I thought that it may be of profit to the people of God to examine what the scriptures tell us about this remarkable prophet. The title of this paper may seem a little strange, but it was pointed out to me many years ago that there was a contrast between the ministry of Elijah, and that of Elisha. Elijah’s ministry was characterised by fire, but Elisha’s by water.

I think that we see the perfect combination of both in the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. John tells us that grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. In Elijah’s ministry we see the evidence of truth, which at times can be sharp and severe. Whereas grace, is more soft and gentle. Truth demands, but grace supplies. Truth tends to expose faults, failures, shortcomings, but grace like the love from which it springs, covers a multitude of sins, 1Pet. 4:8

Thus we see the contrast between the ministry of Elijah and Elisha. He is described as one "who poured water on the hands of Elijah", 2Kings, 3:11. This is what characterised his life and ministry. He continued to be a source of life and blessing, even after his death, as we shall see later.

Elisha was born and lived in a village called Abel Mehola, that was situated in the territory of Issachar. In normal times it was a lush, green, and fertile place. It was near where a stream or wadi El Maleh empties into the Jordan. The name means ‘dancing fields’, so it was a place of joy. His father’s name was Shaphat, which means, ‘judges’, or ‘has judged’, so it seems that he was a man of judgment, one who was able to arrive at a correct assessment of a matter. In the New Testament this is said to be a characteristic of those who are intelligent and spiritual. 1Cor. 10:15, and 1Cor. 14:37. Such a father normally would have a wise son, Elisha proved to be one such.

It would seem that he had met or seen Elijah at some previous time. It is possible that he was there at Mount Carmel, when Elijah stood alone for Jehovah. Perhaps he was amongst those who fell on their faces and cried, "Jehovah, He is God, Jehovah, He is God".

But though Abel Meholah was normally a green and fertile place. The whole land had been through a horrendous drought. The green grass had disappeared, and all was baked and hard. However Elisha had witnessed the storm that followed Israel’s restoration, when they turned back to Jehovah. Yet one storm alone does not end a drought. Elisha believed that there was more to follow and was preparing for it as we shall see.

When Elijah found Elisha he was ploughing, and had twelve yolk of oxen before him. This showed him to be a man of faith, as for three and a half years, there had been neither seed time or harvest. The hot sun had beamed down mercilessly and the land was parched and burned up almost like a brick. But Elisha was a man of faith, he was expecting that Jehovah would, "return ans rain righteousness upon them, and thus was breaking up his fallowed ground". Hoseah, 10:12.

We may ask, "Why so many oxen, surely it would not take 24 bullocks to pull a plough?" There may be several answers to this question, each of which give an indication of the kind of man that Elisha was, (1) The ground would be very hard, as we have seen. To plough at such a time would be hard work for both oxen, and especially the ploughman. As the plough tore through the baked earth, the plough handles would be thrown about, and sometimes the ploughman would be jerked off his feet. He would receive many a bump and bruise. This is the kind of man that the Lord uses. Paul was such. He loved the Corinthians dearly, but was criticised by them. He says that the more abundantly he loved them, the less he was loved, (by them). 2Cor. 12:15. He lamented to Timothy that all in Asia had turned away from him. 2Tim. 1:15. The service of the Lord is not for the faint hearted. Read 2Cor. 11:16-33.

(2) There had been the terrible drought and the oxen would be thin and weak. It was a remarkable testimony to Elisha’s diligence and faithfulness, that he still had so many animals living. Solomon tells us that the "Righteous careth for his beast", Prov. 12:10, (J.N.D.)

Elisha is to be commended, in that though the ground was hard and the oxen weak, yet he made use of what he had, and got on with the job. How often today, God’s servants lament the weakness of those that God has given them to work with, and do nothing. Let us follow his example let us also "break up our fallow ground". May God strengthen our faith our determination, and give us a spiritual optimism.

We are told that the "farmer must first labour before partaking of the precious fruits", 2Tim.2:6, (J.N.D.) And James also encourages us to be patient, and to get on with the work, expecting the blessing of the ‘latter rain’. Jas. 5:7 & 8. Also Paul exhorts us not to be weary in well doing, promising that in due time we shall reap, if we do not faint. Gal. 6: 7-9.

Let us not look at the discouraging circumstances, for we are told in the Proverbs that "the sluggard will not plough by reason of the cold, therefore shall he beg in harvest and have nothing" Prov. 20:4, In Ecclesiastes we are told that "He that observeth the winds will not sow, and he that regardeth the clouds will not reap". Eccl. 11:4. Timothy was told that he was to "Be instant, (urgent), in season and out of season. That means that he was to preach when he felt like it, and also when he did not feel like it. It is a sad fact that today we have many fair weather ploughmen.

We are told that Elisha was with the twelfth. This means that he was at the very rear, at the back where the hard work was. This also shows us two things. (1) His oxen were well trained, he did not need a whip, or to use force to get the weakened animals to go where he wanted them to. He controlled them by the words of his mouth. With the training of bullocks we have what is called, their breaking in period. Some of the older farmers were experts at this. The young bullock’s will must first be broken. It must be taught to lead, then to bear the yoke, and to learn to walk beside an older, trained bullock. By doing this the animal learns the meaning of the commands that the driver gives. A poorly trained bullock, can be a real headache to the driver. It is the responsibility of the elders in any Assembly to train younger members in the work of the Lord. They are to do this both by example, precept and practice. Elisha had done his work of training the oxen well.

(2) Next we see his humility, he was with the twelfth, he was last, right at the back, where the hard work was. Paul had to warn the Corinthian believers, that though they had "ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers". 1Cor. 4:15. There are so many who are ready to give orders, but so few that are willing to do the work, to get their hands dirty, as it were.

Elisha was not concerned about being prominent he wanted to get the job done. He was prepared to work, and to work hard. May God give us men like him today!

When Elijah found Elisha he threw his mantle upon him. Though this was no great thing, yet Elisha discerned in that action the call of God. It would seem that Elisha knew Elijah, as we have mentioned earlier, because though Elijah did not stop, yet Elisha ran after him, and requested permission to say goodbye to his parents. Elijah answered him in a gruff way, and it seems tried to discourage him from responding to the call of God. He said "Go back again, for what have I done to thee?" Elijah was just testing the sharpness of the young man’s discernment, and the depth of his commitment. However Elisha was equal to the test, he would not be put off from answering the call of God. Elijah knew that if he was to be his successor, that there would be many times during his ministry when he would have to discern what the will of God was. There would be many times when he would have to make decisions, and abide by those decisions, come what may. It was no job for the ordinary wishy-washy type of person. Elisha then unyoked his bullocks, loaded his wooden implements on to the cart, and returned to his village.

Once he reached there, he slew the two fattest of his oxen, broke up the implements and used them for firewood. He boiled the flesh of the oxen on that fire, and made a feast for the whole village. He regarded the call of God to be the successor to the great Elijah, as a great honour, and he accepted God’s call with joy. He did not like many today, go around begging for support. He sacrificed the only means of support that he had. He literally burned his business, and made a feast for the whole village. From now on he would depend entirely upon the God who had called him. He would trust Jehovah, (as Elijah did); to supply his needs each day, and he found that Jehovah never failed him. This is a clear lesson to all who would serve God. The path of obedience is the path of daily trust in God. Let us never look to men for support, but to him alone that has called us.

When we beg from men, we dishonour God, and infer that he is unfaithful, and unable to supply our needs. I recall being in the U.S.A. in.1994. I had a small radio, and could listen to many ‘Christian’ radio programmes. Some were far away from the truth, some were a mixture of truth and error, and some were quite sound in doctrine. But they all had one thing in common, they all ended in a begging session. Even if the speaker had extolled the value of faith, and the faithfulness of God, yet they ended up telling the listeners, that they depended on them and their financial support to keep the programme on the air. Correspondents of Churches and Assemblies, are inundated with junk mail, from organizations and individuals begging for money for this or that enterprise. It is a great shame that this should be so. Though Elisha fed many others on some recorded occasions, yet he never asked anyone for anything, for himself or his needs.

We presume that he then kissed his parents good bye, and followed Elijah. As far as the record goes, we are never told that he ever returned to his home or village again. He could truly sing, "No turning back, No turning back".

However he did not become a prophet all at once. There was twenty two years between the beginning of Ahab’s reign, and the death of Ahaziah, and Elisha never came into the public view until after that event. This means tat Elisha carried out a menial service for all those years. (It could have been anything from 10-14 years). During this time, he did the old prophet’s washing, probably cooked his food, and attended to his personal needs. This would be no easy task, as it is quite possible that Elijah who was subject to like passions with us, could have been a hard person to please. There must have been times when he was irritable and perhaps angry. All was a good preparation for the young prophet’s future service. During this time he must have learned many things from the man of God. Though he was not perfect, yet the younger man learned to love him, and regarded his as his Master.

How different things are today? Some young people want to teach others when they have never learned themselves. They want to occupy the pulpit, and to demonstrate their imagined abilities. It is the custom for such to go to some Bible school, or ‘training course’, they graduate with a head full of knowledge but no maturity, little heart experience. May God give us young men like Elisha! It seems from the scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, that preparation for the Lord’s service is more on the principle of apprenticeship, than the academic exercise that it has become.

When the probationary period was ended, it seems that God had communicated to Elisha the knowledge that He was about to take His faithful servant Elijah home to glory. But before this happened, there was one last journey to be undertaken, one final test. The success of Elisha’s future ministry depended on whether he would be able to pass this test. The significance of the journey, is to be found in the places visited, and their meaning.

Gilgal is the starting place for this last journey. It was the site of Israel’s first encampment after they had crossed the Jordan. It was there that Joshua was commanded to make swords of stone, and to circumcise the males amongst the children of Israel. Josh. 5:2-9. Thus we are always to associate Gilgal with circumcision. By this act, Jehovah rolled away the reproach of Egypt from His people. Circumcision was the mark, or seal of God’s covenant with Abraham, & was the one thing that was to forever mark out his descendants from those of other nations or religions.It was the cutting off of the filth of the flesh.

The reproach of Egypt, was the spirit of independence of God, the spirit of self-confidence. Ezekiel tells us that Egypt boasted in their river, as if they had made it. The Nile with its huge volumes of fresh water, and the vast quantities of fertile silt that it carries down in its journey through several nations, from the very heart of Africa. It makes the nation to be independent from God, as they do not have to rely on the rain from heaven, Ezek. 29:9.

We may ask, "What is the distinguishing mark of true Christianity? The answer is given in Phil 3:3, where we are told that we are the circumcision "who worship God in the spirit", (or worship by the Spirit of God). "Who rejoice, (boast),in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh". To boast or have confidence in the flesh is the very root of filthy spiritual pride. The servant of God must continually judge, cut off, the filthy flesh. All human religion is based on the principle of independence of God. The very idea that I can save myself, or can get to heaven on the basis of my own ‘good works’, is offensive to God, as salvation is His work, and without that work, none can be saved or enter heaven. It is the worst aspect of human pride, (spiritual pride), and is filthy in the sight of God.

A servant of God who was much used in the 19^th century, gave seven tips to young preachers. Several I can recall. ‘Glorify God’, ‘Preach the Word’, ‘Aim at the conscience’, ‘Reach the heart’, but the last was, ‘Use a sharp knife on yourself’. God has decreed that no flesh shall glory in His presence, 1Cor. 1:29. If it pleases God to use such a worthless person as I am, as the channel through which He accomplishes His work, and I take the credit, or glory to myself as if I had done it, then this is filthy pride.

It is from Gilgal that the servant of God must go out to service, or to warfare, and it is to Gilgal that we must return, to remind ourselves of what God has done in "The circumcision of Christ".Col. 2:11.

