Americus times-recorder., 1920-05-06

"a - sam. E:lz, 2I-36: AL
GOLDEN TExr-The wapes ., Sin So
ST., shrol out the sift Of God is eternal life
Uusn Jesus Christ our Lord.-Rom 6:2S.
,s. ,sDDlIIoNAL ~ WATERFALL Sam. 2:22-
70; 5:IO-l4; 4:ls; 6:1S; Eph. 6:1-4
PRIMARY TOPIC-God Calls the Bow
JoNlOR TOPIC-El and His Sons.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Sowing and Reaping
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
"A responsibility of Parents and Chin.
dren.
T. The Wickedness of Eli and His
Sons 2:12-17. 27-36.
l. ELS sons (vv. 12-17, 22). The be-
navior of these sons is In strange con-
uaSt to that of the boy Samuel. Ellis
sons were priests and ministered In
the things of the sanctuary, but 'knew
not the Lord" ". l2).
ID Graft tvv. 12-17). This greed
was practiced upon the worshipers
VINO brought their sacrifices to the
sanctuary. according to Gods law
, 0ou ordained that the priests should
nave the breasts and shoulders of the
animals which were brought to the al.
tar lex. 20 :27: Lev. 7:31, 32). The
degenerate sons of Eli were not con.
tent with this, but demanded more,
and even sought to obtain 1t by force
". l6). Moreover, they lifted out
with a fork certain choice portions
While raw, and had them roasted
Such behavior on the part Of the
priests was revolving to the worship.
ers and resulted in the adherence OF
the Lords offerings.
2. Eli tvv. 27-36). Ell was seeming
ly a good man, but he seriously erred
before God in that he failed to diSci.
pline his sons (vv. 22-24). He knew
of their sins and was conscious of his
obligation. but his fatherly heart led
him into sentimental indulgence; his
love got the better of his judgment
Ell was content with a weak remon
STRANGE. He was under obligation not
merely TO speak against it, but should
have acted against it.
II. Eli and His Sons Punished a.:
1-1S).
They at last came to reap what
they had sown. God has appointed a
day of judgment (Acts II :3D. There
is harvest time for the sinner as
well as for the righteous Joel 3:13)
If one has sown 10 the wind he shall
reap the whirIwind. The Philistines
made war upon Israel and defeated
them with great slaughter. This judg-
ment had been made known to Eli by
q IMAM of God" e: :27) and Samuel
(3:11-1S). The Philistines were in
struments in the hands of God for
this judgment.
|. Tie battle with the Philistines
(vv, l-9). The Israelites made an un-
successful attempt to free themselves
from the oppression of the Philistines
Israel was smitten and some 1000 were
slain. This aroused them to inquire
us W WY IIlc IAOlu hCO SthllICh NiiOAb
and to suggest that the ark be brought
from Shiloh as a defense against the
enemy. In this they committed two
blunders: % The elders had no right
TO handle the ark that belonged to
the priests. Before taking such step
they should have sought the mind Of
God, and If 1t were his will that the
ark he brought. 1t should have been
done by the priests. (2) 1t was SUI
perstitious use of the ark, which was
a symbol of Gods presence. They ig-
norantly assumed that the presence Of
God inhered in the symbol forgetting
that he is the living God who has a
will and purpose of his own, and there
fore will not give cOuntenance to that
which disagrees with his holy purpose
and will. Processing Christians in this
age commit a similar error when they
substitute the sacraments of the
church for the presence of God In the
sOul The earth rang out with great
shout when the ark was brought into
the camp and the enemy was struck
with fear. for they knew what wonders
God had wrought in times past In
their desperation they made a stand,
calling upon their men to do their best.
With their backs to the wall they
fought and won the victory.
2. Israers disastrous defeat tvv. 10
1S). (1) The army was routed and a
great slaughter occurred ". lO); (2)
the ark of God was taken ". 10) the
symbol of the divine presence with its
sacred memories torn from their grasp
and with it went ISraePs hope; (3)
Elrs sons slain ". 10Y; the very priests
who were the custOdians of the ark
were slain: Ia death of Eli the high
nriest ". l8l. The news of the de-
feat of the army and the death ot his
SONS was awful. bet when he heard
that the ark of God was taken ue died
instantly.
Best Means of Safety.