653
T H E K I N G ’ S
B U S I N E S S
October 1924
the blessing came. Gehazi would have hindered her as the disciples, would have hindeted Bartimeus, but true faith is persistent and knows the way to the power of God. Elisha intuitively interpreted her need and responded at once. Gehazi was sent with, the staff to lay upon the body of the child. Why? (4) THE HOME BLESSED THROUGH FAITH, vs. 29-37. , “ Take up thy son” v. 36. Necromancers were sent with staves and orders not to let anything touch the staff lest virtue pass. But Elisha knew that there was no virtue in a staff. He wanted to teach Gehazi and this mother in Israel that there was no power in forms, or dead works. The staff of a prophet may be a beautiful thing, but .unavailing to give life. Miracles of the Bible are of might, not magic. Gehazi was as dead as the staff. He had no power to raise the dead, no heart, no faith. He carried out his master’s orders and laid the staff upon the child, but “ there was neither voice nor hearing.” Too often is it true that the church is long on staves,—- (mechanical machinery, sometimes esthetically beautiful and attractive) but short on spiritual life, prayer and faith, and a desire to honor and glorify God. When Elisha himself came to the home he went in, shut the door and prayed. Here you have the secret of the mir acle. Wasr.it-not so with Elijah (1 Kings 17:20-22) and had not Elisha heard the story? And now he follows the program of his master. So Elisha stretched himself upon the body of the boy—; Eye to eye, heart to heart, the warmth of his Own life was imparted to the boy. He opened his eyes, then manifested life, begotten again from the dead. Is not this God’s order for us as workers for lost souls? Not by proxy if we can do otherwise, but by personal touch, heart beating for heart, the warmth of the indwelling life of Christ warming the heart of the sinner by personal contact and prayer. Jesus touched men,— touched their lips, took the young man by the hand and raised him from the bier. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He comes near and when we touch Him the warmth of His body gives warmth to ours. Elisha was a type of Christ. He was a servant as Christ was. Our Lord went traveling up and down throughout Judea and Samaria, helping, healing, comforting, bringing blessings into homes, raising the dead; and so can we if we will. Hearts will be open, homes will be open, our hands can bestow blessings and we can have the joy of service. Topics for Study (1) If our homes are houses of God, will there be hos pitality for the servants of God? (2) Does the making of a real home lie within the power of a real mother? (3) Where is the solution of the problems of God’s provi dence to be found? (4) How did God reward the hospitality given the pro phet by this home? (5) Is there a reward for the believer who gives Jesus the best place in his heart? (6) The greatest joy of the Christian life is to be found in soul-saving work.'
(2) THE HOME BESTOWED BY GRACE, 4:1-17. “ Go, sell the oil and pay thy debt” v. 7. 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 hus band, made him a welcome guest in their home for rest and refreshment. They were also led to set apart a “ pro phet’s chamber’’ furnished with a bed, table, stool and candlestick, subject to his use whenever he pleased. Angels have been entertained unawares and Elisha proved to be a heavenly messenger. Abram made no mistake in entertaining the three men at Mamre, for God rewarded him. Peter exhorts us to use hospitality one to another 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 lesson grows out of a gracious spirit manifested by these children of God. There was no obligation upon their part beyond 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 knows our hearts. The home in Shunam lacked but one thing,— it was childless; 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. Frit with the same measure that ye mete 'withal 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 the prattle of a new voice. <3) THE HOME BEREFT BY DEATH, vs. 18-28,! “ he ***died.” v. 20. The baby has now grown to be a lad, out in the field with his father harvesting. Probably the sUn was shining —as is often the case in that climate—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 for them, live for them! We need them more than ever in 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 unburden 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 husband. She believed God had power to raise her son. Elisha had been God’s channel through which
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