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THE KING’S BUSINESS
Why, if the tribes were divided, did Eli jah take twelve stones? Gen. 23:28; Joshua 4:5-20. Shall Israel yet be united ? Ezek. 37:21, 22 . Why did he put the wood in order? Lev. 1:3-9. (2) Elijah’s Challenge to Jehovah, vs. 36, 37. At the time of the evening sacrifice Elijah came to the altar, v. 36. He called Jehovah the Lord God of Abra ham, Isaac and Israel, v. 36. He challenged Him to prove that he was His servant, v. 36. He cries for Jehovah to answer in order that the people might return from their backsliding, v. 37. Questions: What was the order of evening sacrifice? Ex. 29:39-41. What occurred upon the Cross at this hour? Matt. 27:50. To whom did he pray? 1 Chron. 29:18. What did he desire the backsliders to know concerning Jehovah? 1 Sam. 17:46, 47; 2 Kings 3:6. What did he want them to know con cerning himself? Num. 16:28-30. Is it right to want to know that we are God-sent? John 11:42. Does God turn the hearts of men back to Himself? Mai. 4:5, 6; Luke 1:16, 17. (3) The Consuming Fire, 38, 39. God answered with fire, v. 38. The wood and sacrifice and water were consumed, v. 38. The people were astonished, v. 39.
They cried out in testimony to the true God, v. 39. Questions: Is fire a sign of God’s presence? Ex. 3:2. How did God lead Israel? Ex. 13:21. Did' He appear to Israel in the flame of fire? Ex. 19:18. Will the Lord Jesus be revealed in a flame of fire ? 2 Thess. 1:8. Had God ever answered before by fire? 1 Chron. 21:26. Does fire from Heaven bring the people to their knees ? 2 Chron. 7:1. Does fear play a part in the repentance of sinners? Deut. 5:5; 2 Cor. 5:11; Acts 2:3. To whom should we pray? Acts 12:5. Should we have confidence in our pray- .ers being answered? 1 John 5:14, 15. What gives confidence as a basis of prayer? Heb. 10:19. PRACTICAL POINTS (1) Destinies are determined by decision. (2) Blessed is the man who has definite convictions, determined courage, and who denies all compromise. (3) Christ’s challenge to the church is, “If I am the Son of God, follow thou me.” (4) The deep desire of every devoted be liever is the glory of God. (5) Man-made efforts fail to command the fire to fall. (6) Fire is our friend or foe according to our attitude. (7) The death warrant of every rebel against God is already signed. (8) What a pitiful picture of the infatua tion of idolatry. (9) True prayer proves the personality and power of Jehovah-God.
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