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THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NE S S
May, 1942
Ik home, opening them to Genesis 1. As the professor outlined this and the following chapter on the blackboard, I felt that perhaps he was not modern in his teaching and belief after all; perhaps I had made too much of a small incident. As the outline was completed, however, h e m a d e t h e startling statement - that these two chapters were written by different in dividuals at different times and were contradictory (compare the Wellhau- sen higher critical theory). Several years prior to this expe rience, I had enrolled in a course in hermeneutics, a course that had failed to interest me in particular; but “her meneutics” was just the word that I needed at this moment. When asked what explanation I c o u l d give of the professor’s statements, I replied that in coming to such a conclusion he had completely disregarded the law of hermeneutics that must be considered by every Bible student. Strangely enough, he was not ac quainted with the word aijd had no reply after my explanation. The class reaction was favorable; •the other students began to believe that perhaps I was not just a “ back- woods ignoramus” after all. We we discussed the individual verses in Genesis 1, I was asked whether I knew the Hebrew word translated I “created.” It just “happened” — no, ’ the Lord had planned each detail— that this was one of the only two Hebrew words with which I was fa miliar. I immediately .replied, to the amazement of the class; and I knew that, in their thinking, one more point in my favor had been gained. How wonderfully our Lord provides the smallest needs for His children! Heckling, Objections— and Spirit-Taught Rebuttals As the discussion proceeded, one unusually sophisticated young man raised his hand to contribute some thing to the conversation. As he was called upon, he stated that he had been thinking about me and had reached the conclusion that I was de teriorating mentally! . Several other similar compliments were contributed to the discussion during the period. As long as we are in the flesh I sup pose that such statements will hurt a bit, but I rejoiced that it was for His sake, and prayed that He would keep me sweet and a constant testi mony of His grace and loveliness. The classroom situation reminded me of a group of cats eagerly waiting to pounce upon one little mouse in their midst. Each student seemed eager to ask me a question or to pre sent a problem in the Word that would forever silence me and- show me how ignorant and childish had been my belief. One young woman I
plain! Even now my heart Is thrilled as I recall His faithfulness. Truly, “He doeth all things well.” The ex planation silenced both professor and class; the subject was changed; God’s Word had again vindicated itself. • Some one else pointed out what was asserted to be a contradiction in the story of the flood. In one verse the Word stated that the rain continued forty days, and another verse in the same chapter stated that the rain had lasted one hundred fifty days! One student who knew little about the Bible was honestly endeavoring to de fend its truthfulness by suggesting that perhaps two different floods were described. The class seemed to be convinced that at last they had found a contradiction that had no explanation. The simple difference between the duration of the actual deluge (Gen. 7:17) and the longer period during which the waters “pre vailed” on the earth’s surface (7:24) Naaman (“Behold, now I know") for the sinner. But there is an epilogue which follows, and it is just as im pressive though perhaps not as up lifting as the former account. Gehazi, ensnared by the tentacles of covetousness, runs after Naaman to “ take somewhat of him,” What a contrast! The little maid has every reason for considering herself first, but is utterly unselfish. Gehazi, on the other hand, has everything in his favor, but can think of nothing but personal gain. Garments and gold! His is not the only experience which has been stunted, b l i g h t e d , and blasted by those things. Did the influence of the little maid bring about the conversion of Syria’s most popular man? Then the influ ence of Gehazi robbed him of thè new found joy of his salvation. He started away from Israel rejoicing, but I am sure that he arrived in Syria doubt ing and perplexed. Why do we hear nothing of his spiritual growth? Why is there no record of any spiritual awakening in Syria? He had a great testimony when he came out of the Jordan. What happened to it? We wonder about some of those things. Was the influence of the little maid, marvelous as far as it went, curtailed by the evil influence of Gehazi? Was the kingdom of Syria spiritually im poverished because of the influence of one man, blinded to divine prin ciples by covetousness? [Continued on Page 198]
said that she remembered my making a statement earlier that five thousand years b e f o r e Columbus proved the world was round, God’s Word had plainly stated that fact. She had re peated my statement 'to some friends who turned to a verse in Isaiah re ferring to the four corners of the earth! In a pitying voice, she asked whether I could possibly reconcile this verse with those I had previously mentioned. Every one in the room awaited the answer. On the night before I was to present my material to the class, I still had several books to read. My body and mind were almost exhausted after the days and weeks of hard study; I felt as though I could not read another sentence. Just before I retired, I picked up a book by Harry Rimmer and asked the Lord to direct me to the portion I should read as the last step in my preparation. The book fell' open to a discussion of a verse in Isaiah, exactly the verse which I now was being asked to ex- truth. This truth is demonstrated for us in 2 Kings 5, by two very striking and contrasting characters. B o t h cases present positive evidence of the fact that no human being can walk the face of this earth without exert ing a direct influence upon others. We usually think of this chapter only in connection with the conver-. sion of Naaman the leper. Naaman, of course, is the central figure. He is a very interesting personality, yet whatever influence he had upon his contemporaries, is not recorded here. On the other hand, there are two less prominent characters mentioned (one not even named) whose influ ence is remarkable and far-reaching. Who has not been thrilled, hum bled, inspired, and spiritually invig orated by the account of the simple testimony of “the little maid,” given under such uncongenial circumstances, but with such unbelievable results? The outcome makes what had seemed to be your greatest failure and your most futile effort become, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, some thing which in God’s time will bring forth fruit, yea, much fruit that shall remain. We always conclude our ser mons with some such application for the saint, or with the testimony of * Pastor, Grandview Baptist Church. ^ HE PHRASE which we have adopted for a title may sound rather commonplace, but it ex
[ Continued on Page 199] The Power of Influence By DOUGLAS WHITE* Atlanta, Georgia
presses an unavoidable and profound
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