The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-10-16

Read carefully the intervening
Scripture following last Sundays les
son to get the account of Elishas &C.
tivitics. There is recorded the story
of the poisoned fountain (2:19-22D.
The "hoodlum" gang (vv. %, "a
which is ii 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 (4:1-0. FL
nally, the suggestive stories Of the
Shunammite woman wv. $50, and
the feeding of the prophets and the
people wv. 3S-4D.
Now we come to Elisha's most fa.j
nous experience. that with Naaman of
Damascus. This city is reputed to be
the oldest in the world and as situated
about 100 miles (air line) northeast OF
Samaria. This event probably oc-
CURED between 904 and 1874 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 i'll 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 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 maids mes
sage to him. Perhaps she did not
rightly value 1t. 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 it's homes. 1t is also in pro-,
that government takes in its homes.
This maid had probably been taken
captive by one of the Syrian bands"
". p, yet 1t vas 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.
%. A Ministerins Prophet wv. s-t4).
The king of Syria thought he could
buy everything, including the desired
cure (vv. 5, g.. His letter brought
great CONSERVATION to Israers 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. 11:2S-30). Elisha re-
sponded to the need Of the nation
". 81, as well 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. 60:1-3
and before his Son Phil. 2:19). By
human arguments Naaman was right
". 12) and his rage was justified, but
he must learn that as 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 rom
1879. 49,. Sin must be renowned
before we can be cleansed q Cor. IL:
| 81; / John 1:9. II was a slow.
patient. a public process through
which Naaman must pass. but sucf
had been the development of leprosy
in his life. God had judged sin OF
Calvary from. 8:3: ii Cor. 5:21: Gal
3:13) and as Naaman went down Il
the Jordan he took. in figure. the sin
| Ioono lator fnnI
that place for US. Matt. 3:13-l5)
Though inclined to act the fool. ye
Naaman wisely hardened to his ser,
ant ". 1877 and obeyed the comman
of the prophet. He did not relish tn
idea of the commander in chief Of tn
most powerful army OF his day hay
ing thus to be Inundated. II
thought" ". III differently and 4.
this is suggestive of those who are t.
day rebelling at Gods provision 70
their salvation. The wisdom OF hi
Iowly servants was amply demon
strated when after the seventh dip I
the river he looked at his hands anC
behold, his flesh was like the fles
of a little child" There was no hea
ing power in the water. 1t was Go
who wrought the miracle. Naaman
act was a test of obedience to the wi
Of God BY one who was used to givin
commands.
II gave him a part in his healin
and Il was supremely simple.
So we have a part in our salvation