Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1922-01-05
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Sll1nldaySchool q
' Lesson
(By REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D.,
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago.)
Copyright, 1922. Western Newspaper Union.
LESSON FOR JANUARY 8
ELIJAH THE TIsHBITE.

LESSON TEXT Kings 17:1-A.
GOLDEN TEXT-But seek ye first the
kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto
yCu.-Matt. 6:33.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Ex. 16; l
Kings 16:29-3S; Matt. 6;19-s4.
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
-Obeying the Word of Jehovah.
]. Elijah's Message to Ahab ". -.
This was a startling message, for
Ahab had not only led Israel into
idolatry, but into reputation of the
living God. This condition was not
brought on because he married a hea-
then, woman, for he married Jezebel in
order that she might help him COM
plete the apostasy (see ch. 10 :3D.
Note the content of the prophets
message:
1. LAS the Lord God of Israel liveth."
Elijah knew the source of his message.
He knew that he represented the liv-
ing God, therefore had no fear to
come into the presence Of the king in
His name.
2. Before whom 1 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.
8. There shall not be dew nor rain
these years but according to my word"
This suspension of moisture continued
for three and half years GAS. SID,
and was given in answer to Elijah's
prayer GAS. SID. Drouth was pre-
dicted as the punishment for idolatry
Oeut. IL :16, 10, and the prophet was
now applying the divine judgment.
II. Elijah'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 be visited upon the land.
When the famine was sore in the land,
the king sought east and west, north
and south for Elijah, but God had con-
cealed him. Those who speak Gods
message frequently seek solitude when
the message is delivered.
1. By the brook Cherith wv. 2-7).
Though we may not be able to know
the particular location of the brook,
we do know that God afforded a
hiding place for His servant who so
fearlessly declared His message.
Q) Drinking of the brook (vv. 4-6).
While drinking of the literal waters
of the brook, he was being nourished
by the Living Waters from the throne
of God. From day to day Elijah's
faith was tested as he saw the stream
run lower and lower as the drouth
continued. (2) Fed by the ravens
wv. 46). The ravens brought him
bread and flesh in the morning and
bread and flesh in the evening. Elijah
thus enjoyed two meals each day, with
water to drink. The same God who sus-
tained Elijah, still lives, and we should
trust Him for our daily bread. At
last the brook dried up because there
was no rain in the land. The Lord then
instructed him to move.
2. At Zarephath wv. S-16). ID The
place ". 81. Zarephath was at the
west side of Palestine, near the Medi-
terranean sea, in Gentle territory. In
order to reach this place Elijah had
to cross the country from the Jordan
to the sea. Zarephath was only
few miles from the home of Jezebel's
father. This, no doubt, was trial
to Elijah (2) Sustained by a widow
wv. 10-12). Bring little water and
q morsel of bread" was the request
which he made 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) Elijah's
reply ". 13). This made plain to her
that it was case of mutual interest
TO do as the Prophet said. 1.-THE barrel
of meal shall not waste; neither shall
the cruise of Oil fail" "a The widows
obedience ". 15). "She did according
to the sayings of Elijah, and she and
her house did eat many days" 90
God keeps His word ". 16). May we
learn from this lesson:
1. The particularly of Gods prov
idence. Truly a sparrow shall not
fall to the ground without our Father.
By the prearrangements of God all
our needs are daily met. There is no
happen so in Gods providence. The
woman of Zarephath, going out to
gather sticks to prepare the last meal,
met Elijah, and is helped for two years.
2. No matter how small our re-
sources, we can do something for God
If we will. The lad with the five bar
ley loaves and the two small fishes,
with the blessing of the Lord, did a
great work.
8. Our concern should be to work
for others and for God before our
selves. We should give our all to God
and trust Him for further supply. The
best way to help ourselves is to help
others. This woman gave one morsel
to Gods prophet and obtained a 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 teach US
that all is from Him.
5. Gods dealing with this Gentle
woman is a foregleam of His dealing
with the Gentle nations.