The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-03-03
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson x.-First Quarter, For
March 5, 1911.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.


earth for the present we might with
great profit review and ponder his d.
rect messages from the Lord, which,
If have counted correctly, were just
eight Il Kings xvii, 2, s; xviii, i; xix, 0,
xxi, II, IS; II Kings i, 3, 15). In the
previous chapter in connection with
the messages from heaven to Elijah
notice how God observes all that Is
done for or against Him, and also
how He tells His servants when to 60
or stay. "The ways Of man are be-
fore the eyes Of the Lord, and He pom
dereth all his goings" prov. V, 2D.
Note the fire from heaven in chapter
1, 10, u, and compare Rev. vi, 5.
We should have noticed in last les
son the penitence OF Ahab and the
Lords forbearance and long suffering
q Kings XXI, 27-29). Truly He is not
willing that any should perish III Pet.
fiji, 81.
Now we came in our lesson Of to-
day to something wholly unique in the
Bible story, for, although Enoch also
was translated, we have no record OF
the incidents connected Herewith.
Only these two have ever left the earth
without dying, but a great company
will have this privilege when Jesus
shall come to the air for His church
Il Cor. XIV, 81, 81; / Thess. iv, 1919.
There is a fearful record in Rev. xix,
20, of two men who shall be cast into
the lake Of fire without dying.
This lesson story of the translation
OF Elijah and the beautiful devotion
Of Elisha is one of the most fascinat-
ing in Scripture and intensely prac-
teal. They are more intimately as
ISOLATED here than anywhere else, and
their names, which are mentioned over
twenty times in our lesson and signify
"My God is Jehovah" and "My God is
salvation" are so suggestive Of Him
with whom they both walked.
Elisha's oft repeated "As the Lord
llveth and as thy soul liveth will
not leave thee" oversees ., 4, 81 remind
us Of the devotion of Ruth to Naomi
and Of Ittai to David for the sake OF
the God of Israel ruth /, 16, II; IL
Sam. XIV, 2D.
The expressions 80 they went"
$50 they came" They two went on"
'They two Stood" They two went
over" ''They still went on and talked"
oversees ., 4, 6, Z, s. III, suggest to US
the possibility of such a fellowship
with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
seeing no one but Jesus only with our
selves and so occupied with Him that
we shall be blind and deaf to all but
Him ozark tx, s; Acts xii, III. The
four places mentioned are easily sug-
gestive of different stages of Christian
experience, Gilgal reminding us of the
Peproach of Egypt rolled away, the
past under the blood Josh. v. 0. 10).
Bethel tells OF visions of God, minis
tering angels, ETC.; Jericho was where
the new captain appeared to Joshua.
and the thirteenth round Of the city
brought down the walls.
All this indicates progress in the
divine life, but there is always more
for us to enjoy, and we viii increas-
ingly possess our possessions If we
whole heartedly follow on (obad. xvii;
Hos. vi, 81.
To Elijah's question. "Ask what I
shall do for thee" Elisha promptly re-
piled, "Let a double portion Of thy
spirit be upon me" verse 81. When
Elijah considered what he had passed
through we do not wonder that he said
to the man who wanted a double por-
ton of his spirit, Thou hast asked q
hard thing" Few are filed with the
spirit just for that reason. 1t is hard
thing-not hard for God to grant, but
for us to be willing to receive. accord
ing to Luke xiv, &c. 81. 80. Many are
called, but few are chosen, for the
same reason.
have often tried to picture these
two men as they walked on together.
We may not know which way Elijah
looked, but there can be no doubt
about Elisha, for his receiving his
hearts desire depended upon his see
ing Elijah when he was taken from
him. How could there be more stead.
fast beholding OF a person? IL we
looked up as steadfastly into heaven
as Stephen did (Acts vii, 50 there
would be more Of Jesus seen in our
lives.
Well, the whirlwind came. and tbs
horses and chariot OF fire. and Elijah
was taken, and Elisha saw 1t, and.
rending his own mantle in two pieces.
he took up the mantle Of Elijah that
fell from him and went back and stood
by Jordan. Elijah is gone. but not
SO the God OF Elijah.
with the mantle OF Elijah he smote
the waters and said. where is the
Lord God of EliJahT" The waters de
vided, and Elisha went over. and the
sons OF the prophets who were watch.
ing said, 1.-THE spirit OF Elijah doth
rest on Elisha Some people took
knowledge OF Peter and John that they
had been with Jesus, and there should
be a SAVIOR Of Him in the lives OF all
His people (Acts ~. 10: III Cor. II. IL.
49,. TO the sons OF the prophets per-
sistent plea that they might 90 and
search for Elijah. Elisha finally yield
ed. They returned after three days or
vain searching and confessed that they
could not find him. There may be
such searching when the church has
been taken We next see Elijah III
1Intt. xvii alive and well.