Evening journal., 1913-02-21
PASTOR DRAWS
LESSONS FROM
LIFE OF JOAB

In Olivet Presbyterian Church re-
Gently the Rev. j. c. Lane, pastor,
preached on the subject, Nay, But
/ viii Die Here" a lesson from the
life of Joab. By request Of members
of the congregation the following alb
stract of the sermon is here printed.
Mr.. Lane said in part
'Joab had been a prominent figure
in. Israel during the reign Of David.
He was the Kings nephew, and. next
to- the King himself, was undoubtedly
the ablest man Of his time. His great
ability as a warrior and leader quail
fed him for the highest position in
the army, and during nearly the
whole Of Davids reign he was at the
head OF the military aTairs of his
realm. BY his bravery and good gen.
eralship ne had won many victories
tor the king and twice at least had
saved Tor him his crown.
But the brilliant career OF this
great warrior was stained with many
crimes. He was altogether unscrup-
ulous, and would resort to any means
TO accomplish his ends. No wicked
ness was too great for him No con-
sideratlOn of right or wrong could
detain him for a single moment in
the. pursuit OF his wicked schemes
Nothing could stand in the way of his
towering ambition. The sacredness
of human life was a thing unknown
to him. Treacherously he murdered
Abner; in defiance of the Kings COM
mand he took the life Of Ahsalom; in
malicious jealousy he slew Amassa
A brave and powerful warrior and an
able general, but an INSCRIPTIONS
man, murderer and at last traitor
one who had no fear of God and nc
love for the sacred altar, was this
Joab, the sosn Of David's sister Zere-
miah. And this is the man who, at
the end of his brilliant and wicked
career, when at last justice had over
taken him and he was called to ac-
count for his awful crimes, fled for
protection to the altar of Jehovah.
ANY one who, without malice OF
forethought had taken the life of an
other, could, when pursued by the
blood avenger find a place of safety
at the altar. If once he could reach
the horns Of the altar he was out ol
the reach of his pursuers. They would
not be allowed TO profane that sacred
place by shedding there innocent
blood. But for the wilful murderer
the altar afforded no such protection
Joab we'll know that he had no claim
to the rights Of sanctuary, but hi:
guilty conscience compelled him e
flee, and where could he go but tc
the altar. For him there was nc
place of safety n once the King should
seek to bring him to justice.
But. as a drowning man will ever
grasp at straw. SO a man like Joab
though still impenitent and doomed
10 die for his sins, will lay hold will
eager hand upon the most forlorr
hope of escape Perhaps this mar
may have indulged the hope that
while the rule Of the sanctuary coulC
not protect him, yet Solomon, VIII,
had a high regard for the sanctity o
the altar. would hesitate to execut
the sentence there. or it may be tha
superstition, for this is one of thl
characteristics of irreligious ant
brutal natures. may have led him 4
imagine that il would he better 70
him 10 meet his doom there, IL h
must die. right in the shadow of tn
sacred altar.
AT any rate il is this man. tn
murderer and traitor. ore who had NJ
love for the habitation of Gods house
whom we see crouching at the altar
and, in answer to the summons Of TIL
Kings servant to come forth and ex
plate his crimes with his own blood
crying, Nay, but I will die here
1T IS sad and tragic ending 20
such a brilliant career The idol o
the army, the man who was first II
the deadly breach. the ever victoriou
hero, dies miserably by the thrus
of an old comrede. For him with hi
guilty conscience and impeniten
heart the sanctuary Of God has nj
protection Though he clings to tn
horns Of the altar it avails him moth
ing
Friends, the lesson stands on
clear and strong for us today H
who has no respect for Gods alta
as a place Of sacrifice will find n
protection in It when he seeks
as a sanctuary-a place of refuge 70
him when he can sin no longer. I
you would have the right Of sanctuar
you must first accent the gift Of sac
riice It is hut foolish presumption
for Won to look for protection whe
Won have not cared and do not car
to Weld obedience.
Lot rs learn from the case Of Joa