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

GOLDEN TEXT-In all thy ways acknowl-
edge him. and he shall direct thy paths
Proverbs SO.
Strength of personality apart from
good character will not assure sue
cess but will, on the other hand,
cause only intensified failure and
disaster. We may even add divine
promises Of blessing which are
given on condition of right living,
and the man of courage and
strength without good moral or spir-
itual character will only dissipate
both promise and power and will
become what is even worse than a
failure-a bad example and lead
er of wickedness.
I. Opportunity and Treachery (vv.
1929.
Opportunity misused may become
a curse, but that is the result when
a man takes what might be a bless
ing and turns it into a blight. The
life of Jeroboam is a warning
against such sinfuiNess 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 w..
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 a
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-
boam. 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.
ii. 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.
iii. 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,
II he had gone Gods way to the
throne and had abided Gods time,
he might have spared himself both
danger and exile in a heather land
Perchance some one who reads
these lines is just now languishine
in the exile of an Egypt of despair
because he has failed to obey God
To such one we say, do not fol.
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 10 Gods
way and enjoy His blessing.
In making application of the les.
sons learned from the life of Zero.
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 to
SIM" "Jeroboam's sins were no,
the sins of common man. It is
only kings, and kings counselors
and popes, and bishops, and minis.
tiers, and elders, and such like. who
can sin and make nations ano
churches and congregations to sin
But they can do it. And they are
doing it every day The corn.
monest and meanest man among Ms
has more than enough of this terri.
BILE power of both SHINING himselt