The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1915-10-21

map Is useful IN teaching this
lesson. The events occurred during
the revolution which resulted in the
eXtermination Of Jezebel and her
brood. Dothan 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. 81. Damascus was
tho capital Of Syria.
!. Danger, w. 8.13. 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 fresh attack unhin4
dered ". 81. Elisha, the patriot, the
man Of God," proves to be Israels
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 80 that he could warn his
people Of impending danger. He had
what the king and the people both
lacked, vision Of God. He saw the
needs and dangers, but also the re.
sources at his command. Thus he de.
llVered lsreal many times ". 1O). We,
TOO, are thus frequently delivered, let
us praise God. The underlying reason
for lsraels danger was it's neglect Of
the word Of God, and the same can bo
said as explaining the defeat of the
Syrians. True patriotism combines
vision and warning. The king of
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 it was a captive Israelite. In
either case it suggests Gods knowl-
edge Of us. (See Ps 139: 1-10.)
| u. Defense, w. 1918. 1t was not a
mere guerrilla deta ehment sent to Do.
than TO capture Elisha before making
the main attack upon Samaria, but
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, nv
master, how shall we do?" Again
we are impressed with the vision of
Elisha and the lack Of it 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; Isa 1879; Ps. 563). In re-
sponse to Elisha's prayer the servants
eyes were opened. yet he was not one
whit more safe than before ". 17).
1T is striking contrast here with the
Elisha Of chapter 2:10. 1t Is 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 moro than
they that be with them" (v. 16).
Ill. DeIiverance, w. 1923. In the
1irst section we are taught the danger
or lack Of vision. In the second sec
tion the emphasis Is upon the need
Of a vision. whereas in this there is
presented the use Of a vision. TO
crystalline vision into experience Is a
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 Cd, 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"
! ". 1S) conveys the idea OF dazzling,
visual bewilderment, hallucination and
not or total loss Of sight, thus making
1t easy for Elisha to lead them as he
Willed ". 19) Mentally bewildered
as result OF their physical allment
they failed to recognize the prophet.
lie did not deceive them, for they at
last found him" when he led them
into Samarla and once moro they could
see. Within tho walls OF Samaria
Elisha's prayer Is again answered,
their sight restored ". 20) and they
find Themselves at the mercy Of Ts-
raels king. The older and wiser man
Elisha, forbids tho younger. tho king,
to use his advantage wv. 81 22), but
rather to heap Goals OF fire upon their
heads by setting before them food
utom. 12: 20, 2D; within his power,
such acts could not be attributed to
; fear.
There are hero presented three prin.
, ciDal lessons.
Cd The fooliBhnesa OF aeelting to
circumvent God or OF thwarting his
DurpOsog
2) Tho protecting care God 10 con-
6tantly exercising over those who put
their trust In him, and In MS bound
less reBourceg.
I CD Tho Lesson OF making tho right
b use OF prayer and tho answers which