Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1915-10-14


son to get the account of Elisha's ac-
tivities. There is recorded the story
of the poisoned fountain (2:19-22).
The ''hoodlum" gang (vv. 20, 24)
which is a 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-O. FL
nally, the suggestive stories of the
Shunammite woman wv. S-37), and
the feeding Of the prophets and the
people wv. 38-4D.
Now we come to Elisha's most IA
nous experience, that with Naaman of
Damascus. This city is reputed to be
the Oldest in the world and is situated
about 100 miles lair line) northeast of
Samaria. This event probably oc-
CURED between 904 and 1874 B. c.
!. A Ministry In the Home, w. IL.
Naaman had all that heart could wish,
seemingly. Exalted, rich, a great
man, honorable and successful in 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 it. But there was Co
operation in that household evidently,
for "one went in and told his lord"
". A.. 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-
portion to the care and interest which
that government takes in its homes.
II. A Ministering Prophet wv. e-14).
The king of Syria thought he could
buy everything, including the desired
cure wv. 8, g.. His letter brought
great CONSERVATION to Israels 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. 11:28-30). Elisha re-
sponded to the need of the nation
". g, 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 a 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.
1853, 49,. Sin must be renowned
before we can be cleansed Il Cor. IL:
81; John 1917. It was a slow, a
patient, a public process through
which Naanan must pass, but such
had been the development of leprosy
in his life. God had judged sin on
Calvary from. S:S; II Cor. 5:21; Gal.
3:13) and as Naaman went down in
the Jordan he took, in figure, the sin
ner's place, even as Jesus later took
that place for us, Matt. 3:13-15).
Though inclined to act the fool, yet
Naaman wisely hardened to his serV-
ant ". 49, and obeyed the command
Of the prophet.
His cure came because he obeyed
Jehovah: .(a) He heard of one who
could cure ". 81; (b) he believed
". A.; (c) he forsook his own
thoughts ". I'D; Id he accepted
Gods thoughts and methods W.. 10,
14); (e) he took the sinners place
wv. 10, 14); (f) he became clean after
his obedience wv, IL, 15).
There is evidence OF q great moral
effect in the life of Naaman following
this experience wv. 1910.
He became an open reflector OF the
heather gods and professed follow
or of Jehovah when he returned to
Damascus.
AS such he became the ministering
prince.
III. The Mlnlsterl1s Prince. az BY
public profession (see Rom. 1868, 10;
Matt. 1O:sO (2) BY peculiar request
which became great object lesson in
Damascus; go BY new purpose OF
heart which would change his fiI-