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TH E KING’S BUSINESS
(5) The choice of a god determines the character of a people. (6) God gives rest within, and rest with out, and rest all about. (7) God can always be found in Christ. “Look and live.”
(2) It is a sign of a healthy condition when a church commences to clean house. (3) If there is to be attachment for Christ, there must be detachment from idols. (4) God puts no new wine into old bot tles.
God’s Care of Elijah AUGUST 29, 1915. LESSON IX. 1 Kings 17:1-16. (Commit vs. 14-16.) G olden T ext : “Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you.”— 1 Peter 5 :7.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS Mon., Aug. 23—1 Kings 17 :l-7. Tue., Aug. 24—1 Kings 17:8-16. Wed., Aug. 25—1 Kings 17:17-24. Thurs., Aug. 26—1 Kings 18:1-15. Fri., Aug. 27—Luke 4:21-32. Sat., Aug. 28—Psalm 37:7-19. Sun., Aug. 29—Phil. 4:4-13.
EXPOSITION AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Jehovah God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” This was a mighty triumph of courage as well as of faith. Ahab had shown himself to be a man not to be trifled with (ch. 16:30, 33; 21:25), hut Elijah knew no fear, for his trust was in the living God (cf. Matt. 27:1; Heb. 13:6). He had no fear of earthly kings because he coiild speak of the King of kings as the one “before whom I stand.” No earthly king has any terrors for the man who knows that he really rep resents Jehovah, King of kings. v. 2. " And the Word of the LORD came unto him." Elijah was a man under divine directions (cf. v. 8, ch. 18:1 ; 21:17); because he had sought and submitted to that direc tion. vs. 3, 4. “Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be that v. 1. “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain ,these years, but according to my word." Elijah comes very suddenly upon the scene. He had been in retirement, meditating upon God’s Word, and upon the condition of Is rael : his soul had been deeply grieved over Israel’s apostasy. Over in Gilead beyond the Jordan, he had been studying God’s Word as found in the Pentateuch. In Deu teronomy he had discovered God s warning that if Israel turned aside and served other gods, and worshiped them, His wrath would be kindled, and that He would “shut up the heavens that there be no rain” (Deut. 11: 16, 17), and he had also been praying to God to fulfill His Word (regarding shutting up heaven, that there be no rain in such times) (Jas. 5:17). He now knows that God has heard his prayer; for it has been according to His will as revealed in His Word (cf. 1 Jno. 5:14, 15). Knowing that his prayer is heard, he acts his faith and bursts into the presence of the king and cries, “As
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