Americus times-recorder., 1920-05-24

Our Foes and How to Overcome Them.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Value of Initiative in Christian
Work
!. lsraePs Reduced Condition (vv.
1-3).
The Philistine oppression had be
come so terrible that the king had
only about 900 men, and they were
completely disarmed, except that Saul
and Jonathan had each a sword and
spear. Lest the Israelites should
make unto themselves swords and
spears the Phllistines took from them
their smiths; they only left them file
to sharpen their instruments of hus-
bandry. This left them under the ne
ceSsity of going to the Philistines to
have their tools sharpened. Saul him
self was In hiding. Because he had
presumptuously intruded into the
priests Office God rejected him. While
in this desperate condition God moved
Jonathan to go against the Phillstines.
II. Description Of the Passaneway
Between Israel and the PhIllstines
(vv. 4, 81.
Over against the way which Jona-
than and his armorbearer had to trav-
erse, on either side lay sharp rocks
called Bozez and Seneh. The opposing
camps were probably three miles
apart. 1t required great effort to
scale the cliff. The feat of Jonathan
and his armOrbearer was one Of the
most daring ever attempted.
~. Jonathan's Resolution to Go
Against the PhiIstines wv. 6-10)
l. Jonathan's summons to the young
man ". g.. Here the thought of verse
one Is resumed, verses two to five be-
ing parenthetical. Jonathan did not
doubt but that the Lord was leading
him. He recognized his covenant re-
latiOnship with God, and therefore his
claim upon him as against the uncir-
cumcised Phllistines, asserting that
'there is no restraint to the Lord to
save by many or by few" God is all
powerful, so with him numbers cut no
figure. Whatever he wills for US he
can do One with God is a majority.
Deut 80 :3O).
2. The noble response of his armOr-
bearer (v. y. He was actuated by the
same faith and courage as Jonathan
and entered heartily into the under
taking. When two agree together as
touching anything In the name of
Christ 1t shall be done (Matt. 1919,
2O).
3. Watching for the will Of God wv.
6-10). Doubtless the same Spirit who
had moved Jonathan to go had in
Structed him to watch for the Divine
leading. The sign that God would de-
liver the PhilistiDes into their hands
was the invitation for Jonathan and
his companion to come up to the Phil
istines. They did not go forward until
the sign of divine leading was given.
~. Jonathan's Marvellous Victory
(vv. 11-16).
Being assured of the divine leading,
Jonathan with his armorbearer sprang
forward saying that the Lord had de
livered the enemy into the hands of
Israel. He did not say into our
hands," but into the hands of Israel"
This is a fine touch of humility; it
shows that it was zeal for God, not
selfish ambition that impelled him to
go forth. God interposed by a great
earthquake, causing CONSERVATION
among the Philistines, moving them to
destroy each other.
" Saups Foolish Behavior wv.
17-46).
l. His carnal zeal wv. 1929. After
the Lord had given the victory at the
hands of Jonathan, Saul called for the
ark of God to be brought, after which
he went forth In pursuit of the enemy
who had already been routed.
2. His foolish obligation imposed
(vv. 24-30). 1t was that a curse would
be upon any one of his soldiers who
should stop to eat on that day. Fast,
ing is proper at times, but it was the
height of folly to demand strenuous
service Of his soldiers without the
necessary nOurishment.
8. His determination to kill iona.
than. Jonathan not having heard this
rash oath, partoOk Of the honey as he
passed through the woods and was
greatly refreshed. When this was re-