The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-03

more interesting than that Of Elijah,
his master.
RETROSPECT - Py reference to
verse 13, where the death Of Joash Ia
recorded. It will be seen that all our
lesson thus far is retrospective. The
historian broke his narrative to relate
the death of Elisha and the death of
the latter. We are now turned back
still further in history. to time when
Hazael was on the throne, probably
eighteen years prior to Elisha's death.
The object is to show how Israel came
to be oppressed by Syria tverse 22),
In order to explain the deliyerance un-
der Joash, predicted, as already mem
toned, by Elisha. Hazael, the king of
Syria, had been dlyinely commissioned
to chastise Israel on account of sin
U Kings, xix BID. But here refer
ence is made to the mercy of God
(vcrse 23), who had respect unto His
covenant made with Abraham (Gen.,
xXiii;15-1O and his posterity (Ex.,
ii:2D, and who was therefore gracious
unto Israel. Indeed ne acted the part
of a loving father who corrects his
children Heb., xii.6), but never casts
them off. In brief the Affections sent
upon the land under Hazael, a former
king of Syria. are now explained AS
part of Gods plan to save the nation
from its sinful ways.
VICTORY-The days of Gods pun
ishment of Israel for sin are at an end
The time for deliverance promised by
Elisha came. Joash (written here Je-
hoash). the son of Jehoahaz, was the
appointed deliverer (verse 25D Three
successful campaigns were waged
against Syria. and three only. the very
number which had been promised.
The historian does not give any ac-
count Of the engagements, but, omit
ting all details he sums up and an
nounces the result. The cities which
had been taken by HaZael were recov-
cred from Ben-hadad. his son. In an
other place I'll Kings, X:33), we learn
what possessions We're captured and
recaptured. 1t was all the country
east of the Jordan. belonging to the
tribes of Cad. Reuben, and the half
tribe of Manasseh. That was a very
fertile and consequently valuable Sec
ton, affording spices, which brought
large sums Of money. and cattle, which
We're raised in abundance. The resto-
ration of this country, after it had been
in the hands of the enemy for twenty
years. meant as much to Israel as the
recovery of Alsace and Lorraine to
Germany in the Franco-Prussian war.
CONGRESSIONAL presented in this
| lesson the close of Elisha's life was in
| keeping with the whole of his career.
| He did not. as some do, sit down to
| meditation and anticipation, looking
backward over the years and forward
| to his reward. Considering his ex-
| treme age (many have thought that he
filled the prophetic office for sixty
years. he might have been excused had
| he thus dismissed all earthly concerns
| in his last moments. This was the
| course of the apostle Paul GI Tim,
| iv6-S). But Elisha so far as the his
| tory shows, retained a lively interest
| in the affairs of the nation. The last
words that fell from his lips per-
| tained to the future of the nation
| With an enthusiasm that was truly
wonderful he sought to make the king
| know what high duty God had laid
| upon him, and he desired that duty to
| be met and discharged with fidelity
| The prophet sought to project himself,
| his words and influence, into the years
coming after psalm x:16-17) After
he died he would have men live nobler
| truer lives for God because he had
| lived. The man who touched his bones
and revived represented the public
servants, who impressed with Elisha's
spirit, should achieve a noble destiny
] in the service of God.