prophets and kings-第41章
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enewed in the image of God。 Weak and erring men and women show to the world that the redeeming power of grace can cause the faulty character to develop into symmetry and abundant fruitfulness。
The heart that receives the word of God is not as a pool that evaporates； not like a broken cistern that loses its treasure。 It is like the mountain stream； fed by unfailing springs； whose cool； sparkling waters leap from rock to rock； refreshing the weary； the thirsty； the heavy…laden。 It is like a river constantly flowing and； as it advances； becoming deeper and wider； until its life…giving waters are spread over all the
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earth。 The stream that goes singing on its way leaves behind its gift of verdure and fruitfulness。 The grass on its banks is a fresher green； the trees have a richer verdure； the flowers are more abundant。 When the earth lies bare and brown under the summer's scorching heat； a line of verdure marks the river's course。
So it is with the true child of God。 The religion of Christ reveals itself as a vitalizing； pervading principle； a living； working； spiritual energy。 When the heart is opened to the heavenly influence of truth and love； these principles will flow forth again like streams in the desert； causing fruitfulness to appear where now are barrenness and dearth。
As those who have been cleansed and sanctified through a knowledge of Bible truth engage heartily in the work of soulsaving； they will become indeed a savor of life unto life。 And as daily they drink of the inexhaustible fountain of grace and knowledge； they will find that their own hearts are filled to overflowing with the Spirit of their Master； and that through their unselfish ministry many are benefited physically； mentally； and spiritually。 The weary are refreshed； the sick restored to health； and the sin…burdened relieved。 In far…off countries thanksgiving is heard from the lips of those whose hearts are turned from the service of sin unto righteousness。
〃Give； and it shall be given unto you；〃 for the word of God is 〃a fountain of gardens； a well of living waters； and streams from Lebanon。〃 Luke 6：38； Song of Solomon 4：15。
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Chapter 19
A Prophet of Peace
The work of Elisha as a prophet was in some respects very different from that of Elijah。 To Elijah had been committed messages of condemnation and judgment； his was the voice of fearless reproof； calling king and people to turn from their evil ways。 Elisha's was a more peaceful mission； his it was to build up and strengthen the work that Elijah had begun； to teach the people the way of the Lord。 Inspiration pictures him as coming into personal touch with the people； surrounded by the sons of the prophets； bringing by his miracles and his ministry healing and rejoicing。
Elisha was a man of mild and kindly spirit； but that he could also be stern is shown by his course when； on the way to Bethel； he was mocked by ungodly youth who had come out of the city。 These youth had heard of Elijah's ascension； and they made this solemn event the subject of their jeers； saying to Elisha； 〃Go up； thou bald head； go up；
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thou bald head。〃 At the sound of their mocking words the prophet turned back； and under the inspiration of the Almighty he pronounced a curse upon them。 The awful judgment that followed was of God。 〃There came forth two she…bears out of the wood； and tare forty and two〃 of them。 2 Kings 2：23； 24。
Had Elisha allowed the mockery to pass unnoticed； he would have continued to be ridiculed and reviled by the rabble； and his mission to instruct and save in a time of grave national peril might have been defeated。 This one instance of terrible severity was sufficient to command respect throughout his life。 For fifty years he went in and out of the gate of Bethel； and to and fro in the land； from city to city； passing through crowds of idle； rude； dissolute youth； but none mocked him or made light of his qualifications as the prophet of the Most High。
Even kindness should have its limits。 Authority must be maintained by a firm severity； or it will be received by many with mockery and contempt。 The so…called tenderness； the coaxing and indulgence； used toward youth by parents and guardians； is one of the worst evils which can come upon them。 In every family； firmness； decision； positive requirements； are essential。
Reverence； in which the youth who mocked Elisha were so lacking； is a grace that should be carefully cherished。 Every child should be taught to show true reverence for God。 Never should His name be spoken lightly or thoughtlessly。 Angels； as they speak it； veil their faces。 With what reverence should we； who are fallen and sinful； take it upon our lips！
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Reverence should be shown for God's representatives for ministers； teachers； and parents； who are called to speak and act in His stead。 In the respect shown them； God is honored。
Courtesy； also； is one of the graces of the Spirit and should be cultivated by all。 It has power to soften natures which without it would grow hard and rough。 Those who profess to be followers of Christ； and are at the same time rough； unkind； and uncourteous； have not learned of Jesus。 Their sincerity may not be doubted； their uprightness may not be questioned； but sincerity and uprightness will not atone for a lack of kindness and courtesy。
The kindly spirit that enabled Elisha to exert a powerful influence over the lives of many in Israel； is revealed in the story of his friendly relations with a family dwelling at Shunem。 In his journeyings to and fro throughout the kingdom 〃it fell on a day； that Elisha passed to Shunem； where was a great woman； and she constrained him to eat bread。 And so it was； that as oft as he passed by； he turned in thither to eat bread。〃 The mistress of the house perceived that Elisha was 〃an holy man of God；〃 and she said to her husband： 〃Let us make a little chamber； I pray thee； on the wall； and let us set for him there a bed； and a table； and a stool； and a candlestick： and it shall be； when he cometh to us； that he shall turn in thither。〃 To this retreat Elisha often came； thankful for its quiet peace。 Nor was God unmindful of the woman's kindness。 Her home had been childless； and now the Lord rewarded her hospitality by the gift of a son。
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Years passed。 The child was old enough to be out in the field with the reapers。 One day he was stricken down by the heat； 〃and he said unto his father； My head； my head。〃 The father bade a lad carry the child to his mother； 〃and when he had taken him； and brought him to his mother； he sat on her knees till noon； and then died。 And she went up； and laid him on the bed of the man of God； and shut the door upon him； and went out。〃
In her distress； the Shunammite determined to go to Elisha for help。 The prophet was then at Mount Carmel； and the woman； accompanied by her servant； set forth immediately。 〃And it came to pass； when the man of God saw her afar off； that he said to Gehazi his servant； Behold； yonder is that Shunammite： run now； I pray thee； to meet her； and say unto her； Is it well with thee？ is it well with thy husband？ is it well with the child？〃 The servant did as he was bidden； but not till she had reached Elisha did the stricken mother reveal the cause of her sorrow。 Upon hearing of her loss； Elisha bade Gehazi： 〃Gird up thy loins； and take my staff in thine hand； and go thy way： if thou meet any man； salute him not； and if any salute thee； answer him not again： and lay my staff upon the face of the child。〃
But the mother would not be satisfied till Elisha himself came with her。 〃As the Lord liveth； and as thy soul liveth； I will not leave thee；〃 she declared。 〃And he arose； and followed her。 And Gehazi passed on before them； and laid the staff upon the face of the child； but there was neither voice； nor hearing。 Wherefore he went again to meet him； and told him； saying； The child is not awaked。〃
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When they reached the house；
