The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1898-10-09
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON II, FOURTH QUARTER, INTER-
NATIONAL SERIES. OCT. 9.

NATIONAL SERIES OCT. y.
Text of the Lesson, III Chron. xvii, Lilo.
Memory Verses, 3-6-GOldsn Text Prov.
III, e-Commentary by the Rev. d. NJ.
stearnA.
/. "And Jehosaphat, his son, reigned in
his stead and strengthened himself against
Israel" Israel, or the ten tribes, had
proved themselves TO be the enemies or
God, and to stand with God means to
stand against His enemies (Jas. 1v, ~.
How great the contrast in chapter xviii,
1. where we see Jehosaphat joining afhn-
ity with Ahab, the king of Israel. and thus
necessitating the rebuke of the Lord In
chapter xix, Q; "Shouldest thou help the
uuRodly and love them that hate the
Lordf" To be for God at all times and
under all circumstances is rare thing
and is seen perfectly only in the Lord Je-
sus Christ.
Q. "And he placed forces in all the
fenced cities Of Judah" Every king was
king for tho Lord III Chron. ix, 81, anG
his strength was to be in the Lord and not
in horses and chariots (Deut. xvii, 16).
When we put our trust in things visible,
we arc apt to cease to see and rely upon
God (Jer. xvii, 81. This is a constant
temptation and a snare. The Lord Is often
proving US as He did Philip, and we, like
Philip, venture to suggest to Him how 1t
might be done, but all the while He Him.
self knows what Ho will do John vi,
SD. When wo obediently and trustfully,
under Gods guidance. make ordinary
provision, all is well. Tha difficulty is
when we cease to see God.
g. ''And tho Lord was with Jehosaphat. "
This is the secret of all blessing. The Lord
was with Joseph (Gen xxx, ?, 3, 81, 23).
The Lord was with David (II Sam. V,
10). His comfort to Moses Joshua, Gid
con and jeremiah was the assurance that
He was with them (Ex. iii, IL; Josh. i,
5; Judg. vi, 16; Jer. 1, 81. So when the
Lord Jesus sent His followers into all tho
world the greatest encouragement Ho
could give them was His assurance: CAN
power is given unto Me in heaven and ON
earth. Go We, therefore, and, 10, am with
you alway, even unto the end of the age"
(NIath. xviii 1920.
4. "He sought to the Lord God of his
father and walked in His command
ments." 1t is written Of Zacharias and
Elizabeth that they were both righteous
before God, walking in all the command
ments and ordinances of the Lord blame
less (Luke !, 81. God had said to Israel
that If they would obey His voice and keep
His covenant, they would be peculiar
treasure unto Him above all people lex.
xix. 81, and in Titus ii, IA (R. W, it is
written that He gave Himself for Us to
redeem US from all iniquity and purify
unto Himself people for His own posses
sion, Jealous of good works.
5. Therefore the Lord Established the
kingdom in his hand" Joshua was told
that If he would observe to do according
to all the law, his way would be prosper
Gus and be would have good success Joshua
!, Z, 8. In II Chron. xx, 20, Jehoshaphat
is heard saying to the people, believe in
tho Lord your God, SO shall ye be estab-
lished," and in lisa. vii, 8, is the contrast,
eff 20 will not believe, surely ye shall not
be established" In God and in His word
is tho only establishments, for all else shall
be shaken. Wherefore We receiving king
dom which cannot be shaken let us have
grace whereby we may serve God accept
ably with reverence and godly fear, for
our God Is a consuming fire (Heb. xii, %,
29).
6. "And his heart was lifted up in the
ways of the Lord. Z" The margin says that
he was encouraged in tho ways of the
Lord; those who seek to walk in to way
of the Lord shall not lack encouragcment
to continue therein. There will no lnaEy
q handful dropped for US on purpose to
lead us in His way ruth ii, 16). They
that wait upon the Lord shall renew their
strength, they shall mount up with wings
as eagles lisa. Il, 31). The way of the
Lord was so attractive and enjoyable that
the way of the world and the devil became
distasteful and the high places and groves
were taken away. Wa cannot walk with
God unless we humble ourselves so to do
and make up our minds to be agreed with
Him Mic. vi, 8; Amos Iii, 3.
z. Also in the third year Of his reign
he sent to his princes to teach in the cities
o. Judah" What suggestive foreshadow-
ing of tho time when IA king shall reign
in righteousness and princes shall rule In
Judgment, and the work of righteousness
shall be peace, and tho effect Of righteous
ness, QuietneSS and assurance forever"
lisa. xxxii, l, 17). There cannot be any
thing more important than that men
should know the Lord and His ways, and
when kings and princes take up this al
their mission, the kingdom will either
have come or be very near. Just now our
government has given $50, 900. 900 for de-
| fenSe, for tho purchase or manufacture Of
| warships or war material, but was it ever
heard that any government ever gave even
| 81 200, 900 to make known the living GodS
8. "And with them Levites and priests. 4"
Tho priests lips should keep knowledge,
and they should seek the law at his mouth
| for he is the messenger of the Lord Of
hosts (Maf. ii, y. Their calling Is sim
| ply set forth In II Chron. xxx, IL, in
these words, MY sons, be not now negli-
| gent. for the Lord hath chosen you to
stand before Him to serve Him and that
ye should minister unto Him and burn IN
cense." Priests, prophets and kings were
to recognize God alone as their Master and
live only unto Him.
9. "And they taught In Judah and had
the book of the law of the Lord with them
and went about throughout all the cities
OF Judah and taught the people" There
is nothing on earth so heavenly as the
Word Of God. 1t Is oil "true from the be-
ginning" and forever settled in heaven