Oxford eagle., 1915-09-16

We feel somewhat Ike questioning
the title Of this lesson Il can be used
rs . temperance lesson no doubt. but
to attribute Ben-hadzd's defeat entire
ly to drunkenness Is not quite true to
the facts. Jehovah's jealousy OF bis
name ". 13) and the enemies con-
tempt for Jehovah (vv. g. Isl are the
fundamental causes OF the defeat Of
the Syrians though. OF course. drunk
enness. as an exhibition Of self-iadulg-
snce and therefore Of weakness. vas
q natural accompaniment OF that con-
tempt for God
]. Ahzs's Prreiesment. W. fof2.
The Syrian kings eontemptuoas treat
ment OF Ahab wv. III at last became
so great that In sheer desperation the
people refused to listen to his demands
". 81. His forces far overwhelmed
the little army Of Israel (vv. l. 10.
"a. but one vas On Ahab's side Who
had not yet vithtravn his mercy from
Israel and ~fth whom Ben-hadad could
not cope ". u: Rom sal. Phil
AID. Ben-haead vas the most pow
erful monarch Of his tine of those ns-
tons bordering upon the Msditer-
ranean- The march Of bis army vas
Ike a tempest Of hail. an overwheln-
ing scourge- with unrestratned power.
The effect was worse than the plaques
OF Egypt But Bsn-hAdad vas . drunk
ard. a hahitGal one (vy. 12-1sl.
Sanaria was rich and this king want
ed IL even as fntenperzace always
luSts after the wealth Of youth and
the gold OF nation tvv- ;. 12l. Drink
always makes = fool os It's victim and
d0ons to ultimate defeat all who yield
TO It's power (eh- is.s: Il sam 13.2s:
Prov. sI.&. S; Lake 21:3i: Eph-
5:1sl.
u. Cess prephet. w. f3iS 1t was
indeet DARK for Ahab. He saw ". ~
the host eonfrunting him but he also
heard the word Of Jehovah As con-
trzsted with Jehovah that multitude
vas but as q handful OF dust God
is on the side Of temperance AL Of
Gods laws favor temperance. Our
everything glorined leader and the
energtxtng power Of the holy spirit are
the ones who are the source Of our
victories over all prtneipalities and
powers Of evil Ahab's predicament
Is answered by Gods I will deliver"
". 13l and 50 today We have his sure
promise Of victory CEph- s:l0I2l.
Gcd has today set forth his prophets
q Cor. 12-2s1 to proclaim his mes
sage OF salvation and power to over
come intemperance. This Is not q
Necessary evil Experts and scien-
lists have clearly demonstrated its be-
ing unnecessary xnd . drag upon so
eiety. and God has taught Us how to
overcome IT, AhAhis unfortunate char.
aeter appears at its best in this story,
but alas he and his successors soon
forgot the lessoa
III. Victorious Princes, w. 1927. Tc
Ahab's question by whom. Is this de-
hveranee to be wrought. God answers.
by the young men Of the princes Of
the provinces" (y- Ia. These choice
young fellows are mustered In, 2ss Of
them. as leaders OF an army Of 1000.
all who could be found in the capital
God delights to work through young
men John 2:13. IA and the paxes
OF history are strewn with the victori-
Gus achievements Of youth
Two-thirds OF Lincoln's army were
under tventy-one years Of age at their
enlistment; the Union was preserved
BY an army Of boys.
Ahab himself Is the leader (v. II
and they began at once By carrying
the battle into the enemies, territory.
Ben-hadad and his drinking compau.
ions never dreamed Of being attacked
at that hour. Like Gideon and his
army these young men smote the
syrian host in overwhelming defeat.
israefs enemies had incapacitated
themselves. A drunken mob ia M
match for even a handful Of Organized
and sober men These thirty-three
kings courted their own defeat prov.
zS:-s-s.; EecL l1:i0; Hos. AID. Ben
nadads kings who helped him" ". I0
proved to be reed for all the strength
and support they rendered him in the
moment Of lis need.
1t was the young men who went
nrst. e. g. struck the first blow. Ben
nadads self-confdence and boastine
". ls) Is but another Illustration Of
that pride which goeth before de-
struetion" prov. 1918; Luke 1s.14)
The army Of Israel was small (y. I0
but 1t did not hesitate to attack the
superior force and that sort of faith
VIII always incits others which viii
follow them" w. 1sJ.
Every man slew his man each
did his part-'played the game and
played 1t fair"-and the result was .
host in full fight and the handful Of
lsraeiites In pursuit ". 20).
God saved Israel that day by The usa
OF young men Teachers. do YOU real
ize your opportunity. II Is ours 10
arouse In youth a realization Of its
capacities, advantages. opportunities
and responsibilities: to inspire them