The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-03-11
Note end Comment.

Tme-Between 500 and SS4 B. C., i'm
mediately after the last lesson.
PlSce-Samarla, the capital of Israel.
Circumstances-Naam the comman-
der of the syrian army came from Damas-
Gus 70 Samaria TO be cured OF his leprosy.
Elisha sent him 10 the Jordan, thirty
miles away, to wash seven times. lie
went and was ceansed OF his leprosy
Helps over Hard Places-l5. lie re-
turned: from the Jordan TO Samaria. And
came: into Eiisha's house. Behold, now
/ know: because only God could work
sucl a miracle. Take n blessing: a pre-
sent which expressed a bless ng Is. ]
will receive none Why? Because he did
not want EaamRn to imagine that the gift
OF God con be bought. He wanted him
to receive the free grace and love of God.
lie would have him feel the necessity OF
showing his gratitude to God by serving
him. Gratitude would also prevent fur
Their raids upon the country of the Israel
ties. II. Two mules burden of earth: as
a memorial, 80 that he would be reminded
of Israeps God by the very altar on which
he worshiped IS | bow myself in the
house. of Rimmon: he thought he could
not hep going through the form of wOr-
ship, though he did not worship in heart.
All his real worship was of Jehovah.
RimnOn, the national god of the Syrians.
-. Go in peace either an approval, so
far as not 10 lay burden on
Naaman's conscience; or an indecisive
benediction, as if ne would not withhold
permission, but did not give it, believing
that further light and experience would
lead him Alright. (20) But Gehazi. the
servant of Elisha: this last is mentioned
TO show how person NAV be bad under
- ,tG IDDl Eso,,, Mo,,.e
Ephraim, two young men: the hill cOun-
try Of Ephraim. Here were Gilgal and
Be bel. two schools of the prophets. A
talent OF silver: 81 600 to 81 800. (23)
Laid them upon two servants: the weight,
205 pounds, was too much for GehaZi to
carry so far. t24) To the tower: the hill
near which Elisha lived. (26l Went not
mine heart with thee2 Did I not go with
You in spirit and know everything you
said and did? Is it a time to receive
money? when receiving il would injure
the cause of religion, misrepresent Eli-ha,
and hinder the good work in Naaman?
(27) The leprosy. etc his body should
appear as diseased as his soul really was.
He broke the first, third, sixth, eighth,
ninth and tenth commandments. The
Cain mark was upon him, as a warning to
others and as means of leading him TO
repent.
Gehazis Observation-Disclosures is
the Cain mark God puts upon sin. A
light punishment would have been unfit
ting TO, such sins and evils as Gehazi has
done. Nothing else would have produced
the right effect upon his age, or upon
other ages. Neither would any less
afiiiction have had sufficient influence up
on Gehszi himself. ID was intended that
the leprosy of the body should drive out
tire leprosy of the soul. Whether it suc-
coded or not, it was intended for Gehazi's
good, as we'll as for a warning to others.
How sad it WAS to fall from the assistant
OF prophet, the promoter OF the moral
and spiritual welfare OF a nation, TO be
pilloried in all history, through all ages,
as a warning,
I. 6ehazi had guilty conscience.
2. He was afflicted with the leprosy.
3. He was a public adherence and
warning.
A. Then all the comfort OF his wealth
was destroyed His stolen riches were
practically lost.
8. lie injured his own family--those he
most loved.
Helpful Th"uzhts.