Middletown transcript., 1915-10-23

A map is useful in teaching this
lesson. The events occurred during
the revolution which resulted in the
determination of Jezebel and her
brood Dothan, a small walled town.
was about ten miles north and slight
ly east of Samaria. the capital OF
Israel, and in history is connected
with Joseph (Gen. 37). Damascus was
the capital of Syria.
|. Danger w. e-13. Jehoram, king
of Israel, cleaved to the sins of Jero-
boam and of Ahab, his father. In
Judah, Jehoram, the son Of Jehosha-
phat. married Athaliah, the daughter
of Ahab and Jezebel. General Jehu,
famous for his driving. was soon to
become king of Israel. The king OF
Assyria, being otherwise engaged, al
lowed Syria, the constant enemy OF
Israel, to make a fresh attack unhin-
dered ". 81. Elisha, the patriot, the
man of Cod" proves to be IsraeTs
real safety. Elisha has not left us
great revelations like Isaiah and
other prophets, but he knew from day
to day Gods will, and he has power
with him SO that he could warn his
people of impending danger. He had
what the king and the people both
lacked, a vision of God. He saw the
needs and dangers, but also the re-
sources at his command. Thus he de-
livered Isreal many times ". 10). We,
too. are thus frequently delivered, let
US praise God. The underlying reason
for Israels danger was its neglect OF
the word of God, and the same can be
said as explaining the defeat OF the
Syrians. True patriotism combines
vision and warning The king or
Syria, like countless other despots,
knew not friend from foe, but evident
| ly he had one retainer who told him
the truth ". 12). Some have sug-
gested that this was Naaman; per-
haps 1t was a captive Israelite. In
either case it suggests Gods knowl-
edge of us (See Ps. 39:1-1O)
II. Defense, w. t4-19 1t was not a
mere guerrilla detachment sent to Do
than to capture Elisha before making
the main attack upon Samaria, but a
well-officered army. Elisha meant
more to them than did the king OF
Israel The servant of Elisha had
risen early and saw only the hills
surrounding Dothan, upon which was
"a host with horses and chariOts
round about the city ". 15), and in
CONSERVATION he exclaims: ALAS, my
master, how shall we do?" Again
we are impressed with the vision of
Elisha and the lack of 1t on the serv-
ants part. Elisha saw what the serv-
ant could not see; walking by faith he
was not affrighted John 14:1; Phil.
4: 6, Z; Tsa. 1872; Ps. 56:S). In re-
sponse to Elishas prayer the servants
eyes were opened, yet he was not one
whit more safe than before ". ~.
1t is striking contrast here with the
Elisha of chapter 2:10. 1t is a sug-
gestion of the Christian anointed by
the Holy Spirit and that of the saved
sinner before that experience. Our
eyes need to be opened to see that
they that be with us are more than
they that be with them" ". 16). We
need to see Gods love, power and wis
dom in nature, providence and grace.
There is nothing incredible or un-
scientific in this experience. II is n
rational and a glorious belief that
Providence is working in our behalf
through the unseen power of the Holy
Spirit, the power of prayer and the
answers thereto. The unseen is glo-
riCIsly real.
III. DeliVerance, w. 1923. In the
first section we are taught the danger
of a lack of vision. In the second sec
tion the emphasis is upon the need
of vision. whereas in this there is
presented the use of a vision. To
crystalline vision into experience is a
difficult task for us all. Elisha prayed
Jehovah, for whom he was acting, to
smite the Syrians with blindness.
This was not for vengeance but (a) to
teach the Syrians who the true God
is (b), to lead Jehoram, the king. to
go to Jehovah for help, and (c) to de-
liver the people from the raids OF the
Syrians. This word blindness
". lS) conveys the idea of dazzling
visual bewilderment. hallucination and
not of total loss of sight, thus making
it easy for Elisha to lead them as he
willed ". 19). Mentally bewildered
they failed to recognize the prophet
He did not deceive them. for they al
last found him" when he led them
into Samaria and once more they could
see. Within the walls of Samaris
Elisha's prayer is again answered
their sight restored " 20) and they
find themselves at the mercy OF Is
raels king The older and wiser mar
Elisha, forbids the younger, the king
to use his advantage wv. 21 22). bu
rather to heap Goals of fire upon theil
heads by setting before them fooC
from. II: 20. 21); within his power
, such acts could not be attributed [;
{ fear. Great provision" was made ant
I after their departure we read, 81
I the bands of Syria came no more int,
b. the land of Israel" ". 23). Ellsh;
q taught the Syrians the lesson OF tn
4 power of Jehovah. and the dangerou
position of those who refuse to see Il
him what he really is.
There are here presented three prir
cipal lessons.
Cl The foolishness of seeking I
Y circumvent God or of thwarting hi
purposes.
r. t2) The protecting care God is cor
4 stantly exercising over those who pu
n their trust in him, and in his bounC
A less resources.
go The lesson of making the rigf
o. use of prayer and the answers whic