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knows our hearts. The home dn Shun am lacked but one thing,— it was child less; and Elisha by grace, through faith, gave to the home a baby boy. (Luke 6:38) “ Give, and It shall be given unto you ; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom . F or w ith the same measure that ye mete w ithal it shall be measured to you again.” What was worth more to her than all her other gifts was freely bestowed, and the home was made happy by thè prattle of a new voice. (2) THE HOME B E R E F T BY DEATH, vs. 18-28. The baby has now grown to be a lad, out in the field wdth his father har vesting. Probably the sun was shin ing— as is often the case dn that cli mate—with burning heat, and sun stroke followed. Note how natural is the story: “ Carry him to his mother.” To the mother’s arms of love! To the bosom that had nursed him! To the lap that had held him! Thank God for mothers, real mothers, the kind that carry the mother’s heart of love, that bear the little ones in their arms, that weep over them, pray fop them, live for them! We need them more than ever- dn these days and have less of them. She carried the little lad up and laid him on the prophet’s bed. Why? Was this a mother’s intuitive faith? To whom else could she go? Was not the boy an unasked for gift. Was God displeased? Was there something now in the heart of God concerning them both that she must learn? This was the first step. Next she went to see the prophet. She must un burden her heart to someone. Who like the prophet would understand her heart’s cry? This woman was a woman of faith. She did not stop to talk to her hus band. She believed God had power to raise her son. Elisha had been God’s channel through which the blessing came. Gehazi would have hindered
succeeds him and the double portion of Elijah’s spirit, requested by Elisha, rests upon him. Mir- LESSON acle follows miracle EXPOSITION and we find him lo- T. O, Horton cated with headquar ters at Samaria. From here he journeyed from place to place in his service as God’s prophet, minis tering to the spiritual needs of God’s people. Elijah and Elisha are in strong contrast in personality. Elijah, like John the Baptist, was a child of the desert. Elisha was more like our Lord. God’s servants differ in equipment for He has use for all kinds, giving to men of God gifts as He chooses. In the journeys of Elisha he passed through Shunam, a little town three miles north of Jezreel, seven miles from Nazareth and in sight of Mt. Carmel. In this beautiful, rich district lived a woman of God who, together with her husband, made him a welcome guest in their home for rest and refreshment. They were also led to set apart a “ prophet’s chamber” furnished with a bed, table, stool and candlestick, sub ject to his use whenever he pleased. Angels have been entertained una wares and Elisha proved to be a heaven ly messenger. Abram made no mis take dn entertaining the three men at Mamre, for God rewarded him. Peter exhorts us to use hospitality one to an other without grudging (1 Pet. 4 :9), and Paul says we are to be “ given to hospitality.” It is well to note that all of this les son grows out of a gracious spirit mani fested by these children of God. There was no obligation upon their part be yond that of love for others, as there never was any obligation upon the part of God to seek and save sinners. It is all of grace. Selfishness bars the blessings of God. Generosity opens wide the doors for God’s grace and goodness, and God
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