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he rabbinical schools would have unfitted him for his work。 God did not send him to the teachers of theology to learn how to interpret the Scriptures。 He called him to the desert； that he might learn of nature and nature's God。
It was a lonely region where he found his home； in the midst of barren hills； wild ravines； and rocky caves。 But it was his choice to forgo the enjoyments and luxuries of life for the stern discipline of the wilderness。 Here his surroundings were favorable to habits of simplicity and self…denial。 Uninterrupted by the clamor of the world； he could here study the lessons of nature； of revelation； and of Providence。 The words of the angel to Zacharias had been often repeated to John by his God…fearing parents。 From childhood his mission had been kept before him； and he had accepted the holy trust。 To him the solitude of the desert was a welcome escape from society in which suspicion； unbelief； and impurity had become well…nigh all…pervading。 He distrusted his own
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power to withstand temptation； and shrank from constant contact with sin； lest he should lose the sense of its exceeding sinfulness。
Dedicated to God as a Nazarite from his birth； he made the vow his own in a life…long consecration。 His dress was that of the ancient prophets； a garment of camel's hair； confined by a leather girdle。 He ate the 〃locusts and wild honey〃 found in the wilderness； and drank the pure water from the hills。
But the life of John was not spent in idleness； in ascetic gloom； or in selfish isolation。 From time to time he went forth to mingle with men； and he was ever an interested observer of what was passing in the world。 From his quiet retreat he watched the unfolding of events。 With vision illuminated by the divine Spirit he studied the characters of men； that he might understand how to reach their hearts with the message of heaven。 The burden of his mission was upon him。 In solitude； by meditation and prayer； he sought to gird up his soul for the lifework before him。
Although in the wilderness； he was not exempt from temptation。 So far as possible； he closed every avenue by which Satan could enter； yet he was still assailed by the tempter。 But his spiritual perceptions were clear； he had developed strength and decision of character； and through the aid of the Holy Spirit he was able to detect Satan's approaches； and to resist his power。
John found in the wilderness his school and his sanctuary。 Like Moses amid the mountains of Midian； he was shut in by God's presence； and surrounded by the evidences of His power。 It was not his lot to dwell； as did Israel's great leader； amid the solemn majesty of the mountain solitudes； but before him were the heights of Moab； beyond Jordan； speaking of Him who had set fast the mountains； and girded them with strength。 The gloomy and terrible aspect of nature in his wilderness home vividly pictured the condition of Israel。 The fruitful vineyard of the Lord had become a desolate waste。 But above the desert the heavens bent bright and beautiful。 The clouds that gathered； dark with tempest； were arched by the rainbow of promise。 So above Israel's degradation shone the promised glory of the Messiah's reign。 The clouds of wrath were spanned by the rainbow of His covenant…mercy。
Alone in the silent night he read God's promise to Abraham of a seed numberless as the stars。 The light of dawn； gilding the mountains of Moab； told of Him who should be as 〃the light of the morning； when the
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sun riseth； even a morning without clouds。〃 2 Sam。 23：4。 And in the brightness of noontide he saw the splendor of His manifestation； when 〃the glory of the Lord shall be revealed； and all flesh shall see it together。〃 Isa。 40：5。
With awed yet exultant spirit he searched in the prophetic scrolls the revelations of the Messiah's coming；the promised seed that should bruise the serpent's head； Shiloh； 〃the peace giver；〃 who was to appear before a king should cease to reign on David's throne。 Now the time had come。 A Roman ruler sat in the palace upon Mount Zion。 By the sure word of the Lord； already the Christ was born。
Isaiah's rapt portrayals of the Messiah's glory were his study by day and by night；the Branch from the root of Jesse； a King to reign in righteousness； judging 〃with equity for the meek of the earth；〃 〃a covert from the tempest； 。 。 。 the shadow of a great rock in a weary land；〃 Israel no longer to be termed 〃Forsaken；〃 nor her land 〃Desolate；〃 but to be called of the Lord； 〃My Delight；〃 and her land 〃Beulah。〃 Isa。 11：4； 32：2； 62：4； margin。 The heart of the lonely exile was filled with the glorious vision。
He looked upon the King in His beauty； and self was forgotten。 He beheld the majesty of holiness； and felt himself to be inefficient and unworthy。 He was ready to go forth as Heaven's messenger； unawed by the human； because he had looked upon the Divine。 He could stand erect and fearless in the presence of earthly monarchs； because he had bowed low before the King of kings。
John did not fully understand the nature of the Messiah's kingdom。 He looked for Israel to be delivered from her national foes； but the coming of a King in righteousness； and the establishment of Israel as a holy nation； was the great object of his hope。 Thus he believed would be accomplished the prophecy given at his birth；
〃To remember His holy covenant； 。 。 。 That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies Might serve Him without fear； In holiness and righteousness before Him； all the days of our life。〃
He saw his people deceived； self…satisfied； and asleep in their sins。 He longed to rouse them to a holier life。 The message that God had given him to bear was designed to startle them from their lethargy； and
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cause them to tremble because of their great wickedness。 Before the seed of the gospel could find lodgment； the soil of the heart must be broken up。 Before they would seek healing from Jesus； they must be awakened to their danger from the wounds of sin。
God does not send messengers to flatter the sinner。 He delivers no message of peace to lull the unsanctified into fatal security。 He lays heavy burdens upon the conscience of the wrongdoer； and pierces the soul with arrows of conviction。 The ministering angels present to him the fearful judgments of God to deepen the sense of need； and prompt the cry； 〃What must I do to be saved？〃 Then the hand that has humbled in the dust； lifts up the penitent。 The voice that has rebuked sin； and put to shame pride and ambition； inquires with tenderest sympathy； 〃What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee？〃
When the ministry of John began； the nation was in a state of excitement and discontent verging on revolution。 At the removal of Archelaus； Judea had been brought directly under the control of Rome。 The tyranny and extortion of the Roman governors； and their determined efforts to introduce the heathen symbols and customs； kindled revolt； which had been quenched in the blood of thousands of the bravest of Israel。 All this intensified the national hatred against Rome； and increased the longing to be freed from her power