Outlines from Sermons by a London minister 1 Samuel 12:17-18 Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call to the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain… I. THAT THIS INCIDENT WAS A MIRACLE IS EVIDENT. This instance is a parallel to that which occurred in Egypt (Exodus 9:23). It is to be remarked that Samuel spoke confidently as to the issue of his prayer, "The Lord shall send," etc. 2. Because the thunder and rain came at a season of the year in which, in the natural course of things, they are never heard or seen in Canaan. "Is it not wheat harvest today?" The time of harvest in this country is often a time of much thunder and rain, but this is not the case in the land where this miracle was wrought. 3. The effect of the storm upon the minds of those who witnessed it was such as to make it evident; that they regarded it as a supernatural manifestation. II. THE INTENTION OF THE MIRACLE. It was sent as an attestation of the blamelessness of Samuel's administration as judge of Israel. It was at the same time a token of God's displeasure at Israel's present wilfulness. Samuel's expressions of displeasure were thus shown to be a message to them from the God whose rule they had treated so lightly. Lessons: — 1. Whenever a nation rejects God, such rejection will be followed by signs of God's displeasure. 2. The continuance of a nation's greatness depends upon the relation of individual members of it to the Living God. The beauty of the garden depends upon each flower being placed in right relations to the light. 3. The servants of God sin against Him when they neglect to pray for their fellow countrymen (ver. 28).We should pray for them — 1. Because they are our fellow creatures (1 Timothy 2:1). 2. Because, as a body politic, we have an interest in their right relations to God (1 Corinthians 12:26). 3. Because national love ought to be an element in every Christian's character (Romans 10:1). (Outlines from Sermons by a London minister.) Parallel Verses KJV: Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king. |
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