Middletown transcript., 1915-10-16

son to get the account of Elisha's ac-
tivities. There is recorded the story
of the poisoned fountain (2:19-22).
which is a story for boys. Note:
Elisha had nothing to do with the
bears, nor does the record say that
the bears killed the boys. Next the
story of the Widows oil (4:1-D. Fl
nally, the suggestive stories of the
Shunammite woman wv. $3.50, and
the feeding of the prophets and the
people wv. 3S-44).
Now we come to Elishas most fa-
nous experience, that with Naaman of
Damascus. This city is reputed to be
the oldest in the world and is situated
about 100 miles (air line) northeast OF
Samaria. This event probably oc-
Cured between 904 and S94 B. c.
!. A Ministry in the Home, w. II.
Naaman had all that heart could wish.
seemingly. Exalted, rich, a great
man, honorable and successful in his
undertakings, but he was a leper."
AS such he is a type of the sinner
Leprosy begins practically in secret,
is transmissible, may be ameliorated,
but cannot be cured by man. In his
home was one who knew the Lord,
one who observed, who loved as well
as served. This maid was a true serv-
ant, for she showed her master how
to be rid of his malady. For all of his
wealth Naaman was not happy. He
knew and others would soon know his
condition. His wife could not help
him, and did not take the maid mes
sage to him. Perhaps she did not
rightly value it. But there was CO.
operation in that household evidently,
for "one went in and told his lord"
". ~. There was also cooperation
between the home and the govern.
ment, for the king of Syria sent let
ter to the king of Israel ". 81. The
strength of any nation is in proper
ton to the strength, unity and 10y
atty of its homes. 1t is also in pro
portion to the care and interest which
that government takes in its homes.
This maid had probably been taken
captive by one of the Syrian bands"
". q, yet it was not an accident that
she thus entered into the plan OF
God. We feel sure she knew and had
been taught by Elisha, hence the as
surance of her message relative to his
power. Her faith was great.
u. A Ministering Prophet wv. s-14).
The king of Syria thought he could
buy everything, including the desired
cure (vv. 5, g.. His letter brought
great CONSERVATION to Israel's king
probably Jehoram. The value of the
gifts presented, perhaps over 100000,
revealed the urgency of the case. But
there was one in Israel who was not
disturbed, for he knew more fully the
power of Jehovah. Elisha is a type
of Christ who offers not only to all
lepers but to every unfortunate one
rest" Matt. l1:2S-30). Elisha re-
sponded to the need of the nation
". 81, as we'll as to the need of
Naaman the leper, when he volun.
teered to become the champion of Je,
hovah ". y.
The prince came, however, filled
with a sense of his importance and
his pride stood in the way of his re-
lief, hence the manner of Elisha s
treatment. Waiting thus before the
prophets door Naaman is a type of
the great of this earth who shall yet
bow before Gods people lisa. 60:l-3l
and before his Son (Phil. 2:l9). By
human arguments Naaman was right
". 12) and his rage was justified, but
he must learn that as a suppliant
he cannot dictate means nor methods
The rich and cultured sinner cannot
select his own way of healing. nor be
treated any differently than the poor
and the ignorant. The river Jordan
is a type of the judgment on sin. Sin
must be judged by confession from.
1853, 1S). Sin must be renounced
before we can be cleansed Il Cor. II:
81; John 1:9). 1t was a slow. a
patient, a public process through
which Naaman must pass. but such
had been the development of leprosy
in his life God had judged sin on
Calvary from. 8:S; II Cor. 5:21; Gal
. 3:13) and as Naaman went down in
the Jordan he took, in figure, the sin
,, ner's place, even as Jesus later took
that place for us, Matt. 3:13.l5)
Though inclined to act the fool, vel
Naaman wisely hardened to his serv
ant ". 13) and obeyed the command
of the prophet. He did not relish the
idea of the commander in chief of the
, most powerful army of his day hav
: ing thus to be Inundated. Ht
= thought" ". III differently and Il
; this is suggestive of those who are to
u day rebelling at Gods provision fol
o their salvation. The wisdom OF hii
lowly servants was amply demon
I strated when after the seventh dip il
II the river he looked at his hands and
) behold. his flesh was like the hesl
S of little child" There was no heal
e ing power in the water, 1t was Got
g who wrought the miracle. Naaman'
act was a test of obedience to the will
of God by one who was used to givini
comamnds.
1t gave him a part in his healing
and it was supremely simple.
u So we have a part in our salvation
the plan of which is so simple.
- His cure came because he obeye
= Jehovah: (a) He heard of one VIII
# could cure ". 81; tb) he believe
". ~; icy he forsook his ow
~ thoughts ". ~; Cd) he accepte
Gods thoughts and methods wv. |;
= IA; (e) he took the sinners pac
wv. 10, 1D: ~ he became clean afte
- his obedience wv, IA, l5).