The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-09

CTION.-Jeroboam, the first
king of judah. believing that a change in
religion would confirm him on the throne,
set up the worship of the golden calf,
which he had seen in Egypt. q. Kings,
xii, 1920. Five kings following-Nadab.
Baasha, Elah, Zimri and Omri-resorted
to the same idolatry, so that II was said
of each one that he walked in the way
of Jeroboam." Ahab, the seventh king,
exceeded in wickedness all who went be-
fore him. In place of the worship of
Jeroboams calves. he established the
service of Baal, built a temple and altar
at Samaria and made a grove for the i'm
pure orgies of Ashtoreth His wife put
to death the prophets of God and APP
pointed $50 prophets to the new religion
who were fed at the kings table. III.
Kings, xviii, 19). The influence of the
court and the force of the persecution
appeared to complete the apostacy of the
people, although in secret places many
thousands refused to worship Baal. q.
Kings, xix, 1S). The darkest night of Is
raers spiritual declenson had come.
Then appeared the greatest of all the
prophets since Moses, the type of that
great preacher of repentance the fore
runner of Christ Matthew, xvii, 49, Eli
jah, the Tishbite. comes suddenly into
public notice, without a word concern
ing his parentage. We know only that
Jordan.
PREDICTION.-The sacred penman
first mentions Elijah as standing in the
presence of Ahab His earlier ministry
which must have been important, is
passed over in silence. 1t required a
brave man to preach to an idolatrous
king, whose wife, me wicked Jezebel,
was a tiend incarnate. The prophets
message was in three parts (verse y.
There was a prediction that neither rain
nor dew should fall, except according to
Elijah's words. Years would pass
Games, v. I'D during which the land
would suffer from drought, a calamity
causing trouble among all classes of the
people This was intended to be a judg-
ment from the Almighty for the sins of
the king. The prediction did not rest
solely upon the prophets veracity. He
affirmed it in a most positive manner,
declaring that 1t was as certain of full
filment as the very existence of Jehovah.
To add to the force of his words he de-
clared he stood before God; that he was
the authorized servant and the commits
stoned spokesman of heaven. That was
momentous occasion. proud and
wayward sovereign was summoned be-
fore the sovereign of the whole earth to
learn the penalty of his evil doings.
PROTECTION.-In those days the pow-
er of the king was absolute. Whom he
would put to death. 1t was therefore at
the peril of his life that Elijah had gone
to Ahab. The character of the man and
his calling would not protect him from
the wrath of one who, having cast off the
services of God, now sought to turn the
people into heather denominations. But
Elijah was nevertheless safe, because his
God would defend him. No sooner had
| he spoken his faithful words than he
| heard the voice of the Spirit bidding him
| instantly to leave the place (verse O.
| He was directed to travel eastward to
| the Jordan and hide himself in the over
| hanging rocks of a brook that emptied
| into great river (verse 80 There he
should have water from the brook 10
| drink and ravens by command of God
should supply him with food (verse A.
| There were many other ways by which
this man of God might have been pro.
| tected. Without doubt this was for the
| present the best method for him. 1t was
at least enough for Elijah to know that
| he was not to fall a victim to the kings
| anger: that a definite place of security
| had been appointed where he should be
| under the care of Him whom he served