The Spectator., 1915-10-19

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. 3D. Damascus was the 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 a fresh attack unhin- dered (v. g.. Elisha. the patriot, the man of God" proves to be Israel's 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
 
 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- livered lsreal many times (v. 10) We; too. are thus frequently delivered let us praise God. The underlying reason for Israeis danger was it's 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, like countless other despots, knew not friend from foe, but evident ly he had one retainer who told him the truth (v. 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)
 II. Defense. w. 14-19. It was not a mere guerrilla detachment 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 (v. 15). and in consternation he exclaims: Alas, my master, how shall we do?" Again we are impressed with the vision of Elisha and the lack of 1t on the serv- ants part. Elisha saw what the serv- ant could not see walking by faith he was not afrrighted Gohn 14.1; Phil 4: 6, q Isa. 12:2; Ps. 56:3). In re- sponse to Elisha's prayer the servants eyes were opened, yet he was not one whit more safe than before (v. ID. It is striking contrast here with the Elisha of chapter 2:10. It is a 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 more than they that be with them" (v. 16).
 lil. Oeliverance, w. 1928. In the
 
 of lack of vision. In the second sec tion the emphasis is upon the need of vision. whereas in this there is presented the use of vision. To crystalline vision into experience is a difficult task for us all Elisha prayed 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 (b), 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 (v. 1S) conveys the idea of dazzling. visual bewilderment hallucination and not of total loss of sight. thus making it easy for Elisha to lead them as he willed (v. 19). Mentally bewildered as result of their physical ailment they failed to recognize the prophet He did not deceive them. for they at last found him" when he led them into Samaria and once more they could see Within the walls of Samaria Elisha's prayer is again answered. their sight restored (v. POI and they find themselves at the mercy of Is- rael's king. The older and wiser man Elisha, forbids the younger. the king. to use his advantage (vv. 21 22) but rather to heap coals of fire upon their heads by setting before them food tRom. 12: 20, 2D: within his power. such acts could not be attributed to fear.
 There are here presented three prin- cipal lessons.
 CD The foolishness of seeking to cfrcumvent God or of thwarting his purposes.
 CD The protecting care God is con- stantly exercising over those who put their trust in him, and Tn his bound less resources.
 (3) The lesson of making the right use of prayer and the answers which we receive, and to be magnanimous to our enemies.
 God honored Elisha's prayer because