The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1915-03-18
INTERNATIONAL,
'SINllHYtSC[l()0L,
LESSON
LESSON FOR MARCH 21
JONATHAN AND HIS ARMOR
BEARER.
Ry %. o. SELLERS. Acting Director Of
s,,t,.y S,n,tnday School Course, Moody Bible In

''NN AND HIS ARMOR.
BEARER.
LESSON TEXT Samuel 4:1-13.
GOLDEN TExT-I.ct us put on the ar
NOR OF light.-Rom. 1872
Samuels review Of his life of integ.
rlty, his charge to the Israelites, Gods
testimony Of displeasure over their
persistent desire to have king, and
Samuers words Of comfort and as.
surance as found in chapter IL, form
an interesting connection with last
Sundays lesson. In chapter 13 we
nave the record of Israel again in dis
tress and Of Saul's folly in his assuin.
Ing the priestly office wv. 13, 49,.
!. saul's Distress, w. ia. That
Sauls disobedience, just indicated, had
incurred Gods displeasure, we know.
1t evidently had its effect upon the
people also, for his army had dwindled
during the intervening fifteen or eight
cen years. from 100000 (ch. 1889 to
feeble 600 w. p. They were further
handicapped by lack Of weapons
(ch. 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 q pome-
granate tree (see Wv. II, % and 1850
This may refer to his being at Rimmon
(Judges 20:43-4D. In this retirement
Saul retains Ahiah ". 81 as priest,
thus keeping up the outward form Of
worship. This priest is not referred to
as Jehovah'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-
36) 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 call up ia
miliar spirits, shows his lack Of spir-
itual apprehension. The references
made to Saul's conduct Chapters IL,
13) are an indication Of his character
and emphasize the psalmist's words
as found in Ps. 119:11, 105.
II. Jonathan's Victory, w. 4-13. But
God had one leader to whom he could
speak, Jonathan, who is one Of the
in the whole Bible. This episode is
among the most brilliant in the his.
tory Of the Israelitish nation 1t was
q brave deed, and an evidence Of that
triumphant faith shown SO 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 S wildly 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 tc
expect help and victory over his enc
mics, who lacked such sign ". g.
The army Of the Philistines had been
divided into three sections (Ch. 13:
I'D, and this gave Jonathan his op
portunity. The garrison at Michmash
was on the opposite side Of tho ra
vine from Geba, Saul's headquarters.
Hidden by the cliffs It was quite easy
to approach the Philistines. 1t is an
interesting and enlightening conversa-
tion recorded as ensuing on that jour
ney.
Jonathan-It may be that the Lord
Will work for us; for there is no re-
straint to the Lord to save by many or
by few w. g..
Armorbearer-Do all that is in thine
heart; behold I am with thee.
Jonathan-We will pass
over, and will discover ourselves.
The test, as recorded in verses
and 10 was a real one and reve-
lation Of Jonathan's shrewdness. Not
to be invited up by the Philistines
would suggest a desire they may have
had to cover up any weakness. To be
asked to come" suggests their self
confidence
Today's Message. Two young men
of faith saved a 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
ers, and clear vision. 1t Is not O
mere flash in life's pathway. Courage
Is contagious; Jonathan's feat set on
are the soul of a nation. Read again
the roll of honor in the eleventh chap
ter Of Hebrews The highest courage
| Is not physical but moral. This cour-
age is open to all, but 1t is intelligent
ly grounded upon Gods sure revela-
| tion in his word and in the person Of
his Son, our Lord. "And his armor-
| bearer after him."
Jonathan did not 60 alone. On the
other hand it Is not probable this young
lad would have gone up those rocks
had not Jonathan led the way; be-
cause one went before him, he was
able to scale the fortress. God alone
knows the heights to which we may
! attain. but does not ask us to go alone.
nor expect us to do the impossible.
The greatest heroes are not military,
they are Christian heroes, who put
on the Christian armor and whose
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