Night scenes in the Bible

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Night Scenes

in

the Bible.

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the: iJiGHT

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NIGHT SCENES

BIBLE. BY

Rev.

DANIEL MAECH,

D.D

AUTHOR OF " WALKS AND HOMES OP JKSUS."

ZEIGLER, McCURDY & CO.

PHILADELPHIA,

PA.; CINCINNATI, OHIO; CHICAGO, ILL.; ST. LOUIS, MO. SPRINGFIELD, MASS.

1869.

Entered according

Re7. In the Clerk's

to

Act of Congress^

in the year 1868,

DANIEL MARCH,

Office of the District

Court of the United States,

District of Pennsylvania.

Westoott

&

Thomson,

Stereotypers, Philada.

by

D.D., for the

Eastern

PREFACE. The

Bible

and the newest of books.

the oldest

is

veys the whole field of time, and nite depths of eternity.

interest to the scenes

the

looks farthest into the infi-

it

It lends the

most

and events of the

reliable record of

and

it

is

make

it

it

keeps us in

yet to be.

is

It

live. it is

It

enough

strict

is

ihe chiefest of sinners.

It

affords

so con-

a solemn duty to study and revere the

shadow and semblance of

sin,

It

is

be read with a pure heart or full

and

which we

in

so progressive as to be in advance of the

enlightened age.

is

past,

what has been, and

us our only means of knowing what servative as to past,

most vivid and absorbing

sympathy with the time

most active

gives us the

It sur-

and full

its

it

is

to

most

denounce the very

liberal

enough

of God, and must

to save

therefore

true glory will not be seen.

It

of man, and must therefore always be interesting and

instructive to all

The Bible

is

who would know

themselves.

the plainest of books, and yet

wisdom which no beacon to show

created

all

mind can sound.

is set

up as a

its

light

and from abysses of

It describes all conditions of

gives utterance to all

life,

and

it

desires and emotions of the soul.

It has

and a wail of defeat

for the

a song of triumph for the victor

vanquished.

has depths of

wanderers the safe way, and yet

shines forth from thick clouds of mystery infinite darkness.

it

It

It sparkles with the fervor and gladness of youths

PREFACE.

6

and glory of manhood,

celebrates the strength

it

sorrows and infirmities of age. of kings and conquerors, lowly,

lifts

it

up the

it

bewails the

It exults in the mighty deeds

sympathizes with the poor and

it

fallen, it delivers the oppressed,

and

it

upon the quiet homes of domestic

breathes the blessing of peace

It describes with startling clearness the seductions of

life.

temptation, the conflicts of doubt and the miseries of skepticism. It searches the secret chambers of the heart, its

and

its

darkest hate,

its

to light

highest joy and

its

It compasses the utmost range of thought and

deepest grief. feeling

and

love

j)urest

and brings

desire,

and

it

sounds the utmost depth of motive

and character and passion.

The composition course of years

cumstances

it

through

fullness

it

of the Bible was extended through a long

was carried on under a great variety of

yet the spirit of inspiration speaks .with equal all the

in the Bible,

times and circumstances and characters.

God and man,

is

made

to be the one

for all classes of

men and

of intellect and

all

earth and heaven, time and

and teach the same

eternity speak with one voice

the Bible

cir-

bears the impress of every diversity of individual

And

character.

Thus

;

;

book

all states

for all ages

truth.

and

of society, for

necessities of the soul.

Thus

all nations,

all capacities

It sets forth the

most spiritual and heavenly truths in the lights and shadows

human

of earthly scenes and treasure

charncters.

up the truths we need

to

To understand and

know something

of the places

and the people that stand forth so prominently on the sacred page.

It will help us

to the present time

imagination and

sit

angels approach like evening, or if

much

and

to

apply the lessons of inspiration

to personal

duty

if

we go back

in

with Lot at the gate of Sodom, and see

common

we walk with

travelers in the

the

two

calm light of the

disciples into the country

and see Jesus joining our company on the

way to Emmaus.

