The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-27

INTRODUCTION prophets OF
Israel filled varied ministry. They
were the poets and historians of their
times, the teachers of morals and reli-
glon, the expounders of the law, the
iaetruments for revealing Gods will
to men, the bearers of comfort to the
distressed and warning to the wicked.
They predicted the future which they
saw as related to the coming of the
Messiah CRev. xix, 10). Withal, they
were statesmen, their patriotism be-
ing dominated by religious motives. To
them the enemy of the nation was the
enemy of God; the traitor to the public
veal was a rebel to the Almighty. They
made exhortations in behalf of Jeru-
salem as the Kingdom of God psalm
| cXXvii, 81. The prophets were esteem
ed by the kings as among the national
defenders, and their opinions were
sought on all important occasions q
Kings xii, 81. Our lesson today pre-
sents Elisha in this political function.
During the war between Syria and Is
rael he had his residence at Dothan, a
short distance from the national capt.
tai, where he was able to give advice
as best served the public good.
SECRECY.-The lesson opens with a
brief reference to Syrian strategy
| Verse s.. The king called councils
| of war to determine the best plans of
| campaign. The geography and topo-
| graphy of the country would naturally
| be considered. Where might the attack
| be most successfully made, and by
what route might the army march. A
| camping place or headquarters would
| be selected, in which the forces might
| lie In ambush, from which they might
| be quickly moved to come upon their
| adversaries and surprise them. If
strategic positions could be secured vic
| tory might be expected. 1t has al
| ways been regarded as proof of good
| generalship to compel an enemy to
| fight under adverse circumstances. OF
course in all this planning the utmost
| secrecy was necessary. If any one
| should divulge the conclusions reached
| in the war council defeat was certain,
and the guilty party, if known and
arrested, would suffer speedy death as
a traitor.
| D1SCLOSURE-The results of all de-
| liherations in the Syrian councils were
| i''''t hi'N IL w IsliSlli III HIS nome al
Dothan, hundreds of miles distant. No
one came from the Syrians to tell him
but the spirit of God revealed the Sc
| crets. Verse 80 How this was done
whether by oral message or vision, il
| matters not. With great promptness
he sent the intelligence to the King of
| Israel. This he did, not because of the
virtue Of the king, who had no personal
claim upon the regard of man of God
but who, on the contrary, by his sins
merited nothing of favor. But it was
| for the nations sake. Israel, although
in rebellion against the house of David
was nevertheless part of Gods choser
people. Destined ultimately to be car.
ried into hopeless captivity. g King!
xvii, g. this northern kingdom had q
| mission to serve before its downfall
| and God would protect it until tha
| mission was accomplished. 1t was or
that account that the prophet of Goo
| was permitted to know the secrets o
the Syrian king and report them t
the King of Israel.
| DELINERANCE-By the information
obtained from Elisha the king of Israe
saved his army from capture, and him