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Dairp Devotional Home Readings Connected with International Sundajl School Lessons Bj> FRED ER IC W . F A R R , D . D .
rvTfflQflryvwvwwwvwwwwvvWvvw'?wwwvwwywwww9WWWV^^ TUESDAY, June 1. 1 Sam. 15:13-26. Saul’s Failure.
pass to his posterity. There is no ring of genuine repentance in Saul’s confes sion and complaint. Samuel the prophet takes sides with God and will do or say nothing that will appear to approve what Saul has done. THURSDAY, June 8. Heb. 6:1-12. Danger of Disobedience. The writer of this Epistle declares in chapter 5:12-14 that the Hebrew con verts had not advanced so fast or far as might have been expected. On the other hand they had gone back in a measure. His purpose seems to be in this chapter to warn them of the danger of going back entirely. In case they should apostatize from Christianity and relapse into Judaism, their condition \^ould be hopeless. Having rejected the Christian scheme, there was no other way by which they could be saved. He does not say or imply that they will fall away. Indeed in the ninth verse he expresses his conviction that they would not, but he gives this solemn warning lest they should neglect their oppor tunities. One might say, standing above the falls of Niagara that if a man should fall into the river it would be impos sible to save him. The remark would be a deterrent to a careless spectator to keep out of the danger zone. FRIDAY, Jiine 4. Jude 1-11. Fruits of Evil-doing. Jude appeals to history to show the certainty of retribution. Men who em braced error and followed corrupt prac tices would certainly be punished. He especially mentions the unbelieving Hebrews whom God delivered from the bondage of Egypt, to the apostate an gels, and to the depraved inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. The object in
A single act may reveal a whole char acter. Saul had failed before and been rebuked. This new test was an oppor tunity to redeem himself. God will never accept a partial or half-hearted obedience to any of His commands. In clination or convenience have nothing to do with obedience. Saul received the special commission to execute the long deferred judgment against Amalek. His disobedience was a direct defiance of Divine authority. It was not prompted by motives of humanity. He destroyed the people but spared the king to give splendor to his triumphant return. The worthless plunder was destroyed but the choicest part was kept to enrich himself and his followers. The reference to sacrifice was subterfuge and camou flage. His failure was inexcusable and without extenuation. It makes a bad matter worse to cover it with a religious pretext. WEDNESDAY, June 2. 1 Sam. 15:27- 35. Saul’s Rejection Foretold Instead of continuing the campaign Saul returned by Carmel to the old camp at Gilgal. There Samuel met him and pronounced judgment upon him for disobedience. Saul anticipates anything that Shmuel may say by claiming com mendation for duty well done. Re sponsibility is fixed and the fatal sen tence is pronounced. “ Thou hast re jected.” “ The Lord hath rejected thee.” When Samuel turned to go, Saul caught hold of his garment and it became rent as a token of the fact that God had taken the kingdom of Israel away from Saul. He might continue as king while he lived but the kingdom would not
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