The Tulsa star. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1913-1921, 1915-02-27

Having prepared a guilt Offering"
6:4-9 the Philistines started the ark
back towards Shiloh. As a punish.
ment for their sacrilege and perhaps
for their boastful pride, God Furnishes
the men of Beth-Shemesh and finally
the ark finds rest in the house OF
Abinadab, 6:10-21. IL. 2. For 20
years Israel was under discipline in
bondage, V. g
I. "And Samuel spake say.
Ing" w. 3.s. 1t is possible that at
times Samuel was fugitive, but that
he was praying, teaching and preach.
Ng "the word OF Jehovah" we are as.
sured At last Israel was drawn to-
gether,' v 2 II. Vmargin. Undoubted.
ly Samuers pure life and his faithful
witnessing had as much to do with
this assembling as did the oppression
Of the Phillstines. Samuel told the
people plainly that In order to be de-
liyered from the Philistines Israel
must return unto Jehovah with all
your heart" The putting away judg.
ing) of sin and all idols is the first
step OF any real, genuine repentance
towards God, lisa. 55:7 When Israel
adopted Ashtaroth and the strange
gods" they possibly did so with no
thought OF forsaking Jehovah, but
rather with the idea OF "enrinching"
their worship. Such liberality. such
federation Of religions is weakening to
the cause OF faith, Matt. 6:24, I John
2:15, James, "A. Samuel might be
called narrow" but his exhortation to
Israel that they return to the love
and worship OF Jehovah. to the obedi
ence OF his laws with whole-souled de.
votion was the first, and the most es
sential requisite to their freedom. Is
rael's response ". ~ meant not alone
selfdenial. but a revolt against the
Philistines. This meant also the Civ
ing up of amusements and profits which
might accompany such worship. The
word heart" includes the will, affec
tions. motives and powers of soul
Not merely n surface emotion, but a
| deep change of heart and character.
II is sad to recall that this was o
reformation. not a regeneration (ch
! S:Sl, but such is the history OF an
emotional reformation. One day, how.
ever, we shall see that one will last
last. Rom. 1926. Samuel is a type OF
Christ as a prophet and also as an
intercessor. Heb. 1925. Gathering the
people at Mizpah Ga lookout'D he
caused the people to look to God
Such a gathering was an evidence OF
that unity OF the people Of God which
must ever precede prevailing prayer
Ps 1896, Heb. 1925. The meeting
began by a prayer by Samuel who
was nearest to God. They than poured
out water upon the ground. n symbol
OF their utter helplessness. also OF
the pouring out OF their hearts before
God, II Sam. 14:l4; Ps. 62:S. IsraeI
also "fasted"-an expression OF sor
row for sin which was so deep that
they could not eat. and a sign OF the
humiliation OF self and an earnest de
sire to find God Dan. 9:3. Acts 1872, 8
n. "And Samuel offered
a burnt Offering" w. 9.t2. Twenty
years Of bondage bred a spirit OF fear
in the hearts OF the lsraeltes and In
their extremity they turned to Sam
uel to intercede for them, Christians
have a better one as their interces
sor, | John 2:1; Heb 1925; Rom
S:34. Israel no longer places Its
trust In an outward symbol as when
formerly they sent for the ark, ch. 4:3
All real prayer is preceded by sacri
fee. and the only ground we have upon
which to approach a holy God is tC
shed blood. Heb. 1919, John 1876. This
is also type OF entire conservation
Tho lamb of Samuel's sacrifice is q
type OF our Christ who entered into
Gods presence for us by his owr
blood" Heb. 9:ll, 12. Having thu:
properly approached God, Samue
cried for Israel. and the Lord heard
him." John 1873. In the midst Of thi,
tho Phlistines gave battle ". 1OI
even as Satan often makes hi;
iiercest assaults upon us in the midst
Of our hollest exercises. God "thun
dered with n great voice" V. II, marg.
~ III hlliS hloNhlllhAult duu ltdI " Nut
enemy, John 5:li.
The Heart OF the Lesson. This les
son is great revelation OF the power
and effectiveness OF lntercessory
prayer. Moses and Aaron among hi,
priests, and Samuel among them that
call upon his name" Ps. 1876, seems
to place Samuel at the head OF Is
raels intercessors even as Moses and
Aaron led the prophet priests.
Prayer for others is not only duty
but a privilege and 10y as well.
Too few Christians are intercedinl
for others. The sincere prayer fol
others is inevitably followed up by
service for others. even as Samuel:
prayer was followed by his service
Judging Israel.
This lesson also emphasizes the
need OF appreciation OF Gods mer
ciesl Abraham erected his altars; ia
cob and Joshua erected memo
| rial lstones to recall signal blessings.