prophets and kings-第45章
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〃And it came to pass； when they were come into Samaria； that Elisha said； Lord； open the eyes of these men； that they may see。 And the Lord opened their eyes； and they saw； and； behold； they were in the midst of Samaria。 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha； when he saw them； My father； shall I smite them？ shall I smite them？ And he answered； Thou shalt not smite them： wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow？ set bread and water before them； that they may eat and drink； and go to their master。 And he prepared great provision for them： and when they had eaten
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and drunk； he sent them away； and they went to their master。〃 See 2 Kings 6。
For a time after this； Israel was free from the attacks of the Syrians。 But later； under the energetic direction of a determined king； Hazael； the Syrian hosts surrounded Samaria and besieged it。 Never had Israel been brought into so great a strait as during this siege。 The sins of the fathers were indeed being visited upon the children and the children's children。 The horrors of prolonged famine were driving the king of Israel to desperate measures； when Elisha predicted deliverance the following day。
As the next morning was about to dawn； the Lord 〃made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots； and a noise of horses； even the noise of a great host；〃 and they； seized with fear； 〃arose and fled in the twilight；〃 leaving 〃their tents； and their horses； and their asses； even the camp as it was；〃 with rich stores of food。 They 〃fled for their life；〃 not tarrying until after the Jordan had been crossed。
During the night of the flight； four leprous men at the gate of the city； made desperate by hunger； had proposed to visit the Syrian camp and throw themselves upon the mercy of the besiegers； hoping thereby to arouse sympathy and obtain food。 What was their astonishment when； entering the camp； they found 〃no man there。〃 With none to molest or forbid； 〃they went into one tent； and did eat and drink； and carried thence silver； and gold； and raiment； and went and hid it； and came again； and entered into another tent； and carried thence also； and went and hid it。 Then they said one to another； We do not well： this day is
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a day of good tidings； and we hold our peace。〃 Quickly they returned to the city with the glad news。
Great was the spoil； so abundant were the supplies that on that day 〃a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel； and two measures of barley for a shekel；〃 as had been foretold by Elisha the day before。 Once more the name of God was exalted before the heathen 〃according to the word of the Lord〃 through His prophet in Israel。 See 2 Kings 7：5…16。
Thus the man of God continued to labor from year to year； drawing close to the people in faithful ministry； and in times of crisis standing by the side of kings as a wise counselor。 The long years of idolatrous backsliding on the part of rulers and people had wrought their baleful work； the dark shadow of apostasy was still everywhere apparent； yet here and there were those who had steadfastly refused to bow the knee to Baal。 As Elisha continued his work of reform； many were reclaimed from heathenism； and these learned to rejoice in the service of the true God。 The prophet was cheered by these miracles of divine grace； and he was inspired with a great longing to reach all who were honest in heart。 Wherever he was he endeavored to be a teacher of righteousness。
From a human point of view the outlook for the spiritual regeneration of the nation was as hopeless as is the outlook today before God's servants who are laboring in the dark places of the earth。 But the church of Christ is God's agency for the proclamation of truth； she is empowered by Him to do a special work； and if she is loyal to God； obedient to His commandments； there will dwell within her the excellency of divine power。 If she will be true to her
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allegiance； there is no power that can stand against her。 The forces of the enemy will be no more able to overwhelm her than is the chaff to resist the whirlwind。
There is before the church the dawn of a bright； glorious day； if she will put on the robe of Christ's righteousness； withdrawing from all allegiance to the world。
God calls upon His faithful ones； who believe in Him； to talk courage to those who are unbelieving and hopeless。 Turn to the Lord； ye prisoners of hope。 Seek strength from God； the living God。 Show an unwavering； humble faith in His power and His willingness to save。 When in faith we take hold of His strength； He will change； wonderfully change； the most hopeless； discouraging outlook。 He will do this for the glory of His name。
So long as Elisha was able to journey from place to place throughout the kingdom of Israel； he continued to take an active interest in the upbuilding of the schools of the prophets。 Wherever he was； God was with him； giving him words to speak and power to work miracles。 On one occasion 〃the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha； Behold now； the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us。 Let us go； we pray thee； unto Jordan； and take thence every man a beam； and let us make us a place there； where we may dwell。〃 2 Kings 6：1； 2。 Elisha went with them to Jordan； encouraging them by his presence； giving them instruction； and even performing a miracle to aid them in their work。 〃As one was felling a beam； the axhead fell into the water： and he cried； and said； Alas； master！ for it was borrowed。 And the man of God said； Where fell it？
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And he showed him the place。 And he cut down a stick； and cast it in thither； and the iron did swim。 Therefore said he； Take it up to thee。 And he put out his hand； and took it。〃 Verses 5…7。
So effectual had been his ministry and so widespread his influence that； as he lay upon his deathbed； even the youthful King Joash； an idolater with but little respect for God； recognized in the prophet a father in Israel； and acknowledged that his presence among them was of more value in time of trouble than the possession of an army of horses and chariots。 The record reads： 〃Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died。 And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him； and wept over his face； and said； O my father； my father； the chariot of Israel； and the horsemen thereof。〃 2 Kings 13：14。
To many a troubled soul in need of help the prophet had acted the part of a wise； sympathetic father。 And in this instance he turned not from the godless youth before him； so unworthy of the position of trust he was occupying； and yet so greatly in need of counsel。 God in His providence was bringing to the king an opportunity to redeem the failures of the past and to place his kingdom on vantage ground。 The Syrian foe； now occupying the territory east of the Jordan； was to be repulsed。 Once more the power of God was to be manifested in behalf of erring Israel。
The dying prophet bade the king； 〃Take bow and arrows。〃 Joash obeyed。 Then the prophet said； 〃Put thine hand upon the bow。〃 Joash 〃put his hand upon it： and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands。 And he said；
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Open the window eastward〃toward the cities beyond the Jordan in possession of the Syrians。 The king having opened the latticed window； Elisha bade him shoot。 As the arrow sped on its way； the prophet was inspired to say； 〃The arrow of the Lord's deliverance； and the arrow of deliverance from Syria： for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek； till thou have consumed them。〃
And now the prophet tested the faith of the king。 Bidding Joash take up the arrows； he said； 〃Smite upon the ground。〃 Thrice the king smote the ground； and then he stayed his hand。 〃Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times；〃 Elisha exclaimed in dismay； 〃then hadst thou smitten Syria
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till thou hadst consumed it： whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice。〃 2 Kings 13：15…19。
The lesson is for all in positions of trust。 When God opens the way for the accomplishment of a certain
