Evening star., 1924-04-12
Sunday School Lesson

ing OF his ministry. He revealed his
faith by his chall enging the priests
of the rival faith to face the evidence
OF public test of a burning sacri-
fee
Elijah recognized the Importance
OF the hour. He recognized that the
destiny of the nation was at stake
Inc people probably had not recog-
nized the departure from the wor-
ship OF Jehovah. so insidious had been
It's introduction. Slowly but surely,
even though gradually and almost
1mperceptibly. Israel was becoming
politically, socially and religiously
like the other nations, which fact was
Iatai TO its unique mission to the
world. Fire was the peculiar symbol
of Baal, yet doubtless his deyotees
would have been pleased IL they could
nave escaped from that public test
Ihe prophet gave them because OF
their numbers the privilege of trying
hrst when everything would be fa-
VorabIe to them. He knew that a
victory after their failure would he
tremendously important in winning
Israel back to Jehovah. Early in the
morning they prepared their sacri-
lices ana placed their Offering upon
an altar that Elijah took pains to see
possessed no secret chamber contain
ing lire. All day they prayed to RaaI
who failed to hear their petitions
The irony and mockery of Elijah
stung them to redoubled efforts, but
all in vain. In despair they gave mn
the contest -
In the presence Of the people Elijah
repaired the old altar of Jehovah.
which had fallen to pieces. He dem
onstrated by the pouring of water
upon the SACRIFICES and altar the i'm
possibility of any trickery. such as
marks the fakirs of the east He then
appealed to God. In his PRAYERS he
sums up the covenant promises of
jehovah. He sought the conversion
OF the nation through a demonstra-
was God and Elijah His servant n
was short, straight to the point and
IN marked contrast with that of the
Baalite priests. IL was a PRAYER NJ
1alth. 1t was answered in such a
manner that the nation nrocIajrnad
their faith in jehovah Idolatr1~ w-oS
crushed by the defeat Of Baalisrn. hut
IT'S power was not destroyed. 1t start
ed but did not complete the religious
ne Oh the nation that had been won
~ ~ uay Tor jehovah; 1t is easier
10 start people on the. right path
than it is TO secure from them n
risht life. Jesus recognized this when
lie outlined in the great commits
sion three steps in the Christian life.
conversion, confession and conforna,
nation.
Elijah sought to make the victory
permanent by the destruction of the
prlests OF Baal, whom he considered
10 be public enemeis. He then pour-
cd out his soul for rain, and with the
nrst evidence of it's coming Dared the
hfteen miles to the court, hoping 10
receive the confession OF JezebeI's
falth IN Jehovah. He was physically
mentally. nervously and spiritually
exhausted after his arrival at Jeze-
rel SO the stern prophet fled, when he
received message of warning from
JeZebel e her program of revenge
Inc shocK OF disappointment caused
MIN to seek death in tse wilderness
Iods method of curing the prophet
is suggestive. He then fed the petu-
rant prophet. Having removed the
cause OF his physical and nervous
break down, Jehovah conducted the
prophet to Sinai, where He gave unto
him spiritual vision that called him
back to service.
The latter days Of Elijah were not
as strenuous as those we have been
considering. There was the evidence
Of the old days in his championing
justice for the weak by condemning
the coyetouS ambitious of the king
concerning Naboth's estate. 1t was
seen also in his interception OF the
messengers of Ahaziah on their way
to Ekron. His work was largely in
training Elisha to be his successor
His mission was largely to restore
in Israel the devotion to the law Civ
en- them by Moses. This is our prob
lem in America and throughout the
modern world, where men have for
gotten the law and seem unwilling to
live in conformity to its precepts and
principles, which contain the founda-
tion of society and hope of civiliza-
tion. We cannot serve God and
Nammon