The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-09
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.
July 10. 1851 Kings xvii. lie.


The accepted idea of prophet is too mechan-
ica We have been accustomed to imagine one
called to this office as so possessed by the Di-
vine spirit that his personal will and judgment
are practically supplanted He is moved like
automaton. verse in st. James's episte turns
strong light upon the prophetic office, and cor
reefs our misapprehension. Elijah was a man
of like nature we are In and out of his
special function, he a perfectly normal char
acter Over in Tishbe of Gilead he contemplated
the disgrace and impending ruin of his country.
His heart stirred with patriotic feelings as
ours are by events now transporting Do not take
Elijah out of the category of perfectly normal
human life. St. James says his feelings and
emotions were just such as ours would be under
similar circumstances. In his distress he COM
muned with God. Is the evil remediless? Cannot
the people be chastened? Will not drought and
famine bring them to repentance? He believes
so. He prays that it may not rain. Can he aspire
to be Jehovah's ambassador to the court of
Ahab? If so. he places himself unreservedly at
the disposal of the Almighty So. of his own
will. with use of his own judgment, in normal
manner he becomes IsraeTs reformer Some
scholars have been annoyed at the abruptness of
Eljah's appearance in the narrative The Jeru-
salem Talmud fills in the apparent hiatus with
imaginary conversation between Elijah and
Ahab. 1t is gratuitous. Abruptness is in ap-
pearance only From st. James know how
season of prayer prepared the prophet for his
mission. The people would recognize him as Je-
hovah,s messenger. Conscience would tell them
why the scourge was SENT
Next this portrait of the prophet hangs that of
the widow of Zarephath. Plague of famine has
fallen upon her. She is gathering fuel to bake
the last cake footstep! She looks up A
stranger: Hebrew; a prophet. Possibly the
prophet whose word has brought the famine
However. she recognizes in the alien fellow.
sufferer. He, too. is famine stricken. Her benev-
oence rises to subdue her racial prejudice and
stronger passion. iud
The prophet makes as great requisition
heather woman. whose faith exceIled that 'i oS
any woman of Israel received a prophet and
with him prophets reward. 1t was no accident
that Elijah sent to her. She was worthy
Now she stands forever incensed with the
saviors commendation and hallowed with his
praise.
MOSAIC FROM COMMENTARIES.
Elijah: Jehovah is my God.-student's Com
mentary.
Gilead: Picturesque country east of Jordan
Said unto Ahab One man with God stands
out against the iniquity of his time, and con-
quers.-Boynton.
AS the Lord liveth: He proclaims the living God
in opposition to dead idols.-whedon
Before whom 1 stand: That was his spiritual at
titude.-Krummacher
Did according: He took the Word of the Lord
grimage.-Ibid
SO he Aose: Strange that he should be d.
ieCtSu " mat country, winch mad been the
cason of all IsraeIs troubles-Patrick
little water: Probably no drop crossed his
lips since he drained the last mouthful from
Cherith.-Macduff.
AS she going: She readily went at the
first word.-Commentator' Commentary
Lord thy God: Recognizes Elijah a worshiper
of Jehovah.-Bahr.
Cake: Smallest kind of bread: fiat oval of nm
leavened dough, ten inches in diameter Barrel
Earthern jar Oil: Olive oil, to eat with bread
as we eat butter. Cruise: Flask for liquids. Bar
rel not waste: Gods way of providing
for mans wants is wonder daily repeated
Quincy.
THE TEACHERS CULVER.
First-The Lord has his prohets yet Who see
the evil Whose hearts stirred. Who put
themselves at disposal of heaven for reforma-
ton of the evil. Frances E. Willard was such
prophecies.
Second-Two portraits appear upon the same
page. Women, contemporaries, same race wor-
shippers of same gods. Here resemblance ceases.
One is queen, ambitious cruel, intolerant H.
centious. Other widow. whom and her dying
the plague has fallen with all it's weight
Her benevolence and faith outshne the queens
jewels.
Thrd-No accident these two portraits appear
together. B.1le teaches by example. Each char
acter stands for an opposite principle OF life. In
Jezebel it was love of self In the widow il was
love Of others.
Fourth-Outcome of the two lives was what
might have been expected Jezebel dies a violent
death at the hands of tratorous menials
Whether 1t be true not that the widows son
became the prophet Jonah at any rate she re-
ceived commentator of the Prophet of
prophets.