Middletown transcript., 1915-08-28

We now skip thirty to forty years
prophets whose lives are recorded at
length Samuel and David fought ami
mails, armies and giants, but these men
fought engagements in the moral and
spiritual realm of equal and greater
Importance. Emphasize Elijah as a
real live flesh-and-blood hero. His
work was with the northern kingdom
and he probably first met Ahab at Sa-
maria, his capital in 912 B. c. (?) The
Moabite stone "a. d. 1859 is re-
markable confirmation of the Bible
story of this period.
I. The Challenge, v. I. The lesson
is a great illustration of faith. Sin
had again made vast inroads upon the
people (ch. 16: 30-33) and this man of
the hour" whose name means "Jeho-
yah My Strength" % saw the condi-
tions; (2) responded to the need, and
(3) had faith in his cause because it
was that of Jehovah. The source Of
his faith was the word of the Lord
God (Deut. 11:18; 32:2O). He that
AN6ln anu DClOlS bhC PAOBhOS
stood in daily, hourly communication.
Elijah was man with a mission
Matt 28:19) who trusted in God and
considered it safe to obey. His power,
according to my word" was in ratio
according to his life of faith (Rom-
1O:17). He was also a man Of prayer
James SID and showed his faith by
his works (James 2:17, 20, 26).
II. The Command, w. 2-7. Elijah's
faith was not audacious. He took each
step as commanded by God ". p.
There is a time for seeming retreat
as well as for the spectacular charge.
Elijahs first place of testing was
"Cherith," a gorge to the east Of the
river Jordan. This command was con-
trary to human reason. Would it not
soon be involved in his prophesied
drought?"
Again, ravens frequently feed upon
carrion, and he knew all the regula-
tions regarding cleanness. Thus to be
secluded would prevent his observing
the effect of the drought upon both
king and people. Still the command is
explicit. 1t was there" ". Al, and
there only, that Jehovah was to save.
The miracle of saving was to be
wrought under the most adverse cir
cumstances and by the most unlikely
means. $50 he went" Having faced
the peril, God hid him to preserve him.
and at the proper time God also re-
vealed him (ch. 1879. 1t was daily
testing for Elijah at Cherith, thus to
be fed and to see the water evaporat-
ing, but 1t was a time of communion
and after the brook was dry there
came a new command wv. 8, 81. We
are often called to sit by and see dry
ing brooks but il we are in Gods way
he will attend to that. We do not
speculate on the use of the ravens,
that the record is "poetical language"
or the "Orebites" (Arabians), but ac-
cept the writer's plain intimation,
ravens, a common bird but a most in
telligent one, especially when used
and directed Of God.
III. The Continued DeliVerance, w.
e-16. Zarephath was (Luke 4:26) in
the dominions of Jezebels father, on
the coast of the Mediterranean sea be.
tween Tyre and Sidon, a dangerous
journey for Elijah through Ahab's
kingdom (ch. 1910. The word Zare-
phath means smelling furnace" and
1t too was suffering from this same
famine. Commanded to hide in Cherith
Elijah is told to dwell" in Zarephath
and that widow was to be the agent
to supply his need. Again Elijah's
pride had to be overcome for there
were abundant reasons for disliking
such journey, such an abiding place
and such a dependence upon a poor
widow. Elijah, however, "arose and
went" continuance of his life of
obedience. He first asked for water
and as she went he added his request
for food. 1t was particular widow to
whom he was sent (Luke 4:25-27) and
through her God was ready to work a
miracle Of salvation on his behalf
Though about to prepare what she
thought was to be her own and her
sons last meal ". 12), yet she at once
proceeds to obey the command Of the
man Of God as it was conditioned upon
the word Of Jehovah ". 14). God
through his prophets, has commanded
US, given us assurance and promised
to sustain (Phil. 4:19), yet we hesi
tate. "She went and did" the seem
ing impossible, but according to the
word of command, and those of 'hel
house did eat many days" Obedience
{ saved her own, her sons and the
I prophets lives. There is sound philoso
i ply in Prov. 11:24 which found iii
e complete fulfllment in Jesus whC
r came not to be ministered unto bu
s to minister" Read carefully Prov
S:7-10 and II Cor. 9:6-11. AS with tn,
lsraelites in the wilderness the suppl,
was only from day to day ". 16) moth
@. Ing ahead, no accumulation, yet a per
!. petual supply because based on 9TH
word of the Lord" ". 16).
God worked this miracle: (1) to UT
mold and to preserve his chosen mes
r. senger for his great work in Israel
n ~ to show his loving kindness an
sustaining grace to the poor; (3) t
strengthen the faith of his prophe
against his spectacular conflict on MI
II Carmel; (4 to the end that he nigh
h show Israel and all others dow
Is through the ages a great object lesso
of his sustaining grace and providence
The returning food crops of the worl
each year are his unfailing cruise {
ID blessed provision. His word is 9
. sure today as it was 2SOO years agt
and IL fha unfaiIi,or or,,sa P-o,,, ,,,4 \,