The Green Forest tribune., 1915-09-17

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 We feel somewhat like questioning the title of this lesson. It can be used as 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 (v. 13) and the enemies con- tempt for Jehovah (vv 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. 1o-12. The Syrian kings contemptuous treat ment of Ahab (vv. ID at last became so great that in sheer desperation the people refused to listen to his demands (y. 8. His forces far overwhelmed the little army of Israel (vv. 1, 10, 2D, but one was on Ahab's side who had not yet withdrawn his mercy from Israel and with whom Ben-hadad could not cope (v. 13; Rom. 8:31; Phil 4:13). Ben-hadad was the most pow erful monarch of his time of those na- 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 drunk ard, a habitual one (vv. 12-16). Samaria was rich and this king want ed it even as intemperance always lusts after the wealth of youth and the gold of nation (yv. 3, 12). Drink always makes fool of it's victim and dooms to ultimate defeat all who yield to it's power (ch. 16:9; II Sam. 1928; Prov. 31:4. 5; Luke 21:34; Eph. 5:1S).
 II. Gods Prophet, w. 1915. It was indeed dark for Ahab. He saw (v. 13) the host confronting him but he also heard the word of Jehovah. As con trasted with Jehovah that multitude was but az a handful of dust. God is on the side of temperance. All of Gods laws favor temperance. Our ever-living glorified leader and the 1 energizing power of the holy spirit are |
 tfIe ones Wlo i4It lIlov sUdlts U ol. victories over all principalities and powers of evil. Ahab's predicament is answered by Gods T will deliver" l (v. 13) and so today we have his sure promise of victory (Eph. 6:10-12).
 God has today set forth his prophets | q Cor. 12:28) 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, w. f6-21. 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" (v. 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 I John 2:13, 14) and the pages of history are strewn with the victori ous 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 (v. 14) and they began at once by carrying the battle into the enemies territory. Ben-hadad and his drinking compan- ions never dreamed of being attacked at that hour. Like Gideon and his army these young men smote the Syrian host in overwhelming defeat. IsraePs enemies had incapacitated themselves. A drunken mob is no match for even handful of organized and sober men. These thirty-three kings courted their own defeat (Prov. 23:29-32; Feel. 11:10; Hos. AID. Ben- hadads kings who helped him" (v. 16) proved to be reed for all the strength and support they rendered him in the moment of his need.
 It was the young men who went first, e. g., struck the first blow Ben hadad'S self-conffdence and boasting (v. 1S) is but another illustration of that pride which goeth before de- struction" (Prov. 16:1S; Luke 1S:14).
 The army of Israel was small (v. 15) but it did not hesitate to attack the superior force and that sort of faith will always incite others which will follow them" (v. 19).
 Every man slew his man, each did his part-"played the game and played it fair"-and the result was a host in full flight and the handful of Israelites in pursuit (v. 20).
 God saved Israel that day by the use of young men. Teachers, do you real ize your opportunity? It is ours to arouse in youth a realization of it's capacities, advantages, opportunities and responsibilities; to inspire them with a determination to be of service; to instruct them in Gods plan of cam paign and to link them with the Young Man of Nazareth. the Captain of Sal