The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-23
Sunday School Lesson for July "a.
Elijah's Flight and Encouragement.
Kings XIX: lilo
BY j. e. GILBERT D. d., IL. d.
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education

were granted to prepare Elijah's mind
and heart for what afterward might be
delivered. 1t often occurs that God leads
man through a series of experience be-
cause he is not ready to receive what he
is entitled to know John xvi, 12). And so
Elijah was directed to stand upon the
mount. and there he witnessed strange
phenomena. The Lord passed by, and "a
series of physical demonstrations fol-
lowed. There was first strong wind
which rent the mountains. like that
which Ezekiel heard (Ezek. t. y. Then
came an earthquake causing the founda-
tons of the hills to tremble tverse III.
After that fire (verse 12), such as at
tracted Moses at the bush lex. iii, y. But
the Lord was not in any of these phen-
omena. He was behind 1t all, and supe-
rior to 1t all, and intended by it to make
the prophet know that nature and the
forces of nature were subject to the AL
mighty, who used them only as instru-
ments for the accomplishments of His
purpose.
COMMAND.-This marvellous display
was not lost upon the prophet. 1t left
him in a reverent and receptive mood.
Assured of Gods presence he wrapped
his face in his mantle (verse 49,, for 1t
was not lawful for him to behold the Di-
vine Person q. Tim vi, 16), and waited
till the voice came again, asking the
same question as before, and receiving
the same answ er (verse 14) This second
searching and second profession were
needed to test the heart of Elijah. 1t
was still moved by the desire for counsel
which was then given. Three distinct
lines of service were made known. First
the prophet should cross the wilderness
east of the Jordan and proceed to Da-
mascus. fully three hundred miles north
| east of Samaria. perhaps nine hundred
miles from Horeb. There he should
| anoint Hazael king over Syria, instead
| of Benhadad the reiging monarch q
| Kings Xxx, y. Second, he should proceed
| thence to his own country and anoint
| Jehu king of Israel instead of Ahab.
| Third. after all this he should anoint
| Elisha to be prophet in his own place.
| Here were three important changes de-
creed to be instituted through Elijah,
| a change in the head of two governments.
and a change in the prophetic office
| oversees Is and 16). This disclosure of the
| future purpose of God was intended as a
method of encouragement to one who is
cast down by present difficulties.
| CONCLUSION.-One who desires to OBJ
| tain the fullest instruction from one les
| son must read on even to the translation
| of Elijah, witnessing the changes that
| occurred in Israel and Syria and the
| forces that operated in the two king
| doms. He may, however, lay stress on a
| few points, shown in the light of present
study. Temporary encouragement is no
| indication of unfaithfulness. 1t is liable
| to come to any man. Indeed the more
| ardent the nature the more susceptible
| to despondency. He who puts his whole
| soul into a measure, who has the en-
| thusiasm necessary to success, is deeply
| moved when failure comes But in the
hour of encouragement one does well to
retire from the crowded city to the coun-
| try there to commune with nature. IT
| II profitable to break the associations
and let i'm new lines of thought, and for
| that purpose it is wise to repair to some
| spot where old memories will be revived
and a new inspiration may be obtained
| There is no better mode of encourage.
| ment than to turn the eyes to the future
| The past and present are dark and dis
| tressing, but the outlook for the coming
| days may be bright, awakening hope
| As Elijah saw what men God intended
| to bring into history. so we may finf
courage in believing that after us shall
| come many who will do better than we
have done psalm xc, ~.