Elijah suggested that Elisha remain at Gilgal, telling that God had sent him further, as if to encourage him to settle down there, but Elisha refused, saying "As Jehovah liveth, and as thy soul lives I will not leave thee" This firm resolve must have brought joy to his master. At the same time we are introduced to a group of young men, called ‘the sons of the prophets’. We find them in different places during the ministry of Elisha.

Different Bible teachers regard these men differently. Many of these regard them as students who were attending a kind of Bible School, where they were training to be prophets. I consider that this view is not supported by the context. The fact that they are called ‘the sons of the prophets,’ seems to indicate that they were the sons of those prophets that were slain by the wicked Jezebel. However it seems that they were not prophets themselves, but were living on their father’s reputation. They were the children of faithful men, but were not renowned for their discernment, or (what would be called today), spirituality. It seems that they had knowledge but not discernment. Here they were living at Gilgal, & knew that Elijah was about to be taken away, but it did not affect them in the least. They seemed to pride themselves in their knowledge, and almost taunted Elisha with that knowledge. But though Elisha knew what they were boasting in, yet it was breaking his heart. He roughly told them to be silent. Elijah was his master, but not theirs, and the thought of losing him brought great grief to his heart.

Bethel was the next stage in that final journey, so we must learn its significance. Its name means ‘The house of God’. If we would serve God, then we too must learn the importance of the House of God, in all our labours. For us the ‘House of God’ is the local Church, or Assembly. Not the building, but the people that gather to the Lord’s name there.1Tim. 3:15, and Heb. 3:6. It forms the centre of all God’s activities today. We learn this from its mentions in Genesis. It was the highest point of Abraham’s pilgrimage in the land that God gave to his descendants. When he left that place, it was only to go down.

His foray into Egypt was an example. He got into trouble there, and when restored, found the way difficult, it was upward all the way, until he reached Bethel again. There Lot separated from him, and after that God told him to look northward, southward, eastward and westward, promising to give all the land that he saw to him and his seed forever. This means that Bethel was the very centre of God’s thoughts and plans for Abraham. Gen. 13:14-17. He also said something similar to Jacob when he was at that same place, Gen.28:`12-17, which compels us to the same conclusion. The place where Jacob lay was Bethel, the place of contact between earth and heaven. A dreadful place, a place of holiness, and where God communicates with His servants. It was from that position that Jacob was to spread abroad to the west the east, and to the north and the south, (verse 14). Thus the true servant of God is to learn the importance of the local Church the house of God. They are to make it the priority centre of all their activities. The sons of the prophets were there also, and brought the same grief to Elisha’s heart.

Though Bethel was such a wonderful and important place in the plan of God, yet there were further tests to be undertaken. Once more Elijah tested his successor’s determination. He asked him to stay at that place, though God had sent him to Jericho. However also, once more Elisha manifested the same determination, as previously, he would let nothing separate him from his master.

Jericho represents the world. Not in its sordid, or presumptuous character, not in its religious orthodoxy, and hypocrisy. But the more pleasing aspects, the refined aspects, of the world. The elders later said of Jericho, that the situation of the city was pleasant. Yet it was Jericho that shut up and barred, stood like a sentry, to defy the children of Israel, and forbid them entrance into the inheritance that God had given them. It represents the world in its more cunning aspects. We would reject the world in its more sordid and evil aspects, but the Jericho aspect is more readily accepted. Thus the question is often asked, ‘why, what harm is there in it?’ It seems to be of particular danger to young people, because in passing the sentence of judgment Joshua warned that the person who rose up to rebuild Jericho, would sacrifice the lives of his sons, Josh. 6:26. This actually happened in the days of Ahab, when Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho. When he laid its foundation his eldest son died, and when he set up its gates, his youngest son died. This is a solemn warning to us all. The servant of God must have a judgment of the world in all of its aspects.

Its stout walls were brought down by faith and simple obedience to the word of God, though what He commanded seemed so foolish. Heb. 11:30. John asks the question, Who is it that overcomes the world? But then gives the answer, "He that believeth". We have already seen that Elisha was a man of faith, and when challenged by his master to remain at Jericho, to settle down there and to enjoy its pleasures, he was equal to the test, he would go the whole way. He would not let anything part him from his master, and when tested by Elijah, he resolutely refused to remain at Jericho. However the sons of the prophets were content to live there, and they added to Elisha’s sorrow, by vaunting their knowledge, but were rebuked by him.

The last great test was the Jordan. This to us, represents deathto self, our death with Christ. Death is not a light matter, and humanly speaking most will do all they can to defer it, to prolong their human lives. The Prophet Jeremiah issues a challenge, " how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan", Jer. 12:5. However the servant of God must face it constantly, as Paul, who could say, "I die daily". 1Cor. 15:31. By nature we love to hold on to ourselves, to what we are, to save our lives, but we shall surely lose them, if we do. Luke.9:24. However the self-life must go, for God has ordained that no flesh shall glory in His presence, 1Cor. 1:29.

The Jordan was the last great barrier that had to be faced before Israel could enter the promised land and thus enjoy their inheritance. There was no other way for them to enter there. But the ark of the covenant went into the Jordan before them, and when the feet of the priests that bore the ark dipped in the brim of that river, its waters where cut off as far as the city Adam. Thus we understand that the Jordan means our death with Christ.

This was the last great test for Elisha. The sons of the prophets looked on, but were not prepared to join Elijah and Elisha. When they reached the river, Elijah took the cloak that he was wearing, (the very cloak that Elisha was to wear), and folded it together and smote the waters and they parted, and they two went over on dry ground. When we are willing to face death to self, to deny ourselves. We find that what once seemed to be a horrible prospect, has now lost its terror, and what we thought was death, really is the secret to entering into the enjoyment of life, life at a different level, on a different plane. We begin to enjoy life with a capital L, life as God intended life to be. This explains what the Lord Jesus meant when He said that "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose, (or give up, ) his life for my sake shall find it". Matt. 16:25.

As the young prophet faced this test, it brought him into a much closer fellowship with his master. This is the result of the experience of sanctification, (for us). It brings us into union with our blessed Master, Heb. 2:11. Elijah now encourages Elisha to ask for some gift, for something to be done for him. What an opportunity this was, it was like putting a signed blank cheque into the young prophet’s hands. Elisha was quick to respond. He did not make any covetous request, he did not ask for things, or for gifts, but his heart longed for one thing. If he was to carry on his master’s work, then he wanted to do so in his masters spirit, so he asked that a double portion of Elijah’s spirit be given to him.

Elijah replied, "Thou hast asked an hard thing!" It is only God who can enable us to serve in the spirit of our Master. Elijah put one condition, "If thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not it shall not be so". We can imagine that from that time, Elisha would not take his eyes off his master. This is a lesson to us also, if we would serve the Lord, if we would do so in the power and grace of His own spirit, then we need to keep our eyes constantly fixed on Him. Heb. 12:2. May the Lord help us to have a single eye, so that our whole body may be full of light; so that our service may be carried out in the sweetness and grace of His own spirit.

When on the evening of the day of His resurrection, the Lord Jesus gave the commission to His disciples He breathed into them and said "Receive ye Holy Spirit", the definite article ‘the’ is not there in the Greek original. He was not imparting to them then the Person of the Holy Spirit, (He came at Pentecost.) But was breathing His own warmth, and compassion into them. They were then to breathe this out as they obeyed His command, and fulfilled His commission.

Paul tells us that even the opposition of those who preached the gospel out of contention, and sought thereby to add to his bonds, would turn out to his own profit; "Through your prayers, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ". Phil. 1:19.

THE PARTING.

As they went on and talked, a chariot and horses of fire appeared and separated them, and while amazed and sorrowful, Elisha looked on, his beloved Master went up into heaven. He felt a deep sense of loss, the one who was his spiritual father and mentor was now gone, (all be it into heaven), and he was left alone to carry on that master’s work down here amongst wicked Israel. However, he was not to serve Elijah any more, but now he was to serve Elijah’s God, but he was to do so in the very same spirit as Elijah did.

It takes our mind to the summit of the Mount of Olives. There we see our Master surrounded by His adoring disciples. Lifting those hands that were nailed to the cruel cross of Calvary, in the act of bestowing His blessing on those He loved so dearly. While engaged in this blessed act, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven, as if to carry on the work of blessing His own, from that place of exaltation, the right hand of the Majesty on High.

Those disciples filled with awe and wonder, continued to gaze into the heavens where He had gone; only to told by the angels of His promised return. They then returned to Jerusalem, to obey His command, and to await the moment when they would be clothed upon with power from on High. But while they waited in expectation, they were continually in the temple, ‘praising and blessing God’. When they received the ‘Promise of the Father’, and He gave them utterance, they began to work that continues to this day; and will continue until His shout is heard, and His saints are caught up to be with Him forever.

ELIJAH’S MANTLE.

As Elijah went up into heaven, his mantle fell down. That was the mantle that he had cast upon the shoulders of the young ploughman many years before. Only now, after those years of menial service, during which time he had proved himself: Only after passing that final test, was Elisha able to wear that mantle. But first he tore his own garments in two pieces. He no longer wished to be seen in them, but in the mantle of his master. He ‘put off’, before he ‘put on’.

We are to do this also, Col. 3:7-10, where we are credited with having ‘put on the new man’. This means, that we are now to seen by men; bearing the likeness of our Master. See also Romans 13:14, and Gal. 3:27. This latter verse shows us that it is expected that from the moment we emerge from the waters of baptism, it is expected that Christ should be seen in our lives. The former verse shows us that the putting on of Christ; is a daily thing, we are to do this in prayerful surrender as we begin each day.

TO THE WORK.

Elisha now parted from his master, but wearing the cloak that fell from him, and now anointed with a double portion of his master’ spirit, did not remain at the place of parting but returned to the bank of the Jordan. He was not to waste his time in mourning his great loss, but now, suitably equipped; he was to devote himself to the service of Jehovah, and thus to carry on his master’s work. Just as the disciples were not to stand for a long time, looking up into heaven.

As he stood by the bank of Jordan, he did what he had seen his master do. As he faced those cold swift waters once again, he took that very same mantle, folded it, and smote the waters with it, at the same time calling on the mighty name of Jehovah. "Where is the Lord (Jehovah), God of Elijah". Elijah had gone, but the Mighty Jehovah was still there, and all his power was available to His servant, to enable him to carry on His work. Thus the waters parted to the one side and to the other; and Elisha went over. When seen by the sons of the prophets, Elisha was obviously different, they were compelled to confess, "The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha". It would be so wonderful if we so lived and manifested the Spirit of Christ, that those with whom we come in contact could see the difference in our lives also, and testify to beholding His likeness in us.

Elisha also gained the respect, even the fear of the sons of the prophets, as they bowed themselves to the ground before him. Such greatness, suddenly thrust upon him, would have ruined men of lesser character, but not Elisha. It seems that he was deaf to the praise and flattery of men, and those who serve God today, should be also! The praise of men is at best very insincere and hollow, but it is the praise and approval of God that we should seek. We should serve God in such a way that at the end when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, we will hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

It seems that they had a faulty understanding of the character of God, and the way that He values His servants. They failed to understand the nature of God’s Spirit. It is obvious that their minds were clouded with the teaching and actions of demons. Such spirits delight to lift up those that they control, to give them ecstatic experiences, and then cast them down in depression and gloom. They thought that Jehovah was like this also, and wanted to send and to search. Thinking that Elijah was suffering from horrible injuries, (the consequence of his being cast down by God), on some mountain or in some valley. But Elisha knew better, he knew the worth of God’s servant, and understood how much God loved and valued him. Jehovah had provided for His servant, He had protected him when evil powers sought to kill or destroy him, and now He had taken him into His own presence.

However these men persisted, inferring that they cared more about Elijah, than Elisha did, until he felt ashamed, and agreed to their vain suggestions, and actions. But all was fruitless, as Elisha knew it would be, and when the fifty strong men returned empty handed, Elisha rebuked them, saying "Did I not say unto you, Go not".

