_He put forth his hand._ THE PROPHECY AGAINST JEROBOAM AND ITS ATTENDANT CIRCUMSTANCES I. All human power and skill engaged against God will wither. The hand of man is the bodily mark of his superiority to the animal creation; it represents his power and skill. It is the bread winner of the body.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now there dwelt an old man in Bethel _ THE NAMELESS PROPHET This passage forms part of a very remarkable narrative. The miraculous element is so prominent that certain critics would have the chapter expunged from Holy Scripture. The natural and the supernatural are closely interwoven, as are the... [ Continue Reading ]
_He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art._ TRUTHS ABOUT CONSCIENCE I. Conscience, of itself alone, is not a sufficient guide for life. Every night, set in the front of the locomotive as it dashes on through the darkness, gleam the rays of the headlight, piercing the gloom for a mile ahead... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it came to pass as they sat at the table._ THE TWO ERRING PROPHETS 1. If the word of God has spoken, the vision or the interpretation which essentially contradicts it cannot be followed without destruction. Nothing short of a real, well-attested revelation could have furnished a better excuse... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him._ A SHARP PUNISHMENT ACCORDS But, surely, to be slain by a lion on the way home was a much too sharp punishment for taking one’s supper with a prophet and an angel; uneasy conscience and all. But then, “some sins,” says that noble piece... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof._ ON THE CHARACTER OF THE OLD PROPHET OF BETHEL The most careful review of this man’s conduct does not make it easy to comprehend it; nor, indeed, do we know enough about him to satisfy us in pronouncing decidedly on the subject... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jeroboam turned not from his way._ JEROBOAM: A CHARACTER STUDY Jeroboam had decidedly a fine start with a flattering prospect of success, a rare opportunity for excelling both temporally and spiritually. There was the promotion of the king, and by God the conditional promise of kingship, together... [ Continue Reading ]