It

PREFACE. will help us

make

righteousness if Elijah,

and

die, or if

see

we

all

Scripture profitable for instruction in

we go a

him

7

day's journey into the desert with

cast himself

down

listen to the praises

in despair

and wishing

sung by Paul and

to

Silas at

midnight in the prison at Philippi. It

is

with such views of the infinite variety and special adap-

tation of the Scriptures that the following sketches have been

written.

The author has endeavored

in this exhaustless

forth

to explore a single vein

and many-chambered mine, and

some few golden grains

for others to use

to bring

and enjoy.

He

has tried in a few particulars to read the past in the light of to-day, and to

show

that the Bible

one Infinite Mind, to

with

whom all have

whom

to do.

all

From

is

a

fit

emanation from the

things are ever present and

the

Night Scenes

in sacred

history he has sought to bring forth some rays of light to cheer

the dark hours of that land

life,

where there

and

to guide pilgrims

shall be

no night.

on their way

to

ILLUSTKATIONS.

PAGE

THE

NIOIIT OF

AGONY

JACOB'S NKiHT AT

THE

Frontispiece.

BETHEL

NiariT PASSAGE OF

THE SEA

65

127

SAUL'S NIGHT AT ENDOR

147

NIGHT WATCH IN MOUNT SEIR

247

JESUS'

THE

NIGHT ON THE MOUNTAIN

NIOIIT OP TEMPTATION

326

377

THE NIGHT OF FRUITLESS TOIL

433

ANGEL

451

VISITS IN

THE NIGHT

MIDNIGHT IN THE PRISON AT PUILIPPI

469

PAULS NIGHT IN THE DEEP

491

NO NIGHT IN HEAVEN

629

CONTENTS.

THE LAST NIGHT OF SODOM. PAGB

Man and angels — Appearance and reality — Things not what

they seem

— Life, air.

— Railway disaster — Death-angel in the night— Strong man — Invisible powers around us — Evening scene —Vicinity of the — Riches city — Chief men in the gate — Gay throng — Sunset— Oriental of the city — Luxury of the people — Idleness — Security — Angels .approach Common garb — Taken for travelers — Hospitality — Welcomed by LotDerided by the people — Clamorous mob — The warning — Old man laughed at— All seems safe — A word of alarm — The departure — Angels hasten Morning scene — The overthrow— Utter desolation — Cause of the judgment ^ectric force struck

down

life

— Work

and want

a bad word

— Two

words

— The choice— Who

— "Wait"

the mocker

— llasten — Look not behind

23

II.

ABRAHAM'S NIGHT VISION AT BEERSHEBA.

— Abraham an old man — A hard message— Greatest wells — — The home at Beersheba— Grove, great household — Herds, riches, only son — A pilgrim's — Thunderbolt from clear sky — Fourfold severity — A father's grief— Loss of a bad sonLoss of an only and beloved son — Seeming contradiction — Wealth nothing —A bitter cry — Is a demon's voice— Tent scene— Isaac sleeping — Eastern dawn — The stars of the morning— Sand-cloud from the desert — Human sacrifices on the hill-tops — The grove of terebinth — No voice or face of angel there — Abraham resolves go — Mysterious journey — Secret departure— No luother's farewell — The road — Grassy plains — Flowers — Caravans — Sulifiide — The heavy secret— The father's conflict— Night on the journey — The stars again and the promise— Too short a night — The Oaks of Maiure— Hebron — Bethlehem — Second night— Shall he go back Third day — The Shechinah — Moriah — Faith triumphs — The altar built Isaac's wonderful submission — The last look — Hold — Enough — Nothing us too precious to give God — Nothing too precious for God to give

Voice in the night last

— Ago

trial

needs repose

altar,

life

it

to

hills

?

to

to

Prompt obedience

easiest

and best

43 9

10

CONTENTS. III.