THE FIRST MIRACLE.

Elisha goes to the source of the problem:

Next we read that the men of Jericho come to Elisha with a problem. They were dwelling in the place of the curse, but were glad to point out that the situation of the city was pleasant, but had to admit, that the water was bad, and the land barren, (produced no crops). We have already seen in an earlier that Jericho represents the more acceptable and pleasing aspects of the world. But we are warned by John, that the whole world, whether it be the Egyptian, the Sodom and Gomorah, the Jerusalem, or the Babylon aspects of it, all lie in the wicked one, in the very bosom of the Devil. 1John,5:19, (Darby), and we are not to love it or anything in it, 1John, 2:15-17.

Elisha had got the victory over Jericho, 1John,5:4-5. He had been there, but was no resident of that city. So he asked the men to bring him a new cruse, and to put salt in it. He cast this in at the source of the waters, and there proclaimed the word of God. "Thus saith the Lord, I have healed these waters……" There is teaching for us in his actions. The new cruse, represents the believer, 2Cor.5:17, the salt represents the grace of God given to the believer, and the believer’s presence in this world is to have a preserving and purifying effect. Matt. 5:13. The only way to change this world is to change the people in it. When there is a strong presence of believers in any place, then there is a healing of the waters. They by their godly and holy lives, have a purifying, preserving effect on the community.

One of the most corrupting things in society today is alcohol. It breaks up homes, it clothes people in rags, it makes children poor and destitute. Yet I recall hearing an account on the radio, the news on the Australian Broadcasting Commission channel. They told how that the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra had gone to the U.S.A for a concert tour. They went to one place, (it may have been Dallas Texas,) booked into the hotel, and then ordered alcoholic drinks to be brought to their rooms. But the room service people informed then that there was no alcohol available in that hotel, in fact in that town.

The musicians expressed their amazement, and asked what had happened. They were told that Evangelist Billy Graham had been having meetings in that place, and so many people were converted to Christ, that there was no longer any sale for liquor. The same thing happened in one town in Western Australia. The great problem in that place were the Aborigines. But an evangelistic team of Aborigines came from another place, they had preached the gospel to their fellow Aborigines, so many were saved that most of the hotels had to close, and the police numbers were more that halved. These are practical illustrations of what this miracle means.

DISRESPECT PUNISHED.

From Jericho Elisha went back to Bethel, and while on the journey was accosted by a gang of youths. These were young men who were old enough to know better, not innocent children as some would have us believe. They hurled insults at God’s prophet, and in so doing insulted the Mighty God whom he served, They had obviously heard of Elijah’s translation, and they wanted to get rid of Elisha also. So they cried, mocking and insulting the prophet, "Go up thou bald head, Go up thou bald head!" Elisha looked at them, and despised their insolence, and cursed them in Jehovah’s name. These youths thus brought the curse of God upon themselves. There came two she-bears out of the woods and tore forty two of them. This does not mean that they were killed, but they did suffer injury and pain. These were youths of the city of Bethel, the house of God. Let this be a warning to us, because any who dare to speak ill of, to mock or despise the servants of God, bring a curse on themselves.

MOUNT CARMEL.

From Bethel Elisha went to Mount Carmel. Thus he reminded himself of how his master had stood alone against eight hundred and fifty pagan priests, and a vacillating people who halted between two opinions, who tried to mix truth with error, who tried to serve Jehovah and the Baals. Now he was called to follow the example of that dear man of God. He saw where the altar of Israel, which Elijah had rebuilt had stood. He remembered how that in answer to the prayer of his master, the fire of God fell, consumed the burnt offering, the stones, the dust, and licked up the water in the trench. He remembered the mighty cry of a terrified but restored people. A cry in which he too had possibly joined, "Jehovah, He is God, Jehovah, He is God!" What challenging, searching memories these were to him, at the beginning of his ministry. Memories of the fickleness of the ignorant people of God, amongst whom he was to labour. Memories of the courage of his mighty master, whose example he was to follow. Memories of the intrinsic holiness of Jehovah, whom he was now to serve, and of His mighty power which he was to experience! Thus humbled and challenged, Elisha returned to the capital, Samaria. Wicked city that it was, the place where was the wicked Jezebel’s seat of power, (though her palace was at Jezreel). The one before whom his master had failed, become afraid, and from whom he had run away.

Elisha was the one who was to see that wicked woman lose her power. It was through his anointing that Jehu was to arise to destroy the dynasty of Ahab, the tyranny of the Baals, and have Jezebel thrown down from the heights of her palace, for the dogs to eat her body, after she had been trodden to pulp beneath his horses’ feet. It seems that Elisha made his home there, 2Kings, 6:32, though we once find him at Dothan, 2Kings, 6:13. We may criticise him for dwelling in that wicked place, for Elijah never dwelt there, and went there only to proclaim the word of God.

Here we see the contrast between the ministry of Elijah and that of Elisha. Elijah maintained a strict, rigid separation from what was evil. He refused to associate with that which was evil, even by dwelling in the place where evil was practiced. Elisha on the other hand, though dwelling in places where evil was practiced, yet remained apart from it. He was available at all times to any, great or small, that really sought help from God through His word that was in the prophet’s mouth. In the ministry of Elijah we see the expression, the practice of TRUTH. In Elisha’s ministry we see the expression of GRACE. He was a patient man, gentle and understanding. He was able to bear with the shortcomings of ignorant and carnal men. We see the perfect balance, the combination of both in the person of the Lord Jesus. John, 1:17. He did not endorse, or encourage what was wrong and evil, though he associated with those who formed unholy associations, and ventured on wrong endeavours as we shall see in later chapters. But we joyfully admit that both were mightily used of God.

DISASTER AVOIDED.

In chapter 3 of 2Kings, we are introduced to a situation of compromise, to unholy associations. We have the son of Ahab, (Jehoram), who did evil in the sight of Jehovah, but not like his father or mother. He obviously judged some of the wicked excesses of his father, and abolished one form of idolatry. Nevertheless he clung to the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, and did not depart from them. It may be as well at this juncture to examine that cardinal sin, and see what it means for us.

Jeroboam came to power when Israel was divided through the folly of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon. 1Kings, chapters 12 & 13. Once he had divided the people, and had the support of nine and one half tribes, he cunningly devised a way to perpetuate his dynasty. He knew full well, that if the children of Israel continued to go to Jerusalem, to the Temple to worship there, (as God had commanded), sooner or later they would turn again after the son of David. So he devised a means to prevent this. He made two golden calves, and put one in Bethel and the other in Dan. The one in Bethel, was as near as he could get to Jerusalem, the place that God had chosen to set His name there. The one in Dan was as far away as he could get from God’s centre.

The idea behind the golden calf, was to degrade the God of Israel, from being the mighty Lord of all, and make Him a to be a servant. This was a very convenient form of god, one that can be manipulated by man. Yet the calf was the animal of sacrifice as well as the animal of service. Showing in the type that though they were willing to trust in the redeeming power of the blood, yet they wished God to be their servant, and (being made of gold), He would be the source of their prosperity, and they could thus worship the gold, as they worshipped the god. Such an idea is common today, but is just as hateful to God as the golden calves were.

All this was to prevent them from returning to God’s chosen way. He also exalted the High Places, where sacrifice was offered, and immorality was practiced, all in the name of religion. He also made priests of the lowest classes, whereas God had said that none were to serve Him as priests, but the sons of Aaron. We see this around us everywhere today, where men have introduced a special class of men to act as priests, and thereby rob the people of God of their priceless privilege. The priest or minister is paid a salary, and he does everything, while the people, (the laity), look on. Thus we see a parallel today in the sects and denominations that men have set up. These result in the perpetuating of the greatness and rule of man. Thus like Israel the people of God today are made to sin, and prevented from returning to God’s original thoughts, and from gathering to the name of the Lord Jesus alone. These are the sins that Jehoram clung to, such sins, though hateful to God, would lead to his continuing his hold over the people, and perpetuating his dynasty.

However Mesha the king of Moab, who had paid heavy taxes each year to support the grandeur of Ahab’s kingdom, rebelled against Jehoram, and refused to pay the taxes. This king could not bear to have his finances reduced, neither can those that are like him today bear to be deprived of their life of luxury Their ‘hip pocket nerve’ is very sensitive indeed. Thus he decided to try to regain his lost revenues, and to do so entered into an unholy alliance with two other kings, Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, and the King of Edom. The King of Judah was a good king, and walked in the ways of his godly father. However he made the terrible mistake of marrying the daughter of Ahab. He allowed his natural love to becloud his judgment, and began to love those that hated Jehovah.

When invited to assist the son of Jezebel in recovering his lost revenues, he responded whole-heartedly, gladly committing the lives of his own soldiers to such a doubtful endeavour. He stands as a warning to us in this respect. There are some today that will encourage believers to join hands with, nominal ‘Christians’, and others that are heretical in nature, and that teach and practice things that are contrary to the word of God. Emphasizing that we Christians must present a ‘united front’ to the world. We must join with homosexuals, Roman Catholics, and all comers in public marches, like "Marchers for Jesus" etc. Let us beware!

The name of the King of Edom is not mentioned, but he & and his army were considered to be the weakest point in this unholy alliance, by the King of Moab. There had never been any fellowship between the descendants of Esau, and the descendants of Jacob, ever since the time that Esau had chosen the wrong path, and entered into marriages with the wrong people. But now through the instrumentality of the son of Jezebel, we see them in fellowship with those wicked people.

No doubt buoyed up by the prospect of expected victory, and with a carnal self-confidence, they failed to observe even the basic needs of such a vast army, the need of a supply of water. When they discovered this terrible oversight, and the possibility of their joint armies’ destruction; only then did they think of seeking help from a higher power. It was Jehoshaphat that thought of calling upon Jehovah the lord of Heaven and Earth. He asked "is there not here a prophet of Jehovah?" and one said, "Here is Elisha, …..who poured water on the hands of Elijah". The response of the King of Judah was to say, "The word of Jehovah is with him!" So those three Kings were compelled to humble themselves before Jehovah’s servant, they ‘went down’ to Elisha. The sight of these three kings, joined in such an unholy alliance, filled the soul of Elisha with indignation.

He was angry that the son of Jezebel should turn to Jehovah now that he was in a situation of crisis, brought about by his own stupidity. He did not hesitate to rebuke Israel’s king with these words. "What have I to do with thee? Get thee unto the prophets of thy father, and thy mother". The King of Israel now was compelled to admit the powerless nature of the gods that his parents served, and also of their prophets. He meekly acknowledged that the hand of Jehovah had used his own folly to bring about this situation of tragedy.

Elisha then acknowledged the presence of the King of Judah, and said that it was only because of him, that he would grant their request, and that it was only because of him that he would even see or speak to Israel’s King.

We might ask the question ‘why was Elisha there at all?’ It seems that Elijah would never be present to give credence by his presence, to such an unholy alliance. The ultra separationists, the ‘exclusive’ people of our day, would surely condemn him, and regard him as being in a position of compromise. However by his presence Elisha was not endorsing, approving, or giving credence to this sad alliance. He was present, yet separate from all that was going on, and he did not hesitate to fearlessly condemn the son of Ahab, or to expose the folly and wickedness of the whole idolatrous system of Jezebel. His presence led to the salvation of numerous lives, the punishment and ruination of the Moabite kingdom, and yet the dashing of the hopes of the wicked son of Ahab.

BRING ME A MINSTREL!

What a strange request! What did Elisha mean by making such a request? Was he depending on the music to get him into the mood for inspiration? There are many today that use music, endless singing, and repetitious choruses, to get them onto a ‘high’, into the mood for worship, speaking in tongues etc. Such practices are not of God. Elisha was very angry at the wicked practices of Jezebel and her son. Angry with the King of Judah, that he who knew better, should compromise with what was manifestly evil, and he would not attempt to give the message of God, while in an angry state. He needed the soothing ministry of the minstrel to soothe his spirit, to cool his anger. James tells us that "the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God", Jas. 1:20. Somehow, Elisha knew this and those of us that minister God’s word must learn it too. How often a message that is right, but is delivered in anger, brings harm, division, and spiritual death.

