Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-13
Sunday School Lesson

ligion. he sought to make the new
capital a still stronger center OF the
nations life by removing the ark to
Jerusalem.
Without the natural advantages Of
the great cities of the world, there
arose, due to David's desire to unity
the nation in their worship and pre-
serve their love for Jehovah, a re.
ligious city that is loved by the be-
levers in the three world religions,
more than Athens and more than
Rome" Jerusalem taught the nations
justice and gave her name to the ideal
city men are ever striving to build on
earth, to the city Of God that shall
one day descend from heaven, the new
Jerusalem" 1t grips the heart of
Jews, Mohammedans and Christians
today. because David sought to make
1t religious center by moving the
ark TO the new capital.
A World Religious Center.
He sought to develop a revival of
religion in the hearts of the nation by
an extensive campaign that was
planned to reach every man. He re-
yealed his deep spirituality in his pro-
gram for a popular movement, APP
proved by the leaders and participated
in by the priests, Levites and the
masses. He was right in his view
point that no permanent prosperity
and power was possible without the
spiritual union of the hearts of the
citizens of the united kingdom through
their worship of Jehovah. The
strength, success and stability of
every nation depend upon 1t making
its spiritual life supreme.
David made fatal error when he
adopted an improved plan" that had
been adopted by the pagan Philstines
when they returned the ark on q cart.
Every man who shares in doing even
good work in a way contrary to
Gods command is due to pay the pen
atty for his failure to obey God s word.
Uzzah's sudden death should be q
warning to US. He tried to support
the ark. which symbolized Gods pres
ence, as If the Lord needed any sup
port. We may and always do need
His help. The King was crestfallen
and peeved at Uzzah's death. Instead
of seeking to understand why it hap
pened, David quit his good work, and
the blessing which might have been
his went to Obed-edom, a heather by
descent. who welcomed the ark to his
home. Josephus tells us that from
the moment the ark rested beneath
set in, so that he passed from poverty
to wealth. an evident sign that Jeho-
yah had no controversy with those
who obeyed the regulations and con-
ditions laid down in the ancient law"
When David learned Of the bless
ings being reaped by Obed-edom he
searched the divihe directions and
learned that none ought to carry the
ark Of God but the Levites." Recog-
nizing the error, he renewed his eff
forts to bring up the ark to Jerusalem
in accordance with the commandments
Of God. that required the Levites to
carry the ark upon their shoulders
with slaves. They had gone only six
PAGES when David called a halt to ex-
press their thanksgiving for the pro-
pitious start. His spirituality found
expression in songs and spiritual mu.
sic. one of which (the twenty-fourth
Psalm) is included in our lesson.
Michal, David's wife, objected to the
manner in which the King had danced.
This resulted in their separation. Her
criticism, which may have been due
to the increased number Of wives pos
sessed by David, suggests that no wife
should ever criticize her husbands
methods of worship. She should en-
courage her husband in every effort
which he puts forth to worship God,
even II. is in David's case, there
might be the danger Of his actions be-
ing misunderstood.
The Songs Of Triumph.
OF all the hymns suggested as hav-
ing grown out Of the bringing UP the
ark to Jerusalem, the masterpiece Is
the one contained in our lesson. It