JACOB'S NIGHT AT BETHEL. PAGB

— Hasty departure— No protection — The worst traveling companion — Jacob timid, home-child — His mother's favorite— Shepherd The wild man — Isaac's favorite— The two brothers contrasted — A boisterous visitant — The parental longing for the absent— Common blessings unappreciated — A child at seventy — The supplanter — The hungry hunter— A reckless bargain — Cost of trifling gratifications — The profane person — Poor pay— The stolen blessing — The garment of falsehood— Strange mixture of fraud and faith — The flight — A brother's wrath — Washington in the wilder-

A long journey

life

—A fearful fugitive— Shepherds, caravans, robbers—A solitary place —Lodging with jackals —A hard pillow and a heavy heart — God's time to help—A sure covenant—The pathway of angels— The gate begun — The memorial stone— No such thing as of heaven — A better heaven chance— All for good — God's voice in common things^Way always open — Heaven always near — Night storm in mid-ocean — Sailorboy's dream of home— The ship the house of God — The miner's Sabbath—Bethel everywhere eve in Nevada— Work, work, ness

Bethel at night

life

to

rest

63

IV.

JACOB'S NIGHT OF WRESTLING

WITH THE ANGEL.

—The Jabbok described—Wild, swift mountain stream —Twenty years before —Wild flowers— Oak brave, strong — God's host at Mahanaim — A wondrous Now our guardians — God's Heaven and earth nearer now — God's host providence in every wind — Faith and science agree — Esau's band — Jacob — The greatest meet them — Adjusts his account with God prepares the greatest mercy — Man must needs pray — All have time and the darkness — Alone with Esau— Alone words — Presents night — An peace— A love — Source of strength, power, encounter— Long and desperate struggle unknown antagonist— A Victory by self-surrender — The angel entreating — The mightiest man on die— Life a —With whom conearth— " Give me Scotland or the thick cloud tend— Disguised angels — Deep mysteries — God comes — Power with God—Worth of God's A great school — Peace through blessing — Three steps of progress — House of God, host of God, face of God.

Eras in Jacob's

life

Neighboring country

forests

life

rich,

still

first

to

affliction

infinite

in

to

fearful

safety,

truth,

real

to

conflict

I

in

conflict

V.

THE LAST NIGHT OF ISRAEL IN EGYPT. The

— Sudden emancipation — Rome and the Hebrews — — — — — — — — and the sceptre— The plagues time— The shepherd's heard for the birth-night of a nation

Other ancient nations extinct Hebrews still live The first book of history The teachers of the world The first great era in history Night in Egypt River scenes Princes and bondmen asleep Night in the palace Mosea last

staff

83

CONTENTS.

11

,

— Pharaoh sleeps — The priests sleep — Slaves shall not go — Ilebrews —High expectation —All indoors—Ready go—Awful suspense No. The rustle of palms — The lowing of Apis — Tho Midnight— The cry —The death-angel's stroke— Death everywhere—The groans great cry at of ages— A free people on the march — God in history — The great emancibondage — Immortal freedom — The highest rank — The great pator— All inheritance— Slaves cling to their chains — The caged eagle— The eagle in his mountain home— A sadder sight — The heir of the univt —An unspeakable destiny — Salvation very nigh — A day be much observed — The grandest march — Will you go? — Shipwrecked mariner — Beautiful island —

PAOB

ended

awake

to

?

last

in

°

to

The prison-paradise

—The escape— Ready

for the

voyage

103

VI THE NIGHT PASSAGE OF THE A

SEA.

the nation's — on other nations—A distinctive — The scene of the passage— The sandy plain—The valley the night between mountains — Entangled in the land — Encamping Distress and dejection — First joy over— A sad night — The Egyptians appear morning — "We told behind — An armed host — Sure of prey — Wait —" Fear not"—Hard hold their peace—A house you so"— Sublime on — Terrible panic—Wailing of the Hebrews— How they came there The Shechinah guide— Faces the sea— Passes over the Hebrews— Darkness the Egyptians — A broad highway — The advance — The Egyptians aroused — They pursue— A hard march— The cloud shooting forth lightnings —The confused host — The meeting of the waters — Ourselves with power— Miracle and laws of nature— The truest philosophy —A prayerless man—All things of God— Duty God —The Christian watchword, " go forward" — Decision makes the man — Do your duty at any cost — Seas divide before the advance of faith — " Go forward" revolutionizes nations, must cross the world — Light another — The sea one darkness

landmark

great

in

Efl'ect

life

national idea

for

their

till

faith

to

fire

to

girt

to

to

The

is

infinite

first

all

to

125

safe guide

VII.

