Catoctin clarion., 1904-09-29
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR OCTOBER q
Eubjeots Elisha Succeeds Elijah, III
- Kings, H., 12-22-Golden Text, III
Kings, H., 0-Memory Verses, 1@-14-
ommentary on the Days Lesson.


Kings, H., 0-Memory Verses, 1@-14-
Comm entary on the Days Lesson.
I. The vision (v. l2). Lesson IL of the
third quarter should now be reviewed IL:
Elijah Elisha saw this, however, not with
his natural eyes, for it was scene belong
ing to the spiritual world, and to behold
it he must, like the young man mentioned
in chapter 6:l7 have his inner senses iln-
veiled. This sight was a special divine ia.
vor and was made by Elijah the condi-
tional sign of Eisha's obtaining a double
portion of his spirit ". 10). my father"
This title of affection was given by the
younger prophets to an elder. Elijah had
been father to him in his care and train
ing, in love and legacy. These words
should be understood as an exclamation Of
spiritual father depart, and he sees the
chariot and the celestial steeds, and he
calls after them all. Some think that
Elisha desired to convey the impression
that Elijah was more to Israel by his coun.
sels, reproofs and prayers than chariots
and horses. Rent them" This was a
common mode of expressing grief. Elisha
looked upon Elijah's departure as per.
sonal bereavement He had lost the guide
of his youth; loneliness came over
him and he acted like heartbrokeu
mourner.
II. Dividing the Jordan Tvs. l3, 1D. l3.
with which he had been called by Ehjah to
the prophetic office, and by which Elijah
divided Jordan Having the mantle was a
proof that he was invested with the au-
thority of his master. STOOD by the
bank" He was the same man and yet not
the same; like many another who has
gone to the gate of heaven with n depart
ing saint. He could no more lean on Eli
jah, but h found that he had received as
the prophets dying legacy, |. Elijah's
mantle. 2: Elijah's God. 3. Ehjah's
spirit. l. Elijah's office.
IA. "Smote." Elisha's first miracle was
identical with Elijah's last one. He acts
upon the faith that he would receive from
"Whcrc is,' etc. This question does not
imply doubt of Gods presence, but is an
entreaty for Ills power to show itself, and
give q foretaste of the spirit of Elijah
which had been promised.
III. Searching for Elijah Tvs. l5-LS) u.
Sons Of the prophets. The fifty who had
gone to a height to watch Elijah and
Elisha as they went across the Jordan ".
y, and were waiting for his return. They
said" etc. When they raw the miracle
wrought by Elisha they were confirmed in
the belief that he was the divinely ap.
pointed successor Of Elijah. Bowed
themselves. Thus showing that they &C.
knowledged him as their head. These
prophets.
supposed after what they had said before
to Elisha that the Lord would take away
his master on that day, that they expected
to find Elisha somewhere alive. No doubt
Elisha had at once told them how Elijah
had departed, but evidently they could
not fully believe that he had gone bodily
to heaven. Their search to find him. how.
ever, was rs fruitless and idle as the at
tempt OF some modcrns to explain away
the idea of bodily ascension into heaven.
aye shall not" Elisha was absolutely
certain that the body could not be
found
II. "Ashamed." To refuse longer to
grant their request. He saw that they
the search. The best way to solve doubts
and questionings about relgios is by a
personal invest CATION. DR.. Nelson, in his
book on infdelity, says that he never
knew an infdel who fairly investigated tho
claims of the gospel to remain an nlidcl.
is. "Did | not say?' The search only
confirmed the words OF Elisha. Those
that would find Elijah, let them aspire to
the heavenly paradise. Let them follow
the high steps Of his sincere ia!thfulness,
strong patience, undauntcd courage, fer
vent zeal and constant obedience.
". Healing the waters Tvs. 1929. 10:
"Mep of the city" Prominent citizens OF
the place. Perhaps they were the elders OF
I ba oil to-, ,,Ja tl,na o,,,1inl In Elilhn onI
their action shows that he had their conf.
dence. As he had now attained the high.
est eminence in the prophetic office, posei'
bly, they expected that he might be able to
rid the city of its plague. is pleasant
The situation OF Jericho, near the passage
Of the Jordan, was such as to attract
considerable population after it was re-
built; and for the sake of the prosperity
which came to them in other ways they
were content to dwell in such an unwholc-
some place. Now. however, they saw
hope Of benefit and with this thought they
came to Elisha. Jericho was q part of that
''to the garden of the Lord" "ls nnught.'
Is bad harmful; the word "naught" was
formerly used in this sense. Ground bar
rem" See Il. V. "Casteth her truit." II.
v, margin. The evil effect was clearly in
of the hurtiul water, for The
healing of the spring is to bring remedy
for the other evils 1t seems therefore
that the water was such az caused the trees
to shed their fruit prcmatme,y.
90. "a new cruise" A new cup or dish,
one "never used in any common or unholy
service. The purity of the vessel was to
typfy the ratification wrought upon the
spring" "S alt therein" ELISHA in work.
ing this miracle would seem to make use
of means lust as Jesus did when lie put
0,6l Tho inilrious nronertv and nfToct