Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1939-07-06


GOLDEN TEXT-In all thy wavs .o,, SI4o.
Proverbs $50. VI" patns-
Strength OF personality apart from,
good character will not assure en-
cess but will, on the other bsuS
cause only intensified failure ans
disaster. We may even add divins
promises of blessing which avn
given on condition of right livins
and the man Of courage anS
strength without good moral or snir S
itual character will only dissipate
both promise and power and will
become what is even worse than =
failure-a bad example and a lead.
er of wickedness.
l. Opportunity and Treachery wv
1929. WV
Opportunity misused may become
a curse, but that is the result when
a man takes what might be bless.
ing and turns it into a blight. The
life of Jeroboam is warning
against such sinfulness and at the
same time it offers us an occasion
to encourage young people to make
the most of their opportunities for
the glory of God.
That which commended Jero.
boam to Solomon was that he was
a man of courage and industry ".
28). That combination will carry a
man or woman to unlimited heights,
The world is so full of timid and
lazy folk, that the one who has
heart of valor and a willingness to
work hard stands out in bold relief
Every sensible employer knows that
fact and is quick to lay hold of and
advance such an individual. Times
are hard and work is scarce, but
opportunity still knocks at the door
of the boy or girl, man or woman
who is brave and diligent.
The sad thing was that there
was treachery in the heart of Jero-
beam. Had he been willing to wait
Gods time he would have received
all that he did ultimately receive
and more, but his strength of per-
sonality did not include good char
acter, and he at once began to plot
against the king who had given him
his chance to develop and advance.
Let us teach our young people to be
loyal and true, as well as to be
brave and ambitious.
III. Promise and Condition wv. 90
81, 37-39).
God had reached the end of His
patience with Solomon. He who had
begun on his knees in the house Of
God, seeking wisdom that he might
rule his people Alright, had come to
the end of his life in apostasy and in
wicked indulgence of the wishes Of
his heather wives. Through His
prophet Ahijah, God made known
the purpose to divide the kingdom
into ten tribes and two-a separa-
ton which knew no reunion while
Israel was in the land.
Jeroboam was promised the ten
tribes with the assurance of the
great blessing which had been given
to David, but this was definitely
on the condition that he would
"hearken-walk-do-keep" ". 38
Gods statutes. The fact that he
failed only emphasizes the folly and
wickedness of the man, for he went
on his way to destruction in spite
of opportunity and blessing. Men
are doing the same thing today Oh,
that we who teach this lesson might
be enabled to stop some such prod
igal on this coming Lords Day.
Ill. Danger and Exile ". 40).
Although Jeroboam in accordance
with Gods promise did ultimately
come to his throne, it was by way
of danger and fight into Egypt
Solomon determined to destroy him
and Jeroboam had to flee into exile
If he had gone Gods way to the
throne and had abided Gods time,
he might have spared himself both
danger and exile in heather land
Perchance some one who reads
these lines is just now languishing
in the exile of an Egypt of despair
because he has failed to obey God
To such one we say, do not tol-
low Jeroboam who went from exile
on into greater sin and sorrow
Turn back now. seek God in con,
fession and contrition, and if need
be, in salvation. Get back 20 Coos
way and enjoy His blessing.
In making application Of the les
sons learned from the life of Jero-
boam, let us not fail to point Out
that all down through the historical
records he is referred to repeatedly
as the man "who made Israel 10
sim" "Jeroboams sins were mol
the sins of a common man. II
only kings, and kings counselorS'
and popes, and bishops. and minis
tiers, and elders, and such like, whU
can sin and make nations all"
churches and congregations to SIN
But they can do it. And they are
doing it every day The cotl'-
moneSt and meaneSt man among w.