The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-02-16

The Philistines in the days of Eli
overran Israel pretty much at will.
All Israel, Gods people, soon knew
that God was speaking through this
new prophet
!. No Help at Ebenezer, Wv. I, 2. Eb-
enezer was that place where Samuel
later set up the stones of commemo-
ration Il Samuel 7:12). Here the ag-
gressive Philistines .overcame and put
to rout the Israelites Israel had
sinned and needed correction (chapter
7:3; Ps. 106:40, 41. When Gods peo-
pie neglect him they weaken them
selves and easily become the prey of
their enemies. Full often the church
of today stands defeated and dis
graced, nay even turns it's back to the
enemy, because it harbors sin and
sinners in it's ranks Josh. 7:12).
II. Seeking Help, w. 80. If Israel
really desired to know the cause of
their discontinue they did not need to
go far to seek it. The trouble was that
they were not willing to see and own
1t Il. Cor. 11:3D. The reasoning
upon the part of these elders seems
to be, why have we, Israelites, been
smitten by these Philistines who are
not Gods chosen people?" 1t was
absurd and unjust for them to have
to suffer. We hear this same sort
of reasoning today, whereas God would
have us probe deeper and search our
vic
our hearts tho Lord will not hear US.
At Shiloh, ELI is caring for the ark,
and with the fatalism and superstition
that will govern the ungodly, Israel
sends for it that it may save us"
". 81. The ark contained the tables
Of the law and was the symbol of the
presence of God eek. 5:10-22). Their
trust was in the ark and not in the
God of the ark. Such is ever the dan
ger of Journalism in religion To carry
the ark about Jericho trusting in Je-
hovah, was quite different from har-
boring the sous of Eli, yet thinking
that God could not let the ark be
captured. The churches of our land
are the saving salt, but "if the salt
hath lost it's SAVIOUR" if Hophni and
Phinehas bear the ark. nothing but
defeat and disgrace can be expected,
though the enemy may tremble ". 81.
The Philistines were strong enough
to smite because of the weakness Of
Israel They recognized the shouts
and remembered the mighty deeds of
Jehovah, which exploits would have
been repeated had Israel truly turned
the Philistines to fear. But God was
not on the side of Israel at that time
The Philistines began to eXhort them
selves. Their call (v. 81 was a good
one and was used later by Paul Il Cor
1919. For them not to do anything
was to be captured by their former
slaves. If they fought, they could but
die. Such fatalistic courage would
have availed but little, had God been
with his chosen people at that time
Ill. The Lost Battle, w. 1911. God
would not succor his chosen people,
nor defend the symbols of religion
when the spirit and heart Of that re-
igion had departed Cps. rs: 56-64).
The two reprobate sons of Eli were
slain as a punishment for their sins
and in fullfillment of the word of God
(chapter 2:12; 1913, 14) Their pun
ishment came in connection with the
same holy service they had defled
These bad sons of a good father
abused their holy office, profaned the
sanctuary and brought the true re-
ligion into contempt with the people.
Eli was partly at fault but these
young men suffered the fate of those
who hate knowledge" and will mot
choose the fear Of the Lord and their
removal was blessing for Israel
which somewhat compensated for its
defeat Doubtless the Philistines
boosted when they took the ark from
the people Of God, but chapters five
and six contain the record of their
mistake.
~. The Death of Eli, w. 1918. The
aged Eli, now ninety-eight years old,
was anxiousIy awaiting news of the
battle, for his heart trembled for the
ark of God" This anxiety was quite
unnecessary ". 49,. God can take
care of his ark Eli had reason, how
ever, to tremble for Israel and his
wicked sons He is an illustration of
those indulgent parents who refuse
to use discipline in the care Of their
children. A lovable character cannot
atone for weakness nor will remon-
STRANGE after habits are firmly fixed
take the place of bringing up the
young children Alright. Ellis sons were
in positions of power, STEPPED IL wick
edness, and his words were Intellectual
for they carried with them no note of
authority. 1t is the oa-eless, shifty, in
sincere parent who has no sense of
the reality and authority Of God, of
the persistence and penalty of sin,
that is menace to the land.
The ark did not return to Shiloh,
After it's various vicissitudes it found
an abiding place in the house of Abin-
adab, whose son Eleazar was sancti-
fed TO take charge of it. Later it
was taken to Jerusalem, and in the
meantime Shiloh passed into oblivion.
Two bad boys from cody home,
ruined not only themselves, but their
father and his family, and their home
town as we'll
The Golden Text. That we learn to
do by doing is a fundamental prin-
ciple in pedagogy Mere human words