TH E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
March, 1940
100
flowing through all the land and cover ing all classes, even the down-trodden and misused poor among the people. Alas, the people then—and the people today—too often prefer their own way to that of the Lord—but His is the one right and happy course to follow. Points and Problems 1. “Hear ye this word” (Amos 5:1). Chapters 3 to 6 of Amos seem to form a connected series of denunciations upon Israel with occasional calls to repent and seek the Lord. There are three sec tions, the first in chapter 3, the second in chapter 4, and the third in chapters 5 and 6. Each section begins with the same striking formula, “Hear ye this word.” 2. “ They hate him that rebuketh in the gate” (v. 10). The “gate” in the ancient city was the place where the legal tribunals held forth (Deut. 16:18): “Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates . . . and they shall judge the people with just judgment.” A seat among “the elders” at "the gates” was regarded as a high honor (Prov. 31:23). The people of Amos’ day had fallen so low that they hated any judge who rebuked their evil ways with a just judgment. The minister of the gospel is not a judge, but it is a part of his divinely given commission to “rebuke” (2 Tim. 4:2). And when the Christian minister performs his duty faithfully, he will be hated heartily by some, for human nature has not changed through the centuries. The carnal mind still hates God and is at enmity with His righteous demands. 3. “I hate, I despise your feast days” (v. 21). The speaker is God, and He is speaking of the very feasts which He had commanded the nation of Israel to keep. How strange now to say that He hates them! (See also Isa. 1:14.) What was wrong? The answer is that Israel had gone on celebrating the fes tivals after they had lost the meaning of them. The Passover, for example, revealed the absolute righteousness of God as well as His mercy. Yet this people had apparently learned nothing of this kind. It is just as certain that to a church clinging to religious forms after losing their spiritual meaning, God would say today, "I hate your commun ion services.” What a dreadful state for men who profess to know the living God! Golden Text Illustration A mos 5:15 A poor man claimed a house which a rich man had seized. The former pro duced his d e e d s and instruments to prove his right, but the latter had pro vided a number of witnesses; and, to support their evidence the more effec tually, he secretly presented the cadi with a bag containing five hundred du cats, which the cadi received. When it came to a hearing, the poor
BIOLA GOES FORWARD!................... "And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto mef speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward” (Ex. 14:15).- The ringing challenge in the above verse was given to leaders and friends of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles in the fall of 1937 at the inception of Biola’s “ Go Forward” Cam paign. This effort had a threefold purpose: (1) to raise addi tional funds to meet the operating expenses, (2) to provide adequately for the annuitants, and (3) to make the Institute free of debt by June 1, 1940. There remains “much land to be possessed,” but . . . God Is Answering Prayer! Since the commencement of the original “Go Forward” Campaign, pledges totaling approximately $100,000 have come in, some of them to mature later than June of this year. More than one-half the total amount pledged has been paid. The ideal of the “Go Forward” Fellowship has become a par^ of Biola’s life. Although the date of maturity of the original certificates was June 1, 1940, it has been generally felt that this method of systematic giving was so practical and in accordance with the teachings of the Bible that Biola’s friends have- been invited to continue their regular support through this plan. In consequence, new pledges of participation in this fellowship are being received daily. Some of those who had paid up their former pledges before the expiration date have seen the advantage to us and to them of. monthly giving and have taken pledges for an additional 33-months’ period. We frequently hear the slogan, “Time Marches On !” In the eternities before time began, God -was. As we see the unfailing fulfillment of His purposes and His promises, let us rather say, GOD MARCHES ON! And Biola Goes Forward-r-with God. With an ever-increasing sense of urgency as Christ’s coming draws near, as nation rises against nation and doors are closing to the preaching of the gospel, we continue our task of training young people for Christian leader ship, without tuition charge. Our student body is larger this year than for many years—yet the pres sure from the forces arrayed against us grows greater. God is counting on Biola to GO FORWARD. W e Are Counting on YOU ! The Biola “Go Forward” Fellowship Certificate offers a simple and easy plan for you to make regular contributions to the work of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. Certificates are issued for monthly gifts of $1.00 or more, and are usually prepared in the following denominations: $1.00 $5.00 $20.00 2.00 10.00 25.00 3.00 15.00 50.00 (For monthly gifts of less than $1.00, the Biola Honor Roll plan is still in effect.) To join this fellowship fill in on the coupon below the total amount you will trust God to help you give over a 33-months’ period. You will never be embarrassed by duns or requests for payment, but we will trust God to gether with you that every need will be met. THE BIOLA “ GO FORWARD” FELLOWSHIP As my participation in Biola’s "Go Forward” Fellowship, in consideration of the subscriptions of others, it is my privilege in dependence upon God to endeavor for a period of............................ (years) (months) to pay to The Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Incorporated, the sum of: ..................._....................................................Dollars ($.......................), payable as follows:....................... ,.................:....................Dollars ($..... .................) herewith and...............................................Dollars ($............. ......... ) (monthly) (quarterly) Signed ....................................................................................J................. Mail Address............................................................... .— ....-------- « — City and State..........._.................................. .,..................................... THE BIBLE INSTITUTE OF LOS ANGELES INCORPORATED 558 South Hope Street Los Angeles, California
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