The Hayti herald. (Hayti, Mo.) 1908-1922, 1920-05-13

ohto He boiu GHu serve Hlln.-I SdH go.
ADDITIONAL. MATERIAL--I Sam. e:ls-
III; sl-3
PRIMARY ToPl>--A Boy who Became
Useful Man
JUNIOR TOPIC-A Great Leader Pray
ing.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Victory Through Prayer.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Qualifications for Leadership.
In our last lesson we saw Israel'e
overwhelming defeat and the capture
OF the ark by the Philistines. While
they trlumphed over Israel. they did
not triumph over Israel's God.
Through the presence of the ark God
was working among the Philistnes.
Note:
l. The ark at Ashdod (5:1-6). 1t was
placed in the heathen temple alongside
Of Dagon, with the expectation that
the ark would be destroyed. showing
that Dagon was mghtier than God,
but Dagon was Inundated and broken.
Besides this the people were afflicted
with emerodS, or hemOrrhoids, show
Ing the hand of the living God upon
them in judgment.
=. The ark at Gath (5:7-9). Here
Immediately the same dreadful dis
ease broke out that had afflicted the
Ashdodites, accompanied with great
mortality. They then carried the ark
to Ekron.
3. The ark at Enron (5:10-12). At
EkrOn the destruction was still more
awful. Many were slain and the rest
,,.;t bot
their cry went up to heaven. The
contest was decisively in favor Of God.
Upon the advice Of the lords Of the,
PhliStineS the ark was returned to-,
Israel. This was done in such way
as to show conclusvely that the hand
of God was upon them in Judgment.
!. Samuel Calls Israel to Repentance
T:24).
Some twenty years have now elapsed
since Israel was Inundated by the
Philistines, during which time Israel
"lamented after the Lord" We know
not why Samuel has not been heard
from through all these years. Doubt
less he continued to exercise the
prophetic office during this time, but
now he is appointed to the office Of
judge, also. He asked the people to
turn to the Lord with all their hearts,
the proof of which would be:
/. To put away their idolatrous wor-
ship. This was really gross licentious-
ness under the guise Of religion.
2. To direct their hearts unto the
Lord and serve him only. He assures
them that deliverance would come as
soon as this was sincerely complied
with.
u. Israel Assembled at Mizpeh Wv.
8. 6).
This was for the purpose of confess
Ing their sins.
l. They poured water before the
Lord. This symbolized their need of
cleansing and the pouring out of their
hearts in penitence before the Lord.
.. They tasted and publicly con-
feSsed their sins.
III. The Philistines Attack Israel.
". y.
The assembly of Israel at Mizpeh
alarmed the Philistines. They inter-
preted the gathering as preparation
TO attack them, so they thought to
attacking them first; or perhaps they
recognized that the return of the peo-
pie to the Lord meant return to pow
er and decided to attack them while
Inprepared.
~. The Intercession Of Samuel. (vv-
8, %.
The Israelites urged Samuel to pray
TO God for them. Instead of trusting
to the ark for deliverance they now
| looked to God. Samuel accompanied
! his intercession with burnt Offering,
showing that he looked for acceptance
| in the sacrifice of another, even Christ,
through whose offering way of ac-
cess was opened unto God.
v. The Victory Over the Philistines
| (vv. 10. ny.
This was the result of Gods interpo.
sitiOn. '"rhe Lord Numbered with q
great thunder on that day and discom-
fted them" The men of Israel fol-
lowed I'D this advantage TO such COM
plete victory that the Phllistines did
/ not come hack TO power during the
! DAYS of Samuel. The Lord will fight
/ our battles il we put our trust in him;
no enemy can stand before the AL
mighty.
VI. A Memorial OF oeIiveranee tvv.
12-14).
Samuel set up a stone between Miz-
peh and Shen and called It Ebenezer.
which means Hitherto hath the Lord
helped u.s." Since God has intelposed
In our behalf and wrought deliverance
for us. II is proper that memorial be
set up which will commemorate It.
Our Conduct
"Conduct is three.fourths OF life.'
What we have to do, as Christian men,