Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-02-24
Sabbath
Schoo1LeSson

There was an interval of probably five
years between the events of the last
lesson and the Incidents of todays. Dur
ing this time we have no definite knowl-
edge of Elijah, although we know he
was accompanied by Elisha. 1t is more
than probable that he occupied his time
in establishing and nurtdring the schools
of the prophets about which we see some
notices later. He had learned at Horeb
that God was not to effect the reforma-
ton of Israel by spectacular methods,
by force, but by the gentler method of
the quiet influence Of man upon man, as
typified in the still small voice that he
heard. Obeying the heavenly vision he
anointed Elisha and set about organic
ing schools where young men might De
gathered and trained who should go IN
and out among the people, warn them of
their sin, and lead them gently back to
God.
That he had done this work so quietly
that Ahab and Jezebel had not heard OF
his presence back in Israel is quite GER
tain. They probably thought themselves
rid of a man who was a troublesome
neighbor. His Righteousness made them
hate him because 1t constantly con-
demned their sin. Does yours condemn
that of others for the same reason? He
had disappeared after the Carmel expe-
rience, and they had not seen or heard
OF him since.
NABOTH, THE CHRISTIAN MARTYR.
Ahab had not profited by that expert
ence II would seem that after so mar
velous manifestation Of Gods power
and mercy to him, he would have been
changed man; but he was not. Soon
the Carmel incident (for 1t was no more
to him than a mere incidenD was for
gotten, and his unholy life grew in I'M
1 = I'm Of side
| OF that is seen in this story of him.
Adjoining the palace enclosure at the
summer home in Jezreel was the estate
of a gentleman named Naboth. 1t mad
been inherited by him from his father,
] who in turn had inherited 1t from his
| father 1t had come down through long
line of ancestors, and could be traced
back to the time when Joshua parcelled
out the land to the tribes after conquer
ing Canaan. 1t may or may not have
been a desirable piece Of property; but
Naboth priced it highly for its associa-
tons. The law Of God as given to Moses
had directed that such property could
not be sold permanently. If man got
into sore straights he niIght borrow on
Il. mortgage it for a time, but at the
year OF jubilee, it had to revert to its
original owner
Ahab wanted to beautify his home,
and proposed to this gentleman that ne
sell him his estate, or exchange 1t Tor
one better. 1t seemed reasonable prop
osition, but Ahab knew that the divine
law prohibited such transaction. Ma
both had too much respect for Gods law
to accept it, and very respectfully DE-
clined the repeated proposals that were
made by his king. The apostasy or the
king and the people had not affected
him. He was probably one OF the ToOO
secret disciples who had not bowed the
knee to Baal. The testing time comes
to him now. and he shows his colors
bravely.
| AHAB, THE COVETOUS.
1t might have been better if Nabath had
showed his colors sooner, and stood boldly
for Jehovah and against Baal, but we
must not be judges of mems motives
when our data concerning them is SO
meagre
Ahab presents a very ugly side of his
life to us here. 1t would seem that he
| had enough to satisfy him. He was king