Things that Trouble Israel.
By Thos. J. Cross
“Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” was the language addressed to Elijah the prophet by Ahab, a wicked king in Israel. But Elijah answered, “I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.” There was trouble in Israel, and there was a cause for the afflictions which they suffered. The chastening hand of God was heavy upon them. Three years and six months there had been neither dew nor rain. This was a fearful judgment, and Ahab ascribed it to the prophet of the Most High, and held him responsible. But the prophet met him boldly, “Thou and thy father’s house” have brought this calamity upon Israel, “in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord.” The record of Ahab is that he exceeded all that were before him in wickedness. When the law of God has been set at naught there ever has been trouble, and such will ever be the result of its violation. In this interesting portion of sacred history an important point is illustrated. It is that great and continued wickedness will be followed, sooner or later, by judgments. The destruction of the old world by the flood and the fearful doom of the cities of the plains, together with the fate of empires and cities that once flourished, and were notorious for their wickedness, but have now passed away, afford unmistakable evidence that sin will not go unpunished. Whatsoever is sowed that also must be reaped. Like causes produce like effects. If the curse of God at different periods has rested upon the world because of sin, is it strange that such should be the case now when the earth groans beneath her load of accumulated crime and moral pollution? And not only is Israel troubled, but the world at large is reaping the whirlwind and the storm. There are calamities by sea and by land, droughts and floods, famines and pestilences. Then come the armies of grasshoppers, leaving desolation, want, and ruin in their wake. Truly they are a burden, and men’s hearts fail for fear and for looking after the things that are coming on the earth. What do these things portend? Has God ceased to be gracious? Are nature’s laws reversed? or do all these things happen by chance? Nothing of the kind. There is an almighty and gracious Ruler who holds the reins of universal government, and who does not permit even a sparrow to fall to the ground without his notice. He is long-suffering to us ward; but when mercies are slighted and trampled upon, when no just return is rendered, and when light is rejected until it becomes darkness, then in the end the judgments of God will overtake the guilty. “Oh, that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.” Thus does God address his erring and rebellious people. And the mission of the church, is set forth in the following words of the infallible Teacher: “Ye are the light of the world;” “the salt of the earth.” The church, the Israel of God, were to receive and reflect the true light from the great Head. But the church has conformed to the world, to its spirit and practice, until the line of demarcation, once so clearly defined, is nearly faded out. And yet the church has increased in popularity until she feels that she has need of nothing. Not long ago, one of the eloquent, popular teachers of the day said, “Another hundred years of religious prosperity like the past, and this world will all be converted to Christ.” Oh, blind, indeed, to the teachings of the sure word of prophecy, and the signs of the times! The tares are taking deep root and ripening for the harvest of the last day. Iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxes cold. And yet the cry of “peace and safety” is heard on every side. Teaching for doctrines the commandments and traditions of men, and thus making void155the law of God troubles Israel. As it was in the days of Elijah and Ahab, so it is now, in these latter times. Sin, which is the transgression of the law, and a reproach to any people, is the cause of all our trouble. Every pang that has ever wrung the human heart has been in consequence of the violation of law. Handling the word of the Lord deceitfully, putting darkness for light, and light for darkness, teaching that the law is abolished and fables for truth, these are what trouble Israel. What, then, is truth? and where found but in the word of inspiration? Where, then, is the objection to that law which is holy, just, and good? The objection is found only in the carnal mind which is not subject to it, neither indeed can be. Let the old leaven of iniquity be purged out, and Christ formed within the hope of glory, and our eyes will be opened to behold wondrous things out of the law. It is to the obedient “the perfect law of liberty,” and their song while in the house of their pilgrimage. THOS. J. CROSS.