SAUL'S NIGHT AT ENDOR.

— Celebrated in poetry and music—Strange con— Loved and hated— Contrasts of character— A hero and a cowat Gilboa angel — The ard— A prophet and a demon — Good and Famous — Joshua and Napoleon — Gideon and his Spartan band— great army — An unhappy king — Revolt of tribes — Forsaken — A hero trembling — A dark path — The worst fate— Sunset on the battle-plain — Light sought from darkness — The king in disguise— The night journey to Endor — The witch's cave— The hag surprised— Her false pretences— Magical arta —A degraded king—The host without a commander— Unsafe counsel " Whom shall I bring up ?" — An unexpected apparition — Who can from the deep —A real man — The words of doom — Perhaps spoken

Tragic element in Saul's career tradictions

evil

crisis

field

call

spirits

?

12

CONTENTS. PAGS

— A giant prostrate — Return Gilboa--The shock of battleIsrael routed — The end of Saul — The memorial — Seek counsel from the right source— The shining path — The law of a kingdom — The work for — What failure — The worst madness — Is wickedness ever profitable A good purpose—A plain path — IIow found— The open door—" Nearer, mercy

in

to

last

first

all

my

?

is

God,

?

145

to thee."

VIII.

DAVID'S NIGHT AT THE JORDAN.

—

—

—

—

The third Psalm When written A sad night Sudden surprise The inner calm Absalom planning revolt Arts to win the people Kis splendid bearing An accomplished conspirator His chariots and foot-runners The father blinded Absalom crowned at Hebron General revolt No time to lose The darkest day in David's life Order to leave Jerusalem De-

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

— Descent into the Kidron — Pause at the last guardhouse — Fidelity of the Philistines — The loyal chief— A loud lamentation and valleys weep — The ark sent back — Great men in their fall— The A great soul— The ascent of Olivet— A funeral procession — Pause to worparture from the palace

hills

— Last look at Zion —A fearful road— Utter desolation — The dog bark at the king— Silence the best answer — Arrival at the Jordan — Bivouac on the sand — Alarm at midnight— Passage of the Jordan — A morning song — Trust in trouble — Froia the throne the wilderness — What a young man could endure— Hard for an old king — Hard a high-tempered man — King Lear'a imprecations — Contrasted with David's psalm — A hymn of trust for time — A costly lesson —A man more than a king— What the soul would say— Faith more precious than science — " My Father's house" — The best knowledge — " Brother, come home"— The sequel of the rebellion — David at Mahanaim — Stands in the before him — Thinks only of saving Absalom — " Gently, gate— Troops gently with the boy Absalom" — His word Joab — The battle—Watchman on the tower— The bringer of tidings— " Shalom"— Is Absalom safe The cry of parental anguish— The man greater than the monarch — Parental power and persistency— Others forget— Parents love ever the same — cannot— The Great Father's love — The Father before the sovereign — Voices ofGod's paternal love— The universal prayer— The most acceptable dispo— The Fatherhood of God the great revelation ship on the height

Shimci cursing

left to

to

lot

for

all

file

last

to

?

Its

sition

,

IX ELIJAH'S NIGHT IN THE DESERT. desert— Solitude— Silence— Starlight — A lonely fugitive—Sick of — The mystery of existence—Job cursing his day— The greatest of the projihets — A and man — His history — Elijah before Ahab A fearful oath — A messenger of wrath — Mystery about Elijah — No genealogy — His return expected — Tishbite— Qilead — A wild region — The haunt of robbers — A of — Jacob wrestling— Jephthah— David's refuge

Night

in the

life

fearless

life

tireless

peril

163

CONTENTS.

