The National tribune., 1891-03-05
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

pointed for March Is, 1891. 2 XII. 5,IS-
81.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures
indicated Rboye.l
SUBJECT: I. ELIsHA's REFUSAL or MONEY
PROM NAAMAN. III. GEHAzT's REQUEST BoR
MONEY FROM NAAMAN.
!. NAAMAs's OFFER TO PAY.
1. Data
xxi, 10.
SEQ last weeks lesson under the head of
Time.
3 Pace.
We supposed in the study on verses to
II that Elijah WAS in or near Samsria.
We cannot tell at what point in the Jordan
Naaman was cared. Jordan was on Naamau's
way home from Samaria. and il would have been
easier for the General 10 have gone on from the
Jordan 10 Damascus. But he would not be
guilty Of such ingratitude and rudeness. Like
one leper of the 10 cured by Christ, he resolved
10 90 back to the prophet and show his appre-
citation for restored health. (St. Luke, II 49,
T. Persons
On Namaan, Elisha, Gehaz sec last weeks
lesson. We have in this lesson further
proof of the real greatness Of the " Man Of God"
8. Critical Notes.
1. "Stood before him" ". 49, After the
cure Elisha admitted Naaman to personal in
tervieW. Vsrss 10 shows that when Naaman
first called at the abode OF the prophet. he saw
only the servant, Gehazi. This treatment
sorely offended Naaman.
The standing before Elisha may have = the
ologic Specification. Nsaman made a profession
OF his new faith-declaTed himself convert
to monotheism-renouncedp olytheism. tDeu,
81 80; Is, 1910; Dan, 2:47; 90, p; Ro,
10: 81
2 "A blessing" v.15.) The meaning Is
a present. Naanan, like many large-sOuled,
independent man, wanted TO pay for value re-
ceived The General was in the right as TO
principle. No one able 20 pay for services
should accept such without remuHerafing. And
Elisha could without improperly receive pay
or gifts He was poor and needed financial
help. But in the case Of Nsaman Elisha
wanted to render the miracle as effective as
possible. He wanted to escape the least suS-
picion Of mercenariness. There is q saying,
1t gives great authority to teacher Of virtue
not to he covetous."
g. AS the Lord liveth." (V 49, form
of Oath-a strong assertion. Elisha refused in
such a positive tone 80 "a to escape further
temptation. We see the persistence Of Naaman
in the fact that he, even after the strong Ian
guage of tho prophet, urged acceptance Of some
material token.
T. Before whom stand" CV I6.) Ser
wants stand in tho presence Of their masters,
ready 10 obey any order. To stand before one
hence means 10 do the will Of that one. There
is all intimaton that God had signided TO
| Elisha 10 decline any fee.
). 1.-TWO mules burden Of earth" (Y. 17)
As much rs two mules could carry. Affairs
were made at times Of earth. Eek, 20: "a
| Naaman was thoroughly converted. He wanted
| to worship the true God. He could have
| gotten soil enough at Damascus, but he wanted
his new religion associated with the prophet.
! He could not take Elisha with him. lie loved
| the very ground which the Man Of God
stood. II seems absurd to loaI two mules with
| earth and force them TO carry il more than 100
/ miles. But there is no sin in sentiment, and
| there is much comfort ahd even utility in the
/ law Of association. And what a change Naa-
man experienced little before, he despised
! the waters OF the land Of Israel. and now be
/ begs for 300 or 800 pounds OF its soil.
6. Rimmon was a Syrian god. Benhadad,
/ the king of Naaman, wOrshIped RimmOu by
| bowling before him. II was tho business OF
/ Nasman to accompany the king 20 the temple, at
| Damascus, in which RImmOn was worshiped.
! NEsman raised question Of easutstTy: could
/ no as a pTOs.iyte TO mOuOtheIsui and 20 the
| worship Of Jehovah assist mis- king in going %
/ tho temple Of RImuIOn and wOTshipIng the
/ god? Must no resign his Office as all 10 Ben
/ hadad? Could il net be understood he did not
/ worship RimmOn aud acted only as an official
assistant OF the kingl
! Z. The Bible Is remarkable for its omissions.
| We 90 not know whether or not Naaman took
| the earth. We do not know what answer
! Elisha made u the request OF Naaman for said
/ soil. We do not know he dealt with NaHuan's
| question ~ 20 being party in the worship OF
| Riumon. The words "Go in peace" ". 49,
show the two came to an understanding and
parted with good feeling.
| G. Suggestions.
/. Express appreciation to persons who rem
| der you any favor. Even take some trouble to
do so. Go back if necessary. (Y. ~
2. IL cured OF lepTOsy ia the fOrm Of sin be
| sure 70 express gratitude 10 our Savior. (Y.
J. There are times when right things are
| wrong. Ordinarily Elisha might accept re-
enumeration. la the case Of Naaman there
| were good reasons for declining financial con
sidCratiOn Elisha wanted to escape the least
| suspicion hs Vas eOyetOus. Nv. 49,
4. Deciding 10 your duty, persist. Do not
be urged cut OF your course. tV. l6.)
3. Worship God exclusively. (Y. 49,
| g. Build places OF worship. (E. H.
| Z. ONer sacrifices 70 God part Of Wor-
| ship. Never worship empty handed. Con-
| tribute u religious enterprises. (E- III
g. Make no reservations Tor the least appear
hnce OIL eylt alter you become Clristlans. w.
I6.J
o. II your proposed conduct DO liable to be
misunderstood if there be a possibility, enc
mics Of righteousness will take advantage oil
any act OF yours; be sure and clear yourself
OF all suspicion Of compromising your religion
/ ". 49,
10. Persons should try always to part in q
pleasant frame of mind. (Y. 49,
II. GEHAzFs FALsEHoODs AND CoyEToUs-
NESS.
/. Data.
2Kings, 5: 2O-27.
q Time
See under Time in lesson for last week on {
| XII, 8; LA. We move on for say, al hour.
J. Place.
"a little way" (V. 49, short distance
from SaluaTia northeast, toward the Jordan
and Damascus. Jewish doctors have put til,
distance at one mile.
4. Persons.
On Elisha and Nlaman see lesson for Marcel
g. We begin 20 learn now more Of GehaSi
We get an intimation why the staff laid on the
face Of the dead son OF the ShuHammite par
ents failed to DO effective. "A b. We ss'
how lie came to treat so rudely the mother
". 27.) lie was selfish, worldly, uncouth
hard, unieeling. false. His disc ase in u religi
Gus sense was worse than the leprosy. He no
tieed the liberal, grateful spirit of Naaman. Ht
saw what abundant supplies vi money the Gen
eral possessed, aud how inclined he was to U.s.
II. he could not appreciate the motives " Eicl
prompted Elisha 10 decline to accept inancia