I remember a brother saying, that he had spent much time in preparing a powerful message, but he delivered that message in anger, in the heat of his spirit, in the energy of the flesh; with disastrous results.

Once his ruffled spirit was calm, and his wrath was cooled, then the hand of the Lord, (Jehovah), came upon him, and God gave him a surprising message. They were to make the valley full of ditches thus they were to prepare for showers of blessing. Thus they were to act in faith, they were to believe God’s word, even though it seemed to be impossible to fulfil. Yet they would see no rain. God could not bless such an endeavour; He could not righteously support this unholy alliance. The showers were to fall elsewhere. He would pour out His blessing upon others, yet they would receive the overflow. So it was that in the morning, at the time of the morning sacrifice, the water came from a most unlikely place, not from Edom, but by the way of Edom.

THE TIME OF THE MORNING OBLATION.

This is so strange, two Kings one Pagan, the other half Pagan, half biblical, yet the practice of offering the morning oblation was continued, probably at the insistence of Jehoshaphat. It is to be regretted that today, in most Western homes, even in the homes of genuine believers, there is no longer any time for the offering of the morning ‘meat offering’. Life has become so busy; the children have to go to school, and the parents to work, so there is no time for the things that are really important.

Once it was the practice for the whole family to gather in the early morning, to sing the praises of God, to read His word, and for the head of the house to bow in worship; to commit each member to the Lord in believing prayer. But sadly this is not the practice any more. Is it any wonder that our young people go astray? It is significant to notice that it was at that time that the water came.

It was at that time that the Moabites marshalled their forces, ‘all who were able to put on armor’, and stood in the border, prepared to defend their territory. But as the sun rose, and shone upon the water that had filled the ditches, it appeared to be red and looked like blood. They knew that the alliance between these three kings and their people was a very loose one, and they presumed that they had quarrelled and that they had slain one another. They assumed that all that they had to do, was to take the spoil, but they were in for a great shock. God had seen their wicked, immoral, drunken and idolatrous way of living, and had determined to pour out His judgment on these descendants of Lot. So refreshed by the waters of blessing that had come, the confederate army rose to attack. The victory that followed, was not the result of any bravery or skill on the pert of the confederate army; but the Almighty Jehovah had given them the victory, had given the Moabites into their hands. They were now acting under His orders, and fulfilling His will, thus victory was assured. Not only did they slaughter the people, but they under divine orders, ruined the land as well.

This thwarted the design of the King of Israel, as he wished only to punish the people, and to make them resume the provision of his revenue. But now, when the people were slain and the land was ruined, he could never again expect any revenue from those people, or from that land. It would take several lifetimes to restore the terrible damage that was done at the command of God.

In one last desperate bid the king of Moab tried without success to break through to the King of Edom. They were his neighbours and an idolatrous people like himself. Perhaps he thought that he would get kindness and sympathy from them?

When this attempt failed, he took his eldest son, the heir to his throne, and offered him as a burnt offering to the demons that he worshipped. By this fanaticism he sought to arouse the powers of hell, and to get them on his side. All he did was to bring their great indignation against the people of Israel. The people that belonged to God, and in a half-hearted way claimed to be his and to worship Him. Yet they were under great bondage to the very powers the Moabite king sought to provoke, and to get on his side.

Thus chastened and humbled Jehoram returned with his army to his own land. There he was to be later murdered by one of his own captains, (Jehu), who had probably fought in this engagement.

THE WIDOW’S POT OF OIL.

In chapter four of 2Kings, we are introduced to two women and the first is a widow. She is in a pitiable condition, and is bankrupt. Her husband had been one of the ‘Sons of the Prophets’, and according to his widow was one that ‘feared the Lord’, (Jehovah). Her husband had left her with two sons, who had grown to be young men, and old enough to work, and should have been an asset to their widowed mother. Instead they had proved to be a liability, and instead of being a help to their mother, were running her into debt.

She had borrowed until she could borrow no more, and the crisis had arrived, the creditor was coming to take her two sons to be slaves. If the Law of Jehovah had been followed, this would mean that they would be forced to work. Whether they liked it or not, they would be deprived of their liberty, and have to work for seven years for nothing. She was thus faced with humiliation, sorrow, and disaster, and in her dilemma turned to Elisha to seek his help.

I think that this woman is like many Churches today. There is deadness amongst those that should really provide spiritual food for the Church Family. The result is that the Church is reduced to a state of widowhood, has been borrowing from the world for years, but now is in a situation of emergency, and the young people, who should normally take up their father’s responsibility, and carry on the ministry of the Church, are threatened with slavery by the very world from whom the Church has been borrowing for so long. If we borrow from the world, borrow its entertainment, its organization, its sports etc, its way of doing things, then the day of reckoning will surely come, sooner or later. The great threat today is that our young people will be carried away by the world, and into slavery to the world and its master, the ‘wicked one’. 1John. But if there is a right spiritual state, our young men will be strong, and will overcome the wicked one. 1John, 2:14-17.

ELISHA’S DILLEMMA.

What was the Prophet to do? If he put his hand in his pocket, and gave the money necessary to pay the widow’s debt, (if he had the money), then he would have made her dependant on him for life. She would have always been after him for more money. There is an important lesson for us to learn here. We should never make people to depend upon us, as if we are the answer to their problem, but rather teach them to depend upon the Lord, and to discover the resources that He has endowed them with.

This is what the Prophet did. He asks "what shall I do for thee? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" To which the widow replied that she had nothing in the house, but then almost as an afterthought, she said, "except a pot of oil". Elisha saw this to be the answer to her need. In that pot of oil, she possessed an inexhaustible resource.

Elijah had perhaps told him about his experience with another widow and her cruse of oil, and barrel of meal, at another time, and in another place. But that experience could be no help in this situation, as this widow was in debt. If the oil in the pot did not fail, then she and her sons could eat day by day, but that would not pay her debt, and her sons would still be taken into slavery. So this situation called for another solution, and that solution was to be found in the pot of oil that the widow had ignored.

ELISHA’S REMEDY.

Elisha told her to put those lazy boys to work. Send them out to gather vessels, empty vessels, and they were not to be few in number. Because the size of the blessing would depend on the number of vessels gathered. She was then to go inside, and shut the door upon herself and her sons. That means that this was to be a secret experience, there was to be no publicity, no noise, no boasting or shouting to the neighbours, a salient lesson for us in this day of exaggerated claims, and outward show! Then she was to pour out the golden oil from that little pot, into the empty vessels they had borrowed.

It required faith to do this, as we would assume that the pot was small, and the vessels were large. However she did not question, she simply obeyed. The sons brought her the vessels that they had borrowed, and she began to pour out into the formerly empty vessels. It must have filled them all with wonder, as the golden oil poured from that small pot. Perhaps she felt a sense of shame that she had borrowed from outside, while she had such a resource in the house, yet ignored it, left it sitting on the shelf.

Those lazy boys were now useful to her, it was them who brought the vessels to her, and set aside the full vessels, which must have been quite heavy. At last she requested them to bring another vessel, but there were no more remaining, all were full, then the oil stayed. It ceased to flow, if it had not done so, then it would have poured on to the floor, and been wasted. What lessons there are for us in this!

OUR ‘POT OF OIL’.

The pot of oil represents the Holy Spirit, because in both Old Testament and New, oil represents the Holy Spirit. He is God, and Solomon said of Him that the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him. Yet he deigns to dwell in frail human beings like you and I. What wondrous Grace and Humility! When he is given His rightful place of Lordship, as guide and controller of everything in the Church, the House of God, then all is well. However down through the ages He has been progressively ignored. Men have taken His place, it is men that lead and control everything. The Holy Spirit is ignored, grieved and quenched, yet still He does not leave, because the Lord Jesus said that He would be with us forever, and Paul tells us that we are sealed with Him, unto the "Day of redemption", the day when the Lord Jesus will come and take us away, into the place that He has gone to prepare. Until He brings all of us into the enjoyment of the fullness of His completed redemption.

A gradual turning away from God’s word, will lead to spiritual poverty, and eventually to bankruptcy, Mal. 3:7-8, and God is robbed of the place, and the honour that is His due, in His house.. As the result men assume a place of prominence and importance. When men take over, spiritual death takes place, as at Sardis, (Rev. 3:1), Then to keep the household going, the leaders of the Church borrow from the world. This leads into a debt situation, and once we borrow from the world, we have to keep borrowing, so the debt increases, until bankruptcy stares us in the face. It is often the young people that suffer spiritually because of this. It works out this way: In order to keep the local Church seemingly lively, entertainment is introduced. Young people are encouraged to ‘discover and to use’ their musical talents. This enables both boys and girls to show off in front of the congregation, and suits the vanity of the flesh very nicely. History has proved that the more the flesh is catered for, the more attention it demands. However all is covered with a religious garb, and is called ‘worship’. In time if the decline continues, the world will demand payment of the debt owed to it, and our sons and daughters are carried away into the world’s slavery. They may continue in the Church, but only if they can control it, by manipulating, or sacking the elders, and replacing them with younger people who will give them what they want, or even demand. Or else they will often leave the local Church, and either join worldly Churches, or go right into the world.

WHAT IS THE ANSWER?

This is the situation faced by many today, the "Creditor has come", but how can we avoid this disaster? The answer lies in the ‘pot of oil’, the person of the Holy Spirit, and the revival of true evangelism. We need to borrow vessels from abroad, empty vessels, and the measure of our faith will determine the number. These empty vessels represent people that are without Christ. Because, until Christ comes into the human life we are but an empty shell, an empty vessel. Though men were meant to contain the Life content of God, yet through sin, there is just an emptiness, a vacuum in the human soul. The number of the vessels borrowed, was determined by the faith of the widow, and ultimately determined what the widow’s wealth would be, but the prophet told her, "Let it not be few". It has been said, that "Faith attempts great things for God, and faith expects great things from God".

They must have gazed with awe as the oil flowed, such a small pot, and such large vessels, yet while ever the widow poured, the golden oil flowed. It is to be noted that she held the pot, and the boys brought the empty vessels to her. The pouring out was not entrusted to the inexperienced, but the oil flowed from the pot that was held in the hands of a mature, experienced mother figure. Thank God for the exuberance and the enthusiasm of youth, it is very refreshing to see, but it needs to be tempered by the mellowness and maturity that age, experience, (and in this case, sorrow,) brings. The oil flowed until the last vessel was filled, and then it ceased. Perhaps then they wished that they had borrowed more vessels, that their faith had been greater.

WHAT TO DO NEXT?

The widow now had another problem, she had a house full of borrowed vessels filled with oil, what was she to do? So she returned to Elisha for advice, and he told her to sell the oil, to pay her debt, then to live with her sons on the residue of the great profit that she had gained.

While ever the vessels full of oil remained unsold in the house, the debt, and the consequent danger of losing her sons remained. She was to distribute her oil to others, who would give her money for it. Thus she shared the blessing, and became rich as she did so. The writer of the Proverbs says, "There is that scattereth yet increaseth; and there is that witholdeth more than is fitting, yet it tendeth only to poverty". Prov. 11:24. When God gives an undeserved blessing, He intends that we share it with others. It is thus that we become spiritually wealthy as we share His blessing with others.

There is one thing that we must note, that is that the vessels were borrowed, the oil was the property of the widow and her sons, but the vessels were not. I have noticed over the years that those that adopt aloof, pharasaical, and exclusive attitudes, seem to regard the members of their fellowship as belonging to them. They dare not go anywhere else, or break bread with any other believers, except those that they regard as being in ‘fellowship’ with them. Some go so far as to teach that it is only those people that are in fellowship with them or their group, that are truly saved, and will at last be in heaven. Thank God, that is not so! If it was so, then heaven would be a very lonely place.