13

— A hardy mountaineer— A ITercuIes or a Samson — — A long race — A child of the desert— Ever before Jehovah —A marked man — The discipline of solitude — The man for the hour— God's men of the time — Every man on his post— Israel's providential history The worship of nature— The gods of Sidon — The God of nature— A grand contest — Elijah's court dress — " The hairy man" — The king defied — Elijah's — Let Baal show his power— Who can give escape — The key of nature of Elijah's faith — A land of streams and fountains — rain? — Great ground of faith — The word of fearful risk — Duty questioned — No the Lord to every man — Be wise to-day — Always in the presence of Jehovah —A sanctuary everywhere — Honorable work — Go not out from the presence — — Lo Guil here— Perpetual of the Lord — Source of Tidings Jezebel and the people — The drought begins — Shepherds, mourning— Baal's altars ploughmen, vintagers mourn — Sky, sun, stars vain — The earth, the grass, the harvests, the forests burnt— Cattle, burn pity — Reason for the judgment — Something men die — Drought dries worse than famine — Elijah a]ipcars again — His summons to Ahab — The Carmel — (Jreat encampment sing awed by the pro])hct — The gathering on the mount— The eventful morning — The scene of the gathering— Elijah's ehallenge — People silent — The jiroposed — Priests of Baal begin — Their frantic cries and deumniao (huice — Elijah mocks the idolaters — He takes descends — Seen afar his turn — Awful expectation — The — The priests of Baal slain — Prnyer on the mountain — The cloud — The tempest— fearful race — A cold — The man meet Jezclicl — The queen's oath The hero-prophet alarmed — A wild and hurried flight— To Beersheba, to the desert— Desolation of the wilderness — Reaction in great minds — Peter, Paul, Bunyan's Pilgrim — The young disciple — The business Christian The reformer— The successful minister: old, deserted, despondent— "It enough better die than live" — Hard bo laid aside — Hard to after success — The world can do without us — Work for — The greatest success was accounted failure — God's angel on the wing — Never say, "It

PAQS

Elijah's early life

groat Jay's work

lost

trial

scientific

all

evil

trisai^ion

is

I

to

in

in

uj) all

to

trial

off

firo

little

to

licil

is

;

to

it is

to

fail

all

is

enough"

—Not the chief end of man

to

succeed

187

JONAH'S NIGHT AT NINEVEH.

—The book written by him — His one prophecy— Long journey — Hardships and peril of the way— Danger when there — great and bloody city — No angel guard — Short respite — Utter overthrow "I cannot go" — A recreant prophet — Flight Joppa — His mother's " dove"— No hiding from God — A hard lesson be learned — Word of the Lord comes to many— — The path of seems a hard message — They perdition — Passage engaged — On board and asleep— Word of the Lord in the wind — Dreadful sleep — Vengeance swifter than ships — Pagan prayers Awake, sleeper — Sharp suspicions — Helping transgressors does not pay — Philosophy overboard — When wicked men like hear prayer—Jonah no coward — Early impressions — He ready — Seamen airaid of him — Overboard at —A great calm—Beneath the bottoms of the mountains—The

When Jonah to

lived

deliver

it

to

to

It

flee

!

to

is

last

14

CONTENTS. PAGE

— How kept alive in the sea-monster— Second commission — Obedience now easy — He starts and travels on — His arrival — The city described — His one cry of woe— The stricken multitude— A conquered city — Jonah disappointed with success — Gives no consolation — He spurns the Ninevites — His night of waiting for the destruction — Angry with himand everything — The strange plant— withered—Jonah's word— His probable repentance— No escaping from God — Servants of God always safe — Duty shunned duty — Law of duty supreme duty

call of

still

loud

self

else

last

It is

is

still

223

XI.

THE NIGHT-WATCH IN MOUNT

SEIR.

— Lights and shadows among mountains— Camp —Watching for the morning— Effect of night among mountains — Dawn — Morning among the — Changes wrought by light— Mists forming — Darken the whole scene — the day approaching — They press on — Such the of man — An earthly paradise — Night and storm — A study of human society — Hopes blasted — Yet the day come— Peace through — Struggles of nations be free — First success— Then again enslaved — Storms succeed the sunshine — the day approaching— The tide in the of men — Man's work perishes — God's temple stands Light out of darkness — The pavilion of God's presence— Look the cloud for light— The hour before sunrise among mountains — After sunrise darker —Happy walk under clouds — The moment of greatest discouragement God's way dark from excess of light— Vale of Chamouny at evening — Sunon Mont Blanc — The veiled mountain most impressive — Do not be afraid of mystery — Heroes and conquerors — The best days not the past — Christianity progress —Appearances may be adverse—Yet the day approaching — The hour before dawn the darkest of the night— Perfect through suffering — Hope and wait 246

Night comes with the morning of pilgrims

hills

Still

is

lot

will

conflict

to

full

Still

affairs

to

to

rise

in

is

is

XII.

