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September 1927
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
been a terrific cyclone,, such as sometimes passes through the country. But God did not reveal Himself in it, although He has control of the winds as well as the waves (Psa. 135:7; 147:18; Matt. 8:26). Next came an earthquake, which He caused (Psa. 104:7, 8), but God did not mani fest Himself in this phenomenon. After the earthquake there was a fire.(cf. Job if|l6 ), but God was not in it. Lastly, there was a “still, small voice,” or, according to the marginal note of the Revised Ver sion,- “a sound of gentle stillness.” This text seems to be preferable. The strong wind, earthquake and fire seem to be re minders of the occasion of the giving of the Law at this very mount, “which Law ivas the ministration of death” (ef. Ex. 19; 2 Cor. 3:6, 7). God was not found in such soundings and by means of such a fiery Law,,which symbolism and Law .had to be "given as “a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ” (Gal, 3:24). After these- terrific physical phenomena had passed by, the “still, small voice” spoke to the prophet. “The Law was given through Moses; Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ;” the Law killed; life and blessings came, through the still, quiet, gentle voice of Jesus Christ (Isa. 42:1 f. ; Matt. 12:1§ f.). In the hustle and bustle of life one does not have an opportunity Of real communion and fellowship with God ; it is1only after the stormy expe riences of the day are past that one can, in his secret place, talk with God in the fullest and most satisfactory way. Youth is usually preoccupied with the ambitions of an earthly career and the cares of life to such a n . extent that the still, small voice of God is not heard. Unfortunately,; the majority of Christians do not listen to the still, small voice of Go.d until they are unable to continue any longer in the busy whirl of earthly affairs. _ _ Vs. 15-18. In these verses Elijah is in structed to anoint Hazael to be King over Syria, Jehu King of Israel and Eli sha as his own successor. The Lord at that time pulled back the curtain from the future and showed his servant that Hazael and Jehu and Elisha should slay many, but that there should remain seven thousand faithful servants of His who would not bow the knee to Baal. Elijah Hears God’s Voice 1 Kings 19:9-18. Memory Verse : “I will hear what the Lord will speak.” Psa. 85:8. Approach: A sand map will help the children to get a clear idea of the country traversed by Elijah, and of the Sinai re gion. Children are often discouraged,
that the kings of the world, with their wicked population, will seek refuge in similar places, but without avail. “The Word of , Jehovah."-— This ex pression refers to the message which the Holy Spirit brought to Elij'ah on this oc casion ;■, 'hence, in no sense can it be called the word of man, for both the thoughts and the words were given by the Spirit (Zech. 7:12; 1 Cor. 2 :13). To day the expression refers to that collec tion of oracles which is known to us as “The Bible.” “What doest thou . here, Elijah?” —This question is a rebuke. It suggests a sim ilar question given to Adam (Gen. 3:9). To he away from the place of duty is to be in grave danger; to be in the center of God’s will is to be in perfect safety (Psa. 34:7). Prav for guidance concerning God’s will (Matt. 7:7, 8) ; consider the situations in which God places us (Acts 16:10; Colossians 3:15). V. 10. E l i j a h ’s Self-pity— Self-pity makes a weakling out of a giant of faith. It is better to keep the eyes unon Christ and not upon self. Self-pity is but: the outcropping of selfishness. Elijah eval uated his faithfulness, which, practically, is contrary to the spirit of the contrite one. It is best for one to pass judgment upon himself (1 Cor. 11:31). Let the Lord estimate our faithfulness (Matt. 25:14-30). Elijah’s Jealousy for the ousy is an earnest concern or solicitude on the part of one for another. It may be either pure and holy or alloyed with carnal, selfish motives and desires. One’s jealousy for the honor of God may, if he is not vigilant and prayerful, be tinged with, outcroppings of the flesh. “Jehovah of HoJfs.’M-Jehovah is the covenant name of God (Ex. 6:2-4). He is Jehovah of Hosts because of his mighty numerous armies of angels- (see 1 Kings 22:19-23; Job 1; Psa. 103:19-22 and Psa. 24). “The children of Israel have forgotten Thy Covenant." —The Covenant made at Sinai (Ex. 19:1-24:28). Today Israel has forgotten her covenant, but the time will come when God will makeKa new Cov enant with her (Jer. 31:31 f.). “Thrown down thy altars.” —These al tars were places in different sections of the country where true worship was ren dered, but were not, as the rationalists claim, rival altars of the central sanctuary at Jerusalem. “Slain Thy prophets.”