Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1915-10-21


the revolution which resulted In the
determination Of Jezehel 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. 37l. Damascus was
the capital OF Syria
.. Danger, w. ef1 Jehoram- king
OF Israel. cleaved to the sins OF Jero-
beam and OF Ahab. his father. In
Judah. Jehoram. the son OF Jehosha-
phat. married Athaliah. the daughter
Of Ahab and JezebsL General Jehu.
famous for his driving. was soon to
become king Of Israel The king OF
Assyria. being otherwise engaged. o.
lowed Syria. the constant enemy OF
Israel, to make a fresh attack unhfn-
dered ". 81. Elisha. the patriot the
man Of God" proves to be rraers
real safety. Elisha has not left Us
great revelations like Isaiah and
other prophets. but he knew from day
to day Gods win. and he has power
with him so that lie could warn his
people Of impending danger. He had
what the king and the people both
lacked. vision Of tod. He saw the
needs and dangers. but also the re-
sources at his command Thus he de-
hvered Isreal many times ". l0l. We.
too. are thus frequently delivered. let
Us praise Cod The underlying reason
or IsraeFs danger vas 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 Of
Syria Ike countless other despots.
knew not friend from foe. but evident
y he had one retainer who told him
the truth ~ III. Some have sur.
gested that this was Naaman. per.
haps il was 4 captive Isrzelite- In
either case il suggests Gods knowt
edge OF Us. CSee Ps I3s-1-I0)
H. Defense w. f%fa II was not q
mere guerrilla detachment sent 70 Do
than to capture Elisha before making
the main attack upon Samarfa, but q
weil-oncered army Elisha meant
more 10 them than did the king Of
Israel The servant Of Elisha had
risen early and saw only the hills
surrounding Dothzn. upon which was
host with horses and chartots
round about the city ". ISL. and IN
CONSERVATION be exclairs. Alas. NV
master. how shall We do Axztn
We are impressed with the vision Of
Elisha and the lack Of IL on the serv-
ants part Elisha saw what the serv.
ant could not see: walking By faith he
was not arrighted John I4:I. Phil
=; s. I; Isa- I2-2: Ps. 5s.s). In re
Spouse to Elisha's prayer the servants
eyes were opened. yet he was not one
WHIT more safe than before (v- III
II Is striking contrast here with the
Elisha OF chapter 3:l0. II "a n sur.
gestion Of the Christian anointed bv
the Holy Spirit and that Of the saved
sinner before that experience. Our
eyes need to be opened to see thar
tney that be with US are more than
they that be with them ". l1.
ili. oeiiveranee, w. 1928. In IN.
nrst section We are taught the danger
OF lack OF vision In the second see.
tion the emphasis is upon the need
OF vision, whereas in this there "a
presented the use Of a vision. To
CRYSTALLINE vision into experience is a
dimcult task for US all Elisha praved
Jehovah for whom he was acting "a
smite the Syrians with bIinsne~.
This was not for vengeance. bur ta1 !,
teach the Syrians who the true Goa
Is to), to lead Jehoram. the king 10
go to Jehovah for help. and fcl 10 IA
liver the people from the raids ~ ,ha
Syrians- This word ~bIsnsras.s
" 1sl conveys the idea Of dazz,t,r
visual hewilderment. haIlucina.,on 40
not OF total loss Of sight. thus u,akt,g
II easy for Elisha to lead them AZ be
Tilled ~ 1sl. Mentally bewflsa-as
as a result of their physical ailna,,
tney Jailed to recognize the pronhs,
ne did not deceive them. for thav :.
last found him when he led thar
INTO sama-ia and once more thew co,,Is
see Within the walls Of sama-,s
Elishas prayer is again Answered
tneir sight restored ". e0) and thav
md themselves at the mercy az T.
raefs king. The older and wiser mar
Eisha- forbids the younger. the ksn~
70 use his advantage wv. q %, br,
rather to heap Goals Of fire upoD that
neads BY setting before them foos
from Il: 20. III; within his no~s-
fear. 1.e1 70
Inere are here presented three prip-
cipal lessons. .Al'r
VI The foolishness OF saeks,1 :.
cireunvent God or Of thwartiur his
purposes. MS
" The protecting care God ia cor,
stanty exercising over those who ~.
tneir trust in him. and in mis- hon,s
less resources. 1au-
20 The lesson Of making the r,~.,
use OF PRAYER and The