The Study 1 Kings 22:34 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness… I. WHERE ALL IS VENTURE MEN ACT AS IF ALL WERE CERTAIN. Strong probability is not certainty. 1. No parent is certain that his child shall live to need the education he gives it. 2. No working man is certain that he shall require the provision he has made for "a rainy day." 3. No merchant is certain of reaching that "wealth with honour" for which he toils. Yet the parent, the working man, and the merchant act as reasonable and responsible agents. Still, we have no certainty as to the result of any act viewed apart from its moral element. Thus viewed, however, all is certainty. II. WHERE ALL IS CERTAIN MEN ACT AS IF ALL WERE VENTURE. 1. As a man sows morally, so shall he also reap; not necessarily from his fellow-men, but from God, in the harvest field of his own soul, etc. Experience, etc. 2. The most wicked deed ever perpetrated was first a thought. The accumulative force of moral evil is a certainty. Yet men lust as if lust would never bring forth; and covet as if covetousness never issued in actual theft, etc. 3. The Gospel is a certainty alike in its promises and its threatenings. III. DEDUCE SOME PRACTICAL LESSONS. 1. Be not afraid to "draw a bow at a venture" for the sake of Christ. 2. Be careful of all bows at a venture which are not for Christ's sake. (The Study.) Parallel Verses KJV: And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. |
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