No the vessels will always belong to ANOTHER, and for us this means that even if we are used to the blessing of God’s people, yet we can never claim them as ours. "The Lord knoweth them that are His", (2Tim.2:19), it must always be so. Let us thank God for those with whom we can pursue righteousness, faith, love & peace, those who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart, but never let us claim them as ours!

THE WEALTHY SHUNEMITE.

Next in 2Kings chapter 4, we read of the wealthy woman of Shunem. Here we have an example of how God rewards the love and hospitality shown to His own, especially to His servants. Matt. 25:31-40, reveals that the Lord Jesus regards anything done in love to His brethren, as done unto Him. In Heb. 13:1 we are warned not to forgetful to entertain strangers, because in doing so, some have entertained angels, though they have not been aware of it.

Each time Elisha passed that way, he went into this lady’s house for a meal. It seems that she did not know who Elisha was, but she discerned, (probably by his conversation), that he was a holy man of God. So she consulted her husband about the advisability of preparing a special chamber where he could turn into, and enjoy both rest and privacy. It was agreed, and duly built. It was not a large or luxurious room, but large enough for the needs of the prophet. In that small room she placed a bed, a table, a stool, and a lampstand, just such things as the prophet would need, to enable him to rest, to meditate or to study.

It is rather sad when the servants of God demand luxury, and special treatment, as they move from place to place in their service. I recall one such servant who had been involved in a car accident. He was showing me a photo book, which recorded the different stages of his recovery to health. I noticed particularly that in many of the photos he was wearing different tee shirts, and each one of these was advertising some of the world’s most luxurious and expensive hotels. It seemed obvious that he would not be content to stay in a small room in a believer’s house. This to me was very sad.

As Elisha enjoyed this provision for his needs, he thought of seeking some reward for the kindness thus shown to him and his servant. So the woman was called and asked what she would wish to be done for her. Doubtless she was surprised that such a thought should come into the prophet’s mind, as she had done these things out of love and generosity, she never had any thought of reward. She declined the offered privileges that were suggested by the prophet. He was thus in a quandary as to what to do.

Gehazi had the answer, as he had noticed that she had no son, and that her husband was old. We may think it to be strange that Elisha did not notice this, but it seems that he had never married, and had never had a child of his own, whereas Gehazi was married and had children of his own, he understood the joys of parenthood, of having his own child in his arms, but the woman had never experienced such joy. So she was called, and she stood in the doorway. Elisha then announced the news, which she thought was impossible, and too good to be true. (She even accused him of lying to her). However her unbelief did not hinder God in fulfilling the promise, and what seemed impossible took place in the due time.

This reward for her kindness did nit come from the prophet, but from God. What joy it must have brought to her heart, as day after day she held that precious child in her arms. She had longed in vain for this experience all the years of her married life, and had given up all hope of ever having a child of her own. But now the miracle had happened, and only because of a little kindness that she had shown to God’s servant. It reminds me of the doxology in Eph. 3:20-21, where we are told of a God who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think.

TRAGEDY STRIKES.

Years of blissful happiness passed by, and that precious child grew on to adolescence. It seemed that his father lacked in both wisdom and discernment, because he encouraged the child to try to do things that were meant for those who had skill and experience. The child though grown now, was still a child, and was foolishly exposed to the heat and burden of the day. This was beyond his ability and experience, and he suffered sun stroke. The father did not show the care and concern that he should have done. He did not care for the boy himself, as he did not want the work of reaping to be hindered, but instructed one of the servants to carry the lad to his mother.

Then the worst happened; the boy sat on his mother’s knee till noon, then died. The mother then took the lifeless boy up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door and went out. Thus the dark clouds of tragedy blackened the sky of her life. She called her husband and requested one of the servants and an ass, so that she could run to the man of God. Still the husband did not discern the seriousness of the situation, and questioned the need of such haste. But the woman testified to her faith in that she said, "It shall be well". However she did not consider for her own comfort, but urged the servant to make the journey as quickly as he could. The fact that she knew where to find Elisha shows one of two things. She either followed the movements of the prophet with prayerful interest, or else she had been before God in earnest prayer, and He had revealed the whereabouts of the prophet. Both are commendable and desirable at all times, but specially at a time of crisis.

The fact that Elisha was at Mount Carmel was significant. It was on that Mountain that he had seen the display of the power of Jehovah, he needed to see another display of that power now. He recognised the woman from a distance and sent Gehazi to inquire about their welfare. She gave an illusive answer, as she would not be content merely to deal with the servant, she must get to the feet of his master. So she came and caught Elisha by the feet, she took the lowly, the humble place. Gehazi thought that her importunity was not in keeping with his master’s official greatness, and drew near to thrust her away. The prophet rebuked him with the words, "Let her alone". He knew that it was not time for officialdom, or to stand on ceremony, but added, "Her soul is bitter, (troubled) within her, and the Lord has not told me." This shows that the Lord does not tell His servants everything. He may reveal much to them from His word, but not one can claim to know the mind of God in every situation. No matter how great a person may think themselves to be, we are all human at best, and can make mistakes.

Then the woman unburdened her soul, and revealed that her distress was centred in the son that God had given her, in answer to Elijah’s prayers. So he sent off Gehazi with strict instructions as to what he was to do, and not to do, and put his staff in Gehazi’s hand. But the mother of the boy had greater discernment at this point than Elisha did, and she refused to return without him. She knew that no display of unbending official power, would bring back the life of the boy she loved. The prophet himself must come, she would not leave him!

Perhaps she discerned the nature and condition of Gehazi. Maybe she saw the self seeking and covetous nature of his wicked heart. This comes to light in the next chapter. Also it seems that Elisha himself had a lesson to learn, and that was that resurrection could not take place without total identification with the dead person. This too was what took place when Elijah raised the son of the widow to life, and also Paul did this with Eutychus, (Acts 20:9-10).

Once Elisha had come to the house, he went into the chamber, and shut the door upon them both. This was to be a secret matter no others were to know what took place. First he prayed, this is of first importance in any situation. Then he stretched himself on the dead boy. He put his eyes on his eyes, his mouth on his mouth, and his hands on the boys’ hands. This was total identification, and as a result the boy’s flesh became warm; he imparted his own warmth to the dead boy. Revival, or resurrection, will never come about through the exercise of mere legal power, or authority. Gal. 6:1, tells us what we are to do when one is taken in a fault. The spiritual are to restore such a one, not with boastful pride, but in a spirit of humility.

When he had done this, the man of God then walked up and down in the house, as if he suspected that something was wrong there. Because often where spiritual death or departure takes place, it is because things are not right in the house, the family, or the Assembly. He then went back up to the death chamber, and stretched himself once more upon the child. He did not give up at the first attempt, faith never does! Then the boy sneezed seven times, as if there was something in his head that he needed to get rid of, and then he opened his eyes. What was a death chamber, now throbbed with life, coldness gave place to warmth. The man of God did not rush down to convey the good news to the broken hearted mother, but sent the message by his servant to call her. She then came and with amazement saw the miracle of resurrection before her very eyes. The prophet then told her to take up her son. But before she did so, she first fell at his feet in affection and thankfulness to him, and to the eternal Jehovah, whom he served. She then took up the boy, whose lifeless form she had laid on that bed many hours before, held him to her bosom and went out. What rejoicing there would have been in that house that night, yet the father of the boy had no part in all that had happened since before noon. Yet he was not criticised or rebuked, perhaps the events were rebuke enough?

DEATH IN THE POT.

Next we read that Elisha came to Gilgal, the place of circumcision. Perhaps he needed to learn that lesson again, after the remarkable success that he had experienced at Shunem. The flesh is always ready to exalt itself, if we meet with success in the service of the Lord. Even Paul was given a thorn for the flesh to humble him, lest he be exalted on account of the exceeding greatness of the revelations granted to him.

There was a famine in the land, which it seemed was a localised famine, because he had just come from Shunem where they were reaping a harvest. The prophet ordered the sons of the prophets to set on the great pot, so that all could be fed. One went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine which had borne some gourds, (cucumber like things). His inexperience led him to gather his lap full of these things, and without enquiring of others that were more experienced, he cut them up, into small pieces, and shred them into the pottage. Once the stew was ready, they all sat down to enjoy the same. But once they tasted it, (the wild gourds would have made it extremely bitter), they cried out, "Man of God, there is death in the pot". Let us be warned, wild things are often poisonous! This is a warning for us, lest youth and inexperience introduces things amongst God’s people for them to feed on, and those things be poisonous. As we have mentioned previously, let us thank God for youth, zeal, enthusiasm, but let it be tempered by experience, maturity, and the discernment that comes with age.

However the prophet did not panic, but simply said, then bring meal. He then added it to the pottage, and it neutralised the poison. The meal speaks to me of a positive ministry of Christ. He was the corn of wheat that fell into the ground and died. He was ground in the mills of poverty and affliction. He is the answer to every poisonous situation.

THE MAN FROM BAAL-SHALISHA.

The chapter closes by introducing us to an unusual man. Unusual, because in a time of famine; he seemed to have abundance. It is apparent that in New Testament language, he had been sowing to the Spirit, and he had reaped a harvest. He also knew and obeyed the instructions given in the law of God, regarding the first fruits that were to be given to God. So he gave to the man of God, twenty loaves of Barley, and full ears of corn. The prophet did not take this as his own, though it was given to him, but he shared it with the sons of the prophets. However amongst the many that were there, this seemed to be so little, so one asked, "shall I set this before a hundred men"?

But the man of God commanded that it be done, saying that all would eat and leave some. It came to pass as he had spoken by the word of the Lord. This takes the mind to John’s Gospel chapter 6, the great food chapter of Holy Scripture. But there it was not Elisha who wrought the miracle, but Elisha’s Lord. He exhorted His apostles as He sent them out, "freely have you received, freely give. Mat. 10:8. It shows us that whatever we may have, though it seem so little, when we give it to the Lord in His hands it is multiplied.

Let us be like that man from Baal Shalisha, let us sow to the Spirit, knowing that of the Spirit we shall reap eternal life. Even though there be a drought all around us spiritually!

THE CLEANSING OF NAAMAN.

The Lord Jesus said that though there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet none were cleansed but Naaman the Syrian. That seems to make the cleansing of Naaman rather special. Dispensationaly, this points on to the day when the grace of God would reach out to the sinners of the Gentiles, when we lost sinners would experience the cleansing of the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son.

There are many encouragements for us to gain from this story, as well as warnings and instruction. Little did the mighty Naaman realise what blessing would result for him from the raid that he and his army made into Israel. He must have known that he was suffering from the dread disease of leprosy, and that his illustrious career as a successful General was about at an end. But he brought back a little maid that he gave to his wife as a servant. In time she noticed that telltale white patch on Naaman’s flesh, and realised that he, though so great and successful, was a filthy leper, and was doomed to die a lonely and bitter death. She could easily have been resentful and bitter. She could have rejoiced at the calamity about to fall upon the man that had cruelly taken her away from the parents whom she loved, and made her a wretched slave. She could have wished a curse upon that man, and rejoiced at his pending misery, but she did not.

AN EXAMPLE TO ALL LITTLE MAIDS.

Thus this little maid whose name is not given, became an example to all other little Maids, especially to those little maids that belong to the Lord Jesus.

It seemed that she had learned to accept the circumstances that were beyond her control, and sought to serve God in those very circumstances. She enjoyed a close relationship with her mistress as a result, and through her conveyed a message of hope to her master. She knew that her God, the God of Israel was the only true God, and that He possessed the power of life and death. Though Israel was in a backslidden state, though they were disobedient to God’s word, yet still He had not forsaken them, and that He still had His messenger amongst them, in the person of Elisha.

