Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 96, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 March 1911 — OLD TESTAMENT TIMES BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE-STUDIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OLD TESTAMENT TIMES BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLE-STUDIES

DEFEAT THROUGH DRUNKENNESS. I Kings 20:12-21—March 19 “It it not for king» to drink tDint; nor for princes strong drink”—Proverbs il.-j. CODAY’S lesson recounts an invasion of the land of Israel by King Bephadad, overdord of Syria, who bad under him thir-ty-two kings of Syria and a large army. Warfare in those days, of course, was very different from what it is today. The numbers in conflict were fewer and their weapons inferior. Their motive was plunder. Our day witnesses a considerable advance along the lines of diplomacy. Wars and Invasions now are always

based upon some p h i 1 a n t hropic motive —to free people from bad government, or to compel them to pay their debts, or to open up their country to civilization, or to give them more responsible and representative government, or greater freedom of religion. Robbery and pillage.

by an invading army, are reprobated. Whatever is taken from the conquered people must be obtained by the levying of an indemnity fund. All this speaks to us of a higher moral seuse. even though much relating to it be hypocrisy. The very need Tor the hypocrisy implies that, with u considerable uuin her. there are qualms of conscience on the subject. The Battle Was the Lord’e, arid of Course He Won Benbadad sent bis demands to King Ahab saying, “Thy silver and thy gold are mine; thy wives and thy children, even the goodliest of thine.” King Ahab, recognizing the greatness of the army and his own unpreparedness for resisting them, answered, “My Lord. O King, according to thy saying. 1 am thine, I and all that I have.” But when the invader broadened his demand and included with It the wealth of all the nobles of Israel, their wives and their children, etc., resistance was aroused. Thereupon the invaders set the battle army against the walls of Israel’s Capital. Samaria. At this juncture God sent a Prophet to Israel’s King, informing him that be would deliver the invaders into his hand and give him a great victory. The astonished Ahab asked by whom would the battle be waged against the host. The answer was that at the command the princes of the provinces should fight under Ahab’s direction, supported by the militia. By this signal victory God would demonstrate his power by protecting the nation with whom he had made the Law Covenant

The Divine order was followed. Two hundred and thirty-two princes, or chiefs, of the people at noon passed out of the gates of the city, followed by seven thousand militia—a small number wherewith to meet a host. Apparently this was poor generalship: but the Lord was the General and overruled the results. King Benhadad and his associates had been drinking. The Syrians were ordered to capture the men alive. But this they did not do. Soon the Syrian forces were In disorder and completely routed. Humanly speaking, the battle was lost by Benhadad’s over-confidence, and par tlcularly by his indulgence in intoxl eating liquors.

Lessons Which We May Draw The honest, the holy, the reverential of mankind, who seek peace and right eousness may be likened to Israel, to God’s i>eople. Benhadad and his thirty two kings and tbejr armies would cor respond to Satan and his various hosts of unrighteousness. We may name these hosts as we please. To some, one portion, and to others, other |>or tions of these hosts are the more rep rehensible Many of these kings may represent various Trusts which, by manipulation of life’s necessities, are attacking the welfare of the i»eople. Others of these kings may represent political grafters. Others may represent various vices which prey upon the public, including iutemperanee. The forces thus set in battle array aggiust the public are appalling, especially when the wealth at their command is considered.

The demands of these various “Interests” come first upon the honorable and well-meaning public servants. But

when the demands broaden, and it is evident that general pillage is the intention, the voice of the Lord should be beard and heeded, and a stout resistance should be made. As with Ahab, the resistance should not be defensive merely.

The call is for the princes, the chiefs of the people, who love righteousness, to go out first to do battle with all Iniquitous invaders of the rights, happiness and interests of the people. And these princes or leaders who stand for righteousness should be ably seconded by all the courageous and efficient of the people.

Bcnhadad. king of Syria.

The mighty princes.