REBUILDING
N ever did a situation seem more hopeless and men more helpless than at the time God brought Samuel into the stream of human history. Israel’s old enemy, the Philistines, had grown strong with arms supplied by Greece. Israel had neglected to conquer and secure the sea coast in the day of her strength (Judges 1:18, 19), and had been content to enjoy the rolling downs, green pastures and good times, thus growing soft. They experienced a long period of slow decay. Moral and spiritual decay is at the heart of every nation’s downfall. Behind this is the destruction of the home. Rebuild the home on Biblical and spiritual grounds and from these roots will come the leaders who will guide a nation out of chaos. Is this not the picture of our nation today? Neglect has brought decay. Principles have been supplanted by politics, integrity by intrique, excellence by expediency. We need men, like Washington at Valley Forge, who when faced with crisis and hardships will humbly kneel and ask for Divine guidance, then rise to follow this counsel, more concerned for a “Nation under God” than for a party in power. We find ourselves as a nation to day, looking for leadership that only God can supply. This leadership finds its roots in the Christian home. A study of First Samuel one and two can be profit able at this point. Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, was childless. Going to the temple, she poured out her soul before the Lord. God remembered her and a son, Samuel, was born and became God’s glorious leader for the nation of Israel. Under the guidance of his leader ship the nation was rebuilt and saw its greatest hour. We can rebuild our nation by rebuilding the home. We need at the head: A GOD-FEARING FATHER; at the hub: A GOD-HONORING MOTHER; and at the heart: GOD HIMSELF. I. AT THE H E AD ; A God-fearing Father. Elkanah and Hannah looked upon their relationship to God as the chief concern of mortals. They were what we would call loyal supporters of the local church. Elkanah faithfully fulfilled his ministry as head of the home. He was not only concerned for the physical and material needs of his family; he showed discern-
THE NATION
THROUGH THE HOME
by Dr. Joseph Hemphill
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