The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1922-01-20

LECSoON TEXT Kings 1871
GOLDEN TEXT waited patiently foI
the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and
heard my cry.-Ps. 40:1.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Ezek PHI
Acts $3.50: BILL
PRIMARY TOPIC-God Sends an Angel
to Help Elijah.
JUNIOR TOPIC-God Strengthens Eli
5ah.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Jehovah's Champion Encouraged.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Finding and Finishing our Task.
This lesson story proves Elijah to
have been a man Of like passions as
we are GAS. SID.
I. Elijah's Flight wv. I'D. Upon
Ahab's return from the excitement on
Mount Carmel, he told his wife all
that Elijah had dOne-that even all
her prophets had been hewn to pieces
by the sword. This so enraged her
that she sent a message of death to
Elijah, who seems to have been wait
Ing at the gate wv. 1. y. This was
clearly a bluff on JezebeFs part.
Though Elijah had courageOusly
stood before the king and the priests
Of Baal, he now covered before this
woman and fed for his life. He seems
to have failed at his strongest point.
1. Elijah under the juniper tree
wv. Sd. The juniper tree was
shrub of the desert which afforded
shelter and protection to travellers
from the burning sun by day and the
cold wind by night. Cd His request
". ~. This was that ne might die.
This was, no doubt, foolish thing for
him to say. but let US be as cOnsid-
crate toward him as was Cod The
discOuragement. and even despOnden-
cy, Of Elijah was due to the nervous
strain Of about four years Of unusual
service for God which eliminated
on Mount Carmel. Such nervous re-
action Is TO be expected. (2) Gods
tender treatment (vv. SD. (a) He
gave him sleep ". 81. HE giveth
His beloved sleep" (Psa. 127 y. (b)
He sent an angel to cook Eli1ah's
meal wv. g, y. The angel Of the Lord
Is usually understood to be the sec
Ond member Of the Holy Trinity II
this be correct. then we see Jehovah
Jesus preparing food for His servant
Elijah. as He afterward did for His
discouraged disciples by GallIee John
p :19). God again gave him sleep,
and at the proper time again gave him
food Though Elijah wanted to die,
God had something better for him,
for I'm a later day He met him with
the chariot Of the Lord and took
him TO heaven untouched by death.
2 Elijah at HOreb (vv. $40. God
had kindly ministered TO His dIscour-
aged prophet so that he would be in
a At condition to receive the needed
instruction and correction. Elijah had |
erred I'm running away from his field /
OF ministry.
I'D Gods interview with Elijah In |
the cave wv. g. 10Y. (a) Gods ques-
ton ". o.. What doest thou here, /
EIijah7' This was a singing rebuke. |
though most kindly given. 1t implied |
that His appointed messenger was
now far away from the field of duty. |
Elijah was not where God wanted him, |
but God sought him where he was. |
How blessed to know that "a God |
forsaking saint IS not a God-forsaken |
saint !" (b) Eujah's answer ". 10Y. |
Elijah tried to vindicate himself by 4
asserting his jealous loyalty to God /
had not only rejected his message /
and dishonOred God. but had sought /
to destroy him. (2) Gods interview /
with Elijah on the Mount wv. 11-14). /
While standing before the Lord on |
the mount, God caused a mighty |
demonstration OF wind, earthquake
and fire to pass before him to show
unto him the nature OF the work which
ne had been doing for God, and TO
show him what was lacking in his
work for the fullest attainment OF
success. Elijah had about him much
Of the whirlwind, earthquake and fire.
His work had been terrifying and
but It lacked In gentlenesS
and love This object lesson in the
ways OF Gods working is a needed
message for this age. which is so won
derfuIly characterized by noise and
rlamor The world is not taken for
Christ by the f1eshly energy and en-
-husiasm Of conventions and commit
tees. but by the quiet hearts who go
'orth proclaiming Gods Word In the
energy of the Holy Spirit
n. EHJah's Return wv. 1919.
Though Elijah had erred, God
him again into His service.
How comforting TO know that God
loes not reject his servants because
# their failures in times of despon-
lencyi He deals with them after the
motive of their hearts. Elijah was
iourished and instructed by the Lord
nd then sent on a high mission. God I,
$ q fine psychologist. He took Elijah
ut Of himself by giving him a new
The most healing min
stry is that Of work. Many bereaved
mes have been lifted out of them
elves by active ministry to others.
Before God would come in His chariot
o take Elijah home, He set him upon
threefold ministry:
1. To anoint Hazael king over Syria
v. 49,. a
.. To anoint Jehu king over Israel
v. 10y.
3. To anoint Elisha as his own sue =
essor in the Prophets room wv.
CPD.
Ill