Evening star., 1922-01-07
Of Church News Activities
Sunday School Lesson

the spirit Of Elijah had como to un-
derstand God in the solitude Of tbs
desert. 1t was the inactivity that
forced him to trust Gods keeping
hard for the prophet.
1t 10 evident that the sacred writer
desired to impress upon all the
miraculous manner in which Jehovah
provided food and water for His
prophet beside the dwindling stream
Of Cherith. Elijah lived by faith In
that ravine, whether 1t was the un-
c!ean birds of the air, or the Ara
oians, or Orbites. or merchants, or
people Of the rock Oreb. who were
Lord to provide for him. There has
neen much discussion as to whether
Inc original Hebrew text translated
ravens ought not to have been either
one OF the four Just mentioned be-
cause the slight change of a dot In
added to the text. until after the
Massoretic invention of the signs of
the voWels, would suggest such read
ings, but either of these charges
would not destroy the miraculous care
of God for His own. Elijah had to
learn to trust Jehovah when his pre-
dictions were being fulfilled One can
never understand the possibilities of
His power. unless he has been forced
to depend upon God when there was a
u"lnullHS OF resources Inc propnet
had to learn to trust God when he
was experiencing the scourge of fam
ine His own lips painted for the
water. He was compelled to suffer by
his efforts to save the nation.
Elijah could not understand the
the hand of Providence fitting him
for coming battles. Alone with COD
at Cherith. he was being fitted with
spiritual strength for difficult days
and dangerous hours of conflict. He
understood it after he was sent into
the land of Jezebers early days.
There amid the darkness of idolatry
the Lord had a poor. lone widow,
whose faith in Jehovah was SO great
that she shared the last meal that
prophet needed faith to expect aid
at the hands of a heather, when
every hand was against him in Israel.
The hunted outlaw knew that no one
with him. since a price had been
placed upon his head. He did not
question that God would provide the
widow, as He had provided the ravens
to feed him at Cherith. SO. with un-
daunted faith. he started for Fare
phath. in the land of Sidon. Every
step of the way was full OF danger,
but the prophet moved rapidly. pos
sibly at night and by shepherds trails
over the hills. rather than along the
1t is difficult for US to understand
in our land of plenty the horrors and
suffering of famine. The story OF
his meeting with the poor widow. as
she gathered the firewood in the
fields, SO as to cook her last meal
before she and her son faced the end
is full of pathos and beauty. When
the gaunt. hungry, weary man ap-
preached her and asked for water,
the widow did not know that he was
q JPh0VQh
her for Him and bless her poor home.
The request brought quick answer.
for she saw his need. The poor are
always ready to share with one an
other. When he asked for food, there
came the story of her need. This
enabled the prophet to understand
some of the reasons for the days he
had spent at Cherith learning de-
pendance upon God, for for he imme-
The poor widow must have recog-
nized that he needed the food more
than she did. for she responded to
his request, giving him, as she
voice of God suggesting that she do
this noble and generous deed. Her
courageous faith arose and accepted
the promise of Elijah. that Jehovah
| first the needs of His servant. Won
derful was her faith. More wonder
full was her reward. 1t provided for
her and her household supply OF
oil and meal during the balance OF
the famine. which possibly lasted two
years longer. 1t resulted in saving
of her son, when she thought that
he was being taken from her as
punishment for her sin. The
! prophets prayer restored the boy to
his widowed mother. This resulted
in her conversion and that Of her
SON. While she and her lad were
won for Jehovah, Elijah learned that
Gods love and sympathy was not
limited to any race. Both were
taught the meaning Of the golden
text, Seek We first the kingdom OF
God and His righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you.
The secret of success can be learned
BY all that obey His Word Ses, Innt and 30 40
calls upon us to do individually for
Him. We can leave the results ,;su with With
denial and self-surrender for His
glory. confident that He will give US
victory.