The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-09-17

ioiile w. le) and the enemies CON.
tempt for Jehovah Wv. %, 2S) are tho
fundamental causes of the defeat of
the Syrlans though, of course. drunk.
enness, as an exhibition of self-induls.
ence and therefore of weakness was
natural accompaniment of that con-
tempt for God.
!. Ahab's Predicament, w. 1912
The Syrian kings contemptuous treat.
ment OF Ahab wv. 10 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 wv. |, 10,
~, but one was on Ahab's side who
mad not yet withdrawn his mercy from
israel and with whom Ben-hadad could
not cope ". 13; Rom. 1871; Phil.
4:l3). Ben-hadad was the most DOW.
erful monarch of his time of those ma
ions bordering upon the Mediter-
ranean. The march Of his army was
Ike "a tempest of hail, an overwhelm-
Ing sc0urge' with unrestrained power
The effect was worse than the plaques
of Egypt. But Ben-hadad was a drunk.
ard, habitual one wv. 12-16).
Samarla was rich and this king want
ed 1t even as intemperance always
lusts after the wealth of youth and
the gold of a nation wv. 3, 12). Drink
always makes fool of its victim and
dooms to ultimate defeat all who yield
to its power (ch. 1879; II Sam. 1928;
Prov. 31:4, s; Luke 21:34; Eph.
5:1S).
II. Gods Prophet, w. 1915. 1t was
indeed dark for Ahab. He saw ". 49,
the host confronting him 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 Il will deliver"
". 49, and so today we have his sure
promise of victory (Eph. 6:1O12).
God has today set forth his prophets
Il Cor. 1929 to proclaim his mes
sage of salvation and power to over
come intemperance. This is not
necessary evil" Experts and scien-
lists have clearly demonstrated it's be-
Ing unnecessary and drag upon So
ciety, and God has taught US how to
overcome it. Ahab's unfortunate char
acter appears at its best in this story,
but alas he and his successors soon
forgot the lesson.
III. Victorious Princes, wv. 1921. TO
Ahab's question by whom" is this de-
liVerance to be wrought, God answers,
by the young men of the princes of !
the provinces" ". 14). These choice !
young fellows are mustered in, 232 of
them, as leaders Of an army of 1000,
all who could be found in the capital.
God delights to work through young
men l John 2:13, 14} and the pages
Of history are streWn with the victori-
Gus achievements of youth.
TWo-thirds Of Lincoln's army were
under twenty-one years of age at their
enlistment; the Union was preserved
by an army of boys.
Ahab himself is the leader w. 14)
and they began at once by carrying
he battle into the enemies territory.
8en-hadad and his drinking compan-
ons never dreamed of being attacked
It that hour. Like Gideon and his
army these young men smote the
syrian host in overwhelming defeat
srae's enemies had incapacitated
themselves. A drunken mob is no
match for even a handful of organized
nd sober men. These thirty-three
ings courted their own defeat prov.
Eccl. lilo; Hos. AID. Ben
adad's kings who helped him" (v. 16)
roved to be reed for all the strength
nd support they rendered him in the
loment of his need.
1t was the young men who went
rst, g. g., struck the first blow. Ben
adad's self-contidence and boasting
V. 49, is but another illustration of t
lat pride which goeth before de- c
.ruction" prov. 1918; Luke 1910. |
The army of Israel was small ". 15)
ut it did not hesitate to attack the
1perior force and that sort Of faith c
i'll always incite others which will 4
'ollow them" ". 19).
Every man slew his man." each
d his participated the game and
aged 1t fair"-and the result was a
ost in full flight and the handful of
raelites in pursuit ". 20).
God saved Israel that day by the use ;,
young men. Teachers, do you real. 81
Q your opportunity? 1t is ours to =.
ouse in youth realization Of its
pacities, advantages, opportunities
I'd responsibilities; to inspire them
It'll determination to be Of service;
instruct them in Gods plan of cam