Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-03-11
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson xl.-First Quarter, For
March IL, 1911.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.
Text Of the Lesson, n Kings ". 25-37.
Memory Verses. 32.35-colden Text,
Rom. vi, 23--commentary Prepared
by Rev. D. M. Stearns.


was first seen through Elisha IN the
dividing OF the Jordan the Lord doing
for one man what He had Just done for
two. and long before for a whole ma
ton under Joshua 1t is nothing with
the Lord to help with many or few.
The power OF the Lord Is next seen in
the healing of the waters of Jericho.
then in the Christening of the young
men who Knocked Elisha, telling him
20 go up as Elisha had done; after
that In the bitches filed with water,
for the sake Of Jehoshaphat, without
either wind or rain.
In the beginning of our lesson chap
ter we see the same power multiplying
the widows oil until every empty YES
sci was filed. all her need supplied and
something over
Now we have in today's lesson the
filling Of chIldess home with glad
ness by the gift OF no doubt longed
for child aud the restoration of
deeper joy by giving him back from
the dead
a great woman Of Shunem felt con
strained as she saw Elisha pass her
house from time TO time TO ask him in
to eat bread. and It became his habit
10 do this. Later she suggested 10 her
husband that they provide him a room
with a bed. a table, n stool and can
destick, and he seems gratefully 10
Efn1nnGG
the question arose In his mind. How
can in any way recompensc this low
ing kindness? On inquiry he found
that she needed no favor from any
one. but at the reminder from Gehazi
that they had no children he asked the
Lord for this favor for her, and, receiv
ing the assurance that II would be so,
he communicated to her the fact, which
she at first received very unbelievingly
Verse 1G), but as Elisha had assured
her so ii came to pass.
We think OF Sarah and her unbellev-
ing laughter. and yet In her case IL
came to pass. for rs anything too hard
for the Lord;" Gen. xviii, 9-14) We
look onward to Elizabeth and Xacha
rias and note the unbelief of the lat
ter luke |. 1920. and yet in their
case II came to pass also. So we are
taught TO BE not afraid, only believe
MARK V, 3G), and rely on Jer. xxXiii. 3
II may have been that the child be
came too much of an idol-we do not
know-but one day in the field with the
reapcrs he complained of his head was
carried home and died on his mothers
knees at noon. She laid the little body
on Elisha's bed. shut the door. and
without telling her husband why she
made all possible speed to the man Of
God. who was then at Mount Carmel.
Seeing her afar of. he sent his servant
Gehazi TO inquire Of her If it was well
with her and her husband and the
child Her reply was. 1T Is well" but
she hurried on till she came TO Elisha.
and she held him by his feet. and with
the very words which Elisha himself
used 10 Elijah she chung to him until
he arose and went with her verse 30,
with chapter H. .. 4. g.
Gehazi preceded them and laid the
stan of Elisha upon the child. but
there was no effect upon the child. no
response, neither voice nor hearing.
When Elisha came he Went In ana
shut the door aud prayed unto the
Lord and then stretched himself upon
the child mouth to mouth. eyes TO eyes.
hands to hands. and the flesh of the
child waxed warm After walking to
and fro In the house he again stretch
ed himself upon the child, and the
child sncezed seven times and opened
his eyes The mother was called. and
with gratitude that cannot be described
she took up her son and went out.
The next verses describe a deliver
ance from death that might have taken
away many and the chapter closes
with miraculous multiplication OF
brcad-life given. life restored. life
saved. life sustained, completing nine
Instances thus far of the power of God
seen through Elisha. Elisha was 10
this woman n man of God. holy man
of God oversees .. 16. q. 80. -. %: not
so GehaZi She saw something OF God
IN Elisha. He was 10 her In Gods stead.
We are here In Christ's stead. and peo-
pie should see something of Him in us
I'll Cor iv. II; v. 2M. Let the woman's
pressing on TO Elisha remind MS thnt
we must come to God Himself through
Jesus Christ alone and not through any
mortal man.
Ordinances may be rs useless as
Elisha's stan. II IS life that Is need
cd though there may be life associated
with ordinances IN the hands Of some.
but not through such as Gehazi
Compare the story of Elijah bringing
boy to life in Kings, xvii, 1922, and
note the parallels of the prophet alone
with the child. the child in the proph
cts bed. the prayer, stretching himself
upon the child May we earnestly
covet such lives OF ncarness TO God rs
these men lived aud be used of Him to
bring life TO many dead souls. There
must be the "alone with God" the be
lieving prayer, the persistent waiting