The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-27
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson V.---First Quarter, For
Jan. 20, 1911.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

by Rev. .. NJ. Stearns.
This weeks lesson is much more at
tractive then that of last week, mas
much as we are now introduced to an
other good king of Judah, Jehoshaphai
by name, who succeeded his father
Asa and reigned twenty-five years
Last week it was chiefly the devil and
his wickedness; now it is chiefly Je,
hovah and His ways. We say "chief.
"" because there were some things in
the life OF JehOshaphat which were
not ordered by the Lord, though they
were doubtless overruled by Him for
good. / refer to his joining affinity
with Ahab and with Ahaziah, kings
OF Israel, who both did very wickedly
xviii, 1 Xxx, 30. God wants a people
wholly set apart for Himself and in
no way entangled by or mixed up with
unbelievers. Our instructions are
plainly written in II Cor. vi, 14-1s, the
only passage in the New Testament
outside Of Revelation where we find
the name Almighty" the significance
of which we will not know in our ex-
perience unless we are wholly separat-
ed unto Him.
Many beautiful things are said of
Jehoshaphat in our lesson, such nc
"The Lord was with him; he sought to
the Lord God Of his father; his heart
was lifted up in the ways of the Lord"
also some grand things that he said
are found In the record of him, such
as Believe in the Lord your God, so
shall We be established; believe His
prophets, so shall ye prosper" Xxx, 20);
also his charge to the Levites and
priests in chapter xix, Oil, and his
prayer in chapter Xxx, 6-12.
It was most commendable that he
should send throughout all the cities
of Judah those who would teach out
OF the book Of the law Of the Lord
(verse 81. So we read that the Lord
established the kingdom in his hand,
and not only all Judah, but also the
Philistines and the Arabians. brought
him presents, and he had riches and
honor in abundance and waxed great
exceedingly verses 3, 1912, a full
fiIIment Of the words, Them that hon
or me I will honor Il Sam. ii. 3O).
1t would have been a better record
If it could have been written that this
good king never in any way turned
aside from doing right in the sight Of
the Lord, but only one ever lived on
earth who knew no sin and did no
sin. Ever since Adam sinned every
mere man has proved himself to be a
sinner. How wonderful it is and what
glorious good news that He who never
sinned, having been made sin for us,
offers to blot out all our sins and put
His righteousness to our account be-
fore God III Cor. V, 2D.
When Jehoshaphat went with Ahab
TO battle and almost lost his life there
by, when he in his extremity cried out,
the Lord helped him, and God moved
them to depart from him xviii, 29-31).
1t is only as the Lord, or Jehovah, who
by grace becomes our righteousness,
that God, or Elohim, the Creator, can
do anything for such as we are. II
was after Jehoshaphat had been re-
buked for his sin in the matter OF
Ahab with the memorable and far.
reaching words, "Shouldst thou help
the ungodly and love them that hate
the Lord" that he said to the Judges
whom he appointed, take heed what
ye do, for We judge not for man, but
for the Lord" chapter xix, 2, 6, y.
When we see in our day those who
profess to honor Jesus as God Joining
hands in so called good works with
those who deny that Jesus is God it
looks very much like a union of Christ
and antichrist, an impossibility, and
therefore all who unite in any way
with the enemies of Christ are for the
time being denying Him.
The record of Jehoshaphat's victory
over the people of Ammon, Moab and
Mount SER in chapter Xxx is in many
respects the most remarkable part of
his story. His confession of utter
helplessness and lack of wisdom, with
his reliance upon God, as set forth in
his prayer verses 6-12), is very beau
tiful. The answer to his PRAYER
through Jahaziel verses 14-1D was
most encouraging with its repeated
BE not afraid nor dismayed," and its
nfhar VEynrds CO l;Iyo +ho.o 4k....- -.
Moses, when the Egyptians pursued
Israel. Compare Elk. xiv, ID, Id, "If
we are true children Of God the bat
tie is always His, and it is ours to
stand still and see the salvation of the
Lord" On this occasion the people
went forth singing and praising the
Lord, and not only were the enemies
smitten, but they began to destroy
themselves. 1t is always safe to be-
lieve God and to praise God, to bless
the Lord at all times.
So God gave Jehoshaphat rest
round about, and his realm was uuiet
and all the kingdoms feared God when
they saw how He fought for Israel
txx, 20, 30). If we were to the Lord
what He would like us to be He would
ill us with His rest and peace and
Joy, and something of the life of Jesus
would be manifest in US to His glory.
In Jehoshaphat's prayer Abraham is
mentioned as the friend of God, and
only in two other places is he thus
mentioned, in lisa. xii, 6; Jas. IL, %.
But In John xv, Ia, Jesus said. "Ye
are my friends If We do whatsoever /
command you"
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