Middletown transcript., 1922-01-07
LESSON FOR JANUARY 8
ELIJAH THE TIsHRITE.

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| LESSON TEXT Kings 17:1-N.
GOLDEN TEXT-Hut seek ye first tn
| kingdom of God. and his righteousness
and all these things shall be added unto
| you.-Matt. 6:33
REFERENCE MATERIAL~-Ex. ls; ]
Kings l6:2S-33; Matt. 6:1s-34
| PRIMARY TOPIC-God Cares for Eli.
| jah.
JUNIOR TOPIC = Elijah. the Brav,
| Prophet.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Jehovah's Champion Preserved.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
-obeying the Word of Jehovah.
!. EIiJah's Message to Ahab ". u.
This was a startling message, for
Ahab had not only led Israel into
idolatry, but into q 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 com.
plete the apostasy (see ch. 16 BY.
Note the content of the prophets
message:
1. "As the Lord God of Israel liveth."
Elijah knew the onrce 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.
z. Before whom l stand" Because
Elijah stood before God, he could
stand before Ahab. His "standing"
/. before God indicates his constant readl-
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. 5:17),
and was given in answer to Elijah's
prayer (Jas. $40. Drouth was pre-
dicted as the punishment for idolatry
Deut. 11:16, ~, and the prophet was
now applying the divine judgment.
u. EIijah's Retirement wv. 2-18).
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-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.
O 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 Elljah's
faith was tested rs 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. Eliioh
thus enjoyed two meals each day, with
water to drink. The same God who sus.
tanned Elijah, stil II 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 Zafephath 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 cou ntry from the Jordan
to the sea. Zarephath was only a
few miles from the home of Jezebers
rather This, no doubt, was a trial
to Elijah. (2) Sustained by a widow
wv. 1O-12). Bring little water AMI
a 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) Eliiab's
reply ". 13). This made plain to her
that 1t was n case of mutual interest
to do as the Prophet said. ''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" Isl
God keeps His word ". 16). May we
earn from this. s.lesson:
1. The particularly of Gods prov.
dence. Truly sparrow shnp NOT
all to the ground without our Father
BY the prearrangements of God all
,ur needs are daily met. There Is no
happen so IN GODS providence. The
woman OF Zarephath, going out to
'ather sticks to prepare the last meal.
net Elijah, and Is helped for two years.
q No matter how small our no
urces, we can do something for God !
we will. The lad with the five bor-
ey ioaves and the two small fishes
With the blessing of the Lord ala a
reat work.
.. Our conce ern should be to work
or others and for God before our.
elves. We should give our all to God
nd trust Him for further supply. The
est way to help ourselves is to helm
theirs. This woman gave one morseI
D Gods prophet and obtained a supnlv
or herself and family for two or
lore years.
4. God often allows us to get down
D our very last In order to teach ms
nat all Is from Him.