Middletown transcript., 1915-03-20

HlOT uBnIs-hOnn. losI&
Samuers review of his life of integ-
rity, his charge to the Israelites, Gods
testimony Of displeasure over their
persistent desire to have a king, and
Samuels words of comfort and as
an interesting connection with last
Sundays lesson. In chapter 13 we
have the record Of Israel again in dis
tress and of Sauls folly in his assum-
ing the priestly office wv. 13, 14).
!. sauPs Distress, w. -. That
SauPs disobedience, just indicated, had
incurred Gods displeasure, we know.
It evidently had its effect upon the
people also, for his army had dwindled
during the intervening fifteen or eight
cen years, from $4,000 (eh. 1881 to
feeble 600 ". %. They were further
handicapped by a lack of weapons
(eh. 13:19-23). Deserted by Jehovah,
by Samuel, Jehovah's priest, and by
nearly all of his enthusiastic subjects
(see 11:12) Saul was ''in the uttermost
part of Gibeah" hiding under a pome-
graAate tree (see w. II, % and 1880.
This may refer to his being at Rimmon
Judges 20:43-4T). In this retirement
Saul retains Ahiah ". 81 as priest,
thus keeping up the outward form Of
worship. This priest is not referred to
as Jeh0vah's. He was a grandson OF
Phinehas, one of Ellis wicked sons,
and as such was not to be a successor
in the high priests office (ch. 2:30-
S6). Such an outward form of dead
works" cannot take the place Of liv-
ing faith. For Saul to consult the or
acle Of the Urim and Thummim worn
by the priest and later to cali up IA
miliar spirits, shows his lack Of spir-
itual apprehension. The; references
made to Saul's conduct lchapters 12,
13) are an indication of his character
and emphasize the psalmist's words
as found in Ps. 119:11, 105.
u. Jonathan's Victory w. Ala. But
God had one leader to whom he could
speak, Jonathan, who Is one of the
finest and most attractive characters
In the whole Bible. This episode is
among the most brilliant in the his
tory Of the Israelitish nation. 1t was
brave deed, and an evidence of that
triumphant faith shown 80 clearly In
Jonathan's dealings with David. There
seems TO be a suggestion that Jona-
than had lost confidence In his IA
ther, for neither he nor the people
knew where Jonathan had gone
Verses and vividly picture the
nature Of the location wherein iona
than undertook this feat Jonathan
clearly counted upon the fleshly Gov
enant sign as ground upon which to
expect help and victory over his enc
miles, who lacked such a sign ". g.
The army Of the Philistfnes had been
divided into three sections (Ch. 13:
I'D, and this gave Jonathan his Op
portunfty. The garrison at Michmast
was on the opposite side Of the ra
vine from Geba, Saurs headquarters
Hidden by the cliffs 1t was quite easy
to approach the PhiIistines.
JOnathan-t may be that the Lord
win work for us; for there is no re-
gtraint to the Lord to save by many OF
by few ". 81.
ArmOrbearer-Do all that is in thine
heart; behold am with thee.
J0nathan-We will pass
over, and will discover ourselves.
The test, as recorded in verses
and 10 was a real one and a reve
latiOn Of Jonathan's shrewdness. MOI
to be invited up by the Philistinee
would suggest desire they may have
had to cover up any weakness. To be
asked to come" suggests their self
confidence, carelessness and lack o1
suspicion. Their contempt is fndh
Gated and emphasized in the words
THE Hebrews come forth out Of the
holes where they had hid themselves
". III. Their pride is shown by the
Invitation extended: Come
and we viii show you thing" ". 12l,
At the first blow Jonathan and his
companion struck terror into the
hearts Of tho camp, and this is In
tensifed by an earthquake, for God
fought ON his side. From across the
valley the watchers of SauI's army
saw the Consideration and together
1
Joined In making the victory both
great and complete " 22). We OF this
age have the covenant Of the protec
ton and support Of One who enables
the weakest to win victories Il Cor
le1:2629; Zech. ass; Matt. 19:26). Jon
athan redeemed Gods promise that
"One shall chase a thousand, and two
put ten thousand to fight (Deut. 80;
800, and had an armorbearer ready al
his command" The exhortatlon to
each one is that we say to our great
Leader: do an that is In thine
heart; behold / am with thee" Such
faith and intrepidity was suficlent to
strike terror into the heart Of the en-
emy. but It is only possible to those
whose confidence is that 'the Lord win
deliver"
Today's Message. Two young men
Of faith saved nation sunk in despair
and disgrace. They inspired conf
dence in God and his promises. Youth
for battles, old age for counsel" but
there are times that demand action
more than conference and considera-
ton. Courage Is only Of value, how
ever, when based upon much training,
devotion to God, the interests OF 9th
CTs, and a clear vision 1t is not a
mere fash in life'a pathway. Courage
is contagious; Jonathan's feat set ON
fire the soul Of a nation. Read again
the roll of honor in the eleventh chap
ter of Hebrews. The highest courage