The Dolores star., 1915-01-01

This year we again return to the
history Of the chosen people and fol-
low them through the period OF the
judges. the days of the monarchy I'M
der Saul, David and Solomon, and the
divided kingdom In the times OF ELI
jah, Amos, Hosea and Jonah. down to
the time Of Daniel during the cap
tivity. s...
I. Another Generation, w. 7.fo.
During the days of Joshua Israel
served Jehovah. but his influence did
not last long after his death. Ever
and anon God must needs raise up
a Joshua to lead his church. We
hays another Observation-Disclosures
Is ever with his people and we do
not need any earthly leader FPS. 62:5;
Phil. 2:12). still God Ii working
through human agents and in every
crisis raises up his spirit-clothed
leaders. No doubt his another gen
Grafton" honored Joshua rs . hero
but they did not follow in his obedi-
ence to Jehovah. II 10 easy to dis
miss Gods mighty deeds among men
by calling them myths and traditions,
or to deny the accuracy Of the rec
ords." Doubtless the Israelites felt
their obligations to their neighbors
and fellow.tribesmen, but they lost
realizing sense Of their obligations to
God.
Gin Of Idolatry.
n. They Sorsook the Lord, w.
1t:fa. Backsliding Israel 10 prov.
erb. Over and again there was . 70
turn to true worship and Just ~
often q forsaking. For centuries Je-
hovah bore with. forgave. restored
and punished this "stiffnecked" peo-
pie. until the ANAL overthrow and cap
tivity burned into their consciousness
the sin of idolatry. The reason for
this was their disobedience in not
cutting out Of the land the gods OF
the peoples that were round about
them" Liberality Of this sort always
results In spiritual ruin. A nations
ideals about God not alone determine
its moral status but eventually its
physical and temporal welfare ~ well.
Their way was not evil In their own
sight and doubtless they were con.
sidered very progressive. and their
course an evidence Of greater wisdom
than that Of their fatherA but II
wes EVIL IN the sight Of the Lord"
We do not understand that these
Israelltes took up the worship OF
Baal, the sun god. with all Of its
denominations At once, but rather
sought Q combination. . compromise
worship. which Of course led to the
Inevitable forsaking Of God. Verse 12
indicates the base ingratitude OF
such q course for he It was which
brought them out Of the land Of
Egypt" Titus 2:14: 2 Pet. s:D.
~. The Anger ~ the Lord, w.
~. IS. There IL no anger like that OF
outraged love. We are apt to forget
the other attributes Of God. those Of
Justice. holiness and purity and that
God can not look upon iniquity CHab.
1:13). The light men enjoy only
heightens and makes more black their
offenses. Gods sngs. can wax hot"
and here he delivered them into the
hands Of tho spoilers that spoiled
them"
God Keeps his Premises.
W. And the Lord Raised Up
Judges, n. v. w. ISIS. These were
men who felt the bitterness Of the
distress OF their nation. God keeps
to the letter his promises, both OF
blessing and Of punishment. but in
wrath he remembers mercy" These
judges had higher aspirations than
simply to Judge. for they saved" the
people. We who live In this present
dispensation OF grace have one who
In now the savior but who shall yet
be the Judge. That these righteous
leaders OF the people had . dificult
task 10 suggested by verse II. The
hearts Of the people went . whor-
Ing" iusted after tho things repre-.
scented BY Baal and Ashtaroth. which
history tells US were too vile to be
enumerated. The judges secured for
the people Of Israel their sights &C.
cording to the mercy Of Jehovah. Al
the same time they were rulers. and
- such secured for individuals their
rights
The worship Of Jehovah always
taught and Impressed moral and
spiritual truth and required the con
Tossing and forsakinE Of evil. These
judges were Ood-endowed and did not
prostitute their gifts. They were God
led. saw lsraei's need and had cour
age. faith and seal enough to show
lsrael that the FIRST thing they needed
10 do was 10 forsake the evil and 70
turn to . life Of obedience to God.
Their equipment was In that the
Lord was with the Judge" ". 1s)
Notice that God was with those whom
he "raised up" OF courss not oil
Of the time. nor oil Of the land q
al times was nus torn and bsina
punished - 10 clearly sugsestsd b
the stories OF Ruth. Hannah and
samuel. A Jehovah was with IN
judges. % they we're exercising adel
lee In ehalp nhoAla0Aa Al hfa W0R1