p. 473 | The Sabbath-School by J. W. Scoles

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 5, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 30.

The Sabbath-School.

By J. W. Scoles

Notes on the International Lesson.

SAMUEL'S FAREWELL ADDRESS.

AFTER Saul had been anointed king by Samuel, he quietly went back to his own home, apparently feeling confident that God, in his own good time, would publicly show his approval of the choice which had privately been made according to his instruction. This approval was made manifest in the lot being caused to fall upon Saul, who was thus shown to be the choice of the Lord, and was accepted as such by the people. When the spirit of the Lord came upon Saul and enabled him to so control the forces of Israel that Nahash and his army of Ammonites were defeated, the fear of the Lord fell upon the people, and all Israel went to Gilgal and solemnly renewed their vows of allegiance to Saul before the Lord.

SAMUEL took advantage of this occasion to publicly retire from office, not, however, without first briefly recounting to the people, the way in which God had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies from the time he had brought them out of the land of Egypt. Samuel also referred to his own connection with them, and vindicated himself from any unjust accusation which might be brought against him; not so much from personal motives, doubtless, as from a desire to show the children of Israel that, in all his past work in their behalf he had been laboring for their best interests, and that in this change of affairs, he still desired to see them prospered and the cause of God advanced.

ONE point in Samuel's address seems to imply more than the words express. "I am old and gray-headed." He had grown gray in their service, and yet, in all his years of anxiety and care for the people, he had maintained his integrity before the Lord. Age generally indicates experience, and a long life spent in the service of the Master afforded a reasonable promise that his remaining years would witness no departure from this rule. Had he been unfaithful at heart, it would have showed itself by this time.

CHARACTER may be properly said to be accumulative. The grace of God can so transform a man's heart that he becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus at once, but this does not give him a new character. It only places him in a position of acceptance with the Lord; a position in which he is free to form a pure and righteous character, but it does not give him the character itself. This is something which must yet be developed. And this developing of character is what constitutes the life work of every child of God. It was the development of true character during all the experiences of life that gave weight to the words of Samuel on this occasion.

THE similarity between Samuel and Moses is quite striking in many particulars. When the Israelites had so provoked God to anger that he was ready to destroy them, Moses, while not upholding their wrong, interceded for them as though they were his own flesh and blood. So it was with Samuel also. He could not see the Israelites take the course they did in desiring a king, and thus rejecting the Lord, without bearing a most decided testimony against them. And yet, it was reproof mingled with pity and love. And when, by means of the unseasonable and unlooked-for storm of thunder and rain, which showed God's manifest displeasure, the people were led to acknowledge their sins and beseech Samuel to pray for them, this noble servant of God only had words of tenderness and help for them. After exhorting them to walk in the way of the Lord with all their hearts, he said, "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you." Verse 23. Even though they forsook God, he would still follow them and plead with and for them, by means of Samuel his servant.

ARE we abusing the mercies of the Lord to-day, dear reader? Are we trampling any of his word or will under our unhallowed feet? If so, may he help us to turn to him with sincere repentance, in faith believing in the merits of his dear Son, whose blood alone can cleanse us from all of our unrighteousness. The interest Samuel felt for the children of Israel was nothing to be compared with the interest Christ has for us. He loves us because he has bought us with his own precious blood. He has infinitely greater claims upon us than anyone else can have. May we heed his gentle counsel, and walk in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. J. W. SCOLES.