Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-03-19

IlOE L ASHl--flOQl. l3.lL |
Samuel's 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
Samuel's words of comfort and as
surance as found in chapter IL, form
an interesting connection with last
Sundays lesson. In chapter ID we
have the record of Israel again in dis
tress and of SauPs folly in his assum-
Ing the priestly office (vv. 10. 14).
l.. SauPs Distress, ". IA. That
Saul's 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. 11:8) to
a feeble 900 ". %. They were further
handicapped by a 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 Gin the uttermost
part of Gibeah' hiding under a pome-
granate tree (see w. II, % and 1850.
This may refer to his being at Rimmon
Judges 20:43-47). 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, m of Ellis wicked sons.
and o G C11nh Woc NOT RI ha N cr1annccn1,
in the high priests office (ch. 2:30-
36). Such an outward form of dead
works" cannot take the place of a liv-
ing faith. For Saul to consult the or
acle of the Trim and Thummim worm
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 II,
49, are an indication of his character
and emphasize the psalmist's words
as found in Ps. 1911, 105.
II. Jonathan's Victory, w. Ais. But
God had one leader to whom he could
speak, Jonathan, who is one of the
finest and most attractive characters
in the whole Bibla. This episode is
among the most brilliant in the his
tory of the Israelitish nation. 1t was
a 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
Their, for neither he nor the people
knew where Jonathan had gone.
Verses 4 and 5 wildly picture the
nature of the location wherein Jona-
than undertook this feat. Jonathan
clearly counted upon the feshly COW
enant sign as ground upon which to
expect help and victory over his enc.
mics, who lacked such a sign ". 81.
The army of the Philistines had been
divided into three sections Och. 13:
10, and this gave Jonathan his OPP
p~ortunity. The garrison at Michmash
was on the. opposite side of the ra-
vine from Geba, SauI's headquarters.
Hidden by the cliffs it was quite easy
to approach the Philistines.
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 ". s..
Armorbearer-Do all that is in thine
heart; behold l am with thee.
Jonathan-We will pass
over, and will discover ourselves.
The test, as recorded in verses 9
and 10 was a real one and a 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, carelessness and lack Of
suspicion. Their contempt is indi.
Gated. and emphasized in the words:
"The Hebrews come forth out of the
holes where they had hid themselves
". ~. Their pride is shown by the
invitation extended: Come
and we will show you a thing" ". 12l
At the first blow Jonathan and his
companion struck terror into the
hearts Of the camp, and this is in
tensiied by an earthquake, for Goo
fought on his side. From across the
valley the watchers of Saufs arm.
saw the CONSERVATION and togethe'
those who had hidden themselves
Joined in making the victory boil
great and complete " 22). We of thi'
age have the covenant of the protec
ton and support of One who enable
the weakest to win victories q Coz
1869; Zech. AS; Matt. 1929. Jon
athan redeemed Gods promise tina
zone shall chase a thousand, and tw'
put ten thousand to flight" (Deut- 80
3O), and had an armorbearer ready a
his command The exhortation t
each one is that we say to u grea
Leader: do all that is in thin
heart; behold I am with thee" Sucl
faith and %intrepidity was sufficient t
strike terror into the heart of the en-
envy. but it is only possible to thos
whose confidence is that "the Lord vii
deliver"
Today's Message. Two young me
of faith saved a nation sunk in despai
and disgrace. They inspired conf
dence in God and his promises. "Yout
for battles, old age for counsel" bu
there are times that demand actio
more than conference and considers
ton. Courage is only of value, how
when based upon much training
devotion to God, the interests OF OIL
ers, and a clear vision. 1t is not
mere flash in life's pathway. Ceurag
is CONTAGIOUS; Jonathan's feat set o
fire the soul of a nation. Read agai
the roll of honor in the eleventh cha,
ter of Hebrews. The highest courae
is not physical but moral. This cou
age is open to all, but it is intelligen
" grounded upon Gods sure revef
ton in his word and in the person
his Son. our Lord. "And his armo
bearer after him"
Jonathan did not go alone. On tt
other hand it is not probable this your
J, lad would have gone up those rocf
had not Jonathan led the way; D
u one went before him, he We
+ able to scale the fortress. God alor
knows the heights to which We ms