647
T H E
K I N G ’ S
B U S I N E S S
October 1924
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Ravens, a widow, an angel,-—all were God’s messengers (Psa. 103:13): «Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pittieth them that fear him; for he lcnoweth our frame; he remember- eth that we are dust.” God provides first for Elijah’s physical needs,—He fur nished for him a table in the wilderness and refreshed his body with divine food. There is an intimate relation between body, soul and spirit. Refreshed, Elijah journeys nearly two hundred milSs farther to Mt. Horeb— the awful mountain-1—where God gave the law. Here he hid in a cave, but God came and spoke to him, “ What doest thou here, Elijah?” Then He instructs him by a parable, “ Go forth and stand before the Lord.” The wind, the earthquake, the fire, the mighty elements, were not the greatest expression of power. They were the evidences of God’s power in judgment. Then came the still, small voice. This moved Elijah. He went forth and stood in the mouth of the cave and again God spoke to him, “ What doest thou here, Elijah?” The Prophet Divinely Directed. The Lord had further work for Elijah to do. He does not cast off His servants. His message was “ Go, return.” God always has a remnant. “ I have left me seven thousand in Israel.” “ Be of good courage.” So Elijah, that ran for his life from a woman and prayed that his life might be taken, was spared to he translated. (2) AHAB’S CAMPAIGN AND VICTORY, Ch. 20 “ Thou shalt know that I am the Lord,” v. 13. This chapter gives us a glimpse of the Syrian campaign and God’s favor upon Ahab, of Ahab’s neglect of opportun ity and the consequent judgment of Jehovah. The con tents can be viewed under the following heads: (a) The Command of Ben-hadad, vs. 1-12. (b) The Conflict and Defeat of Ben-hadad, vs. 13-30. (c) The Crime of False Mercy, vs. 14-43. (3) AHAB COVETING THE VINEYARD, Ch. 21. “ Give me thy vineyard,” v. 2. This chapter opens with the phrase, “ After these things.” It was seven years after the defeat of Baal at Mt. Carmel. In the meantime Ahab had exhibited some little outward acknowledgment of God. Twice had the little army of Israel defeated the army of Ben-hadad. Ahah had spared Ben-hadad and made a covenant with him, and God had sent his prophet to Ahah to warn him of the coming judg ment upon him. Samaria was Israel’s capital city, but Ahab had built himself an ivory palace at Jezreel which was situated about twelve miles south east of Nazareth, on the southern bor ders of the plain of Esdraelon. The king had beautified the city and had fixed his eyes upon a vineyard which ad joined his palace and which belonged to Naboth. The Conscientiousness of Naboth Naboth was not willing to part with his vineyard. He was a faithful Israelite. Ahab’s proposition was fair. He was willing to give him a good trade, or pay cash. But Naboth
OCTOBER 12, 1924 (Lesson 54)
ELIJAH AT HOREB 1 Kings, Chapters 19-22
Golden Text: “ But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. OUTLINE (1) God’s Care for Elijah, Oh. 19.
(2) Ahab’s Campaign and Victory, Ch. 20. (3) Ahab Coveting the Vineyard, Ch. 21. (4) Cessation and Continuance of War, Ch. 22.
Immediately following the scene on Mt. Carmel, Ahah went up to eat and drink,— for kings must eat and drink though
LESSON
EXPOSITION T. C. Horton
priests may have to die. Elijah went up to pray. Look at his posture now and compare it with his attitude when he prayed before the people. (1) GOD’S CARE FOR ELIJAH, Ch. 19 “ Arise and eat” v. 5. The Word of God gives us eight wonderful pictures in the eventful life of Elijah: Before Ahah; humbled by the rav ens; submissive in seclusion; raising the dead son of the widow; defying Baal; alone in Horeb; crossing Jordan; translated. The Prophet Disappointed and Discouraged. Elijah had passed a remarkable day. No prophet ever stood a severer test. None had ever wrought a more signal victory than that accomplished when, in answer to his prayer, the heavens had poured out refreshing showers and he had run alongside Ahah’s chariot. Was not Jehovah the God of Israel and was not Ahab himself a witness? Then came the reaction. The physical strain upon him had been tremendous,— the all day test, the sacrifice of the priests, the prayer for rain, the long run, the anxiety for a successful issue. He fled to Beersheha, a hundred miles distant, and then a day’s journey farther. He lay under a juniper tree, and desired that he might die. “ I am not better than my fathers.” He had a poor enough opinion of himself. Nothing to do, no outlook, he seeks relief in oblivion. The Prophet Divinely Discovered. An angel touched him, as was the case with Daniel after .three weeks of mourning and fasting (Dan. 10: 10-19); with Paul (Acts 27:23, 24); with our Lord Himself (Matt. 4:11). How tender the com passions of God! He will not let Elijah die like that. He sets before him a royal meal, prepared by angel hands.
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