The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-08-04
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GOLDEN rExT-cast Thy burden spsa
the Lsed. and He viii sustain the&-Psa
THE SECTION Includes The stories con-
esrniug Elisha's works among the people
given In this chapter. a. spscimsns Of his
bene6cent ministry.
PLACES.-U shunem, now oolam, Q
town In lssachar.. about three and half
miles north Of Jesreel. and g miles north
OF Jerusalem. on the southwest dank Of
Little Hermon.
EXPLANATORY.
I. Elisha Relieves Poor Widow and
Her Family.-4:l-7. Elisha wss the
prophet Of helpfulness. He illustrated
what true religion does for men IN
daily life. A widow of one of the sons
Of tile prophets who was engaged In
the instruction Of the people came to
Elisha for aid. Her creditors demand
ed their money, aud. Us she could not
pay It, they threatened to take her two
sons for slaves, to work out the debt.
In reply to the prophets inquiry she
said she had nothing in the house "savs
q pot Of OIL" Elisha bade the woman
borrow empty vessels from her neigh
bors. and bringing them into her
house. with closed doors, to pour out
from her own jar Of oil till every dish
and jar was full. This oil she was to
sell and pay her debt. Every vessel
she had faith enough to borrow was
filled with the miraculous oil.
II. Life Restored.-About three miles
north of Jerzeel, At Shunem, lived q
wealthy and religious family. who
often entertained Elijah as he passed
through the village on foot TO attend
to his religious work. The wife at
length built upon her house an upper
room, with access by an outside stair
way, for Elishas especial accommo-
dation. Tho prophet wished TO make
such return 40 he could. and. being
often at court, offered 70 say a good
word for her to the king. or general
Of the army, "just the sort of favor
which an oriental would be likely to
value most" She declined with
thanks. Then. finding that her life
was like the city of Jericho. beautiful
for situation but wanting in one great
blessing, In that she was childless,
Elisha promised from the Lord that
within yesr sh" should embrace
son." Year, af,erward II was the
means Of rest oring to her her home
and property, which had been unjustly
taken from her during her absence
e Kings $40. When the child had
grown 70 be quite a boy he went one
morning into the harvest fields with
his father and lvas taken suddenly
sick, probably NTH Sunstroke, fol-
lowed by Inflammation Of the brain.
The boy was sent home TO his mother.
who held him till noon. when he died.
rs. Tho man Of God saw her afar
o6:" From his hilltop. looking down
into the valley. 7'-r f .eNI =
e6. run now:" Elisha knew that
only some matter Of great Importance
could bring the woman there. "Is It
well with thee ?" Hebrew: "Is II
peace to thee?' "And she answered:
1t Is well:'" She said but one word,
"Peace." The cautious mother wishes
to have no words with the servant; II
is his master that she is in quest Of.
81. 'She caught him by the feet,
etc.:" The falling down, clasping the
feet, etc, are actions witnessed every
day in the east. "Gehazi came near TO
thrust her away" Deeming her i'm
portunity excessive, or such liberties
beneath his masters dignity, Just a.
the disciples tried to drive away the
mothers who brought their children to
Jesus. ''The Lord hath hid IL from
met" Often tho Lord had told him
what was coming; but In this case lot
him learn from the suppliant herseh,
% tho best way for both.
2s. ibid desire . sonr Did I aslk
The fsvorf Was IL not sent freely? |?
Why, then, does the same power tAke
Il from me9
20. ''Then he said to Gehaza:" His
attendant. 'Gird up thy loins:" In
preparation for . journey. "Taks my
staf.:" His prophetic stan, the sym-
Dol Of his authority. IT thou meet
any man, salute him not:" The Jew
ish salutations, like those common In
the orient to-day, were deliberately
formal and occupied 20 much time -
to be . serious hindrsnce when there
waA reason for haste. 'rT @E'~'N
80. II will not leave thee:" She
wanted his presence, his personal sym
pathy and aid. 7-" ~
81. "And LAID the stan but
there was neither voice nor hearing:"
His mission was failure. The wrong
man was behind the stat.
80. ~He went In, therefore. and shut
the door upon them twain" Perhaps
himself and the mother; more prob
ably himself and only tho dead boy.
"And prayed unto the Lord"
IS. HE returned. and walked in the
house TO and fro:" There had been
Mgns Of life in the flesh Of the child
becoming warm. But there was .
great struggle OF faith in the prophet.