THE NIGHT OF WEEPING.

— Law of decay and reproduction — Harmony contra—Appearance and reality at variance—Evening clouds — Thunderbolt — Morning mists promise a noon — The coldest day— The tornado The earthquake— The diamond— The eye— Infinite variety in uniformity Samson's riddle— The volcano — The rainbow— Paradox and mystery not alone spiritual — The whole creation in travail — Struggle and in both — Faith grows by — Life a battle and a march — Pain the price of pleasure— Beauty from the tomb — Why — Why sorrow and and tears — So ordained of God— Not ours choose— so in other things — Everything costs — Self-denial not arbitrarily imposed

Life a conflict of forces

in

diction

fair

in

life

conflict

conflict

all this ?

?

trial

to

Still it is

all

The Supreme Giver can give of weakness

world

to

— Christian

make one weep

for their return

— The

rest only to penitent souls

— Tears not a sign — Much in the

building begins at tha foundation

— " Streams

in the

gladdening rain

south"

— The

— Husbandmen watching

—Never

bird of Paradise

flies

CONTENTS.

16

— Prosperity disarrays the garments of beauty — The beginning of strength — Worldling in a prayer meeting — He and strong — A boy's fault— He denies weak — He weeps and and enslaved — He confesses and deplores and free and noble— Blessed are they

before the wind

PAOB

soul's

scoffs

is

it

is

is

is

that

mourn

265

XIII.

THE NIGHT FEAST OF BELSHAZZAR. The

—

— —

The race of the Chaldeans Their profligate last of the Babyhmian kings young men Luxurious habits Testimony of history No wonder that Babylon fell What kind of young men will ruin any city Sure way to destroy a nation Rome, Constantinople, Venice Delicate, self-indulgent young men dangerous Belshazzar an absolute monarch Flattered, caThe banquet-hall Fine arts flourish in a licentious age pricious, cruel Rome France Naples Debasement under the shadow of St. Peter's The greatness of Babylon Belshazzar's palace Streets, walls, temples Nebuchadnezzar the mighty builder Rawlinson's statement Belshazzar inherited too much His head turned Babylon besieged Enemy withdraw City given up to riotous mirth Feasting, illuminations, processions Belshazzar enters the banquet-hall The scene at the board Profanation of sacred things The vessels of Jehovah brought forth The writing on the wall The interpretation Belshazzar slain How the city was taken Death will enter palaces Last opportunities lost The gay not always happy How to find joy in everything What will lift the weight from all hearts Danger of wine-drinking Heathen testimony The universal witness God here, God everywhere Conscience a mighty power What BelWeighed and found wanting The shazzar's life is worth to the world

— —

—

—

— —

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

— — —

—

— — — —

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

— —

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

283

greatest thought

XIV. A NIGHT WITH JESUS AT JERUSALEM.

—

—

Tilsit A memorable interview Arranging the more important conference With less display Mighty words spoken Time and place The great feast Jerusalem crowded Number of sacrifices The temple the chief attraction The choral service The most impressive anniversary Passover still kept Purging the temple Power of Jesus' presence A day in teaching and healing Place of rest A venerable listener Testimony of the Talmud concerning N'codemus Private interview impossible by day Resolves to seek Jesus by night Leaves his house secretly Goes out at the eastern gate Hesitates while seeking the house Men still hesitate when seeking Jesus They inquire openly about other things Inquiry is reasonable Nicodemus to be commended The scene of the interview Contrasts between the two persons The calmness of Jesus The amazement of Nicodemus The foundation truth When the millennium will come Life from above needed A great question What the Bible sayo about it Hard

Napoleon and Alexander at destiny of nations

—

—

—A

—

— —

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

— —

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

16

CONTENTS. PAsa

— Testimony of history — Joy of the new What true !