Covenanter Witness Vol. 55 - Rparchives.org

game."Lesson Helps for the Week of October 16, 1955C. Y. P. U. TOPICFor October 16, 1955MICAH, ADVOCATE OF PEACE(Subject by permission of C. E.)Comments by Rev. Theodore F. HarshPsalm SuggestionsPsalm 34, page 79Psalm 37, page 91Psalm 2, page 4Psalm 44, page 112Psalm 122, page 316Psalm 46, page 119PERSONNEL FILE CARDName: MicahAddress : Moresheth-Gath, on the Philistine frontierOccupation: MinisterOther Activity: Social reformerRemarks: "Micah belonged to the people. His sympathies were with thosewhose life he shared. Far from the maddening crowd of those contending forfavor and preferment, he looked atthings not with the eye of the diplomator the party intriguer, but with theclear vision of the onlooker who seesmost of theWard, Prophets of the DawnLittle is known of Micah's personallife. His hometown, Moresheth-Gath inJudah was on the international highwaybetween Egypt and Assyria, so he musthave absorbed his interest in and understandingof world affairs from themessengers who traveled between thecapitals of Egypt, Assyria, and his owncountry. He may have been a peasantfarmer, which would account for hisdeep sympathy with the poor.If Micah is to come alive for us, itmust be through words of his prophecyrather than the details of his life.Most of the evils ascribed to Israel inthe two previous topics could also be ascribed to the Southern Kingdom. Tyranny, oppression, immorality, and idolatrywere widespread. The nation was sowing much the same wind as her neighborto the north, and would as surely reapthe promised whirlwind sooner or later.Couldn't the people see where all thiswas leading? Shouldn't they have knownthe inevitable results of national wickedness? Shouldn't we? Theyshould haveknown, but sin has a way of obscuringthe vision, of making the sinner unmindful of its presence. The people needed aMicah and an Isaiah, and others to declare God's Word and still they continued in disobedience.202Micah's prophecy is not unique amongthose of his fellow minor prophets inhisforewarning of approaching judgall speak of the bitter fruitment. Theyof sin. The distinctive features of Micah's messages are the simple outline ofGod's requirements (6:8) and the promise of a war-free world (4:3)with Isaiah (Isaiah 2:4).sharedThe problems of war were very real toMicah. He lived in a generation thatknew little of real peace, that knewonly war time and a tense, uneasypeace, a generation like our own. Fewat this meeting have lived long enoughto remember a time when there wasneither war nor rumor of war. Everyyoung man faces the call of his countryto military service. What do you thinkof war as a means of settling differences? How should we as Christians regardwar?There are two basic attitudes whichChristians have toward war and participation in war.1. The Pacifist View : People who holdthis view believe that war, especially inits modern form, is always sinful, beinga denial of the nature of God as love, ofthe redemption of Christ, and the unityof the Holy Spirit. Those who hold thisview say that the church will becomea regenerating, remoulding instrumentonly as it renounces war absolutely.Christians are therefore urged to refuse to take part in war themselves, andto replace military force by practicalmethods of active peacemaking. The pacifist turns for his example to Jesus asHe allowed Himself to be arrested, tried,and crucified,and as He refused to allow His disciples to defend Him withforce.2. Others say that there can be sucha thing as a "just" if not "holy" war,that a Christian is obligated to supportthe more just cause even to the extentof war. Those holding this view wouldregard a "just" war as one fought todefend an essential Christian principle.The Christian, though he must be willing to accept martyrdom for himself,cannot expose others to it by refusing todefend them.Thought Questions1. Can a Christian pray for victory inwar? What kind of victory? I John 5:4;I Cor. 15:57; Ps. 98:1, 22. Must a Christian love his enemieseven at the expense of his friends? Matt.5:46-48; Gal. 6:103. If a burglar attacks your neighbor,what is your duty as a Christian? John2 :13-164. Which is the greater evil, resistingevil or accepting it? Isaiah 39:8 ("...peace ... in my days") What is our responsibility to future generations? Micah 2:9bREFERENCES ON WAR ANDPEACE: Isaiah 9:5-7; Micah 5:2-5(This man shall be the peace . . .)Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-5; Jeremiah 614; John 14:27; Matt. 10:34-36; Psalm46:9, 10; James 4:1-3; I Tim. 2:1-4;Philippians 4:6, 7; Ephesians 6:10-17;Hebrews 13:1, 20, 21GODJUNIOR TOPICOctober 16, 1955Mrs. J. E. McElroyMorning Sun, IowaFIGHTS FOR HIS PEOPLEScripture: Joshua 10Memory verse: "Be strong and of goodcourage, fear not for the Lord thyGod will not fail thee, nor forsakethee."Psalms:Deuteronomy 31:6 (a and c)Psalm 118:1-4, page 284Psalm 18:1-4, page 30Psalm 77:11-14, page 186Psalm 107:17-21,page 267Scripture references: Joshua 9:15;Deuteronomy 7:24; Isaiah 28:2; Nehemiah 4:20; Joshua 5:10; I Sam. 7:10;Habakkuk 3:11; Zechariah 14:3.After the Gibeonites had made peacewith Israel in a deceitful way, the kingsof the other cities heard what they haddone. They were very angry with theGibeonites for making peace with theircommon enemy, the Israelites. The kingof Jerusalem sent word to the kings ofthe several other cities and said to them,"Come let us unite our armies intoone great army and fight the Gibeonitesand destroy them; for they have madepeace with Israel."As soon as the people of Gibeon heardthis, they sent word to Joshua, saying:"Come quickly and help us; for weare your servants; and the king of Jerusalem is coming with a great army tokill us all, and destroyour cities. Thewhole country is in arms against us;come at once, before it is too late!"The Lord told Joshua not to be afraidof the five kings, for He would deliverthem into the hands of the Israelites. Atonce Joshua called out his army, andmarched all night up the mountains. Hecame suddenly upon the five kings, andCOVENANTER WITNESS