposing influences. Such are the ways and grace of God.

In chapters 22-24 we have much that is beautifully instructive as to Christ and the Church. As Galatians teaches we are to see in Isaac and his history a type of Christianity in contrast with the economy of law and its bondage, as suggested in Hagar and her son. Briefly, we get the sacrifice of Christ in chap. 22;the passing of Israel (suggested in the death of Sarah) chap. 23; the bringing in of the Church, the bride of Christ, as figured in Rebekah, which points to the special dispensation of the Holy Spirit, set forth in Abraham's servant and his ministry to the espoused virgin (2 Cor. 11:2). At the end of the wilderness journey she is presented to Isaac, as the Church will be at the Lord's coming; the whole path is reviewed, as ours will be at the judgment-seat of Christ. Then, as Rebekah became Isaac's wife, so the marriage supper of the Lamb will take place-the bride having been made ready.

In Isaac's history we learn lessons concerning the spirit of sonship. Dependence and consecration may be seen in chap. 25. Obedience, preservation, and a submissive spirit in chap. 26.

The history of Jacob occupies chapters 27-35. From it much valuable instruction may be gathered as to God's ways with His people; the discipline is in view of final blessing. The lesson of "Whatsoever a man sows that shall he reap," is loudly proclaimed in Jacob's history. Jacob is made thus to teach us God's holy ways and our own crookedness, while also we learn His grace toward us spite of all. Jacob began by trusting in his own ways and following his own plans, though truly desiring and seeking God's blessing. This fleshly confidence must be broken down and confidence be in God alone. This brings separation from evil; then worship follows as its happy results (see chap. 35).

With chapter 37 we begin the history of Joseph, which continues to the end of the book. It presents much typical teaching as to the Lord Jesus. Joseph is his father's beloved son and the messenger of his love. Joseph is prophetically seen as preeminent among his brethren, he is hated and rejected by them, and delivered to the Gentiles. In this wider sphere of action and relation he rises to world-wide supremacy – humiliation preceding glory; it all pictures the sufferings and glories of the true Joseph as separated from His brethren according to the flesh, until at last they too are brought to know and own Him through the world-trial-to them "the time of Jacob's trouble." Throughout this history we may glean many precious intimations of the love, grace, and glory of our blessed Lord. Intertwined with this we get certain features of the history of God's earthly people and course of the world-a history reaching into a time still future.

Our Choice of Companions

"I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that keep thy precepts" (Ps. 119:63).

"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise:but a companion of fools shall be destroyed" (Prov. 13:20).
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, and standeth not in the way of sinners, and sitteth not in the company of scorners" (Ps. 1:1, New Trans.).

Note in this last passage:Wicked; it signifies those who show a lawless spirit; who give rein to the will of fallen nature.

Sinners are those who morally stumble, and are led astray and lead astray.

Scorners are those who mock at, or make a sport of sacred things and associations.

The counsel of the wicked can only be in opposition to God's holy Word, and will produce a rebellious spirit.

The way of sinners can only be away from the light (John 3:20), a stumbling in the darkness of their own shadow. To stand in their way means to depart from the way of the Lord. "Wait upon the Lord and keep His way" (Ps. 37:34). "The way of the Lord is strength to the upright" (Prov. 10:29).

The company of scorners can only bring us into an unholy atmosphere spiritually. "Evil communications corrupt good manners," says 1 Cor. 15:33. It brings loss of reverence and ungodliness.

To the young, love of company is a natural and constant instinct. Companionship has a great effect for good or evil on the manner of life. Guard against allowing your heart to go out to any one accidentally crossing your path. It is not safe to yield to mere inclination. It is not safe to trust our hearts in this matter. Fascination with what merely pleases and gratifies us naturally cannot contribute to our spiritual welfare and progress. Personality may be ever so pleasing, natural qualities and ability ever so great, yet such a companion may be worldly and godless, and would lead our feet into slippery places; and every step in such associations will make a return to firm footing increasingly difficult. These tests come to us all with greater or less force. If allegiance to Christ and His word are in question, better tear away from it at once; free yourself from the bonds and the charms of person, place, or intellect, lest you slip backward and downward, leaving the path of peace, and lose the joy of salvation, with irreparable loss for eternity.

Take counsel of God, and His Word. Walk in the way of those who love God and keep His commandments. Keep company with those who have true reverence for holy things, and have the fear of God before their eyes.