Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1920-05-28

Lord our God shall cail-Acts s:ss
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-I Sam. u:
la.
PRIMARY ToPIc-A Story of /. BRAY.
Prince
JUNIOR ToPIC-How Two Men Put an
Army to Flight
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Our Foes and How to Ovsrcoms Them.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Value of Initiative In Christian
Work.
!. israePs Reduced Condition (vv.
l-3).
The Phiiistine oppression had be-
come SO terrible that the king had
only about 600 men. and they were
completely disarmed. except that Saul
and Jonathan had each a sword and
spear. Lest the Israelltes should
make unto themselves swords and
spears the Philistines took from them
their smiths; they only left them a 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 Philistines.
H. Description Of the Passaaewzy
Between Israel and the PhiiIstines
wv. 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.
III. Jonathan's Resolution to Co
Against the Philistines wv. 6-10.)
l. Jonathan's summons to the young
man ". 81. Here the thought OF verse
one is resumed, verses two to FIVE be-
Ing parenthetlcal. 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 Philstines, 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 ". y. He was actuated by the
same faith and courage rs 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. 1s 10.
2O).
3. Watching for the VIII of God wv.
S-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 Philistines 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
| tvv. 11-16).
Being assured Of the divine leading,
Jonathan with his armorbearer spraDg
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 fine touch of humility; It
shows that 1t was zeal for God. NOT
selfish ambition that impelled him to
go forth. God interposed by great
earthquake causing CONSERVATION
among the PhilistInes. moving them to
destroy each other.
v. SauI's Foolish Behavior tvv.
I7-46).
|. His carnal zeal tvv. 1928. 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
| tvv. 24-30). II was that curse would
be upon any one OF his soldiers who
should stop to eat on that day. Fast
Ing is proper at times but 1t was the
helghr of folly to demand strenuous
service Of his soldiers without the
necessary nourishment.
3. His determination to kill Jona-
than. Jonatha not having heard this
rash oath. parfook OF the honey as he
passed through the woods and was
greatly refreshed. When this was re-
ported to Saul he was about to take
the life OF bis own son. who had so
gloriousiy wrought In the deIiverance
of his people.
l