Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1921-01-05

GOlyDEN IEA1-but sSeh SO biSS >'N~
kingdom of God. and his righteousness
and all these things shall be added unto
you.-Matt. 6:33.
REFERENCE MATERIAL~Ex. 10;
Kings 16:29-33; Matt. 6:ls-A.
PRIMARY TOPIC-God Cares for Eli
jah.
JUNIOR TOPIC - Elijah. the Brave
Prophet
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Jehovah's Champion Preserved.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
-Obeyng the Word Of Jehovah.
I. EliIah's Message to Ahab ". -.
This was startling message, for
Ahab had not only led Israel into
idola.ry, but into a reputation of the
living God. This condition was NOT
brought on because he married hea-
then woman, for he married Jezebel In
order, that she might help him conf
plete the apostasy (see ch. 16:3l).
Note the content of the prophets
message:
l. "As the Lord God Of Israel llveth."
Elijah knew the source Of his message.
He knew that he represented the liT-
ing God, therefore had no fear to
come into the presence of the king In
His name.
9, Before whom stand" Because
Elijah stood before God, he could
stand before Ahab. His standing"
before God indicates his constant readi'
ness to go on His errands.
3. There shall not be dew nor rain
these years but according to my word"
This suspension of moisture continued
for three and a half years (Jas. $40,
and was given In answer to Elijah's
prayer (Jas. $40. Drouth was pre-
dicted as the punishment for idolatry
(Deut. II :16, 10, and the prophet was
now applying the divine Judgment.
u. E!ijah's Retirement wv. 2-16).
As soon as he had delivered his
message he retired from the kings
sight. while the penalty Of the kings
sin should he visited upon the. lard.
When the famine WAS sore in the land,
the king sought east and west north
and south for Elijah, hut God had con-
cealed him. Those who speak Gods
message frequently seek solitude when
the message Is delivered.
i. by the brook Cherith wv, 2-O.
Though we may not be able to know
the particular location Of the brook,
we do know that God afforded
hiding place for His servant who so
fearlessly declared His message.
| (1) Drinking Of the brook (vv. 49,.
4 While drinking of>the literal waters
of the brook, he was being nourished
I by the Living Waters from the throne
4 of God. From dav to day Elijahs
4 faith was tested as he saw the stream
! run lower and lower as the drouth
continued. l2) I'D by the ravens
| Wv. 4-6). The ravens brought him
bread and flesh in the morning and
bread ard flesh in the evening. Elijah
thus enjoyed two meals each day, with
water to drink. The same God who sps-
tanned Elijah Still lives, and we should
trust Him foe our daily bread. AT
last the brook dried up because there
was no rain in the land. The Lord then
linstructed him to move.
3. At Zarepharh wv. S-16). (1) The
place (v. 81. Zarephath was at the
west side Of Palestine, near the Medi-
terranean sea. In Gentle territory. In
order to react, this place Elijah had
ia cross the country from the Jordan
to the sea. Karephath was only a
few miles from the home OF JeZehcl's
father. This, no doubt. was n trial
to Elijah. (%) Sustained by a widow
Wv. 10-12).< "f'rihg "A little wafer and
nnrsel OF bread" was the request
which he mode OF the widow. This,
no doubt, was a great trial to her.
but God had touched her heart and
stirred up faith in her. Her reply re-
veals her deep distress. (3) Eijah's
reply Nv. 13). This made plain to her
that 1T was case of mGtual interest
to do as the Prophet said "The barrel
of meal shall not vase neither shall
the cruise Of oil fail" (4) The Widows
| obedience (T. 15). "She did according
to the sayings of Elijah. and she and
her house did eat many days" 90
God keeps His word ". 1G). May we
i@arn from This lesson:
/. The partieulGrity Gf Gods PROV
| idpnce. Truly sparrow shall not
fal to the gromid without our Father.
BY the prearrangements Of God ali
our needs are daily met There is no
happrn so in GoG's providence. The
woman of Zarephath. going out to
gather sticks tn prepare the last meal.
met III jah. and is helped for two years
>. 30 matter how small our re-
sources. we can do something for God
| if we WIZ. The lad with the five bar
| lev loayex and the two small fishes.
with the hlesSing Of the Lord, did
| great work
3. Our coslcern should be to work
| for others aQd for God before our
| selves. We si.Oud give our all to God
and trust Him for further supply. The
best way to help ourselves Is to help
| others. This woS1an gave one morsel
to Gods prophe: and obtained supply
for herself and family for two or
more years.
4. God often allows us to get down
to our very last in order to tsach us
that all Is from Him.
:. Gods dealing with this Gentle
woman IS q fOregleam Of His dealing