The Spectator. (Ozark, Ark.) 1911-1916, 1915-10-05

HIS Cnapter Is In type the CnrlS-
tian's chapter. There are two chief
divisions: UD Translation Wv. 1-12;
t2) reception and use of power Wv. IL
rs. The event occurred probably S99
B. c. This is a wonderful lesson for
youth as it emphasizes that the way to
heaven is the way to the best of life.
!. EIisha's Testing, w. 1-8. Since
Carmel, Elijah had largely been work
ing according to the still small
voice." He had revived the schools of
Samuel, but now In some way notice
was sent from God that the time OF
his departure was at hand. How Eli
sha learned this fact the record does
not suggest but he had had a great
object lesson in Elijah's faithful. step
by-step obedience to Jehovah's word
and doubtless was listening keenly
for Elijah's words and for the voice
OF Jehovah. This explains Elisha's
tenacity. Gilgal ". u means wheel
our reproach rolled away, and is
picture Of our salvation o. Peter ST;
Ps. 55:22). Elijah had already learned
the lesson of being supplanted by
younger man and so he gracefully al
lows Elisha to follow him. Bethel
the house of God, was a good place to
tarry but not for Elisha at this time
Now ". 81 fifty sons" -pupils-of the
prophet seek to dissuade Elisha.
Knowing something was about to
happen, they stood to view afar off, ''
but were not willing to draw nigh. to
follow like Elisha. They thereby
1920. Jericho ". ~ means fra
GRANGE" 1t is the place Of tempta-
ton Il. Cor. 1913. This was IA
miles farther and contained a settle
ment Of prophets. Again Elijah and
Elisha PASSED on, the one to glory.
the other to the fullness of the Holy
Spirit. At Jericho ". 81 the sons
OF the prophet" evidenced greater in
terest than those at Bethel, but in
reply to their challenge Elisha com
manded silence. The last difficulty to
confront them was Jordan death +,
but they do not hesitate. for God had
provided even for that contingency.
NeitueT are we W ueSllalc oul W.T.
lingly die unto self" Here the aged
prophet exercised his supernatural
power and they went over on dry
ground" w. 81. Though this journey
seems to have been revealed only
stage by stage. yet it was direct to
though they saw not the end, they
knew where to go next. This loyalty
of Elisha to Elijah is great lesson
for us to follow in our service of
Christ-our privilege of loyalty to his
cause and the blessing which will re-
suit thereby.
II. Elijah's Translation, w. e-12a.
Even as in the first section we see in
type the plan of salvation so in this
section we are taught the resultant
facts and the experiments which come
to us when the blessing is received.
Elisha is now encouraged to ask.
yet we have a like promise from a
greater than Elijah which We too often
neglect John 1413. l5:17). Elijah
was such a mighty man of prayer
(James SIT, Isl that he was on init
mate terms with God and could there
fore make such an offer to Elisha (see
Acts Sis. ~. Notice that the fifty
sons of the prophets" who stood afar
off" were not on the right side of the
river to receive a like promise or en-
ter into the same fellowship. In a
sense this was Elisha's final test.
What he would ask would prove what
he was fitted for. Elisha had been
sufficiently tested so that II was per
fectly safe to grant him his requests.
Christ is likewise safe in granting
requests TO all who abide in him"
and in whom his word abides" John
$50. What he asked was not twice
that possessed by Elijah but rather
the portion belonging to the eldest
son (Deut. 21:17). the one who was to
be successor and head OF the house
hold. Elisha asked for fitness for the
work rather than position in the work.
Elijah reminds him that the request
made was hard thing" for of all
hard things to impart to another the
hardest Is to transfer spiritual gifts.
again may uaNc thc
plan OF God that man so unlike him.
self was TO take the place of leader
ship. Elijah said. however. III thou
see me when am taken from thee, "
II God gives you spiritual vision to
use and to understand. then he will
accept you as my successor. There
must be persistence to the end and
spiritual vision. AS they still went
on" Elijah went up, not in a chariot
but attended by chariots and by a
'whirlwind into heaven" (See also
Eek IA; II Kings GID. Elijah,
the man of tempestuous fire and
sword. who in his hour Of weakness
prayed to die, is swept out of sight
amid display Of Gods power in and
through nature.
Note the simplicity of the record
one verse-as though such power we're
a simple and a common thing for Je-
hoyah.
The translation OF Jesus was quite
d,efarapt on1 nrnnarly Gu (Antc 10