Middletown transcript., 1922-02-18
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 19
ELISHA AND NAAMAN THE
SYRIAN

LESSON TEXT-II Kings 5:1-2.
GOLDEN TEXT-Bless the Lord, o my
soul. and forget not all his benefits: Who
forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth
all thy diseases.-Ps 1882, 3.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Luke 4:16-
30: 5:l2-16.
PRIMARY TOPIC-A Little Girl Help
ing.
JUNIOR ToPIC-A Young Girls serv-
ice.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Elisha Helping a Foreigner.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
How to Overcome National and Racial
Pretudices.
!. Naaman's Fatal Defect ". II.
He was a great man, but leper.
He was held in high esteem by the
king, because through him the Syri-
ans had been delivered from their ene-
mics. He was not only q capable
general, but was very brave mum
valorous. Every unregenerate man,
regardless of his gifts and possessions,
has this one fatal defect. He may be
mighty warrior, great orator,
gifted writer, a man of profound learn
ing, an honorable statesman, but If he
is an unbeliever in Christ, he is lost
sinner-a leper. Leprosy is type OF
sin. Note it's characteristics
Loathsome, hereditary, infectious,
separating, destructive, deceitful, in
durable by man.
u. The Faithful Witness wv. 2-4).
,;,I, a ,.,h hnI
been captured by marauding Syrian
troops who made frequent incursions
into Israel's land for the purpose Of
plunder. Though she was the victim
of great wrong, she was not bitter
against her captOrs. She, no doubt,
was lonely and home sick and perhaps
frightened, but she trusted God for
her keeping. and was thoughtful to
do good. Daniel at a later date was
carried away captive, and he likewise
was used Of God to bless many. JO-
seph Is another example Of one who
was put into a hard place, but became
a blessing. to others, even to the saw
ing of his brothers, who sold him.
Many times even children are placed
In positions Of hardship and suffering,
but If they trust in God and are faith
full to Him they can do good. This
Jewish maid pointed out to this great
man the One who could heal him.
Many are the persons who have been
pointed to Christ as the Healer of
souls by children.
III. Naaman Seeking the Healer wv.
SOY.
1. He goes with letter of intro
duction and great gifts ". 81. In the
when in quest of some favor. In this
case the value was perhaps $4,000.
2. He goes to the wrong place wv.
6, y. The maid did not suggest that
If Naaman would be with the king he
would be recovered of his leprOsy, but
with the prophet of God. We should
be very careful that we go to the
right place with our troubles and sins.
Neither the kings power nor Naaman's
money could avail anything in this
case. The prophet of God can bring
greater blessing than kings and rich
men.
3. Naaman at the door of Elisha
(vv. 8, 81. Elisha, upon learning Of
the kings embarrassment, sent to him,
saying, LET him come now to me-"
Naaman appeared before Elisha's door
in great splendor. He did not come
as suppliant, but as one who could
pay goodly sum for healing.
/. Elisha's message ". 10). Go
wash in Jordan seven times. =
2. Naaman's anger wv. IL, 12). He
thought that Elisha should have shown
Difference to him. People today think
that their rank and wealth entitle
them to different treatment by God.
They turn away from the humble way
of the Cross, Gods method of saliva
ton. Rich and poor, high and low
are alike in Gods sight. Reasonings
of the flesh must be supplanted by the
obedience Of faith.
3. Naaman's obedience wv. 13, 14).
Through the earnest entreaty of his
servants his pride and prejudice were
overcome, and he did what the proph.
ct commanded. The result of his ODE.
dience was that his flesh "came again
as the flesh Of little child"
4. Naaman acknowledges Jehovah
". 15). After his cleansing he came
again to the prophet and said, "Now
l know that there Is no God in all the
earth, but in Israel" The vital point
Of teaching in this lessen is how near
ly Naaman missed being healed
The three enemies which almost kept
him from being healed w ?: G) Pride
". 1I. He was insulte, because the
man of God did not come out to such
distinguished man as he was. (2)
Preconceived opinion ". 11). 81
thought" Many sinners procrastinate
because they have preconceived opin.
ions as to how God ought to save. (3)
Prejudice ". 12). Rivers of Damas.
Gus are better than Jordan. Count.
less thousands are lost by these enc.
mics. God has provided only one way
to save men from their sins-the way
| of the Cross.