_Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets._ THE WIDOW’S POT OF OIL If we are to believe the voice of tradition as expressed by Josephus, the subject of this touching story was one who had seen far better days, being the widow of Obadiah, the Lord High Chamberlain of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Empty vessels: borrow not a few._ THE FILLING OF EMPTY VESSELS The best of men may die in poverty. Here is the widow of a prophet left in destitution. We must not hastily censure those who leave their families unprovided for. Circumstances may render it impossible to do more than supply the pressi... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it came to pass when the vessels were full._ GOD’S WAY OF GIVING This incident is rich in suggestiveness. It may be employed to illustrate the rapid changes of human fortune; the crushing weight of cumulative trials; or the practical sympathy of a true prophet who is never so faithful in his... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it fell on a day that Elisha passed to Shunem._ HOSPITALITY In these verses there are two very interesting subjects, and of a practical character. I. Hospitality rightfully employed. The object of the hospitality was Elisha the prophet, and the author of it is called here a “great woman.” Ob... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall._ THE LITTLE CHAMBER ON THE WALL I. How did this little chamber come to be? It originated in the quick and clear perception of this woman of Shunem. “I perceive,” she said to her husband, “that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us c... [ Continue Reading ]
_I dwell among mine own people._ INFLUENCE We contend that there is not a man, who does not dwell among a host of persons who are under his influence, who listen to his voice, and echo his thoughts. None are so mean and powerless as not to shape and bend in some way the mind of an acquaintance. No... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when the child was grown._ THE EMPTY HOME The Bible is the most perfectly natural and human book in the world. It deals not with philosophies and theories, but with real human life. The story of the Shunammite and her child is one of the most touching episodes in Scripture, and also one of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_He sat on her knees till noon, and then died._ DEATH IN EARLY LIFE I. Let us inquire what proportion of mankind die before they arrive to years of maturity. II. What purposes God may design to answer by the early death of children. Though there is no reason to doubt whether God has some wise and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Is it well with thee?_ MINISTERIAL INQUIRY INTO THE WELFARE OF A PEOPLE I. When may it be said to be really well with any persons? Many would think it to be well with us when we have food and raiment, when our flocks and herds increase. But, if this is to be well, and we are no better than “this... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand._ THE POWER AND WEAKNESS OF FAITH CONTRASTED IN ELISHA There are no less than five instances wherein the prophet exemplifies the man of faith and the man of love witnessing to the faith of God by his grateful deeds. I. The power of Elisha’s fait... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child._ PERSONAL POWER Here is a remarkable thing in Bible history--nothing less than that a miracle should miscarry. Here is an attempt to work a miracle, which ends in failure. This is strange and most painful. Who knows w... [ Continue Reading ]
_He went therefore, and shut the door upon them twain._ THE STAFF AND THE SACRIFICE The story of the Shunammite and her son is one of the most charming idyls in the Bible. It abounds in the most beautiful touches of nature; and though the mould in which it is cast is peculiarly Eastern, its simple... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the child sneezed seven times._ THE SEVEN SNEEZES The child was dead. Although he had been the special gift of Divine promise and was therefore doubly prized by his parents, yet the little lad was not secure from the common hazards of life. The first clear evidence that the child was restored... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Elisha came again to Gilgal, and there was a dearth in the land._ MINISTRIES TO MAN, GOOD AND BAD Elisha had returned to Gilgal, the seat of a school of the prophets; he had come thither once more on his early circuit, and during the famine which prevailed in the land. As the students sat bef... [ Continue Reading ]
_There is death in the pot._ POISONS Nature grows poison as well as food. The sons of the prophets little knew the hurtful quality of the food that was being poured into the pot. In all things nature has its poisonous side as well as its sustaining and comforting aspect. The bane and antidote are b... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there came a man from Baal-shalisha._ THE FARMER’S GIFT I. A lesson on providence. This dearth came in consequence of sin. The proud and wicked people would never yield, except they were obliged by God’s strong hand. And when He punishes, He makes men know how powerful He is. Some men nowaday... [ Continue Reading ]