the desire of ages-第12章
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Joseph； who was still in Egypt； was now bidden by an angel of God to return to the land of Israel。 Regarding Jesus as the heir of David's throne； Joseph desired to make his home in Bethlehem； but learning that Archelaus reigned in Judea in his father's stead； he feared that the father's designs against Christ might be carried out by the son。 Of all the sons of Herod； Archelaus most resembled him in character。 Already his succession to the government had been marked by a tumult in Jerusalem； and the slaughter of thousands of Jews by the Roman guards。
Again Joseph was directed to a place of safety。 He returned to Nazareth； his former home； and here for nearly thirty years Jesus dwelt； 〃that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets； He shall be called a Nazarene。〃 Galilee was under the control of a son of Herod； but it had a much larger admixture of foreign inhabitants than Judea。
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Thus there was less interest in matters relating especially to the Jews； and the claims of Jesus would be less likely to excite the jealousy of those in power。
Such was the Saviour's reception when He came to the earth。 There seemed to be no place of rest or safety for the infant Redeemer。 God could not trust His beloved Son with men； even while carrying forward His work for their salvation。 He commissioned angels to attend Jesus and protect Him till He should accomplish His mission on earth； and die by the hands of those whom He came to save。
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Chapter 7
As a Child
The childhood and youth of Jesus were spent in a little mountain village。 There was no place on earth that would not have been honored by His presence。 The palaces of kings would have been privileged in receiving Him as a guest。 But He passed by the homes of wealth； the courts of royalty； and the renowned seats of learning； to make His home in obscure and despised Nazareth。
Wonderful in its significance is the brief record of His early life： 〃The child grew； and waxed strong in spirit； filled with wisdom： and the grace of God was upon Him。〃 In the sunlight of His Father's countenance； Jesus 〃increased in wisdom and stature； and in favor with God and man。〃 Luke 2：52。 His mind was active and penetrating； with a thoughtfulness and wisdom beyond His years。 Yet His character was beautiful in its symmetry。 The powers of mind and body developed gradually； in keeping with the laws of childhood。
As a child； Jesus manifested a peculiar loveliness of disposition。 His willing hands were ever ready to serve others。 He manifested a patience
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that nothing could disturb； and a truthfulness that would never sacrifice integrity。 In principle firm as a rock； His life revealed the grace of unselfish courtesy。
With deep earnestness the mother of Jesus watched the unfolding of His powers； and beheld the impress of perfection upon His character。 With delight she sought to encourage that bright； receptive mind。 Through the Holy Spirit she received wisdom to co…operate with the heavenly agencies in the development of this child； who could claim only God as His Father。
From the earliest times the faithful in Israel had given much care to the education of the youth。 The Lord had directed that even from babyhood the children should be taught of His goodness and His greatness； especially as revealed in His law； and shown in the history of Israel。 Song and prayer and lessons from the Scriptures were to be adapted to the opening mind。 Fathers and mothers were to instruct their children that the law of God is an expression of His character； and that as they received the principles of the law into the heart； the image of God was traced on mind and soul。 Much of the teaching was oral； but the youth also learned to read the Hebrew writings； and the parchment rolls of the Old Testament Scriptures were open to their study。
In the days of Christ the town or city that did not provide for the religious instruction of the young was regarded as under the curse of God。 Yet the teaching had become formal。 Tradition had in a great degree supplanted the Scriptures。 True education would lead the youth to 〃seek the Lord； if haply they might feel after Him； and find Him。〃 Acts 17：27。 But the Jewish teachers gave their attention to matters of ceremony。 The mind was crowded with material that was worthless to the learner； and that would not be recognized in the higher school of the courts above。 The experience which is obtained through a personal acceptance of God's word had no place in the educational system。 Absorbed in the round of externals； the students found no quiet hours to spend with God。 They did not hear His voice speaking to the heart。 In their search after knowledge； they turned away from the Source of wisdom。 The great essentials of the service of God were neglected。 The principles of the law were obscured。 That which was regarded as superior education was the greatest hindrance to real development。 Under the training of the rabbis the powers of the youth were repressed。 Their minds became cramped and narrow。
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The child Jesus did not receive instruction in the synagogue schools。 His mother was His first human teacher。 From her lips and from the scrolls of the prophets； He learned of heavenly things。 The very words which He Himself had spoken to Moses for Israel He was now taught at His mother's knee。 As He advanced from childhood to youth； He did not seek the schools of the rabbis。 He needed not the education to be obtained from such sources； for God was His instructor。
The question asked during the Saviour's ministry； 〃How knoweth this man letters； having never learned？〃 does not indicate that Jesus was unable to read； but merely that He had not received a rabbinical education。 John 7：15。 Since He gained knowledge as we may do； His intimate acquaintance with the Scriptures shows how diligently His early years were given to the study of God's word。 And spread out before Him was the great library of God's created works。 He who had made all things studied the lessons which His own hand had written in earth and sea and sky。 Apart from the unholy ways of the world； He gathered stores of scientific knowledge from nature。 He studied the life of plants and animals； and the life of man。 From His earliest years He was possessed of one purpose； He lived to bless others。 For this He found resources in nature； new ideas of ways and means flashed into His mind as He studied plant life and animal life。 Continually He was seeking to draw from things seen illustrations by which to present the living oracles of God。 The parables by which； during His ministry； He loved to teach His lessons of truth show how open His spirit was to the influences of nature； and how He had gathered the spiritual teaching from the surroundings of His daily life。
Thus to Jesus the significance of the word and the works of God was unfolded； as He was trying to understand the reason of things。 Heavenly beings were His attendants； and the culture of holy thoughts and communings was His。 From the first dawning of intelligence He was constantly growing in spiritual grace and knowledge of truth。
Every child may gain knowledge as Jesus did。 As we try to become acquainted with our heavenly Father through His word； angels will draw near； our minds will be strengthened； our characters will be elevated and refined。 We shall become more like our Saviour。 And as we behold the beautiful and grand in nature； our affections go out after God。 While the spirit is awed； the soul is invigorated by coming in contact with the Infinite through His works。 Communion with God through
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prayer develops the mental and moral faculties； and the spiritual powers strengthen as we cultivate thoughts upon spiritual things。
The life of Jesus was a life in harmony with God。 While He was a child； He thought and spoke as a child； but no trace of sin marred the image of God within Him。 Yet He was not exempt from temptation。 The inhabitants of N
