The printed lesson does not include the account of Jezebel’s diabolical maneuver to gain possession of Naboth’s vineyard for her husband (w . 5-15). The teacher will surely want to be familiar with this account. There is nothing apparently too evil for Jezebel to accomplish. The wick edness of Ahab is seen in that as soon as he learns of the atrocious crime for which Jezebel was responsible, instead of shrinking from it, he went immediately to possess the vineyard, the object of his covetousness (v. 16). But God always has the last word. Through His prophet, Eli jah, He met Ahab in the ill-gotten vine yard (v. 20) and let him know that his sin was not overlooked— “ I have found thee.” Helps For the Children The Story of Naboth's Vineyard 1 Kings 21 Memory Verse: "Thou shalt not covet" (Ex. 20:17). Ahab, the wicked king, saw the vine yard of Naboth his neighbor, and wanted it for his vineyard. When Naboth refused to give or sell his vineyard to Ahab, Ahab went to his room and pouted because he could not have his own way. His godless wife, Jezebel, who had brought Baal wor ship into Israel, promised that she would find a way to get the vineyard for her husband. She wrote letters, sealed them with the king’s seal, and asked the. rulers in the city where Naboth lived to have him killed. Eagerly Ahab took possession
of the vineyard when he heard of Na both’s death. God sent His prophet, Eli jah, to meet Ahab in the vineyard and to tell him of God’s displeasure. God told Ahab that he and his wicked wife would die because of their sinfulness. Elijah must have been given special" courage by God for this task, for the king might easily have killed the prophet for his faithfulness to God. Ahab repented of his sin so that God brought punishment to the people after Ahab’s death. May 23, 1954 Micaiah Withstands False Prophets 1 Kings 22:5-8, 13-18, 26-28a Pointers on the Lesson In this lesson we see a true prophet as he stands out against the will of a wicked king and the voices of false proph ets. The lesson gives opportunity to em phasize the duty of the individual Chris tian to. stand for truth and righteousness fearlessly even if there is opposition to all that the people and their leaders wish to hear. The Council of Ahab's Prophets 1 Ki. 22:5-8 This passage presents a strange alliance. What business did the pious Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, have in working together with the wicked king Ahab of Israel? The parallel passage in 2 Chronicles 19:2
makes it clear that it did not meet with God’s approval: “ Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord?” In New Testament language be lievers are to be “not unequally yoked to gether with unbelievers” (2 Cor. 6:14). However, sometimes God overrules to teach needed lessons in spite of men’s failure in this regard. It was so in the present passage. When the question arose as to whether Jehoshaphat and Ahab should go up to gether to engage in battle at Ramoth- gilead, Ahab consulted with false prophets who sought to please the king. They were not concerned with the truth, neither did they know the truth. But the 400 false prophets said “ Go up” . Their prophecy was a prophecy of death (w . 36, 37). Jehoshaphat was not satisfied with the prophecy of the 400 and inquired if there was not “ a prophet of the Lord;,besides” (v. 7). Then it was that Micaiah was found. The Council of Micaiah vv. 13-18 A messenger of Ahab urged Micaiah to utter a prophecy similar to that given by the 400 (v. 13). But Micaiah affirmed that he could only speak “what the Lord saith unto me” (v. 14). And so, after speaking to Ahab in ironical mockery after the manner of the false prophets, Ahab urged seriousness and was informed CONTINUED ►
Poems
By Mrs. Graeme MacDonald San. Francisco
G ardens To me a garden brings an ecstasy that sings, A stirring as of wings; Beauty of the breeze . . . companionship with trees, And quiet peace— all these A garden means to me. And.'yet, O Christ to Thee It meant |. . Gethsemane: P e te r ’ s D en ia l With frightened lips, I shall never say, “ I know Hirh not,” for none will question me; I shall not need to speak a word today To publish to the world my loyalty. And yet a hundred times, there comes a voice . . . “ Know ye this man, the Master?” and behold, A hundred times I make the fateful choice Today, as the Apostle did of old. And every unkind word or straying thought, Every deed of hatred or disdain, Say plainly to the world, “ I know Him not.” And then . . . the cock crows . . . bitter mom of pain! And would indeed today, that there might be The times I have denied Him . . . only three.
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