Little did she know that her story would be read and told by countless people, all over the world, and over several millenniums. May every little Christian maid that reads this story take courage. May they realise that the same mighty God can make use of them, to the eternal blessing and salvation of others!

When the news was passed on to Naaman, it seemed too good to be true. It was indeed ‘good news’ but too good to be true?? It was nay centuries later that the Lord Jesus said, "That which is impossible with men, is possible with God". Nevertheless it was the only hope that the Syrian General had, so he passed the information to his king. The king did not wish to lose the services of such a successful and valiant man, so hoping against hope, he decided to send Naaman to Samaria. He wrote a letter to Israel’s king, and sent Naaman loaded with gifts and rewards on his journey.

In due course Naaman stood before Israel’s king, who on reading the letter tore his clothes in distress. He knew that he had no power to cure the incurable, and saw it as a pretext for the Syrian king to attack or to make trouble for him. It never entered his head that Jehovah the God of Israel could be behind this matter. However the mighty, yet gracious prophet was sitting untroubled in his house. He knew what was taking place in the palace and sent a message to the troubled king, asking why he was so distressed as to tear his clothes, and telling him to send the visitor down to him, and that he would then know that there was a prophet in Israel.

GREATNESS REBUKED.

Israel’s king must have been very relieved to receive this message. He knew that he was powerless to do anything in such a situation. He also knew that the false gods that his mother worshipped were powerless to do anything. So the proud Syrian general came with his pomp, his greatness, his horses and chariot and stood before the door of Elisha’s house.

The prophet knew that the proud Syrian must first be humbled before he could receive any blessing, so he did not personally attend on the great man, but sent his servant with a simple message. Naaman had to realise that in spite of his greatness, yet he was just a filthy leper, and was doomed to die.

This treatment did not suit the pride of the great man, and he became very angry. How similar his attitude was, to that of lost men today. Though they suffer from the greater moral leprosy of sin, yet when commanded by God to repent, so often they become angry, and reject God’s offer of cleansing and salvation through the blood of Christ.

LEPROSY and SIN COMPARED.

At this point let us compare the disease of leprosy, with the moral leprosy, which is the disease of sin. Leprosy does not destroy tissue in the human body, but it does destroy the pain sensation, and as it progresses, it destroys the motor nerves. The end result is blind eyes, and clawed hands. Because it destroys the pain sensation, sufferers no longer feel pain when they injure themselves. This leads them to neglect those injuries, and the wounds soon become infected and ulcerous. These ulcers are very hard to heal, and often eat away at the fingers or the feet, until the finger, toe or foot has to be amputated. I have even heard of such amputations being done without anaesthetics, because the patient feels no pain. Thus it is, that the patient that does not seek help, will destroy themselves in time.

Sin works in a similar way. Each child is born with a conscience which tells them when they do wrong. The conscience first gives a warning. If the child does what they know to be wrong, then the conscience condemns them for not heeding its warning. As the result they begin to feel guilty, and wish they had not done the thing that they knew to be wrong. The first time they commit that sin, it hurts and causes them grief and to feel shame. But if they continue to sin, them the hurt becomes less and they find it much easier to sin. If they continue in sin, then it will gain the mastery over them, and they destroy themselves.

When leprosy is discovered the sufferer had to go away from family and friends, and live a lonely life of bitterness, awaiting the dreadful day of death. But sin will shut a person out of the presence of God for eternity, unless forgiven and cleansed away. In hell they are tormented and suffer along with those that (like themselves), have rejected God’s offer of mercy.

Naam,an’s pride and anger almost robbed him of cleansing and healing, and a life of humility and joy. When he turned to go away, his servants saw the tragedy of the situation. He was rejecting his only hope. They pleaded with him to humble himself, and to accept God’s way and offer of cleansing. If there is someone that reads this booklet, and you are suffering from the disease of sin, then please don’t reject God’s offer of mercy, salvation, and cleansing through the work of Christ, and the blood that He shed on the cross at that place called Golgotha, (Calvary). Peter tells us that it is the only way, that "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven, given amongst men, whereby we must be saved", Acts 4:12. The Lord Jesus Himself said, "No man cometh unto the Father, but by ME", John 14:6.

The proud man considered the alternative, he heeded the pleading of his servants. After all, they pleaded, it is only a simple thing that he has told you to do. Just like today, God’s way of salvation is so simple. There is nothing to pay, there is nothing to give up, but our pride and our sin. Just as Naaman only had his pride and his leprosy to give up. So it was that he turned his chariot, and went down to the Jordan, (a figure of death, and for us the death of Christ), and plunged himself seven times beneath its waters. He must have been amazed when he surfaced the seventh time, because that flesh that had been so corrupted and defiled, was just like the flesh of a little child. He had received a new life. So also today, the person that humbles them selves, repents of their sins, and puts their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus and His finished work. That person not only receives from God, the forgiveness of all their sins, not only are they made righteous in the sight of a Holy God, but they receive a new life, Eternal Life,; a life that will never end, they are born again, they become a child of God, and a new creature in Christ.

NAAMAN’S GRATITUDE.

Now that he had received a new life, now that the miracle of cleansing and healing had taken place in his life, now that he had become a new man, Naaman’s heart was full of gratitude, and he returned to the prophet’s house. This time Elisha did not send his servant, but came himself to rejoice with the now changed Syrian General, in the wonder of the blessing that he had received from Jehovah, the God of Israel. Naaman gladly confessed his to faith in the God of Israel, and the assurance that he now had, that there was no God in all the earth but in Israel. Out of gratitude he wanted Elisha to accept a reward, but he refused. Here we see the genuine character of the true servant of God. Elisha had done nothing, he was only the channel through whom the blessing had come. He was only God’s messenger, he would not dare to profit from the blessing of another. He was so different to many that claim to be the servants of God today.

NAAMAN’S REQUEST.

Naaman requested that Elisha would give him two mules’ burden of earth, taken from the very place from where he had received such blessing. He wanted to build an altar of earth, so that he may offer sacrifice to the God from whom he had received such blessing, because from that point on, he would worship Jehovah the God of Israel. alone.

However one thing troubled him, and that was that in the course of his duty, he would accompany his king on his visits to the temple of Rimmon, the idol that his master worshiped. He sought forgiveness for this outward show of reverence. This was granted, but it was not necessary as we shall see presently. There are some believers that justify unscriptural practices that are contrary to the will and word of God, and grieving to His heart, on the basis of this scripture. However we could not support such claims, or excuses. It is better to stand for what is right, and to suffer for it, than to compromise with what is evil.

GEHAZI’S GREED.

As Gehazi stood by, and listened to these things, and as he witnessed his master’s refusal to accept the offered gift, covetousness and greed filled his heart. So he decided to do what Elisha refused to do, and slipped away in pursuit of the group. The General got down from the chariot, and enquired as to what was wrong. Perhaps he was afraid of losing the blessing that he had received? But Gehazi calmed his fears, and told a lying tale so that he might get the money and clothes that Elisha had refused.

Doubtless greatly relieved, Naaman pressed the greedy Gehazi to take twice as much as he requested, and he was quite willing to do so. Once the ill gotten gain was safely stored in his house, the covetous man came once more and stood before Elisha. When questioned by Elisha as to where he had been, he lied, and said that he had been nowhere. But he was to receive a sentence of judgment from the lips of the prophet. The leprosy of Naaman would cling to him and his seed forever. This should be a warning to all those who pose as God’s servants today, who play on the ignorance of carnal Christians, so as to get riches for themselves. However it seems that God must have shown mercy even to Gehazi, because we see him talking to the king of Israel in a later chapter. It seems that God must have granted him repentance also, that he must have been cleansed, or else he could not have been in the presence of the king.

NAAMAN’S RETURN.

What a joyful home-coming it must have been for Naaman and his house. Just think of the joy that must have filled his soul, as he showed those in his house the wonder of what God had done for him. How the little maid must have rejoiced also to think that she had been the one that God had used to bring the good news of hope and blessing to her master. I expect that thereafter she would be given an honoured place in that great home.

But what about the king, how did he feel? No doubt he was glad that his general had been healed, but it seems that he did not like the change that had taken place in his character. Naaman could no longer be happy to lead the armies of Syria on expeditions of cruelty, especially against the land of Israel, the place where he had received such blessing. The details of the following chapters in 2Kings, show that Naaman must have been removed from his place as Commander in Chief of the Syrian army.

In chapter eight, when Elisha went to Damascus, Naaman was no longer in charge of the armies of Syria, but Hazael was. Perhaps Elisha had heard of what had happened to Naaman and had gone there to visit him, and to comfort him? As he had been removed from his post as Commander in Chief, then he would no longer have to attend the temple of Rimmon, And would not need to bow down in that temple to those idols? So his request about this matter was not needed. What a testimony to God’s faithfulness!

THE BORROWED AXE.

Chapter six of 2 Kings begins with the story of the borrowed axe. We are introduced to the sons of the prophets once again, and as we noticed previously, they continue to be people of an carnal nature. Here they are discontented with the place where they were dwelling, and they complained that it was too small for them. The flesh hates smallness or narrowness, and always clamours for largeness, or looseness. It objects to the narrowness of the path that is laid out for the believer in the word of God.

The path which the Lord Jesus has called us to walk is a narrow path, Matt. 7:14, a path that involves trouble and discomfort, as the Greek word implies. The flesh prefers the broad road, to go with the crowds etc, but it leads down to destruction. We have this problem today, with our modern day ‘sons of the prophets’ seeking for what they call Mega Churches, and are no longer content with the two or three, that gather to the Lord’s name, as the Lord Jesus said. They call us to join hands with this and that, with anything that is called ‘Christian’, regardless of whether such movements have any love for Christ, or obedience to His word.

They then approached the prophet with their plan to build a larger place for themselves, and he permitted them to go about their project, but they asked him to go with them, and thereby give support by his presence to their endeavour, and he consented to go. We may wonder at the wisdom of this, and some would even criticise or condemn the prophet for giving credence or support to such a project by being present with them. However the prophet knew that their plans would come to nothing, and sometimes the best way to teach people is to let the make their mistakes, so that they might learn by them.

Once they reached the place, or the forest where they were to obtain the timber for their project they set about hacking down the trees that had grown tall and straight in that place. As one was felling a tree that was to be used for a beam, the head of the axe that he was using flew off the handle and fell into the water of the Jordan River. He immediately cried out to the prophet, saying "Alas master! For it was borrowed".

Here then, we have one who was inexperienced, using something that was not his own, something that he had borrowed from another, and the result was disaster. We may presume that it was borrowed from someone at the place that was too small for them. It is the practice of those who are trained in the seminaries of our lands, to do much reading, and to borrow from others, things that they fit into their sermons, when asked to preach. Things that they have never proved, or made their own, things that others have used, things that have cost them nothing. The result sometimes is that the preaching of such sermons brings death, disaster and loss.

John the Baptist was a skilled axeman. He said that (in his preaching), the axe is laid to the root of the trees, and that every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Luke, 3:9. But he had been prepared for such a ministry by spending years alone with God in the wilderness. He had denied himself the luxuries of his time, the luxuries demanded by the religious leaders. He had exercised a rugged self-discipline, and wore the roughest clothes, a garment of camel’s hair, with a belt of leather about his loins. Such things are not comfortable to the flesh. Thus he was qualified to use the axe, and the axe that he used was not borrowed from another. We are commanded to ‘Buy the truth and sell it not’, (Prov.23:23.) showing that whatever we gain in the knowledge of truth will cost us something.

Elisha then asked, where fell it? He then cut down a stick, and cast it into the water, and the axe head was made to swim. The erring one was then told to take it up to himself. The stick was a young tree, and before the disaster could be fixed, it must be cut down and cast into the Jordan.

