The Holly chieftain., 1922-01-05
LESSON FOR JANUARY 8
ELIJAH THE 1,sAslTE.

ffs 6ItSAH b0E ttoB6I E.
LESSON TEXT Kings 17:1-4.
GOLDEN TExT-But seek ye first the
kingdom Of God. and his Righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto
you.-Matt. 6:33
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Ex. 16: 1
Kings 1G:2s-33; Matt. S:1s-34.
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.
I. EIiJah's Message to Ahab ". ~.
This was a startling message, for
Ahab had not only led Israel into
idoiatry, but into repudiation of the
living God.
1. "As the Lord God of Israel liveth."
Elijah knew the source of his message.
He knew that he represented the llv-
ing God, therefore had no fear to
come into the presence Of the king In
His name.
2. 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 half years (Jas. SID,
and was given in answer to Elijah's
prayer (Jas. $40. Drouth was pre-
dicted as the punishment for idolatry
tDeut. II :18, 10, and the prophet was
now applying the divine judgment.
II. EIijah's Retirement (vv. 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.
/. By the brook Cherith wv. 2-7).
(1) Drinking of the brook wv. 49,.
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. 4-6). 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-
tanned 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). ~ 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 a
few miles from the home of Jezebel's
father. This, no doubt, was trial
to Elijah. t2) Sustained by widow
wv. 1O-12). Bring little water and
a morsel Of bread" was the request
which he made Of the widow. This,
no doubt, was great trial to her,
but God had touched her heart and
stirred up faith In her. Her reply re-
veals her deep distress. (S) Elijah's
reply ". 13). This made plain to her
that 1t was a case of mutual interest
to do as the Prophet said. "The barrel
Of meal shall not waste; neither shall
the cruise Of oil fail" az The widows
obedience ". 15). "She did according
to the sayings Of Elijah and she and
her house did eat many days" (5)
God keeps His word ". 16). May we
learn from this lesson:
/. The particularly of Gods prov
idence. Truly sparrow shall not
fall to the ground without our Father.
By the prearrangements Of God all
our needs are daiIy met, There is no
happen so In Gods providence. The
wotnan Of zarephath, going out to
gather sticks 70 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.
3. 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.
4. God often allows us to get down
to our very last in order % teach US
that all is from Him.
5. Gods dealing with this Gentle
woman Is foregleam Of His dealing
with the Gentle nations.