The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1915-10-14


Scripture following last Sundays les,
son to get the account Of Elishas ac-
tivities. There is recorded the story
OF the poisoned fountain (2:19-22)
The 'hoodlum" gang (vv. 23, 24)
which is 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. 500 and
the feeding of the prophets and the
people wv. 3S-44.
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 (air line) northeast of
Samaria. This event probably oc-
Cured between GOA and S9l b. c.
|. Ministry in the Home, w. ~.
Naaman had all that heart could wish,
seemingly. Exalted, rich, great
man, honorable and successful in his
undertakings, but he was leper.'
AS such he is 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 1nalady. For all of his
wealth Naaman WIS not happy. Ho
knew and others wculd soon know his
condition. His wife could not help
him, and did not take the maid S 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"
". ~. There was also cooperation
between the home and the govern.
ment, for the king of Syria sent let
ter to the king of Israel (v. 81. The
strength of any nation is in proper
tion 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 it's homes.
u. A Ministering Prophet wv. a-14).
Tho king of Syria thought he could
buy everything, including the desired
cure wv. 5, 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. 112S-30) Elisha re-
sponded to the need Of the nation
w. 81. as we'll as to the need Of
Naaman the leper, when he volun
teered to become the champion Of Jc-
hovah (v. 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 Elishas
treatment. Waiting thus before the
prophets door Naaman is a type OF
the great Of this earth who shall yet
bow before Gods people Usa. GO: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 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 Tho river Jordan
is q type Of the judgment on SIM Sin
must be Judged by confession (Rom.
1879, 1S). Sin must be renounced
before we can be cleansed Ct Cor IL:
81; l John 1:9). 1t was a slow, a
patient, a public process through
which Naaman must pass, but such
had been the development Of leprosy
in his life. God had judged sin on
Calvary Rom. S:3: III Cor. 521; Gal.
3:13) and as Naaman went down in
the Jordan he took, in figure, the sin
ners 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 {v. 13) and obcyed the command
Of the prophet.
His cure came because he obeyed
Jehovah: (a) He heard of one who
could cure ". 81; (b) he believed
". ~; (c) he forsook his own
thoughts ". 10; (d he accepted
Gods thoughts and methods (vv. 13,
iD; (c) he took tho sinners place
wv. 10, 10; () he became clean after
his obedience (vv, ID, 15).
There is evidence Of great moral
effect in the life of Naaman following
this experience (yv. 1910.
He became an open reflector of the
hcatnen gods and professcd follow