Middletown transcript., 1915-09-18

z. v.
We feel somewhat like questioning
the title of this lesson. 1t can be used
as a temperance lesson no doubt, but
to attribute Ben-hadad's defeat entire
ly to drunkenness is not quite true to
the facts. Jehovah's jealousy of his
name ". 13) and the enemies con-
tempt for Jehovah wv. 23, 2S) are the
fundamental causes of the defeat OF
the Syrians though, of course, drunk
enness, as an exhibition of self-indulg-
ence and therefore of weakness, was
a natural accompaniment of that con-
tempt for God.
l. Ahab's Predicament, w. 1912.
The Syrian kings contemptuous treat
ment Of Ahab wv. Id at last became
SO great that in sheer desperation the
people refused to listen to his demands
". g. His forces far overwhelmed
the little army of Israel wv. l, 10,
27), but one was on Ahab's side who
had not yet withdrawn his mercy from
Israel and with whom Ben-hadad could
not cope ". 10; Rom. 1881; Phil.
4:13). Ben-hadad was the most pow
erful monarch of his time of those ma
tions bordering upon the Mediter-
ranean. The march of his army was
like "a tempest of hail, an overwhelm-
ing scourge" with unrestrained power.
| The effect was worse than the plaques
of Egypt. But Ben-hadad was a drunk.
ard, a habitual one wv. 12-16).
Samaria was rich and this king want
ed 1t even as intemperance always
lusts after the wealth of youth and
the gold of nation wv. 3, 12). Drink
always makes fool of its victim and
dooms to ultimate defeat all who yield
to its power (ch. 1879; IL Sam. 1928;
Prov. 31:4, 5; Luke 21:34; Eph.
5:1S).
Tradition tells of monk who was
offered the alternative of committing
one of two crimes or of getting drunk.
Choosing drunkenness as the lesser
evil he awoke from his debauch to
find he had committed both of the
crimes.
Intemperance becomes too greedy in
its demands and its results so terrible
that thoughtful people are at last
moved with indignation. There is no
drinking in moderation. There is no
such thing as regulating the liquor
traffic. For every $500 received by
license $5,945 is the average cost to-
the taxpayer for each saloon. But
that is not all. The saloon takes also
the very joys its cup promises and
turns its visions into torments.
II. Gods Prophet, w. 1915. 1t was
indeed dark for Ahab. He saw ". 13)
the host confronting m but he also
heard the word of Jehovah. AS con-
trasted with Jehovah that multitude
was but as a handful of dust. God
Is on the side of temperance. All Of
Gods laws favor temperance. Our
everything glorified leader and the
, energizing power of the holy spirit are
|, the ones who are the source of our
victories over all principalities and
powers Of evil. Ahab's predicament
is answered by Gods II will deliver"
". 13) and so today we have his sure
promise of victory (Eph. 6;1O-12).
1 God has today set forth his prophets
4 Il Cor. 1929 to proclaim his mes
!: sage Of salvation and power to over
!, come intemperance. This is not a
necessary evil" Experts and scien-
lists have clearly demonstrated its be-
ing unnecessary and drag upon So
! ciety, and God has taught US how to
4 overcome it. Ahabs unfortunate char
acter appears at it's best in this story.
A but alas he and his successors soon
4 forgot the lesson. To his eager in
quiries God made full answer and
!: there is no suggestion of his doubling
j Gods word.
Il III. Victorious Princes, w. 1921. To
i Ahab's question by whom" is this de-
4 liverance to be wrought, God answers
4 by the young men of the princes OF
4 the provinces" ". 14). These choice
young fellows are mustered in, 232 ol
them, as leaders of an army of 1000
all who could be found in the capital
God delights to work through youne
men l John 2:13, 14) and the pages
of history are strewn with the victori
Gus achievements of youth. more
precious than gold and silver are the
youth Of the nation" and 1t is upor
the youth the prosperity industrially
4 morally and spiritually of a nation de
y pends. 1T is holy sight to see
nation saved by its youth; it is
grander sight to Christian students
combined to save the world DIR
u John r. Mott.
II. Two-thirds Of Lincoln's army wer,
under twenty-one years of age at thei
enlistment; the Union was preserves
by an army of boys.
ro Ahab himself is the leader ". IA
ld and they began at once by carrying
the battle into the e1emies territory
de Ben-hadad and his drinking compar
er ions never dreamed of being attacke
Is at that hour. Like Gideon and hi
army these young men smote tn
slt Syrian host in overwhelming defea
re- IsraePs enemies had incapacitate
themselves. A drunken mob is n
mt match for even hapdful of organize
er and sober men. These thirty-thre
kings courted their own defeat (Prol
23:2s-32; Eccl 11:10; Hos. 4:A1). Bel
hadad's kings who helped him" ". 1G
tly proved to be a reed for all the strengt
es. ano support they rendered him in th
re- moment of his need.
on 1t was the young men who wer
$50 first, e. g., struck the first blow. Bel
hadads self-ccnfidence and boastin
w. 1S) is but another illustration
that pride which goeth before d
az" | struction" (ProV 1913. rlya 1o.1A