II Kings
2: 1-10. Testing before blessing.
1. What events Elijah and Elisha would chat about as they passed through Gilgal, Jericho, Bethel, and Jordan, recalling God’s dealings with their fathers in former days! Gilgal, a new start, Josh. 5:0; Bethel, no confidence in the flesh, Gen. 28; Jericho, the manifestation of Jehovah’s power in times gone by; Jordan, can the Lord’s presence do the same to-day?
Gilgal — circumcision; public profession. Bethel — church-going.
Jericho — Bible study (school of the prophets).
Jordan — death to the world; consecration.
What are any of these worth if you “tarry” while
the Lord goes on? Go with him through these
stages, then return to the world in his power, to
glorify him, to make the bitter sweet (v. 19), etc.
11. The three dispensations had each a representative
who went directly to heaven — Enoch, ante-diluvians; Elijah, children of Abraham; Christ, the
church.
To-day we look upon an ascended Saviour. 14. Faith before knowledge.
4: 21. The Shunamite woman laid her dead boy on the prophet’s bed, determining to give him no rest until he restored him to life.
5: 3. A little maid said a few words that made a com-
, motion in two kingdoms. God honored her faith
by doing for Naaman, the idolater, what he had
not done for any in Israel. See Luke 4: 27.
How often has the finger of childhood pointed
grown-up persons in the right direction. The maid boasted of God that he would do for Naaman what he had not done for any in Israel, and God honored her faith.
5: 10. Naaman had two diseases — pride and leprosy.
The first needed curing as much as the second.
14. Naaman had (1) to get down from his chariot of pride; (2) afterwards, to wash according to the prescribed way.
6: 14. Trying to catch God!’ Herod tried it (Matt. 2:
16), and the Jews, when they killed Jesus. The hosts of hell now encompass Christians in our cities.
16. Two classes only, “with “or tl against” us (Matt.
24 :34, 41).
17. The horses and chariots were not made for the
occasion; they were all there, and only the eye failed. The eye of faith could see them.
7: 2. “If you would believe, you must crucify the question, ’ how? ‘See Mark 8: 4.
8: 13. We do not know ourselves.
10:31. “Departed not” — better, “renounced not,” did not take active part against.