Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 59, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1915 — OTHER RESTITUTION TYPES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OTHER RESTITUTION TYPES

e Kings 6:8-t3.—October U. Elisha Awakens the Shunammite’s Son. Punishes His Servant Gehazi—Entraps the Syrian Army and Renders Them Good For Evil—lmportant Letsons In Righteousness. “The angel of Jehovah eneampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.’’ —Psalm Si.-7. 1 ■ HILE the events noted in < ■ I today’s Study may not find exact counterparts in the events of the coming Kingdom, they nevertheless represent principles which will lie in operation then —reward for right-doing, punishment for intentional wrong-doing, and sympathetic restraint and instruction. All these principles will operate during Messiah’s Kingdom, and under these the world will gradually progress. Millions of people will long remember a most touching scene in the Pho-to-Drama of Creation, representing the death of the Shunammite’s son and showing how Elisha awakened the

lad from the death sleep. Few saw this touching film without tears. It pictured the comin g Restitution work of the Millennium, when all the sleeping dead will be awakened to complete their education in the school of experience under more favorable conditions than any

now enjoyed. The Church, however, will have risen before then. Gehazi Smitten With Leprosy. Gehazi had in many respects? been a faithful servant to Elisha. As a result he had blessings of knowledge widen the majority of people did not possess. With the knowledge came responsibility; hence the severe punishment inflicted upon him.—Ezekiel 3:20; 18:2024; 33:13, 15, 16. . When General Naaman perceived the great miracle accomplished in his cleansing from leprosy, he returned to Elisha, offering thanks to God and desiring the Prophet to receive the presents be had brought. In his refusal Elisha manifested what we believe is always the Lord’s Spirit—never to sell spiritual things for money. It is for this reason that some ministers now object to taking up collections, holding fairs or soliciting money in any manner. Whatever is given to the Lord’s service should be given with a free hand and a ready heart. It is a privilege to give to the Lord and His Cause. He is not poor. Under such a noble example Gehazi should have profited, but he allowed covetousness to enter his mind. Perceiving that General Naaman regretted that his presents were not accepted, Gehazi pursued and told, him that the Prophet had said that while he did not desire the gifts for himself, yet he would accept some of the garments for his servants. The ruse was successful. The goods were given to Gehazi.' He secreted them, until the Prophet called him, told him all about the matter and pronounced his punishment—leprosy. So it will be in the coming Age. Disobedience will meet with swift punishment. Of the judges of that time it is written that they will not judge with the hearing of the ear or the sight of the eye, but will judge righteously.—lsaiah 11:3, 4. Elisha’s Capture Attempted. It was probably after General Naaman’s death that the Syrian king warred against Israel. To his surprise his every move was checkmated. He looked for a traitor in his own household or for some explanation. Finally one of his servants told him, “The Prophet Elisha is in Israel and makes known to their king all thy counsels, even those of thy bedchamber." The Syrian king sought to capture Elisha. He sent spies to find where Elisha dwelt, and located him at Dothan. Thereupon he sent a good-sized

force to surround the little city and make Elisha’s esca p e impossible. In the morning Elisha’s servant looked forth and beheld the Syrians on every side. Terrified, he said. “Alas, my master! how shall we do?” Promptly came the answer, “Fear not! for they that be

With us are more than they that be with them.” But the servant did not fully realize what Divine powers were with his master. Then Elisha prayed that the young mail’s eyes might be opened; and he beheld angelic hosts, horses and chariots of fire around about Elisha. This was sufficient. The Prophet exercised a supernatural power of blinding the Syrians—just what we can only conjecture. Doubtless they saw the hills, valleys, roads, etc.; but their eyes of understanding were closed in some hypnotic manner. Elisha gave them to understand that he would lead them to the proper city, and guided them straight into the city of Samaria. There, surrounded by the hosts of the capital, he broke the hypnotic spell. Their eyes opened, the Syrians perceived that they were in the hands of their enemies. The king of Israel inquired of Elisha whether he should destroy them. The answer was, “No; feed them and let them return home.” Catching the spirit of the occasion. the king made them a bountiful feast and set them free.

Elisha and his Servant.

Benhadad, King of Syria.