I suggest that this speaks to us of the sufferings and death of Christ. He could say through the Psalmist, "Take me not away in the midst of my days", Psalm 102:24. Isaiah says that He "Was cut off out of the land of the living". Ch. 53:8. Thus the errors that sometimes follow immaturity, and inexperience, have cost the Lord Jesus His sufferings and death. The iron was made to swim, thus was restored to usefulness. Thank God for restoration, for resurrection, but the cost of it all was the surrender of the perfect sinless life of Christ.

The end result seemed to be that those immature people saw their error and mistake, because we never read of that larger place being erected. I seems that their project was abandoned. So the prophet’s presence had the desired effect. Though he did not have to resort to rebuke or even correction, yet the desired end was reached, and though sadder, yet wiser because of their mistakes, they returned to their place, after having learned their lesson.

KNOWING THE ENEMY’S PLANS.

In the section that follows we learn the value of discernment. Elisha knew what the enemy’s plans and intentions were. He did not keep this knowledge to himself, but passed it on to the king of Israel, by way of warning, thus he was saved from defeat and loss on several occasions. But it caused consternation to the Syrian king. He suspected that there was a spy amongst them. Perhaps he thought that it was Naaman? However once the truth was revealed, he decided to capture this man who was hindering his attempts. So he sent one of his bands to do this.

It is a sad fact that today many experience defeat and loss, because of their lack of discernment. So often an idea is presented that seems to be of God, when all the while it is of the Devil. There is no excuse for us, as we have the Bible in our hands, and we have direct access to the throne of God. We are also indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God, and if we only allowed Him to teach and to lead us, we would then discern to true nature of what is suggested to us. We too would not then "Pass that such a place," and would be saved from much hurt and loss. Paul could say to the Corinthians, "We are not ignorant of his devices". 2Cor. 2:11.

The problem is that Satan is so cunning, and we can so easily be deceived and think that something presented to us is of God, when it really comes from Satan. John warns us that we are to allow the unction, (The Holy Spirit) to teach us, 1John, 2:27, and that we are definitely not to believe every spirit, but to try, (or test the spirits), to see whether they are of God.

Paul also tells us that " He that is spiritual judgeth, (discerns) all things, yet is judged of no man." 1Cor. 2:15. The more dependent we are upon God, the more spiritual we are, (that is the more we are led, filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit) the greater will be our discernment.

THE BAND IS SENT.

The troubled king then sent an armed band to capture the man of God, and they came to Dothan where he was staying, and besieged that village, deploying the troops during the night. When Elisha’s servant went out in the early morning, (probably to obey the calls of nature), he was amazed to find themselves surrounded by armed soldiers. He rushed back in despair, and said to Elisha, "Alas master, what shall we do?" However the man of God was quite calm, and replied, "They that are with us, are more than they that are with them. He then quietly prayed, "Oh Lord, open his eyes". It was then that the servant gained a new vision, he saw what he could not see before, and saw the mountains full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

So often we are like that servant, we are so occupied with the difficulties and problems, the dangers that confront us that we fail to see the resources that God has placed at our disposal, and for our protection and deliverance. Lord open our eyes also!

God has sent forth His angels to serve those that inherit salvation. These mighty ministering spirits are always with us, whether we realise it or not. Their power is available for our protection, while ever we are treading the path of God’s holy will, and walking in daily simple dependence upon Him. Heb. 1:14. These mighty beings often confront the demons that Satan deputes to do us harm, as in the case of Daniel, (Dan. 10:11. ) Psalm 91 is almost entirely devoted to this subject.

ELISHA PRAYS AGAIN.

The prophet prayed again and asked God to smite the soldiers with blindness. God answered his prayer, by bringing partial blindness upon them. They could see enough to walk, and yet were unable to recognize their surroundings. Elisha then led them into the midst of Samaria, where he prayed once more that God would remove the blindness that He had brought on them. They then realized that they had been led into a trap. The king would have slaughtered them, but the prophet would not permit him to do so. Instead he told the king to set bread and water before them, that they might eat and drink and go to their master. The king went to the other extreme, and made a great feast for them. We are commanded to love our enemies, to bless those that curse us. (Matt. 5:43-48) and see also, Rom. 12:17-21.

The result was that these potential enemies became friends, and the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel. Grace is a very powerful thing, much more powerful than vengeance or cruelty. We may think that God was inconsistent, because Ahab was slain because he let Ben Hadad go free. But we need to see that he was Syria’s king, and represents Satan, whereas these soldiers were just doing what they were told, and paid to do. They were just pawns in a power struggle, and we need to see that men that Satan uses are only men, and rather than hate oppose and blame them, we need to confront the power that controls and uses them.

THE SEIGE OF SAMARIA.

The remainder of chapter 6 of 2Kings, and all of chapter 7, is given to the description of the siege of Samaria, and the wonderful deliverance that God gave, according to His word.

We may think that there is a conflict between what is said of the bands of Syria, and verse 24. The difference lies in the fact that it was not the bands of Syria; that came to besiege Samaria. But the whole host of Syria came under the leadership of their king. They came as a part of the judgment of God, upon a wicked people. They had turned away from Jehovah, and given themselves to idolatry, so God’s disciplinary judgment must fall.

I see many similarities in the situation that exists today in our society. The siege reduced Samaria until they were feeding on what was filthy, and paying a high price for things that were worthless.

THE ASS’S HEAD.

It is remarkable that this should be mentioned. The ass’s head was the thinking part of the animal, and the part that made all the noise. There would have been much more flesh on the rest of the animal, but that is not mentioned. I would suggest that the head represents what is intellectual. In our society intellectualism is of great value. If one has been to college, or to university, if they have trained or studied in a theological seminary, and have obtained a degree, or diploma, or better still a doctorate, then that person will be sought after.

It makes me think of the politicians of our day. They make so much noise, (like the braying of an ass), and claim to be the brains of the country. They enrich themselves, and vote themselves large salaries. They retire as millionaires, while a large section of the population live in poverty. Some of them have failed in business, and gone bankrupt, yet consider that they have brains enough to run the country. Ours is a society under siege!

DOVE’S DUNG.

This is filth, yet the people were paying a high price for it. We see a parallel today when we observe what is served up in the media. Visit the bookstores, and see what fills the shelves. Look at the magazines that people read, the vulgar advertisements, the T.V programmes. People are feeding their minds on what is filthy, and paying a high price for it.

CANABALISM.

The citizens of Samaria were in such a state of hunger, that they were eating the flesh of their own children. Men and women in our society have turned their backs upon God, they have gone into many forms of sin. They practice sinful habits, yet it is the little children that suffer. If a father experiences sorrow, then often they will turn to alcohol, they will selfishly drink away the family’s income, it is the poor helpless children that suffer. They did not ask to be brought into the world, it is akin to eating their flesh.

The mother may go out to work, and in that situation be thrown into the company of men other than the husband, to whom she has promised in a solemn oath before God, to be true and faithful. Lust is awakened in her heart, and she breaks her vow, is unfaithful to her husband, and runs off with another man. It is the little children that suffer. Every little child deserves the security of a loving mother and father, and to deny it to them is like eating their flesh.

THE KING’S DISTRESS AND HIS DECISION.

Such a terrible revelation of the dire condition of Samaria and it’s people, caused the King great distress, and made him to tear his clothes in anguish. This revealed that under the royal garments was the sackcloth of mourning on the King’s flesh. He was helpless to do anything, but instead he turned against the only One that was able to deliver him and his people from the peril of their condition. He turned against Jehovah, and decided to silence the voice of God, by beheading His prophet. It seems that the city elders had more wisdom than their king, because they were sitting before Elisha, as if desirous of hearing God’s message through him.

How often the world’s rulers do the same today! Instead of seeing, that the cause of their trouble is that they and the people have turned away from God, they turn against God, and blame Him for their troubles. They often turn against His servants, with fierce persecution.

Elisha heard the King and the executioner coming, and instructed the elders to shut the door of the house, and thus to keep them from entering. Elisha knew the King’s murderous intentions, but instead of calling down fire from heaven, as Elijah might have done, he allowed the king to pour out the hatred and bitterness that was festering in his wicked heart.

The king proceded to blame God for their troubles, and revealed his impatience, asking, "Why should I wait for Jehovah any longer?" However instead of rebuking the King, Elisha gave a message of hope and salvation. Tellingthat on the following day, there would be food in abundance, and it would be sold at a cheap price in the gate of Samaria. The executioner mocked and scoffed at this message. He replied, "If God was to make windows in heaven, could this thing be?" He was to hear from the lips of the prophet, the message of his doom. "Thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shall not eat of it". He would witness others receive the blessing of salvation, but he would be suddenly hurled into Hell, and eternal torment. The reason for this was his own refusal to believe the message of salvation that came from the lips of God’s servant.

Herein lies a warning to all today that would reject and scoff at the message of God’s salvation, that is offered to guilty, hell-deserving, and lost sinners. The message of God’s salvation is made known, for the obedience of faith amongst all that hear it. It is so sad to think, that there are some that will witness others receive God’s wonderful salvation, through faith in Christ, yet they themselves will end up in Hell. I appeal to those that read this, please don’t let this happen to you! Put your faith and trust in Christ now, while you have the opportunity.

GOD’S INTERVENTION.

God waited until every human attempt had failed, until every human resource had been tried then He intervened. He does His miracles so quietly, and so simply. He does not sound a fanfare of trumpets, and bid the world to watch what He does.

He used four leprous men to discover what He had done, and to convey the message of salvation to those within the troubled city. These men were doomed to die, but unlike the respectable sinners in the city, they knew it, and they could not hide their miserable plight. So they held a little committee meeting amongst themselves. They came to the conclusion that if they did nothing, if they just sat there, they would die. The same is true for every lost sinner, if they do nothing about their lost condition, they will surely die in their sins and go to Hell. Some argue "If I am going to be saved, then I will be saved!" My dearest friend, that is the surest way to be lost. An evangelist once asked a class of boys, "What do I have to do to be lost, and go to hell?" One boy put up his hand and replied, "Please sir, nothing1" He was right, God offers His salvation as a gift, He wishes that all might accept that gift, but the gift only becomes the possession of those that receive it.

Next they concluded that if they entered into the city, there was famine in the city, and they would die there. Those within the city were probably better dressed than they. The city dwellers had comfortable homes to live in, (or to die in), but they faced the same fate as the poor leprous beggars. Just as today, there are respectable sinners, even religious sinners. Some are even clergymen of different denominations, yet they are lost sinners on their way to hell.

Finally they realized that their only hope was in mercy. They would fall away to the host of the Syrians, hoping that they might extend mercy to them, but if they failed to do so, then they would only die. There is a lesson for lost men in this, because their only hope is in trusting themselves to the mercy of our loving God. He delights in mercy, and has said, "I will have mercy and not sacrifice", Matt.9:13.

It has been said that mercy sees that we do not get what we do deserve, whereas Grace sees that we do get what we do not deserve. God is said to be rich in mercy, and those that repent of their sins, put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus, and cast themselves upon His mercy, they honour Him. The poor publican prayed, "God be merciful to me a sinner" and he went down to his house, justified.

Trembling thus, they approached the Syrian camp, only to find much more than they had hoped for. God had indeed saved them. They found food in abundance, riches, and raiment, far more than they could have hoped for, or even thought possible. Eph. 3:20-21.

What a beautiful picture this is of the salvation that God offers freely to doomed and lost sinners, through faith in Christ. First there is forgiveness of sins; the profound relief that comes when we are washed from our sins in the precious blood of Christ. The realization that we will never have to face an angry God, nor have to give an account of our sins. All of our sins are gone, righteously judged and punished, in the vicarious sufferings that the Lord Jesus bore on the cross, during those three hours of darkness. Cleansed away by the precious blood that He freely shed on that cross. Removed forever from us, when He was buried, and removed forever from before a Holy God.

But this is not all, because He has removed from us the filthy rags of our own self-righteousness, and has clothed us in the very righteousness of Christ; the ‘Best Robe’! Luke, 15:22.

