Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/315

 The  want  of  priests. The people  of  the  kingdom  of  Israel  sank deeper and  deeper  into  idolatry  and  crime,  because  the  priests  who taught them  the  true  religion  and  the  practice  of  it,  were  killed. It is a great  misfortune  for  Christian  countries  when  there  is  a lack  of good  priests;  for  in  that  case  faith  grows  weak,  morals  become  lax, and many  souls  are  lost  (New  Test.  XXXII).

Figures and  Types. The land  of  Israel,  suffering  from  the  long drought, was  a figure  of  the  great  spiritual  drought  from  which  the whole world  suffered  before  the  coming  of  Christ. Elias bidding  the heavens to  rain  was  a figure  of  Christ  opening  the  fountains  of  grace to a perishing  world. The rain  itself,  which  gave  a new  life  to  the earth, is  a type  of  the  grace  of  God,  which  renews  the  soul  of  the converted sinner.

Do you  halt  between  two  sides? Do you hesitate between  good  and  evil,  between  the  commands  of  God and the  promptings  of  your  own  evil  passions? To-day perhaps you have  promised  to  serve  God,  and  to-morrow  you  will  follow some evil  desire. This wavering  between  good  and  evil  is  a grave  danger  to  the  salvation  of  your  soul;  for  you  are  really wavering between  heaven  and  hell. Away then  with  indecision! Love God  with  your  whole  heart  and  be  true  to  Him  till  death. Renew this  day  your  baptismal  vows.

CHAB had  a palace  at Jezrahel,  and  near  it  was  a vineyard owned by  a man  named  Naboth. Achab, coveting  the vineyard, said  one  day  to  Naboth:  “Give  me  thy  vineyard,  that I may make  me  a garden,  and  I will  give  thee  a better  vineyard, or I will  give  thee  the  worth  of  it  in  money.”  Naboth  answered him: “The  Lord  be  merciful  to  me  and  not  let  me  give  thee  the inheritance of  my  fathers.”  For  the  law  of  Moses  forbade  the son to  sell  the  property  which  he  had  inherited  from  his  forefathers.