Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1915-09-16

W lIlc tuht away tht
Hos. 4 IL II. V.
We feel somewhat like questioning
the title of this lesson. 1t can be
used as temperance lesson no doubt,
but to attribute Ben -haddad's defeat
entirely to drunkenness is not quite
true to the facts. Jehovah's jealousy
of his name ". 13) and the enemies
contempt for Jehovah wv. 23, 2S) are
the fundamental causes of the defeat
the Syrians though, of course, drunk
enness. as an exhibition of self-in
diligence and therefore of weakness,
was natural accompaniment of that
contempt for God.
|. Ahab's Predicament, Wv. 1912.
The Syrian kings cOntemptuous treat
ment of Ahab (vv. 10 at last be-
came so great that in sheer despera-
tiOn the people refused to listen to his
demands (v.SG His forces far over
whelmed the little army of Israel
(v. 1. 10, 2I). but one was on Ahabs
side who had not yet withdrawn his
mercy from Israel and with whom
Ben -hadal could not cope ". 13:
Rom. S:31; Phil. :13). Ben -hadad
was the most powerful monarch of his
time of tlose nations bordering upon
| the Mediterranean. The march of his
army was like "a tempest of hair, an
overwhelming scOurge" with unre-
strained power. The effect was
worse than the plaques Of Egypt. But
Ben -hadad was drunkard, habitual
one wv. 12-16). Samaria was rich
and this king wanted it even as intem-
perance always lusts after the wealth
of youth and the gold of a nation wv.
3, 12). Drink always makes a fool
| of its victim and dOoms to ultimate
defeat all who yield to its power (ch.
16:9; III Sam. 3:2S; Prov. 81 a, 5;
Luke 21 "a; Eph. 5:1S).
III. Gods Prophet, Wv. 1915. 1t
was indeed dark for Ahab. He saw
| ". 13) the host confronting him. but
he also heard the word of Jehovah.
AS contrasted with Jehovah that null
titude was but as handful of dust.
God is on the side of temperance Our
erliving 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 II will deliver"
| ". 49, and so today we have his sure
promise of victory (Eph. 6 6:1O-12).
God has today set forth his prophets
| U Cor. 12:2S) to proclaim his mes
sage Of salvation and power to over
come intemperance. This is not
necessary evil" Experts and scien-
fists have clearly demonstrated its
being unnecessary and drag upon
society, and God has taught us how to
overcome it. Ahab's unfortunate
character appears at it's best in this
story, but alas he and his successors
soon forget the lesson.
iii. Victorious Princes, w. 1921.
To Ahab's question "by whom" is this
deliverance to be wrought, God an
swers, "by. the young men Of the
princes Of the provinces ". 14).
These choice young fellows are mus
tered 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 Il John
:13, 14) and the pages of history are
strewn with the victorious achieve
ments of youth.
Two thirds of Lincoln's army were
under 81 years of age at their en-
lishtment; the Union was preserved
by an army of boys.
Ahab himself is the leader ". 14)
and they began at once by carrying
the battle into the enemies territory.
Zen -hadad and his drinking cOmpan-
ions never dreamed of being attacked
at that hour. Like Gideon and his
army these young men smote the Sy-
rian host in overwhelming defeat. Is
rael's enemies had incapacitated
themselves. A drunken mob is no
| 1,,n nt,.h 20 ft,1 Of
lied and sober men. These thirty
three kings courted their own defeat
prov. 23 :29-32; Feel. II 10: Hos.
AID. Ben hadad's kings "who help
ed him" ". 16) proved to be reed
for all the strength and support they
rendered him in the moment of his
need.
1t was the young men who went
first, e. G., struck the first blow. Ben
hadad's self-cOnfidence and bOasting
". 1S) is but another illustration of
that pride which goeth before de-
struction' prov. 1918; Luke
1910.
The army of Israel was small ".
15) but it did not hesitate to attack
the superior force and that sort of
faith will always incite others which
will "follow them" ". 19).
, Every man ''slew his man." each
did his part-"played the game and
played 1t fair"-and the result was a
host in full flight and the handful OF
Israelites in pursuit ". 20).
; God saved Israel that day by the
use of young men. Teachers, do you
i, realize your opportunity? 1t is ours
to arouse in youth realization of Its
: advantages, opportunities and respon
sibilities; to inspire them with a de
termination to be of service; to In
struct them in Gods plan of campaign
and to link them with the Young Maj
OF Nazareth ''the Captani of Saliva