As well He has given us food for our hungry souls. ‘The bread of life’, John, 6:48; and all the royal dainties of heaven. John 6:57.

And whereas before, we were spiritual paupers; bankrupt sinners who owed a great debt to God, yet had nothing to pay the debt with, yet now we have become joint heirs to the unsearchable riches of Christ.

The poor leprous beggars did not need any persuasion to avail themselves of the salvation that God had provided freely for them. They ate all that they could, but took and hid what they could not appropriate. They went into other tents and did the same. They were making sure that they had provision for the future. However the wonderful thing about God’s salvation is that it is eternal. The life that we have received is eternal life, yet like them we tend to be selfish, and to keep to the wonderful news of God’s wonderful salvation, when there is abundance for all. God desires that all men might be saved, and come to a knowledge of the truth.

One of the beggars began to think of the masses that were starving within Samaria, while they were rejoicing in the abundance of God’s provision. They quickly realized the wrong of their selfish actions. They said to each other, "This is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace!" They realized that to delay sharing the good news with others would perhaps bring disaster upon them. They feared the approach of the ‘morning light’, and so determined to "tell the King’s household". I recall an old evangelist telling us that even if the lost would not come to hear the good news, then "Tell it to the Kings Household". Those that are saved still love to hear the gospel. Let us not fail to tell others the good news.

The morning light is about to dawn on this dark and sinful world. Soon we must stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and there we shall give an account of the things done, (or not done), in the body. Let us be awake and active in spreading the good news! Let us not be put to shame before Him, at His coming!

At first their message was not believed it seemed too good to be true. Once it reached the ears of the King he dismissed it as a trick. However faith and reason prevailed, messengers were sent out on horseback, and they returned with the news that it was indeed true. So it is with the gospel. Not one that has ever put it to the test, by repenting of their sins, and trusting the Lord Jesus to save them, have ever been disappointed. Scoffers have been there from the very beginning, and they will be there until the end, but those who "Taste and see", find that the Lord is good, and those who trust in Him are truly blessed. Psalm 34:8.

THE PEOPLE RESPOND.

The good news spread through the city like a forest fire. They were saved, and food was available, and they wanted it, and rushed to the gate of the city to avail themselves of it. Oh that it was so today. In Australia people will flock in thousands to attend a football match, or some other entertainment. They will come in thousands to Sydney for the ‘Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gra’. Thus to publicly support the purveyors of wickedness, that are destroying our society, yet it is almost impossible to get one person to attend a gospel meeting.

The king appointed the executioner, who had scoffed at the prophet’s message of faith, to try to bring some order out of the confusion caused by the surging crowds. But he was trodden to death beneath the feet of the crowds that were hungry to receive the salvation that God had provided for them.

Thus the word of God came to be fulfilled. With his own eyes he saw others receive the blessing provided by God’s salvation, but he did not partake of it himself, but died right there, and probably suffers still in the torments of Hell, because he refused to believe the message of God. Let us be warned, lest something like this should happen to any that read these words.

SEVEN YEARS OF FAMINE.

In chapter eight, (2Kings) we next have the account of seven years of famine. It is to be noted that the duration of the famine was twice the length of the famine proclaimed by Elijah. It is not said either, that this famine was the direct result of Elisha’s prayers. Elisha understood the mind and will of God in this situation. The famine was not as severe as the one called for by Elijah, because it seems that there were some harvests during those seven years.

The prophet warned the woman of Shunem, to go to another place for that period, so she went to the land of the Philistines and stayed there. It seems that her husband must have died, either before she went away, or while she was sojourning in the Philistines land. When she returned with her son, no mention is made of her husband. Because she acted in obedience to the direct command of God, He saw to it that she suffered no loss.

Her case was so different to that of Elimelech & Naomi, in the book of Ruth. They ran away from a difficult situation, but got into worse troubles. They were out of the will of God, and suffered because of it.

The seven years of famine passed by, and the woman returned with her son, and approached the King to have her house and land restored. It is interesting to notice the timing, which was obviously God’s timing, which is always perfect. God is never in a hurry, but He is never too late.

When the woman cried to the king for her house and land, Gehazi was relating to the King the miracle of the raising to life of the woman’s son. This reveals another thing, and that is that Gehazi must have been cleansed from his leprosy. Otherwise he would never be in the presence of the King. This shows us the wonder of the mercy of God. However though cleansed from the outward display of the leprosy and its defilement and corruption, yet the leprosy was still in his heart, and in the hearts of his sons and daughters also.

Moses had to learn this lesson also, because when he put his hand in over his heart and brought it out again, it was as leprous as snow. But when he put his hand in again, and brought it out, it was restored as his other hand. This was to teach him, (and us), that the leprosy of sin lies latent in our own hearts also. Solomon prayed that each one would know the plague of their own heart.(2Chron. 6:29. J.N.D.)

As they stood there, the widow and her son were a living testimony, both to the miraculous power of God, and the persistence of a faith that refused to give up. So it was, that not only the woman’s house and land were restored to her, but also the value of the fruits that had been harvested from the land, during those seven years. This was surely the intervention of God on their behalf, and was a direct result of their obedience to His word.

ELISHA AT DAMASCUS.

We may wonder what Elisha was doing at Damascus? Perhaps there are several answers to this query. You will recall that Elijah was told by God to do three things, and he did only one of those things, that is he anointed Elisha as prophet in his stead, the other two duties he left to Elisha to do. It was to fulfil one of these duties that the prophet came to Damascus. That is to anoint Hazael king over Syria.

But there was another reason perhaps why he came to Damascus. You will recall the healing of Naaman in chapter five. When Naaman returned he was no longer an idol worshipper, Jehovah was now his God. It seems that this change was not pleasing to Ben Hadad king of Syria, and he probably felt that he could no longer trust that general to lead his army against Israel, and dismissed him from his post. I say this because Hazael was now the general of Ben-hahad’s army. Perhaps news had reached Elisha of Naaman’s suffering and it is quite possible that he had gone to Damascus to comfort and to establish him in his faith. He could have been staying at Naaman’s house, when he had a visit from Hazael. It was at this time that Ben-hadad fell sick, though it seems that his illness was not terminal. Hazael had been sent by Ben-hadad with a huge gift, to request the prophet to inquire of Jehovah as to whether he would recover from his illness. Thus God’s time had come. It was probably more than twenty years before that God had given the command to Elijah, and it was possible that Hazael was only a child then. This reveals to us again, that God knows the end from the beginning, and that He always acts according to His own plan, in His own time.

It is quite interesting that this time Elisha did not refuse the gift, though it was huge. It was forty camel’s burden of all the good things of Damascus. Perhaps it was his intention to bring relief to others that were suffering, back in Israel. Unlike Gehazi in the earlier chapter, he was not motivated by selfishness and greed.

The prophet clearly told the messenger, that his king’s sickness was not life threatening, that in the normal course of events, he would certainly recover. However he had been shown by Jehovah that Hazael would murder his master and seize the throne of Syria for himself. He wept as he realized the terrible things that Hazael would do to the children of Israel. This was in spite of the fact that they richly deserved the judgment that the invader would mete out to them. Yet he loved those people, and though they were in a backslidden state, yet they were his people. So it was that Jehovah literally placed the sword in the hands of the Syrian coup plotter, with which he would slaughter the unfaithful children of Israel, and in so doing would execute God’s judgment upon them.

Though Hazael was horrified by Elisha’s description of the things that he would do, yet in the years that followed, he and his soldiers fulfilled accurately all that had been prophesied. The very next day, after delivering that part of the message that he knew his king would wish to hear; Hazael murdered his master. He did not do this with the sword, but in the king’s weakened condition, he smothered him. In so doing, he fulfilled what God had intended, but what Ahab had failed to do.

JEHU ANOINTED.

Now that God’s time had come, events began to unfold swiftly, and in chapter nine one of the sons of the prophets was despatched to do the third thing that God had commanded Elijah.

God’s timing was perfect! Hazael had begun to do what Elisha had said he would do, Israel’s king had been wounded, he had returned to Jezreel to be healed of his wounds, and had left his army with the generals to protect Ramoth Gilead from being re-captured by the Syrians.

Elisha did not anoint Jehu himself, but gave the task to one of the children of the prophets. The fact that this young man is described as one of ‘The children’ of the prophets may indicate that he was a humble person. The older prophet instructed him in detail, as to what he was to do. Because he obeyed the directions of the older prophet, and delivered the message faithfully, he qualified to become a prophet himself, as it says, "The young man, the prophet". All that would aspire to deliver the message of God, may learn from this young man. He did not remain to receive any glory for himself, but delivered the message, then opened the door and fled. He did the job entrusted to him, then left the results in the hands of God. This is what every servant of God should do, but sadly, many fail to do so, they want to remain in the picture. They want to receive any glory that may be bestowed upon them because of their service. Let us deliver the message, and leave the results with God.

God had borne very patiently for many years with the house of Ahab, and the wicked Jezebel, but now His time had come to fulfil His promise of judgment, and it happened so swiftly. Jehu was quickly accepted by his fellow captains. He was exalted by them, and proclaimed to be king of Israel. He would allow none to escape from the city to bring news to Jezreel of the coup. He set out immediately on his errand of judgment. Thus he drove with his characteristic fury to that city, and took Jezebel and her son completely by surprise. Ahaziah the king of Judah had come to Jezreel to visit his uncle, and God used Jehu to put a violent end to both of their lives. Thus, He put an end to the unholy alliance that had grown up between the descendants of the royal house of David, and the house of Ahab, and the children of the wicked Jezebel.

THE SLAUGHTER OF JEZEBEL.

Once Israel’s king had been slain, and his body dumped unceremoniously on the very plot of faithful Naboth, then the executioners attention was turned to dealing with that most wicked woman Jezebel. She remained defiant until the last, and even applied her cosmetics, so that she might look at her evil best. She taunted Jehu, and reminded him of the fate of another, that had aspired to overthrow his master. As she looked out of the window, and hurled her abuse, two or three eunuchs looked out also. Jehu challenged them as to where they stood, and to declare where their loyalties were, by throwing the wicked woman down. No doubt they had suffered much under her tyranny, and were only too glad to be rid of her domination. Thus they cast her down from her lofty vantage point. She fell down striking part of her body on the wall as she fell, so that her blood was sprinkled there. She was then trodden to death beneath the hooves of Jehu’s chariot horses. Jehu then went up into the royal palace to celebrate his successes. However he gave command that she should be given an honourable burial, because she was a king’s daughter. But when his servants came to bury her, they found only her skull, her feet, and the palms of her hands. The street dogs had eaten Jezebel, and there was none to bury her. She was to have no grave, and no memorial, but her name has stood as synonymous with evil, down through the ages.

THE CONTRAST BETWEEN JEHU AND JEHONADAB.

Though not strictly a part of the story of Elisha, yet it may be of value to draw attention to the contrast between these two men. As Jehu proceeded on his mission of judgment, he met Jehonadab the son of Rechab, who was a Kenite, ( a descendant of Moses’ father in-law). First he challenged him as to whether his heart was with Jehu in his mission of murder. It seems that Jehonadab was a man of perfect heart, and though he would have no part in the slaughter of others, yet he realized that the judgment of God must be done. God is not mocked, and whatever men sow, they must reap.

It would be difficult to find two men more unlike each other. Jehu was a proud and cruel man, who boasted in his zeal for the Lord. However subsequent events prove that he had zeal for the Lord, only in as far as it suited him. Really he was seeking a place, and power for himself. He was establishing his own dynasty, which continued only for four generations. While it is truethat God used him to bring judgment on both the house of Ahab, and the descendants of Jehoshaphat, yet the actions of Jehu brought God no pleasure. Though he overturned the worship of Baal, and destroyed its priests, its altars, its temple, and all who followed that false god, yet for his own benefit, h