- —The n a t u r a l heart is at enmity against God and re jects things spiritual, together with the messenger. See Christ’s lamentation over Jerusalem (Matt. 23:37). When one preaches the Word of God faithfully, without compromise, he will be perse cuted. No one can be a friend of God and a friend of the world (Matt. 5 :10, 12; Luke 6 :26). “And I,'even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” —Elijah felt that he was the only true servant of God, at that time, in those parts, whereas there were seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal (v. 18; Rom. 11:2-4). Let no one feel that he is the only one who is faithful to God and that the work of God will cease should he stop. Vs. 11-14. “Go forth, stand upon the Mount.”— rThis occurrence is similar to Moses’ experience (Ex. 33:17-23). God passed by, there was a great wind which rent the mountains and brake in pieces the rocks. This wind appears to have
A distinguished artist, speaking to some students on artistic composition, declared it to be a wrong thing pictorially to have a picture of a woodland forest without showing a path leading out of it. When the true artist paints a landscape, he in variably gives some suggestion of a path which can carry the eye out of the pic ture. Otherwise the tangle of trees would have the tendency to suffocate, or the wide trackless spaces to dismay one. Those who wait on the Lord, will find that He always has a path leading out of the difficulties of life. Looking to Him, they find courage and strength to go for ward, regardless'of how rugged the path may be. -- —o- . Ai FTER the great victory of faith at 1 Carmel, Elijah, frightened by the threat of Jezebel, the personification of wickedness, fled to Beer-sheba and left ed to him and instructed him to eat a cake and drink a cruse of water which had been miraculously supplied for his need. In the Strength of this food and water he went for forty days and nights to Horeb, the mount of God, the moun tain where the Law was delivered to Moses. .: V. 9. “And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there.’’— Terrified by the threats of Jezebel, he suffered a tempo rary eclipse of faith; hence, there was but one thing to do, namely, to flee from the country. From the entire account it seems that he did wrong, since the nation was passing through a crisis, and he was the champion of the true religion of God. One cannot afford, under any condi tions, to forsake the post of duty, even in. times of extreme danger. In contrast with Elijah’s failing the Lord on this oc casion, the boldness of the Apostle Paul stands out most prominently. Note his heroic spirit (Acts 20:22, 24). David’s fleeing to the cave of Adullam (1 Sam. 22:1 f.) was different entirely. The lat ter was using the common intelligence in times of danger which the Lord ex pects us to use. David was not forsaking the post, of duty when he fled from the enraged Saul. Many of the saints of God throughout l ong, d r e a r y centuries, especially during periods of persecution, have fled for shelter into the caves of the earth (Heb. 11:35-38). Church history shows us that the early Christians betook themselves to places of safety in secrecy for the purpose of wor shipping God. Spiritually speaking, the lives of all believers are hidden in Christ with Gbd (Col. 3:3 f.; Heb. 6:17-20; Rom. 8:1 f.; Heb. 7:25). In His second coming Christ will deliver His faithful people physically out of the realm of danger (1 Thess. 1:9, 10; Gal. 1:4; 1 Thess. 4:15-17). In the Tribulation, the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30:7), God will hide the faithful remnant of Israel (see Isaiah 26:20; Rev. 12:6, 15, 16). In contrast to the refuge provided for this remnant, Revelation 6:15-17 informs us his servant there. He, however, went an other day’s journey into; th e wilderness and sat down under a juniper tree and re quested God to take his life. While under the juniper tree he fell asleep, at which time an angel appear
and this lesson is to teach them that God is with them in all their work and play, if they have taken Jesus as their Sav iour and are trust ing Him at all times. Teach the dear chil dren to make Christ real in all t h a t
comes to them. You can not do this if He is not real to. you, and a constant source of help and inspiration. Prayer. Lesson Story: (The Map of Palestine is a splendid song to teach Juniors and older Primaries during this series of les sons.) Who has a good memory? All right, Kenneth, you tell us what happened on Mount Carmel in our story last week.
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