Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-10-22

lesson. The events occurred during
the revolution which resulted in the /
determination 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. 80. Damascus was
the capital of Syria.
|. Danger, w. 5-13. 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. 81. Elisha, the patriot, the
man of Cod" proves to be Israers
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 so that he could warn his
people of impending danger. He had
what the king and the people both
lacked, a vision of God. He saw the
needs and dangers, but also the re-
sources at his command. Thus he de-
livered Isreal many times " 10Y. We.
too, are thus frequently delivered, let
us praise God The underlying reason
for Israel's 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 ". 12). Some have sug-
gested that this was Naaman: per-
haps it was captive Israelite. In
either case it suggests Gods knowl-
edge of us. (See Ps. 139: 1-10)
H.. Defense, w. 1918. It was not a
mere guerrilla detachment sent to Do
than to capture Elisha before making
the main attack upon Samaria, but a
well-off1cered 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, my
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
A: 6, Z; lisa. 1872; Ps. 56:3). In re
sponse to Elisha's prayer the servant S
eyes were opened, yet he was not one
whit more safe than before (v. 17)
1t is striking contrast here with the
Elisha of chapter 2:10. It is sug
gestion of the Christian anointed by
the Holy Spirit and that of the saved
sinner before that experience. Oul
eyes need to be opened to see thai
they that be with us are more thar
they that be with them" (v. 16) We
need to see Gods love, power and wis
| dom in nature, providence and grace
There is nothing Incredible or un
scientific in this experience. It is ;
| rational and glorious belief tha
] Providence is working in our behal
J through the unseen power of the Hol,
Spirit, the power of prayer and tn
answers thereto. The unseen is gle
riously real
III. DeIiperance, w. 1928. In tn
first section we are taught the DANCE
of lack OF vision. In the second sec
tion the emphasis is upon the nee
of vision, whereas in this there i
presented the use of vision T
crystalline vision into experience is
difficult task for us all. Elisha praye
Jehovah. for whom be was acting, t
smite the Syrians with blindness
This was not for vengeance, but (a) t
teach the Syrians who the true Go
is (b), to lead Jehoram, the king. t
go to Jehovah for help, and (c) to dt
liver the people from the raids of tn
Syrians. This word blindness
". 18) conveys the idea of dazzlins
4
not of total loss of sight. thus maxim
it easy for Elisha to lead them as h
willed ". 19) Mentally bewildere
as result of their physical ailmer
they failed to recognize the prophe
He did not deceive them. for they g
last found him" when he led thel
into Samaria and once more they coul
see Within the walls of Samari
Elisha's prayer is again answered.
their sight restored (v. 20) and the
find themselves at the mercy of 1
rael's king. The older and wiser ma
Elisha, forbids the younger. the kin,
to use his advantage (vv. 21 22), b,
rather to heap Goals of fire upon the
heads by setting before them foo
Rom. II: 20, 2D; within his powe
such acts could not be attributed I
fear. Great provision" was made an
after their departure we read, IS
the bands of Syria came no more int
the land of Israel" ". 23). Elish
taught the Syrians the lesson of th
power of Jehovah. and the dangeror
position of those who refuse to see
him what he really is.
There are here presented three pri
cipa1 lessons.
(D The foolishness of seeking
circumvent God or of thwarting b
purposes.
t2) The protecting care God is CO
stantly exercising over those who pl
their trust in him. and in his boun
less resources.
(3) The lesson of making the rigl
use of prayer and the answers whie
we receive, and to be magnanimol
to our enemies
God honored Elisha's prayer becau.
Elisha acted according to Gods Wol
Il John 1922; Prov. 2S:9).